Elishia: This is pretty late for a 2016 round-up, but as we both had our own reasons for getting back into photography and goals that we wanted to achieve, I think Across The Pond Photography deserves a whole post dedicated to what we created in 2016.
Will: So 2016 is over, and I think we have had a very successful first year! Within the first 6 months of being “live” we made a total of 28 blog posts between us, and took many, many photos!
I know when I started this blog with you, my main incentive was to start using my camera more. I remember us speaking at Easter and I hadn’t taken a photo on it for a whole year! I can confidently say, that this is now not the case! In fact, just before Christmas I bought a new SD card, and during my trip to Poland completely filled it - literally thousands of photos taken, which now need sorting through (deleting most of them) and picking out some nice ones to share for my next Dear New York post.
I've always been a fan of your photography so I am thrilled that you've been picking up your camera more. My goal was to have something to focus on when I moved to NYC; to make my camera my friend so that I had a pal to go out and explore with while we were settling and I was waiting for my work permit. Little did I know that I would remember my passion for photography and it would become an extension of my arm (to Ed's dismay... no matter what, with a camera attached to my hip, I'll always look like a tourist in Manhattan).
So, the purpose of the post? Let’s look back at each others' pictures, and choose the ones we think are the Best of 2016!
Will’s Top 3 New York Photos:
One: The Intrepid from 'Dear London - a post of memories'
I am a big fan of symmetry in photos, and this is something I think you do very well - there are a number of pictures that are very nicely centred and you use the natural environment to give a beautiful balance to many of your photos. It was difficult for me to pick between this one and a beautiful black and white photo you made of Brooklyn Bridge, however this one won out - I really like the contrast between the two sides of the picture, and it is very well executed in my opinion. I also really just like big boats.
Two: Sponteneity from 'Dear London - Summer streets'
Sometimes it is nice how things around just come together to make up a brilliant shot. It is of course up to the photographer to recognise (and predict) these moments and have the camera at the ready. This photo really sums this up for me. You were in the right place at the right time and had the perfect opportunity to capture a really spontaneous moment from a group of bikers, and you captured it brilliantly. Some excellent street photography!
Three: Frames from 'Dear London - Vigilante Art'
I’m not sure what it says about me, but all of the photos I chose were in black and white and this one is no exception. I love in this how you recognised a really beautiful frame, with the beautiful pattern of the old bridge emerging from the bushes; you got yourself in the best position for the desired effect, and waited for the person the be in the correct spot to complete the image. You used both natural frames and leading lines to draw the eye, and it is a really lovely photo.
This was, of course, not an easy selection to make - there were some really superb photos taken this year and limiting myself to just three was difficult. What I did I really like during this selection was how it is very easy to see how much we have improved since we started, and how many new techniques and subjects we used.
Elishia's Top 3 London Photos:
One: Leading lines from 'Dear New York - Natural Frames of London'
I feel we're in trouble because I'm starting off with another black and white image... clearly, we're both drawn in by the nostalgic tones, but it does make sense. Black and white photography is reminiscent of photography in its early stages, it feels classic and honest and makes me think of classic photographers that I really admire. I chose this image because it reminds me of one of my favorite images by one of my favorite street photographers, Henri-Cartier Bresson. The leading lines of this image are so clean and the reflection of the cyclist is beautifully positioned - this image captures a second in time and I love the sponteneity of sreet photography.
Two: St Pauls from - 'Dear MRS New York'
Again, it's black and white! I think we'll definitely need to challenge ourselves with color this year - 2017, the year of color! The structure of St Paul's is already very interesting with the combination of curves and straight lines, but the perspective from which you took the shot is what makes this such a special image. I love that not only are the birds in flight, but their flight path and the angle of the building work together to draw the eye from one corner of the picture to another.
Three: Big Ben from - 'Dear New York'
We have some color! This is truly a spectacular image and I am even more impressed by it because I spent hours trying to use the technique and just couldn't deliver an image of such excellent quality. The lights create a wonderful sense of movement towards the viewer, and it makes the viewer (spectator?...appreciator?) engaged in the image. The lights are vibrant and contrast excellently with the jet black sky and despite all that is going on in this image, it still feels quiet, as though I am alone on the street.
I am very proud of what we have both achieved this last year, and super excited about what challenges we are going to give each other in 2017!