To say that 2021 was a wild year for me would be the understatement of the century! The past year has brought about some dramatic changes in my personal life. Among these was accepting a new job that required me leaving my beloved state of Kentucky in favor of Maryland.
While these changes have been a dramatically positive change for me, they have meant that my photography has suffered a bit this year. Luckily, as I sit here closing out the year, my situation is starting to stabilize and I am getting back into the swing of my usual photography and adventure shenanigans. While 2021 hasn’t been the best year my photography has every seen, I am very much looking forward to what 2022 is going to bring. Let’s just say that there is plenty to come from me 😉
Anyway, let’s take some time to look back at my 5 favorite images from the past year. Oh, and if you’re curious, you can see my year end review for 2020 too!
#5 – Lick Creek Falls
I started off the year on a high note by visiting some waterfalls in southern Kentucky. Among these was the gorgeous Lick Creek Falls. Though I had been to this falls several times previously, I had never gotten a shot of the falls that I was happy with. This was also the most flow that I’ve ever personally seen on this falls. I took full advantage of the situation to get one of the first shots of the year.
I also happened to make a video of this trip, if you’re into that sort of thing 🙂
#4 – Mouse Creek Falls
Immediately after my hike to Lick Creek Falls I headed on down to the North Carolina section of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The original plan had been to night hike up to the summit of Mt. Cammerer to photograph the sunrise. The weather had different plans, however.
Rather than let the clouds put a damper on the day, I hiked along Big Creek. This is a beautiful section of trail, ending with Mouse Creek Falls. I also made a video of this particular trip.
#3 – Private Property Waterfall
My friends Bill Fultz, Chris Morris, and myself, got permission to visit a seldom visited waterfall in the Upper Red region of Kentucky. One of the conditions of gaining permission to visit that waterfall, however, was agreeing to not share the photos. Anyway, after spending the morning photographing that beauty, we drove around and eventually shot this lovely, private property, waterfall.
#2 – Ash Cave
I am a huge fan of winter. Not only does the cold keep the crowds away from some of the more popular destinations, but it also brings with it amazing ice formations and snow! This was certainly the case on this trip to Ohio’s Hocking Hills State Park.
I had previously had the chance to Photograph Ash Cave after the remnants of a tropical storm had hit the area, but this was my first time having the chance to catch the falls during the brilliance of winter.
#1 – Appalachian Mountains Sunset
This brings us to my favorite image from the year. I captured this sunset during an early May backpacking trip to the mountains of North Carolina. I had near 360 degree panoramic views all to myself for both sunset and sunrise the next morning! It was a fantastic trip, though it was, sadly, the only backpacking trip I made it on over this past year.
2021 has been an interesting year, to say the least. Despite the challenges to my photography, it has been an overall great year. Now that things are stabilizing for me again I am starting to get back into the swing of things. As such, I am very much looking forward to seeing what 2022 will bring!