Sunday, January 1, 2012

2011 Retrospective


2011.  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  But mostly I'm thinking about the best of times.  And when I do, it all somehow comes back to the camera.  Certainly because photography is something I love and the images bring back good memories, but that's not the whole story.  Let me share a few of my favorite images of 2011 and maybe you'll understand what I mean. 

In 2011, my kids occasionally actually stopped and looked at the camera.  Mostly no smiles, but that probably makes both of these images.  In all seriousness, my boys are young but photography has really become a thing we share.  They are always excited about the pictures and even are making a few of their own.

Lord of the
Flies
Evans Notch, Maine

B&T
Portsmouth, NH

Thanks to a good friend, I took pictures at my first sporting event late in 2010 and enjoyed shooting several showshoe and mountain running races last year.  The photography was exciting and fun, I found paid opportunities for the images and, best of all, I met wonderful people and amazing athletes. In many ways, this work brought dreams to reality in 2011.  Thank you to everyone who encouraged and supported me at these shoots. 

sidehiller snowshoe
race
Kevin Tilton at the Sandwich Sidehiller Snowshoe Race  Sandwich, New Hampshire

US Mountain Running
Championship 3
US Mountain Running Championships   North Conway, New Hampshire

Power Clean
Inov-8 Evoskin Photo Shoot

Speaking of friends, last year I met several other NH photographers and they have become great new friends.  I owe some of my favorite images of the year to their companionship, guidance and tolerance for random explorations to look for locations.

Franconia-621.jpg
Sugar Hill, NH

Sandwich as
Seattle
Sandwich Notch, NH

Jefferson-43-Edit.jpg
Jefferson, NH

Arizona-229_HDR_2-Edit-Edit.jpg
Sedona, Arizona

And sometimes friends asked me to take pictures of remarkable things.  I'm indebted to them for the opportunity and so much more.

Stanley Cup
Pandemonium
The Stanley Cup at Krista's Restaurant  Cornish, Maine

Kezar Falls Theater Back
Room
Old Theatre  Kezar Falls, Maine

For a long time, photography has been a zen escape for me.  When I pick up the camera and start to focus on framing images, everything else slips away.  The  noise of day to day life disappears and things fall into place.  The natural order of the world is restored.  This year I really needed that.  As always, I met amazing people, saw beautiful, inspiring things and every time I walked away with a new perspective. 

Fleeting Fall
Shelburne, New Hampshire

God Mill Town
Wilderness
Berlin, New Hampshire

SalvationMtn-11
Leonard Knight   Salvation Mountain, California

Cholla
Sunset
Joshua Tree, California

Duluth-24-Edit.jpg
Duluth, Minnesota

When I reflect on the last year, photography nourished and sustained me when I needed it most. Making images also connected me to people and places in ways I never imagined.  I don't think it's an exaggeration to say it's changed me and my life in many, many positive ways.  I'm so grateful for the amazing people that surround me... my kids, extended family, friends and collegues.  Their support, feedback and encouragement have made a huge difference in my life.  I wish us all a fantastic 2012! 

2 comments:

Douglas Scott said...

Hey Joe,

I enjoyed seeing your work and reading your words of wisdom. You have some very nice photography and have been a positive influence on my shooting. Stuff like you are sharing keep you going! Thanks and look forward to getting out there again soon. Happy New Year! -doug

Betty said...

Wow Joe! Impressive. I am thankful to have shared a couple of photograhy outings with you. You are an inspiration. Maybe some day I'll get that website up and running! Happy New Year and peace to you!

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