My favourite landscape photographs from 2017
It was fun to look back over the past year’s photographs recently and recall the story behind them. I’ve created a gallery of my favorite images you can check out here (or click on any image to open that page in a new window). I moved in new directions with my landscape work which, through trial and error, yielded some work I really like.
I practiced a technique where I change the focal length (zoom) the lens during a long exposure which creates a variety of effects that I have had great fun exploring.
I walked into some of my images, to provide scale in some and interest in others, which I want to continue to explore and build on. I also hope my children will join me for some of those in the coming year – if I can wake them up early enough!
I had a lot of fun scrambling around valleys and peaks in Banff and Kananaskis. I wanted to hike more in the warmer months and was happy with the images I made from those outings to new locations. I photographed through many nights along the lakes there and enjoyed seeing these amazing places under the stars. I have always loved the mountains and that love continues to deepen.
A trip to the Palouse in Washington in May was a definite highlight. The agricultural geometry laid over the rolling hills is beautiful. Exploring the area and searching for interesting compositions filled a long weekend and a couple of memory cards.
Excursions on the Prairies, searching for snowy owls in winter and a long list of other birds in the other seasons, were regular for me in 2017. These are often solitary travels for me and I find the landscape imagery often reflects that. Lone subjects, standing as islands on endless fields, stand defiant under the massive skies in one image and vulnerable in the next. I have much more that I want to create out there in this new year.
There were many pieces of last year that bring a smile when reflecting back. And a few that well some tears up. They combined to make for a good year. For me, this gallery reflects that. Thank you for following the visual journey I share here.
Christopher Martin Photography 
Amazing pictures. This is a very colorful collection.
February 6, 2018 at 12:53 pm
Beautiful landscape images! I’ve done the zoom technique but never on a landscape image … that worked out really well. And, I love the lonely tree in your last image.
January 25, 2018 at 8:18 am
Thank you Denise. I appreciate you taking a look. I glad you enjoyed them.
February 2, 2018 at 6:52 am
Amazing! Beautiful pictures 😄
January 24, 2018 at 1:22 pm
Thank you!
February 2, 2018 at 6:52 am
Great images! Looks like 2017 was a good year, I’m excited to see the images you will post in 2018! Thank you for sharing!
January 21, 2018 at 11:46 pm
Thank you Tonje! I am excited for 2018 too!
February 2, 2018 at 6:59 am
It’s wonderful to see the Palouse again, though every photo is extraordinary. It’s wonderful to find someone who admits to liking his own work, and who has an emotional connection to it. That’s part of what makes your work so special, and so evocative. Best wishes for the coming year!
January 20, 2018 at 3:36 pm
Thank you Linda. I deeply appreciate your insightful comments. I hope 2018 is treating you well so far – all the best through the year to you.
February 2, 2018 at 7:03 am
Well Christopher, these are stunning! Your work has been great but I still see the growth in your work. Kudos! and have fun in the year ahead.
January 20, 2018 at 1:06 am
Thank you Jane. Growth is elusive to see at times – yours is an observation I really appreciate.
February 2, 2018 at 7:05 am
Fantastic work, Christopher! It’s always a pleasure for me following your blog! I wish you a experimental 2018 full of wonderful moments in stunning landscapes! Simone
January 20, 2018 at 1:00 am
Thank you Simone! The very best to you this year too.
February 2, 2018 at 7:06 am
Wonderful photos, Christopher! Really wonderful!
I also have a weird question to ask you. I do a lot of photography in cold temperature. What gloves do you use? I’ve tried several that were marketed for photographers, but none of them is really up to the task:(. Do you know a good brand?
Thank you for your time,
Svetlana
January 19, 2018 at 8:24 pm
Hi Svetlana – thank you!
For gloves, in cold weather I use relatively thin liners and then heavy mitts over top. I have a few types of these but North Face windstopper gloves and the Arc’teryx Venta gloves are good. For mitts I like the Outdoor Research Meteor mitts. Liners are tricky because I want them thin enough to be dextrous but thick enough to stay warm. I haven’t found the prefect ones yet – especially below -20°C. So, I keep heat packs in my camera bag and use those when it is COLD. I usually shoot with a liner and mitt on my left hand (holding the lens) and just the liner on my right hand (so I can feel the shutter and make setting changes fluidly).
The best cold weather gloves I have seen are The Heat Company Heat 3 Layer System. There are 3 types of liner and 2 types of over mitt. I have not used these yet but there are excellent reviews and I have one friend who swears by them. They are expensive but very awesome.
February 2, 2018 at 7:18 am
Thank you, Chris! Happy Valentine’s to you and yours, too!
February 14, 2018 at 10:46 am
It is such a pleasure to view your creative offerings, Christopher. I have shared many of your photographs so others may also discover your work. Thanks for all the exquisite wonder!
January 19, 2018 at 1:46 pm
Hi Cynthia – I always appreciate you taking the time to visit and to comment. I find your words very insightful. Thank you for sharing my imagery! I hope you have a great year!
February 2, 2018 at 7:20 am
And you, as well! 🙂
February 2, 2018 at 12:43 pm
Reblogged this on Le Bien-Etre au bout des Doigts.
January 19, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Some truly beautiful shots. My faves are the opening sunset (love what you did with the zoom) and the Palouse.
Alison
January 19, 2018 at 12:30 pm
Reblogged this on World4Justice : NOW! Lobby Forum..
January 19, 2018 at 11:28 am
There must be something wrong with my environment or my camera 🙂 🙂
Thank you for wonderful natural scenes ❤
Hanna
January 19, 2018 at 9:29 am
Hi Hanna – sometimes both can conspire against us! I hope neither does for you. Thank you for visiting.
February 2, 2018 at 7:22 am
All I can say is Wow!!
January 19, 2018 at 9:26 am
Thank you so much!
February 2, 2018 at 7:23 am
The color work on these is phenomenal! I always look forward to seeing your work. ✌
January 19, 2018 at 9:15 am
Very beautiful collection of images…(Suzanne)
January 19, 2018 at 7:56 am
Every single one of them wonderful in a different way….but I especially love the yellow stripe on the snowy road. Please know that your photography always inspires me and I look forward to your posts!
January 19, 2018 at 7:48 am
Absolutely wonderful photographs! You have captured a real sense of place, and the awe of nature here. Brilliant!
January 19, 2018 at 7:36 am
A good choice! I enjoyed the year’s photos, and these sure are at the top.
January 19, 2018 at 7:34 am
Very nice! Enjoyed looking at them!
January 19, 2018 at 7:24 am