My Favorite Photos from 2012

As the year comes to a close I always take a bit of time to review my images from the year as well as set goals for the next year. The following images are my personal favorites from 2012.

Storm on the Way

I made a quick trip down to the rice fields before the next winter storm rolls in. Winds are up and the flooded rice fields are full of muddy water. The swans and other migrating birds are all carrying a rusty color on their feathers from the mud. 

Silos

Sutter Buttes and Rice Fields

Flap!

Run to Fly

Landing Gear Down

Fence

Old and New

Ready to Repair

Fire Signs

365 Project Completion

365 Project Completion

Last December I joined many other photographers on Google+ in a 365 Project. What is that? It was a project that required a photo a day for a year. Some people chose themes but I sat down and wrote a list of goals I wanted to accomplish with my relatively new DSLR camera. First and foremost was to learn how to use my Nikon followed quickly by the desire to learn techniques like long exposure, night shooting, etc. It turned out to encompass 21,667 miles traveled, 365 days, 4 states, 3 lenses, 2 cameras and a cellphone to accomplish. 

The images in my 365 album are often not my best shots but are usually the images I learned the most from. Some of the techniques I experimented with during my project took much longer than a day to master. Often the successful results of the work started on in my daily image can be seen later on in other albums. Sometimes life got in the way and I just took a quick shot of a handy subject. Other times extensive planning and set up were required. 

Each image is a record of that moment in my day, day by day for the last year. There were more than a few times during this journey I felt like quitting. I can't thank Simon, Patricia, Susan, and Vesna, the curators of the 365 project, enough for their ongoing support and encouragement. 

Many have asked me what is next. I am learning much more about Photoshop and Lightroom while I spend time with some images I really didn't get a chance to spend anytime editing. 

This is a link to the complete album of images which should display photos from oldest to newest. 

https://plus.google.com/photos/116235714265664045436/albums/5819101092996460753

Random Images November 2012

More random images from my fall explorations. Most were shot in November 2012.

~Caterpillar~

~Sailing to the Edge of the World~

~Wild Mustang~

"Horse" entry in Chrysta Rae's Photography Scavenger Hunt

~The Secret of Life~

~Fall Light~

~Falling Skies~

~Stormy Day Along the American River~

~Purple and Pinks~

~Seeds Squared~

~Fall Bokeh~

My entry for "Mother Nature what were you thinking?!" in Chrysta Rae's Anniversary Photography Scavenger Hunt.

 Honourable Mention by Thomas Hawk and Lee Daniels

My entry for "Black and White" in Chrysta Rae's Anniversary Photography Scavenger Hunt.

~Life's Cliffs~

A couple shares a cliffside moment along the California Coast. Seems like good advice whether it is for seaside cliffs, new relationships, or the dreaded "Fiscal Cliff" that looms over us here in the U.S.

~Fences~ 

~Strut~

~Fall Before the Storm~

~Midnight Tears~

~Fond Memories~

~Still Hanging On~ 

~Where's Mom?~