Why It Worked: Editors’ Picks of 2014

The editors and contributors at Rangefinder have such diverse tastes that—like we did last year—we thought it would be fun to choose our personal favorite images of 2014. We set some parameters for ourselves: one image would have to be from a Rangefinder issue this year, and one could be a favorite from anywhere else.

LIBBY PETERSON | Associate Editor, Rangefinder

Photo © Andy Gaines

Andy Gaines, Rangefinder, 30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography, November 2014
Of the thousands of photos I looked at during the judging process of the 30 Rising Stars, I stopped at this one the longest. It is so not what I would think of as a wedding photo, but Andy Gaines has encapsuled the day’s not-often-seen discord—the moody teenager with a woman riffling through her purse, a little tutu-donning girl trailing a woman who pushes a stroller, another woman who’s set her stuff in the grass to take a photo, and the little girl letting go of or reaching for a soon-to-be-lost balloon. Taken a second before or after, and this photo wouldn’t have had quite the right mix of chaos and charm as it does now.

Photo © Chris & Sarah Rhoads of We Are The Rhoads

We Are The Rhoads, Rolling Stone, “Life After Punk,” March 2014
A well-deserving PDN’s 30 of 2014, the husband-and-wife duo Chris and Sarah Rhoads take fashion, advertising and lifestyle photos of a warm, carefree world you wished you lived in. It’s easy to get lost in their portfolio, only to realize you’ve been scrolling through it for over an hour (I’m writing from experience). There was something about this portrait of Carrie Brownstein, the co-star of the quirky TV sketch comedy Portlandia, that drew me in. Her boldness and humor are captured at once, plus the Rhoads give a nod to Brownstein’s years as a member of the punk/indie band Sleater-Kinney with the inclusion of her sleek electric guitar.

JESSICA GORDON | Senior Editor, Rangefinder

Photo © Justin & Mary

Justin & Mary, Rangefinder, “Overcoming Dark Venues,” September 2014
My colleagues are probably sick of hearing me talk about this image, but I don’t care; I fell in love with it in our September How-To issue and would’ve happily put it on the cover of our magazine. Sure, it would have been tough to take a bad picture of this gorgeous woman and her chic haircut, but Justin & Mary capitalized on her beauty by constructing a portable lighting setup in a matter of minutes with a gray backdrop, keeping everything super simple. By focusing on the bride for this beautiful, formal portrait, this is a great example of what to do when natural light isn’t available to still make something really special.

Photo © Christopher Testani

Christopher Testani, Bon Appétit, “Summer Casual,” August 2014
Because my best friend gifted me a subscription to Bon Appétit this year, it’s further fed my obsession with food photography, and I had to choose an image from one of the magazine’s regular shooters, Christopher Testani. This particular photo captures the beauty of the recipe (seared scallops with tomato water, lime and mint). The real question is, what doesn’t work about this photo? Its composition fits deliciously on the page—either horizontally as it was in the magazine, or vertically here—and the color palette of green and peach says “summer.” Plus, the lighting is such that even the olive oil dollops are visible in the tomato water. All of these elements are crucial to food photography, and in my opinion, more seductive than anything on the pages of W or Elle.

JACQUELINE TOBIN | Editor-in-Chief, Rangefinder

Photo © Malia Johnson

Malia Johnson, Rangefinder, 16×20 Contest Gallery, May 2014
Having seen an endless array of wedding images and styles during my 25-plus years in the photo industry, it’s hard not to see repetitive themes or similar setups now and again. But I’ve never seen an image quite like Malia Johnson’s, who won first place for it in WPPI’s 16×20 Print, Album, and Filmmaking Competition (“Bride and Groom Together: Non-Wedding Day”). Shot in late afternoon on the island of Fiji, Johnson says the bride and groom were very experienced surfers and swimmers. I love how graceful the bride appears and how ethereal the overall feel of the image is. It’s soulful, spiritual and simply breathtaking.

Daryl Henderson, “The American” Series
I first met Daryl Henderson during a portfolio review at PhotoPlus Expo in 2013. I was taken with his work then and am equally enamored by his style and vision today. The L.A.-based fashion shooter is quick on his feet, coming up with backup solutions when Plan A falls through, like with this shot when a motel manager kicked Henderson and his crew out even though he had paid for a room the day before. The photographer decided to improvise, shooting instead on the sidewalk in front of the hotel, which he says worked out even better. I, like Henderson, find this image, shot for a personal project, haunting yet peaceful. “The smoke rolling ever so slightly out of her mouth looks more like a soul escaping the body, and the way the light was falling so intensely only adds to the sense of mystery,” he says.

AMY WOLFF | Photo Editor, PDN

Lucas Mobley, Rangefinder’s “Wedding of the Week,” June 2014
Because of his background in photojournalism, Lucas Mobley has the ability to think ahead, think on his feet, and adapt to all sorts of environments. That’s why, when faced with photographing a wedding ceremony on the bride’s family’s property in Bremerton, Washington, Mobley was prepared. Using available light, and adjusting his camera settings accordingly, Mobley photographed the bride and groom against a forest of trees. The portrait captures both the spirit of the couple and of the Pacific Northwest.

Photo © Gustavo Marx

Gustavo Marx, PDN’s Photo of the Day, August 2014
Fashion photographer Gustavo Marx has worked with Brazilian clothing brand Apartamento 03 many times over the years. For a recent shoot, he drew inspiration from legendary photographer Lillian Bassman and her classic black-and-white fashion portraits. Marx used continuous lights and shot with a handheld Contax camera, allowing the model to move freely within the set. The elegant result helped to define Apartamento 03’s Autumn/Winter 2014 clothing line.

JASON GROUPP | Director of Membership and Education, WPPI

Photo © Dylan & Sara

Dylan & Sara Photography, Rangefinder, Wedding Photography Contest, October 2014
I see thousands of images come across my screen, whether it’s from one of our competitions, an educator’s website, working with the RF crew, or from daily life. My opinion of what “turns me on” has really changed (or evolved? I’m not sure). I can say that anytime there is a “human element” in the image, it will make me stop, and really look. This image from Sara and Dylan just sucks you in, and once you’re looking, you notice the beautiful highlights and range of tones.

Photo © Marcus Bell

Marcus Bell, WPPI’s 16×20 Print, Album, and Filmmaking Competition, 2014
Marcus Bell’s image took third place for “Wedding Bride and Groom Together—Wedding Day” in our annual 16×20 Print, Album, and Filmmaking Competition. I also have this print hanging in my office, and it’s one of those images that you must see the printed piece to really understand why it’s so special. What I find interesting is that the image has no white space; it’s all tones of black and grey. It’s almost like looking at a negative, but it’s not, and it’s just something completely different. It’s really a magical image and stands as a testament to the importance of the printed piece.

Related Links

Trending Now: What We Saw (and Loved) This Year in Wedding Photography

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Photos of the Year 2013