My 2024 photography in review
My 2024 year
My 2024 photography year has been a bit mixed. Haven’t managed to get out and shoot as much as I’d like on a regular basis, but instead had some big trips with intense photography. So less ‘little and often’ and more ‘loads occasionally’.
Had a whirlwind week over to India as a wedding guest in April just the wife and I sans kids. We had both only met the mother of the groom (my wife’s former boss), but the family were so welcoming and involved us in everything - which was a huge privilege and made for some great photos. Four days of wedding before two days ‘touristing’, and getting to see a wild elephant - though after sunset so not the best images.
Sony A9, Tamron 17-28 f2.8 at 17mm and f2.8 for 1/1000 second at ISO 6400 sensitivity
Shortly after our return from India I went to an LCE event at a bird sanctuary and had a chance to play with the 600 f4, 400 f2.8 and 300 f2.8. A fantastic experience, but also made me realise how damn good my 200-600 already was. Lens lust suitably dampened.
Sony A9, Sony 300 f2.8 at f2.8 for 1/2500 sec at ISO 320 sensitivity
In May I went to Snowdonia for a photography indulgent hike with my brother. He likes hiking, I like photography. I got some nice shots around Llanrwst where we were staying (including the iconic Tu Hwnt l’r Bond tearooms which came out great in IR):
Sony A7R full spectrum converted sensor, Tamron 28-200 at 93mm and f8 for 1/160 seconds at ISO 100 sensitivity and 720nm clip IR filter
We then had an early night ahead of an early start to get to a specific point (Llyn Cwmffynnon) in time for sunrise. I was very excited as my head hit the pillow, but my enthusiasm was dampened on waking to discover the rest of the country had enjoyed one of the most spectacular showings of the Northern lights in living memory during my slumber. To have missed that still hurts. I was pleased with this at Llyn Cwmffynnon though:
Sony A9, Tamron 17-28 f2.8 at 17mm and f11 for 4 seconds at ISO 640 sensitivity with graduated ND filter and circular polariser
I lugged my A9, IR converted A7R and Tammy 17-28 & 28-200 pairing, along with my Dji mini 3 pro up to Glyder Fawr from the road and round to Tryfan. Llyn Cwmffynnon was definitely the best photography spot but the sunrise wasn’t especially exciting. I got some nice pics on rest of the hike, but my main observation was I carried too much! The following day was probably the best photography of the trip, over at fairy glen which I captured in this video here:
In the summer we had a family holiday to Europe and took in Rome, Pisa and Lucca. I consciously limited my camera time to be as present as possible with the family but took 20 minutes capturing the leaning tower of Pisa with NDs and tripod and also got one of my favourite shots of the year in Rome of the Colosseum in infrared:
Sony A7R full spectrum converted sensor, Tamron 17/28 at 28mm and f9 for 1/60 seconds at ISO 125 sensitivity and 720nm clip IR filter
In the autumn I was adamant to get a decent ‘autumnal’ pic for my 2025 photography calendar so while my son’s played in the park, I went around studiously collecting fallen leaves. Arranging them neatly in my light box and shooting down on them. I tried lots of arrangements but this was the pick of the bunch:
Sony A1, Sony 90mm f2.8 macro at f8 for 1/125 seconds at ISO 400 sensitivity
In November I had a work trip to Istanbul and stayed out for the weekend. Brilliant time to visit and take in all the sights with fewer tourists around. Spent several evenings photographing the blue mosque and Hagia Sophia, and also got into the Basilica Cistern which also made for some great shots.
Sony A1, Sony 14mm f1.8 at f11 for 25 seconds at ISO 100 sensitivity
Then in December I organised something I’ve been wanting to do for years, an evening of mucking about with light painting with other local photographers. About 14 years ago I bought a DIY ball of LEDs on the end of a long cable from this very forum for spinning around in front of the camera. I’ve taken it with me on several house moves but never actually used it. Well finally I did. I got some great results until a few of the LEDs exploded. I don’t know if it was heat, age, power or what, but turns out it was both the first and last time to use it! A few results I was pleased with like this:
Sony A1, Sigma 50mm 1.4 at f16 for 30 seconds at ISO 100 sensitivity
I also got to do some stroboscopic photography which I’ve wanted to do for ages too. Setting a flash to fire several times as I run across the frame with a slow shutter speed. After a few tests I got one image I liked, though need to get out again. This is with me holding the flash unit directly in my face and manually firing off at set frequency:
Sony A1, Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 at 18mm and f11 for 4 seconds and at ISO 100 sensitivity
In between the above events, I’ve done a few focus stacks and also did an autumn leaves still life / posed shot in a light box I was pleased with. Plus all the usual family events. But my favourite shot of the year is probably this from Istanbul while in the queue for the Blue Mosque. A worshipper readying themselves to enter appears to be alone while several shadows look to be gathered in conversation. There’s so much going on in this image that I could look around it for ages, which for me is the sign of a great image. It was just a fleeting moment but for me it works:
Sony A1, Tamron 28-200 at 28mm and f9 for 1/125 seconds and at ISO 160 sensitivity
For 2025 I have only one personal photography goal and that’s to get an image I’m proud of of a kingfisher. They’re such stunning birds and I’ve captured them in India and the Netherlands, but never with artistic merit. They’re images that prove I saw one, rather than images I’d want to print, enjoy and share. Hopefully 2025 will be the year!
