New Jersey landscape and nature photographer, Greg Molyneux, shares his 7 best landscape and macro photographs made in 2020. Come for the rich imagery and stay for some insight into how these photos came to life amidst the upheaval of COVID-19 and societal upheaval. Were any able to bring you a moment of joy in the bitterness of 2020?
The Gift of Winter
A powerful December sunset smolders deep. Burning yellow, orange red flame reflected atop the derelict ruins of Rands Marina. The entire Great Bay Boulevard Wildlife Management Area salt marsh burns bright as colder temperatures and winter weather approach. Cards on the table this is my best sunset photograph in five years.
From Solitude
A life in solitude may yet be a life well lived. Trials and tribulations shape the isolated travelers journey through this life. In solitude exploration and self discovery take place. A chance to uncover who we are and what we’re all about. His is the path of solitude.
The Winter Look
The winter sunset, man. My favorite photograph to make. A holy ember unique unto herself in the pantheon of seasonal sunsets. The depth and vibrancy of color coupled with a singular clarity to the air creates the perfect environment for striking cloud colors. These are cold moments made to leave you breathless.
Stop Motion
I have a problem. My photography is wholly uninspired and improvement has been long absent and plenty indifferent. For four years now I have set adrift atop the inevitable plateau of your talent’s going no where. No gains, no challenges, no growth. What can I do to fix it? Let’s find out…
Intersections
Where does the writing go when you set out with nary an end nor a goalpost. How does it flow? Set out on The Union Market deck I let my mind snake its way through the labyrinth at the tip of ten fingers. Is this how one gets into creative writing?
In My Own Time
We find help for our mind, body, and soul in many places. Some planned and intention, others serendipitous and seemingly sent by coincidence if not fate. It is important to avail ourselves to help, especially in the times it is most difficult to do so. And no matter how hard it gets we can always come back to our breath. It’s the one thing nothing but death can take from us.
Plebs Will Out
This democratization of technology has taken photography from a cloistered craft of the few into a pastime of the many. The equalization of this skill makes us all richer. Smartphones have become the great leveler, bringing high quality picture making devices to so many. This has allowed experimentation and practice by people in places who otherwise would have had no chance to learn the trade.
I Was Once
Jonathan Carr and I checked out Parkertown Docks for the first time ever. We hung around through blue hour for the full moon rise. It so happened to be the second full moon of October, making this a blue hour blue moon rise.
Distortion
As humans we invest significant time and thought in self discovery. In so doing we present ourselves to the world as what we think the world thinks we are. It’s a trap. This dissonance stunts self discovery and leaves us mired in an inescapable loop.
