The Best of '07

This will be the last time I write on this blog. It's truly been a great year, and while I think overall this "project" has been a success, I'm a little relieved that it's coming to an end. I went back and re-read some of my very early posts, and it's funny how accurate I was in predicting the results of this thing. I've decided as a way to close this thing out, I'd go back and find the 5 photos that I like the best. Much like the "In Review" series I did at the end of every month, I'll try to go through the roughly 380 pictures I've taken for this blog in the past year and weed out the very best. So without further delay, here's the very best of '07.

#5 - Flower GirlThis photo was taken at Dan and Michelle's wedding, and when I look at it, it just makes me smile. Everything about this shot is so close to perfect, and you just don't often get those shots. The smile on Jules' face, the people looking on behind her, craning their necks to get a glimpse, it all comes together to make one of my best shots of '07.

#4 - GravesideSome days, I just go and drive, looking for something to shoot. This was one of those days. I went through a little phase a couple of years ago where I hunted down all the local cemeteries to look for shots like this. I wasn't nearly as successful on those trips as I was on this one. As I've said before, sometimes you have to shoot a hundred shots to get one good one.

#3 - Lost at SeaSome of my best photography this year came from our trip to California in July. Of all the hundreds of shots I took, this was my favorite by far. There's something about the tranquility and isolation of this shot that really grabs me.

#2 - Welcoming in the FallThis was one of those little shots that surprised me. Sometimes those off-hand shots you take can be the best ones. I can go to a forest preserve or a museum and take 300 carefully planned shots. Those shots will turn out great, but the one shot I take on the fly on the way out always seems to turn out the best. This was one of those shots. Sometimes that makes it more special to me knowing that is was instinct that took this shot, pure and simple.

#1 - My Beautiful WifeI don't consider myself a good portrait photographer. Frankly, I really don't like to shoot people. That's probably one of the reasons I try to stay away from shooting weddings. That being said, this may be one of the best photos I have ever taken. I'm not saying that because this is the most important person in my life. I just really feel like this is a perfect picture. Of all the shots I've taken this year, this is the one shot I always come back to when I think of the best of the best. That earns it the number 1 spot for the year.

Honorable Mention - Missed the CutI really love this shot, but held up next to the above 5, it just didn't make the cut. I took this shot late on a July morning. I was nearly falling asleep, but when I passed this on the way home from Rockford, I had to come back and take some shots. This kind of image is something that in the years to come, may be a thing of the past. Over development in our area will surely force these farmers into another line of work.

Honorable Mention - Most Impact
It's funny that this photo best exemplifies our most life-changing event this year, and I didn't even take it. It's one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, and I really can't wait to see her in person.

In closing, I just want to say thanks to all of you who have indulged my ego over the last 12 months and taken a few minutes a day to read my humble ramblings. I'm really grateful mostly to those of you who have read daily, and the kind words you've written over the last year. I have (mostly) enjoyed doing this, and it will be interesting in the years to come to look back at this year and see how I have changed. I may throw together another blog to hold my thoughts and photos, so check back periodically for the address. Thanks again everyone, 2007 was a great year!

Goodbye 2007

I thought it was appropriate that the final picture this year should be nearly the same as the first I posted on this blog. There are a few subtle differences, but in essense, it is the same. This is probably the only thing 365 days later that is the same in my life. I never thought going into this "project" that so many things in my life would be different. The threat of being laid off at Chrysler was always there, but looking back at my earlier posts, it's funny to think at the time I wrote it I had no idea that 12 months later I would be an expectant father. There have been other, smaller changes in my life, but nothing is comparable to that one thing. Even with the potential loss of my job looming on the horizon, this has likely been one of the best years of my life. I'm sure it will be surpassed very soon-- in about 4 months.

Abandoned

Today Dad and I took another trip to Poplar Grove to pick up some furniture for his new place. The last time we did this, we passed by this old abandoned house. It was incredibly foggy that day, and when I saw this place, I kicked myself for not having my camera on hand. I guess earlier lessons slipped by me today. Anyway, this time I was prepared. Even though the fog wasn't there today, I think there is still a very eerie quality to these images. It makes you wonder what happened to these people to just abandon their home like this.


We hit another milestone today. Well, it was more of a personal milestone, but it was pretty important nonetheless. Today was the first time I felt my daughter kick. I have to say, that is one of the most incredible things I have ever felt in all my life. It seems like such a simple thing, and it's something Steph feels daily, but for me to feel it was pretty special.