Here’s the latest edition of Pictures We Love from National Geographic. January’s haul includes some really interesting photos and comments, and since this will probably be my last time participating in this segment, you should humor me and take a look. Plus there’s one shot in there (despite it being in b&w and the fact that it needs a hefty crop) that I really do love. The moment is just perfect.
Click on the link above or the screen shot below and enjoy.
I’ve never been a morning person. Each day starts with me smacking the snooze button over and over, as a honking alarm clock invades my dreams. Once I pry my eyes open, I usually spend another 15 minutes arguing with myself about the benefits of starting my day around the same time as the rest of productive society. It’s usually during this time that I notice the beautiful way the sunlight bounces off the cheap-o vase on the dresser and sends beams dancing around the room. I often think, someday, I should take a photo of this. Yesterday, I did. And today, I share them with you.
I’ve been working on this post in some form or another for the past two weeks. It’s hard whittling down nearly 70,000 photos to 11. My stint at National Geographic has helped me to become quite adept at editing other people’s work, but it still doesn’t make editing your own any easier. But as Jan. 4 fades into Jan. 5, it struck me that my window to finish this post was rapidly closing. No one wants to see a “best of the year” list in June.
And I’m not really sure that this is a best of post, anyway. It’s more my favorites…photos that I connect with emotionally for one reason or another…in no particular order.
I included this image of Robben Island because the peaceful and beautiful scene is at complete odds with the island’s dark history.
The crowd favorite from this wedding (the groom, Jon, boisterously toasting his bride) generated nearly 3,500 hits to my blog in about a day and a half. But my favorite wedding moment is a little quieter. Stephanie just radiates happiness in this image.
My favorite wedding portrait of the year. Amy and David on the beach in Mexico.
A dancer from the Jikeleza Dance Project in Hout Bay, South Africa. I still love the way the light looks on her face and the way her dress floats in the wind.
I watched Dr. Edson Man’obe and the other vets from the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha operate on animal after animal day after day with only the most basic equipment. I miss South Africa and all the fantastic, interesting, dedicated people I met there.
Patience is not my thing, but I liked this set up enough to sit in an empty lot and wait. It took about 45 minutes for this woman to come through. In photographer time that’s nothing. In Dawn time it was interminable. Glad I waited, I really love the photo. Maybe there’s a message in there somewhere?
I still chuckle when I see the “don’t hit me anymore!” body language of the guy in the reflection in this shot for SmartCEO magazine.
This is my parents’ kitchen, complete with veggies from the farm and that ridiculous eagle mantle (perfect for hanging my Christmas stocking from his beak). It’s a quiet photo that whispers home. This post may have also inadvertently guilted my mother into deciding not to sell the house.
Hot dogs, banana hammocks, and actors who are up for anything. What’s not to love? A sister-image to this one ran in The Irish Times on St. Patty’s Day.
Best image, disengaged pre-teen division.
High above Namib Desert in my private plane, ruining it for every coach flight for the rest of my life.
It has been a great year, marked by successes and stumbles, opportunities and difficult decisions. But most of all, I think it represents growth in the right direction. Here’s to a great 2012. Happy New Year.
Surprisingly, the good folks at National Geographic are still letting me chime in on Pictures We Love. Check ‘em out.
Can’t get enough of Steph & Jon? Me either.
There were so many fun moments that didn’t make it into the sneak peek I had to do another post. Lots of new ones from the reception added, all set to a catchy little tune by Plain White T’s. Enjoy!
