Last year I didn’t write a blog to present my work over the past year. It has to be said that we left just after Christmas to spend the last few days of the year in Thailand. We spent an incredible 15 days in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket Island. The return to everyday life was complicated. I’m talking about photography, of course. After this enchanted interlude in Thailand, Saint-Denis seemed very bland and empty… But you live where you live!
Before going any further and presenting my twelve photos from 2024, I thought it would be nice to also share my twelve photos from 2023. Ok, admittedly a bit late, but it’s never too late to make up for lost time. So drum roll! Here’s My Twelve from 2023!
Looking back, I think this selection is pretty good, and as it was made at the end of 2024, it’s even better than if I’d made it at the end of 2023! It almost makes me want to share my 2024 selection with you at the end of next year! But no, I’m going to do it now, because I may not have told you, but the beginning of the year is going to be busy. We’re off to Vietnam on 1 January for just over 2 weeks! We’ll be staying in the south of the country, towards the Mekong delta. After Thailand last year, we’re off to another Asian country. We hadn’t planned to leave so soon after the previous trip, but we’re taking advantage of the fact that this year has no major deadlines for the boys’ studies. So things are really hectic at home. Between the end-of-year celebrations and the forthcoming departure for Vietnam, the children are all excited!
But I’ve strayed far from the subject of this blog, which was the 12 outstanding photos of 2024 as far as I’m concerned. No real surprises there. If you regularly read the few articles I publish during the year, you’ll already have seen these photos scattered throughout my posts. So here they are, all in one blog.
As you know (or don’t know…), since the beginning of the year I’ve given up shooting 28mm and only 35mm. It’s probably the biggest change I’ve had to make on the street since I started. Even moving from Aix-en-Provence to Saint-Denis doesn’t have the same impact on my work. I’m glad I switched from 2024 to 35mm. I realise that I got used to this focal length quite quickly, which, from my point of view, is very similar to 28mm. I started the year with the Fujifilm X100F, but it wasn’t long before the Ricoh GR3 became my go-to on the street. In 2025, I’ll continue with the Ricoh GR3. I’ve accepted its shortcomings and I can’t see myself taking photos with any other camera. For Vietnam, I’ll still have the Fujifilm X-E3 with the 35 mm and 55-200 mm zoom lens and, of course, the Ricoh GR3!
Even though there was a clear slowdown at the end of the year, I’m pretty happy with the work I’ve produced this year. In any case, I hope you enjoy the festive season with your loved ones and I’ll see you next year!
I demand to be adopted. I wouldn’t be any trouble and would keep my room tidy. I could move in over Christmas, just in time for New Year and “our” family holiday!
It’s all photographic gold Jeff. There’s always been this consistency with your work and you can pick any year, you’ll find the same top quality every time. Each blogpost I read never fails to impress and inspire, always containing photos of yours that I wish I’d taken or at least had the ability to see them.
Happy Christmas to you, Gwen and the boys. I was going to say have a wonderful holiday, but obviously I’ll be there once the adoption is complete.
Sorry kiddo, but we’re full ! If I had to have another child it would be a girl ! But Gwen told me that we’re done. You’ll have to get one with someone younger she told me and I dare you !
We want what we don’t have. It’s always like that. I’m f**** happy with the two boys.
I told to them that when I was 15 years old, I travelled once to Paris (with my school) and once on Mauritius Island. Mauritius looks like heaven but it’s just for us islanders, the island nearby.
Ronan at the age of 12, has already travelled to Reunion (when we were living on mainland) twice, to Mauritius island, to Rodrique island, to South Africa, to Thaïland, to Greece and now to Vietnam. Man they are spoiled !
When I look back on the past years, I’m always impressed to see what the streets have to offer. We’re just capturing these moments for eternity with a a camera and despites the place where we live, if you’re dedicated enough you can produce something consistent. Looking at these 12 photos makes me say that it was worth roaming endlessly the streets. It’s like a reward for the bad days and the period where you feel like shooting crap. You have to look at the overall year.
Well another year is coming and exciting things in Vietnam. No pressure on street. It’s mainly family holidays, but I will snap for sure and have time for some street 😉
Happy holidays ‘big’ Jeff! Love to you and your family. A wonderful selection as always … and all so clearly shot with your “voice”. You always inspire me to try and make better work … Here’s to 2025!
I’m not big ! I’m massive (speaking of my build !)
It’s an honor to be an inspiration. Inspiration is what made me go forward. Not only Masters but other “regular” photographers as well. I think that we have a lot to learn from others works.
In 2026 it will be my 10th year in the streets. So little but it will already mean something to me.
Every year I fear that I won’t be able to produce a work as consistent as the previous year. I’m always amazed to see what the streets have to offer. That’s the beauty of Street Photography. It’s always a reborn but at the same time opportunities always arise for the ones who pay attention.
But before 2026, let’s just enjoy 2025 !
Great selection from both years! Hard to argue with your choices, but you could hardly go too wrong with all the great work you’ve done. Am with Deborah in thanking you for you’re inspiration. Best wishes for the holidays!
Hello Jeff,
I hope that you had a great family time for this Xmas! A new year is coming and it’s existing and scary as well as we start again from a blank sheet of paper. I always find intimidating the beginning of the year. I know what had been achieved the year before and I always fear that I would be able to produce any work as good. Let’s embrace 2025 anyway!