First, we would like to thank you all for your continuous support and for taking moments from your valuable day to view our imagery and read our essays. We especially want to thank you for finding time to write a few words of commentary and for sharing your stories and experiences. We read every comment and try to reply to them all.
If there were words to describe 2014 they would be: transformation, search and renewal. It was the year when we had to “Stop. Breath. Start Again.” We are glad we did.
Now we are confident that a time of doubt and self-reflection is a necessary element of growth as an artist and photographer. After all, the worst enemy of creativity is content and easefulness.
As we did last year, Kasia and I went through our photos and decided to choose our favourite images of the year. Here they are:
Kasia’s images:
The Grand Canyon, Fuji X100T
Bodie, Fuji X-Pro1 & XF 14mm F2.8
Bodie, Fuji X-Pro1 & XF 14mm F2.8
17-Mile Drive, Fuji X-T1 & XF 50-140 F2.8 OIS
Barkerville, Fuji X100S
Barkerville, Fuji X-T1 & XF 14mm F2.8
Alcatraz, Fuji X100T
Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Fuji X100S
The Palouse, Fuji X-T1 & XF 55-200 F3.5-4.8 OIS
The Palouse, Fuji X-T1 & XF 55-200 F3.5-4.8 OIS
Olaf’s images:
Westminster Abbey, Mission, Fuji X-Pro1 & XF 14mm F2.8
Waterton Lakes National Park, Fuji X-T1 & XF 14mm F2.8
The Cowboy Trail, Fuji X-T1 & XF 55-200 F3.5-4.8 OIS
Chilliwack, BC, Fuji X100S
Alcatraz, Fuji X-T1 & XF 14mm F2.8
Death Valley, Fuji X100T
Death Valley, Fuji X-T1 & XF 50-140 F2.8 OIS
Monument Valley, Fuji X-T1 & XF 14mm F2.8
Barkerville, Fuji X-T1 & XF 14mm F2.8
The Palouse, Fuji X100S
The Palouse, Fuji X100S
The Palouse, Fuji X-T1 & XF 55-200 F3.5-4.8 OIS
Port Moody, BC, Fuji X100S
Camera of the year: Fuji X-T1 – for its huge viewfinder that allows you to compose and mould images unlike any other camera. Also, its full manual controls put you in the front seat as the photographer (we just cannot go with the X100/S/T every year).
Lens of the year: Last year it was the wide-angle XF 14mm F2.8. This year without a doubt it is the XF 56mm F1.2 lens. It is one of the finest lenses we have ever owned. Not only does it allow you to photograph in near-dark conditions, its bokeh is natural and poetic. We also like its size and weight. It is a joy to shoot with.
Book of the year: “Road to Seeing” by Dan Winters. It is a well-written autobiography with beautiful imagery and priceless thoughts about the purpose of seeing, how to find it and what’s really important in this visual journey we are all on. We highly recommend it.
Plans for 2015: Pushing our own boundaries of seeing. We want to go outside our comfort zone. There will be more failures but we are sure that the outcome will be imagery unlike anything we have done so far. We trust we will achieve it together.
Truly Yours
2014 © Olaf & Kasia Sztaba Photography. All rights reserved.
Olaf and Kasia,
Many, many thanks for sharing your philosophy, art, and experiences through your blog. Every post is enjoyable and useful.
Two things
– I hope you have printed these favourites
– The Port Moddy shot at the end is one of the finest photographs I have seen in a very long time. Beautiful composition. So absorbing. A crime not to print this one.
Have a beautiful 2015
Stephen
Stephen,
Thank you for your kind remarks.
Have a great 2015.
Olaf & Kasia
Thank you for your fabulous work and inspiration, from a fellow Vancouver Fuji loving photographer. All the best to you both in 2015!
Best wishes,
Ian
http://www.ianmacdonaldphotography.com
Ian,
Thank you for your words.
Have a fantastic 2015!
OLaf
We can only hope that your 2015 new departure is as successful as your 2014 has been, full of travel to interesting places and great images. Please continue to take us with you. Both of you have a great talent and a strong voice and reliving the paths you have taken is something I look forward to greatly.
Bob,
We appreciate your kind comments.
Have a great 2015!
Olaf & Kasia
Thanks, family for this great pictures. Alao from my wife, regards and a healthy life for both of you and a whole lot of tremendous pictures.
regards, peter and irma
Peter & Irma,
Thank you and have a great 2015.
Olaf
Thank you for sharing your truly inspiring images and insight
Thank you.
Olaf
You are living the life, my friend. Thank you for your great photos and for engaging me more and more with my X-T1. Have a great year!
Thanks for your kind comment.
Have a wonderful 2015!
Olaf
Fantastic work on the images and the writing. I’ve really enjoyed your work over the course of the year. Thanks for all of your hard work.
Thank you.
Happy New Year!
Olaf
Thank you for sharing your images and your thought provoking commentaries throughout the past year. Your work inspires me and your words serve to sustain my photographic journey. Best wishes for the new year.
Rick,
We appreciate your kind words. Have a wonderful 2015!
Olaf
Hugely impressive selections. Kudos.
Thanks.
Happy New Year!
Olaf
thanks for sharing. I made no trips to The Palouse this past year. Quite unusual for me. I enjoyed seeing your images once again.
Indeed, the Palouse is quite a place!
Thanks for visiting and have a great 2015!
Olaf
All great photographs. Looking forward to your images in 2015 – Happy New Year!
Peter,
Thank you and Happy New Year!
Olaf