A decade. Ten years. 3,650 days.
A lot happened. A lot didn’t happen. I can’t remember half of it. That’s probably for the best. But, this is what I know. A made a helluva (that’s a technical term) lot of pictures in ten years.
Some were really good. Some were good. And, a lot of them fall under the heading of “what was I thinking? ” I spent way too much time photographing my version of faux nature. As I reviewed that work I realized that no matter how I try to see things differently, I keep repeating just about everything. That’s bad news for a guy like me who wants to move forward.
I spent two years of the decade in New Mexico, so that is reflected here. Luckily, I do like the two New Mexican pictures a lot. There are eight New Orleans pictures. Culling them was hard. There are at least six others that could have made the cut. I opted to go with pictures that I really like rather than some signature images.
The pictures are organized in no particular order. The best pictures come to me whenever they do. You know. “Don’t take the picture, let the picture take you.” I’m certain that these pictures are not chronological, but they are an honest representation of what I believe are my ten best pictures of this closing decade.
I hope that you enjoy them. I enjoyed making them.
STORYTELLER 
I have to go back over my photos. Yesterday a quick glance was reassuringly ok that there is some good stuff but a lot will go. 2020 I must try harder.
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Go where? I’m old school enough that I never delete anything. Keeping the out takes is a good way to learn. And, back in the day in order to store negatives you had to cut and sleeve them in strips of 5 or 6. If you pulled out the good stuff, you’d never be able to file them.
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👏🏼👏🏼❤️❤️
Annaliese
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Thank you. A lot of hard work there.
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Hello Mr. Ray 🙂
Just want to say, thank you for sharing your journey and experience with us. I have been quietly admiring each photo. Wishing you and your family a healthy and blessed new year.
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You’re welcome. It only took ten years. The same to you and yours.
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I always enjoy your work, and I wish you a happy new year!
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Thank you so much. Happy New Year to you.
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The strength in your work is the consistency of your eye, even as your work continues to evolve and grow. You have a unique visual signature that carries through the entire decade (and, I’m guessing, beyond it). Few can do that, and even fewer can do not while making such beautiful images.
Keep going, and growing.
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That’s interesting because a photographer friend of mine sent pictures to a photo contest. Part of the contest perks is that your work will be critiqued. His editor said about the same thing to him about consistency. I’m certainly going to try. There is a naturalness to the way I work. Thank you for all of this.
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Brilliant photos Ray particularly love the “arriving” one
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Thank you. A lot of timing and luck.
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And skill and eye and heart
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