Home / Miscellaneous / 2009 - 10 Favorites 10
Of the many photographs that I took in 2009, these are my 10 personal favorites.
"Icons" - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I didn't think much of this photo after I first took it, but it grew on me. It shows Rio's famous "Christ the Redeemer" statue silhouetted against communication towers. (January 13, 2009. Olympus C-750 Ultra Zoom ('point-and-shoot'), 1/650s @ f/6.3, 63mm, ISO 50.)
Iguazu Falls, Brazil
This panorama (made by combining 4 separate photographs) begins to illustrate the breadth of the magnificent Iguazu Falls, on the border of Brazil and Argentina. (Brazil is in the foreground; Argentina is in the background.) Even this panorama, in fact, shows only a portion of the falls; the largest cataract lies beyond the left edge. (January 18, 2009. Olympus C-750 Ultra Zoom ('point-and-shoot'), panorama.)
Wild bobcat, Henry Coe State Park
Over the years, I've seen several bobcats while mountain biking. They are usually shy and elusive, but - remarkably - this bobcat just sat and stared at me as I approached within about 100 feet. (April 4, 2009. Olympus C-750 Ultra Zoom ('point-and-shoot'), 1/250s @ f/3.7, 63mm, ISO 200.)
Skyline Arch, Arches National Park, Utah
Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah, is a photographer's paradise - especially near sunset, when this photo was taken. (May 7, 2009. Nikon D-5000 (DSLR), 1/160s @ f/6.3, 29mm, ISO 200.)
"Machine" - Black Belt!
In July a good friend and training partner Justin "Machine" Holder - after more than 8 years of training - was awarded a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by Ralph Gracie. (July 2, 2009. Nikon D-5000 (DSLR), 1/100s @ f/3.5, 18mm, ISO 400.)
Child at Mike Prudencio's July 4th BBQ
Most of my photographs are of landscapes and wildlife, rather than people, but at Mike Prudencio's birthday/July 4th barbeque, I got to take several photographs of people. I was especially pleased at how well this one turned out. (July 4, 2009. Nikon D-5000 (DSLR), 1/400s @ f/2.0, 50mm, ISO 200.)
Midnight Sun over Tromsø, Norway
In July, just prior to a business trip to Stockholm, Sweden, I visited far-northern Norway - above the Arctic Circle - where, at the time, the sun was up 24 hours per day. This photo was taken shortly after midnight. If it hadn't been for the clouds at the far right, the sun would have been visible. (July 10, 2009. Nikon D-5000 (DSLR), HDR from 3-shot bracketed exposure (-2,0,+2 EV), 24mm, ISO 200.)
Arm bar!
In 2009 I took several photos of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, including several of world champion black belts. My favorite BJJ photo, however, was this photo of brown belt friend David "Canada" McLeod submitting his opponent via arm bar at the U.S. Open. (Canada had practiced this move on me numerous times beforehand!) (October 18, 2009. Nikon D-5000 (DSLR), 1/125s @ f/4.5, 75mm, ISO 1000.)
Grapevine Hills at sunset, Big Bend National Park, Texas
The best photo opportunities are often to be found just before sunset (or just after sunrise, but good luck finding me awake then!). The lighting here seemed almost magical. (December 20, 2009. Nikon D-5000 (DSLR), 1/30s @ f/5.6, 55mm, ISO 450.)
Sunset from Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park, Texas
I often dislike the cartoonish effect produced by the "Photomatix" HDR software, but in this case I thought the effect worked well. (I especially like the multiple hills visible in the background.) (December 21, 2009. Nikon D-5000 (DSLR), HDR from 3-shot bracketed exposure (-2,0,+2 EV) @ f/1.4, 50mm, ISO 200.)