2008 Favorites

Here we are at my third year end review of Photine.net.  You can also see the 2006 version and the 2007 version.  It has been a year of personal metamorphosis in terms of my photography.  I have had to step back and examine how I share my photos online and what I hope to get out of it.  It has been a long journey, but I feel better than I ever have about where I am and what my future holds.  The term "finding myself" seems so cliche, but sometimes the cliche is what fits best.  

So on we go with a look back at the year that was 2008.  I looked through all the photos posted in 2008 and selected my favorites.  From there I eliminated and eliminated until I was left with the final 10. Photos appear in the order they were posted to the website.  Clicking on the photo will take you to the individual entry page.  

Mirror Project

This was published the very first day of 2008 and has been a dominant force in my photography this year.  I have mirror project entries on my personal blog, on Flickr and they have now become a regular feature on the photoblog.  This photo is a perfect example of what I like about mirror project shots.  The "mirror" and the surrounding subject area is just as important as the self portrait.  

The Folklorico Dancer

When I look at this photo, it reminds me of how much I like Lightroom.  It really has the ability to help me shape the mood of my photographs.  I love the color tones and as soon as I hovered over this preset I knew it was a winner.  I also love photographing in shops and I wish I had the courage to do it more.  This was taken at Casa Ramirez in the Heights.  

Wood Grain

This was taken at Lambert Hall, home of Opera in the Heights.  Thanks to Assigment: Houston I have had the opportunity to photograph not only this beautiful building (unfortunately seriously damaged by Hurricane Ike), but numerous dress rehearsals of the opera company.  They even used one of my photographs in their advertising.  I love going to Opera in the Heights, getting the chance to photograph people (which is a challenge for me) and discovering a genre of music that until recently has been far down my playlist.

Pink Hydrangeas

I will admit an affinity for photographing flowers, especially those I come across out in the world.  This was part of a series of photos that I took at the annual Azalea Trail and I love each one of the photographs, but this one is my favorite.  This was also the first outing with my new Tamron 17-50mm/f2.8 lens.  I love that lens and it is on my camera 85% of the time.

The Rodeo Carnival

Not a lot to say about this that regular visitors haven't heard a thousand times.  I love night shots and love carnivals.  I especially love night shots of carnivals.  Maybe one day I'll actually drag my tripod out there, but I doubt it.  I hate being tied down to it, especially in a busy walking environment like this.  I may be getting a wide angle lens in the near future and can't wait to head back to the carnival to give it a whirl.  Maybe then I won't have to practically stand in one of the game tents to get the whole wheel in the frame.

Mist Tree

Here we come to a location that I imagine will be visited quite frequently in the coming year (and once more in this list) and that is Discovery Green.  I love this new downtown park.  It has such a wonderful vibrancy to it and the park managers have such a great vision for its future.  When I first took this photo I wasn't sure if the odd framing was going to really work, but it has grown on me the longer I have spent with it.

The Boardwalk

This is a photo of the Kemah Boardwalk taken with my Holga 120S.  It is one of my all time favorite photos.  I love the way the sky and the water blend together at the horizon line.  I like the dreamy look of this photograph.  In other places I have called this photo Dreamy Kemah and after Hurricane Ike, Dreams of Kemah.  This area was hit very hard in the hurricane.  It is slowly coming back, but it will be a long time before things are back to normal.  Also this year, I have started a film photoblog although it has been neglected since Ike.  It will be revived very shortly and I guess that means there will be a Plastic Streak wrap-up at the end of next year.

Whirl, Twirl and Change

This photo has been the biggest surprise of 2008 and I would say it is my best photo of 2008.  A surprise because it didn't originally make the cut to the photoblog when I posted my rodeo carnival photos.  I put it on Flickr, where I put my B roll photos, and it was an instant hit.  In fact, I was a little overwhelmed with all of the attention.  It has grown on me and I used it as my first photo when I made the move to Pixyblog.  Pixyblog has been one of the best things to happen to my photography this year.  Every aspect of the service is so well thought out, well polished and well designed.  The community features are very helpful in promoting my work and I enjoy watching the community grow.

The Gulf Building

I'm kind of surprised this photo is here, but every time I was going through the selection process it kept coming back and hanging around.  I like the angle of the photo, the pop of color from the flag and the glimpse of the chandelier at the bottom of the photograph.  I also like that you never know what photo from an outing is going to speak to you.  This was a quick off hand shot as I was walking out.  Now it is one of my favorites.

Ornaments on the Promenade

This is another surprise considering it was only posted a few days ago, but it always held a firm place in my favorites list.  Another shot from Discovery Green with its holiday decorations in place.  It feels like a very "me" photograph, although dozens of Houston photographers have taken the same photograph over the last few weeks.  I still love it.

So there is 2008.  Onward and upward to 2009.  

Comments

[the_wolf_brigade]

I remember last years....

I think I like the Holga shot best this year.

[pixeltopia]

Each and every one of these is spectacularly stunning! Can't wait to see what 2009 brings!

[OneEighteen]

Ansel Adams once said that he was happy if he got 6-8 good photos in a year. Congratulations, there's ten good ones here.

[Sven]

You have chosen some great images here. I obviously missed out on some of them on your blog. Looking forward for the next year.

[groovehouse]

There's no way I could pick a small handful of images from 2008. I currently have 50 in my Personal Best of 2008 set.

http://flickr.com/photos/groovehouse/sets/72157611800424488/

[cybertoad]

Gorgeous collection of favorites Laurie. I don't think I can pick out 10 because I am so finicky & change my mind each time I revisit my images. Favorites lose points, forgotten photos are seen with a new eye... Wonderful job though on yours!

[tammy]

laurie-- these are WONDERFUL. i dont know if i could pick my 10 faves from you. you have sooo many awesome ones. i do like the carnival ones that you selected here. i should try to pick my 10 faves of my own... nahh, im too lazy. :)

[gini]

their wonderful and like reading your rationale for choosing them. can't wait to see what you create in the coming year

[DigiNee]

Very nice ----- of your 10 I love Dancer, Mist, Opera, and Boardwalk - they each evoke such strong story - both already written and story that is waiting to be written, as they are viewed by each new set of eyes.

I think of you every time I take a "mirror" shot! You inspire . . .

[Stacey]

What a great journey of color and images! The vibrant colors of the fair to the dreamy mist-framed image of Kemah. I love the Hydrangeas that remind me of my Grandmother's garden. I am also glad to hear that you've added Opera to your listening list. (It's really not so bad). Thank you for sharing your visual feast! I'm glad to be a traveler amongst your photos.

Stacey

[katya]

Beautiful collection of photos, Laurie. I've definitely seen a progression in your photography -- such high quality you are churning out these days. Great stuff!

[Jeremy Brooks]

I really like that Mist Tree shot. A great selection of shots, for sure!