My first photos were taken with a small Brownie point-and-shoot. In 1966 I got my first single-lens-reflex camera. It has been an expensive cavalcade of cameras and lenses ever since. Every few years some new shiny object comes from Nikon that I MUST have to make me a better photographer. It never works. The new stuff breaks the bank, but doesn’t improve my “eye.”
I now favor my iPhone camera. As soon as Apple comes out with the new 48mp iPhone camera, I may just sell all my Nikon gear. You know, we move from film to digital to the iPhone, just as we move from internal combustion cars to electric.
In March, I turn 83. Time for looking back and taking stock. What did it all mean, if anything at all? My writing? My work? My relationships, including my family? My photography? Photography is the easiest to answer. So hang on, here we go.
I have 47,000 images in my various hard drives and computers. I am going through all of them and selecting the best. So far, I’ve chosen about 2,000 images (about 4% of the total) as “the best,” spread across 13 categories: Nature, Sports, Music, Portraits, etc. That means only about four of every 100 photos I take are worth much. A 4% hit rate? The sorting process is ongoing. When finished, I will put these images on Flash Drives and give them to friends. You will then be able to get the top 4% of all the photos I have ever taken.
To get started on this project, I have selected the top 15 photos from the best 2,000, or .ooo34% of all the photos I have ever taken. Out of those 15, I chose the best ever. The top. My favorite of all time. Talk about “Sophie’s Choice!” It wasn’t easy.
So what did I base my choice on? Content? Story? Focus? Composition? Color? Shadows? Uniqueness? Yes.
My #1 photo of all time: Father and daughter at the Monterey Jazz Festival. They were sitting three rows ahead of us. I used my 200mm Nikon lens. I could see instantly this was a good shot. At intermission, I approached the dad and showed him what I got. He loved it. The story: He brought his daughter to the jazz festival in the hopes of getting her hooked on jazz at a young age. As he told me, and as you can see on her face… the plan failed. Turns out he lives in Redwood City, not far from us. I made a print of the image and took it to him the week after the festival.
The story, and the girl’s expression, and his nurturing manner are what took this photo to the #1 slot.
I hope you enjoy these images. Keep your eye out for the release of the Flash Drive. You could be the proud owner of the top 4% of all the photos I’ve ever taken. Wow. Eat your hearts out Ansel Adams and Annie Leibowitz.
Here, then, from number 15 to number one:
#15 – Surfer
Andrew Molera State Park
#14 – Myrna
Street Singer in San Miguel, Mexico
#13 – Welder
Redwood City
#12 – Baby Hummingbirds
My back porch
#11 – Dance Rehearsal
Treasure Island with Old Bay Bridge
#10 – Avalon Ballroom
Catalina Island
#9 – Cal Cheerleaders
Cal vs. Washington game, 2014
(Note: try putting your foot 12 inches above your head)
#8 – Katie Thiroux
Monterey Jazz Festival, 2007
#7 – Regina Carter
Monterey Jazz Festival, 2017
#6 – Clairdee
Monterey Jazz Festival, 2005
#5 – Farm near Castroville Hwy 1
#4 – Highway overpass
Foster City
#3 – Jerry Johnson becoming a Buddhist Priest
#2 – Mary McGlynn and Katy McGlynnGilbert
Sea Ranch
#1 – Father / Daughter
Monterey Jazz Festival, 2009
Gorgeous photo as your top pick. Such a universal experience for parents. The Avalon Ballroom is a stunner. This must be a satisfying project for you to go through all your photos. Thank you for sharing with us.
wow, the power of B&W – really impressive, Please keep shooting!
your eye sees well, rick, as does your heart…..bravo!
Happy early birthday Rick….you inspire me with every blog on how to live life to the fullest…Thank you for these amazing perspectives through your camera lens…..
These 15 beautiful photos reveal who you are — a righteous soul with an exceeding optimistic view of the world. Thanks for being you.
These are all stunning. I agree with all the comments above. Your eye connected to your heart. A rare and precious gift.
What everyone else said, plus . . . that shot of Clairdee!!!
fine photographs Rick
Great pics as is your habit. I’d like to hear the rest of stories that went with them. Keep it up.
Rick, you’re capturing the essence of Life. Being a visual person, I resonate !
Dona Smith-Powers
#3 is phenomenal! The diagonal “line” of the silhouettes captures the glasses of both priests’ “vision” and–linking both–is “time” on the priest’s wrist. Read into it what you will. This deceptively “simple” photo says so much. Thank you.
Great photos Rick. You inspire me.
Beautiful Rick. What a talent you are in so many ways! Thank you.-bb
Thanks for sharing. I know there are many other special photos Rick has taken as I’ve had a number of enjoyable opportunities to go on “shoots” with him.
Wonderful collection, Rick. Thank you for sharing. If I were to vote, mine would be for hummingbirds. Somehow, you captured the beauty in their stillness while the texture of their feathers and nest is stunning. Spring shines through in this photo – Bravo!
Impressive photos Rick. Thanks for sharing them-
Your photographs are inspiring ~ stories in themselves! Although you’re an amazing storyteller, I think your photographs are your true art.
You are a great example of the principle that enough practice makes approaching perfect possible.
But 15 of 47,000 is 0.032 %, a percentage a hundred times more than the 0.00032 % you give yourself credit for. LOL!
I can’t imagine trying to pick the BEST of 47,000 photos. Yikes!!! What discipline! Right now I’m dying to see #16! And 17, and 18!! I’m sure there are dozens of stunning ones. I’ve seen extraordinary ones that didn’t make it. But these are truly a pleasure to gaze upon, for sure. I adore the Mary and Kate one. I’m happy San Miguel made it into the top 15!! Sounds like a fun project. Good luck!