Insights & Musings: BEST FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY IMAGES OF 2021 | Edith Levy PHOTOGRAPHY

January 1, 2022

Whenever a year comes to a close I always marvel at how fast it passed and this year is no different. It's true that this was a year like no other. Here in Toronto we started 2021 in a lockdown but by late spring we were seeing glimmers of hope that we were getting to a point where we could start putting the pandemic behind us and get back to spending time with family and friends and doing the things we love. COVID it seems had other plans and it looks like we're ending the year very much the same way that we started.

As I look back on this year and the work that I've produced, I'm comforted in the fact that I've produced some quality images, some that have gone on to sell quite well and participated in a number of virtual art shows.

I launched this site in February and have spent the better part of the year tweaking and adding content. If you haven't explored the different galleries and pages go ahead and do so now...and let me know what you think.

With travel being almost non-existent this year it did give me the opportunity to practice and enhance my in-studio techniques and focus on a number of personal projects.

I created a new body of work titled "Orime No" which means folded or creased in Japanese. Using magazines, books and paper, that might otherwise end up in a recycling bin, I created whimsical and creative fine art images that defies the perceived notion of static imagery. Pages are folded and molded to created a 3D sculpture that is then photographed, creating a permanent altered state.

Limited Edition of 25
It's Only Words

Limited Edition of 25

One of the first images I created in the series was "It's Only Words". Using an old dictionary I folded each page (that took some time) into a meticulous mess. This image printed on Fine Art paper is stunning when framed.

orimeno, book art, fine art photography, magazine, Architectural Digest, folded art, paper art, heart, white
Crazy Love

As I was experimenting more and more with books I decided to try and see what would happen if I used a magazine. I had an issue of Architectural Digest that I had just finished and decided to see what I could create with it. "Crazy Love" was one of the images from this shoot and it quickly became my best selling image this year.

"Cool Love" was created for a client who wanted a Black and white version from this series. Yes...custom commissions are available upon request.

orimeno, book art, fine art photography, magazine, Architectural Digest, folded art, paper art, heart, black and white
Cool Love

I recently released "Voila" created from a French/English dictionary. I've been asked if I used a filter in post processing to create this image and I didn't. The folding of this book took about 3 hours over a period of a week. I would fold and crease sections at a time and then pack it down every few hours so it would set. Once it was ready I shot it in studio.

Eh Voila! a  sculpted image of a book folded and designed to create an abstract fine art piece.
Voila

Limited Edition of 25

I did get out to do some exploring in my own backyard and it's amazing the gems you find even when you stick close to home. "Survivor" and "Seven" are two of my favourite images from my drive to Fifty Point Conservation area in Stoney Creek. There are still a few elements of this old pier still standing but they're disappearing quickly.

Fifty Point Conservation area is located in Stoney Creek, greater Hamilton area in Ontario. This 80 hectare park sits on Lake...
Survivor
Stoney Creek, Ontario

Fifty Point Conservation area is located in Stoney Creek, greater Hamilton area in Ontario. This 80 hectare park sits on Lake Ontario and is a perfect place for camping, swimming and boating.

Fifty Point Conservation area is located in Stoney Creek, greater Hamilton area in Ontario. This 80 hectare park sits on Lake...
Seven
Stoney Creek, Ontario

Fifty Point Conservation area is located in Stoney Creek, greater Hamilton area in Ontario. This 80 hectare park sits on Lake Ontario and is a perfect place for camping, swimming and boating.

In early November I decided to take a drive east of Toronto to the town of Ajax and walk along the waterfront. It was a dull grey day but I was hoping to get lucky with a nice sunset. Mother Nature obliged and while I came away with a few "keeper" shots, "Autumn Sunset" and "Lake Effect" are my favourites. Both are long exposures but processed very differently to convey different moods.

Limited Edition of 50 Along the shores of Lake Ontario in Ajax is the Ajax Waterfront Park. This 13 kilometre trail just east...
Autumn Sunset
Ajax, Ontario

Limited Edition of 50

Along the shores of Lake Ontario in Ajax is the Ajax Waterfront Park. This 13 kilometre trail just east of Toronto is one of the prettiest waterfront trails in the Greater Toronto Area.

Limited Edition of 50 Along the shores of Lake Ontario in Ajax is the Ajax Waterfront Park. This 13 kilometre trail just east...
Lake Effect
Ajax, Ontario

Limited Edition of 50

Along the shores of Lake Ontario in Ajax is the Ajax Waterfront Park. This 13 kilometre trail just east of Toronto is one of the prettiest waterfront trails in the Greater Toronto Area.

Over the years every time I drive to the Niagara area I pass an old shipwreck and have always wanted to stop but usually am rushing to get to my destination or rushing to get home. This time the shipwreck was the destination and the subject of the photo shoot.

Limited Edition of 50 La Grande Hermine or The Big Weasel floats only a few feet from he shore line of Lake Ontario and just...
La Grande Hermine
Jordan Harbour Marina, Ontario

Limited Edition of 50

La Grande Hermine or The Big Weasel floats only a few feet from he shore line of Lake Ontario and just off the QEW highway. This ship is an exact replica of the vessel that explore Jacques Cartier sailed on int he 1500s.

A replica of that ship was featured at Expo '67 in Montreal, Quebec as a floating restaurant and was later moved to Quebec City. After sitting fro decades it was destroyed.

This third version was bought by a wealthy businessman and was intended as a business venture to be either another floating restaurant or casino. Unfortunately the business failed to get off the ground and the ship was abandoned. In 2003 a fire destroyed most of it and it's been sitting, rusting in the harbour ever since.

Earlier in the year I bought my first drone, a DJI Mavic Mini and when we were invited by good friends to come visit them at their cottage I brought along the drone. "Turtle Lake Sunset" is one of my first drone images that I'm really pleased with. I still have a lot to learn and will look too 2022 to hone my skills.

Turtle lake, Ontario, sunset, drone, Magic Mini
Turtle Lake, Ontario

Ok I did actually make it out of the country this year...once...in September. My husband and I headed to Arizona for a few days with friends. Even with all the precautions and COVID protocols it was great to be travelling. Arizona is one of my happy places and while it wasn't strictly a photography trip I did manage to sneak away for a couple of shoots. I had Saguaro National Park all to myself one morning and I took in the sunrise and the serenity with great appreciation.

Limited Edition of 50 Saguaro National Park is located in southern Arizona in the city of Tucson. The park itself is divided...
Desert Sunrise
Saguaro National Park, Tucson, Arizona

Limited Edition of 50

Saguaro National Park is located in southern Arizona in the city of Tucson. The park itself is divided into two districts, the Tucson Mountain District (West) and the Rincon Mountain District (East) with the city of Tucson cutting through the centre.

The park is named after the Saguaro cactus which is native to the Sonoran Desert. By the way, Saguaro is pronounced Suh-Waa-Ro.

Being in the desert at sunrise is pure magic. Even with a slight breeze in the air the stillness is palpable. Every cactus needle seems to glisten in the morning light and the only thing that breaks the silence is the rustling of animals roaming through the desert.

If you ever find the opportunity, whether its to photograph or to go hiking, of being in the desert at sunrise...take it.

So that's it, the end of my first "best of" list on this site. On to next year's adventures and creative creations. Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Adventurous 2022!