Each year I like to look through my photos of the past year to choose my favourite images.

This exercise helps me to critique my images and discover what I like and dislike about them, what I would do differently and how I might improve in the future.

I have categorised my choice to include samples from different seasons, several locations, multiple genres and a range of styles.

The images are representative of my work throughout the year rather than samples of my best images, which would be a very subjective choice.

I hope you like 15 Favourite Photos

I took these two images in Vila Real, Portugal. I loved to leave the main thoroughfare, with it's shops, bars and tourists, and find some images off the beaten track. These two images represent this preference.

During the past year I have been drawn to images in the intimate landscape, rather than wider landscape photography. This area yields countless photographic opportunities and has given me many enjoyable hours of photography.

We had a particularly mild autumn this year in Ireland so the season provided an abundance of colour. I was drawn to this abundance and made many autumn images, including many involving leading lines through the forest!

This was the year I decided not to tie myself to any particular niche or genre and to take pictures of things that interested me. I followed my curiosity and made images of things I was drawn to, regardless of whether they were images that others would take. I think this has given me a great sense of freedom in my photography and has enhanced my enjoyment as I am doing photography for myself, enjoying the process and not worrying about the final product or whether others will like my images.

I experimented a lot with macro and close-up photography this year. I know I have a long way to go to succeed at this genre but it's been a fun journey of learning and discovery.

I even made a first attempt at photographing fungi!

Although I love spending time by the sea, I find coastal photography to be difficult. I include this image because it evokes a feeling and it captures the character of the sea on this particular day. It won't win any awards, but it doesn't have to. I like it.

During the year I tried to make more pictures that tell a story. Here, I had walked to the end of the beach in Monto Gordo, Portugal, when I came across a team of fisherman landing their catch. I watched them bring their boats ashore and I think this photograph sums up the experience.