Hi everyone,
I consider my self mostly a landscape/cityscape photographer although recently I'm making a transition into more of an architectural photographer. I wasn't sure what to submit for this challenge so I decided to pick my favorites from 3 different categories that I shoot often. Landscapes, cityscapes, and night or astrophotography. One photo from each category is my favorite, or what I thought was my best photo from years ago (2016-2018ish), and one photo is my favorite from recent times or in the last couple years. Attempting to show my growth as a photographer.
The first set are my favorite landscapes, or in this case seascapes. The lighthouse photo is from 2018. The Portland Head Lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth Maine. This is probably the first image I was really proud of. The other photo is from last year in the Outer Banks. It's a blend of 2 exposures. A 2 minute exposure for the sky and a 1/3second exposure for the water.
The 2nd set are my favorite cityscapes from then and now. The Chicago pic (the black and white one) is from 2018 and the Singapore pic is from 2022. For the Chicago pic, the bridges started going up right when I got there and I just took off running to my left to try to get into a good position to get the boats going through the bridge with the city in the background. The Singapore pic is another multiple exposure blend. Allowing me to blend the best parts of the sky with the artificial lights from the buildings.
The third set are my favorite night images from then and now. These were both taken in almost the same spot in the backyard of our vacation rental in Brant Lake, New York. Just different compositions. The one with the shed is from 2021 and the one with the dock is from this past summer.
Finally, the last photo is what I think is one of my strongest "architectural" photos. I was laid off from my job last September and have decided to give this photographer thing a shot. For some reason I thought architectural photography was my best bet at being able to make some money. One, I think it translates pretty easily from my landscape/cityscape stuff. And two, there aren't a lot of people doing this type of thing in my area. I have managed to get a handful of clients and hope to grow this next year. This shot is from a job I did last month for a client. It's made up of a combination of ambient light and flash shots I used to light the building.
Hello Kyle and thank you for posting!
I like all of your photos as each has their own unique quality that appeals to me. I wouldn't dare reveal to anybody my photos and edits from 2016! Too over the top editing.
You really have changed your "style" and editing as well.
In your first set your older photo looks like it would look nice (with a tough of editing) printed on canvas to mimic a painting.
With your second set it appears to my eye that you are using more Global edits, than Local edits in the black and white, as the color shows a different edit as you stated.
Third set: You have incorporated the better use of leading line as well as exposing for the foreground. Also while I like Van Gogh, I like the shorter star trails in your later photograph.
Final image. You managed the most important aspect of photography: tell a story. "Ohhh, is that a Bed and Breakfast?"
As I live on the west coast I have never heard of the Gate Keepers Cottage at Dorothea Dix Park. Great photo!
Thanks Dean! My style has definitely changed over the years.
The Cottage would make a great BnB. Unfortunately it is part of a park area and is being used as office space.
Ciao Kyle!
On the last, house at blue hort: Perfect light, interersting perspective. The brachnes over the roof are bothering me. Especially the green ones are standing out.
The startrails withthe lake: just great! Very well done!
The 1st startrail: foreground is quite dark, maybe due to lacking light pollution? Lack of light pollution is good to see at the dark horizon. Great!
The cityscape at blue hour looking beatiful. Just at the right hand the orange at the sky appears to be blown out.
The BnW provides perfect gray tones & a nice composition. Buildings are cut off at ther top, A pity for me.
#2, the sunset /-rise: pure dynamic! A wow shot for me! Hang it at the wall!
#1 A perfect photograph for mecalm warm mood, a bit dynamic from the waves. Very good.
I really like how you submitted for this challenge - a few years back and now. I enjoyed reading through your post and thinking about the photos from your perspective and from how you've changed/grown in your photography. Beautiful work. Your last one is gorgeous. Nice work. Are you solely doing photography now since your lay-off (sorry to hear that, by the way)?
Thank you for the kind words Jennifer! I'm doing some part time work with a catering company and still kind of looking for work in my previous industry. I used to work in clinical trials. I got tired of being rejected from every thing including entry level jobs I was over qualified for. So yeah, my main income has been photography. It's been slow but promising. I've had a few clients but nothing sustainable yet. I don't know anything about running a business and have been doing this all on my own with the help of youtube! Still trying to land that one big client that has a lot of repeat work like a home builder or something similar. I may end up getting into real estate as well. Which I've been trying to avoid.
I get it ... how about automobile dealers? Keep us posted on your progress!
I hear that school class photo work is soooooo lucrative. Hard to get into, but guaranteed business year after year.
Otherwise, anything to do with kids, or events involving the same. That might involve updating your site to reflect this service of course, and building a strong portfolio to attract parents.
Just rambling.... architecture seems to be your niche at the moment so perhaps that might be an easier path to follow.
Whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I’m not really much of a people photographer. Although I’m starting to come around to the idea. I don’t have anything to use for a portfolio though. If I still lived in my hometown on the coast I probably would go that way. Everyone always wants beach portraits.
Wonderful set throughout Kyle. It's been great to see you develop as a photographer over time, your work is definitely becoming more nuanced and intentional.
I love your LE of the sunset, that is so dynamic.
On your light trail images - for me in the first the trails are THE subject, whilst in the second they form part of a greater tale (which adds to the depth of the image).
Good luck with your future endeavors, I'm hoping you can find work in whatever interests you (and pays the bills!)
Thanks Alan! I feel like I’m becoming more intentional in my photography as well. And I’m glad that it is showing. I used to shoot dozens of different compositions when I went out. Now I usually focus on trying to get 1 or 2 really great compositions and I feel like that has paid off.
After spending HOURS deleting images from my phone ahead of a trip I am in full agreement with the need to be more considerate when taking.
However, I have to say that with experimental work I seem to learn so much from the large number of failed attempts that do actually end up leading to more exciting results.
I do agree though, once you have attained a certain level of experience you should be able to 'feel' the best composition.
Absolutely! I still do the same thing really. Whenever I’m learning something new I still take a ton of shots. I’m still learning my off camera flash for example. But when I’m at a location for a landscape or cityscape type shot I’ve definitely learned to dial it back. There’s often going to be that one or two compositions that is THE shot. Or at least THE shot I want. Then it’s just a matter of getting good light. And you don’t want to be somewhere else when that happens. I’ve definitely learned that lesson multiple times haha!