2012 was full of great photo opportunities and between my DSLR and cell phone I must have taken close to 55-60,000 photos. This years personal projects were centered around time-lapses and iPhone photos of my son, but I was also selectively choosing my DSLR photo subjects. A sample of what caught my eye is quite evident in my Best Photos of 2012 final selections. As was the case in years past it is impossible to rank my best photos (best photos of 2011, best photos of 2010, best photos of 2009, best photos of 2008 and best photos of 2007). So in no particular order here are my 10 favorite photos taken in 2012. Enjoy and feel free to let me know if you have a favorite!
Before I forget if you haven’t submitted your best photos of 2012 for my Blog Project: Your Best Photos From 2012 be sure to do so. The deadline is January 5th midnight PST.
Milky Way Above Maui
This is a photo from my most recent time-lapse outing a top Haleakala in Maui. Other than the freezing temperatures and 25 mph wind gusts it was great experience.
Milky Way Above Maui
The State of Homeland Security 2012
Since 9/11 I’m always intrigued to see how the presence of security, the military and police change across the country in particular in New York City. During my last trip to NYC I found this one photo quite telling. Timing is everything.
The State of Homeland Security 2012
Family Annular Solar Eclipse Outing
I made a big effort to photograph the annular solar eclipse that was visible in northern California in 2012 and was quite successful, but the scene behind me turned out to be the real photo of the day. The family behind me had great “ooh ahh” faces with solar filters in front of their faces and it turned out to be a classic moment. It kind of reminds me of this classic 50’s atomic bomb viewer photo.
Family Annular Solar Eclipse Outing
Bokeh City – New York City
I indulged this year by buying a rare Canon 50mm f/1.0 lens and started exploring the Canon 50mm f/1.0’s range of bokeh. One of my favorite shots from my time experimenting with the lens in NYC was of this busy intersection. Not every element is completely unrecognizable so it’s not completely abstract. I’m hoping it’s a photo that everyone can enjoy versus just bokeh lovers.
Bokeh City – New York City
Cloud City, San Francisco
Ever wonder where George Lucas came up with the idea for “Cloud City” in the Empire Strikes Back? Something tells me his time in San Francisco was an inspiration.
Cloud City, San Francisco
My Guy
Not surprising my biggest photo subject of 2012 was my son. There were no shortage of photo opportunities and my iPhone was proof of that. At one point I had over 4000 photos of him on there. This photo was taken with a good old fashion DSLR and has been my desktop picture for most of 2012.
My Guy Portrait
Frans Lanting, Thomas Mangelsen & Art Wolfe – Masters of Nature Photography
It’s always an amazing experience talking to a nature photography legend, but talking to 3 of them and getting to take their photo was a highlight of the year. Such was the case at the Masters of Nature Photography event in San Francisco in November of 2012.
Frans Lanting, Thomas Mangelsen & Art Wolfe – Masters of Nature Photography
CARMA Star Trails
My eBook Photographing the 4th Dimension – Time and Mastering Star Trail Photography video course inspired quite a few folks. I had the pleasure of helping one of my fans on private workshop and came away with my favorite star trail photo of the year in the White mountains of California.
CARMA Star Trails
My Robot
Timing is everything with a 2 year old. Perhaps I’m biased being the dad, but I thought this photo of my son in his robot halloween costume was great.
My Robot
Enjoying the Maui Ocean Center
The one common thread across all the really great family photos I’ve taken is the connection between my son and others. It’s the more subtle moments with this connection that I find work best. This moment at the aquarium exemplified this subtle connection quite well making it a personal favorite.
Enjoying the Maui Ocean Center
Hello Jim, nice collection of photo there! Especially on the rounded star trail and milky way. I live in Equator so it’s impossible to create a rounded star trail like you did. And, what a cute portrait of your kid. You must be a very happy dad. 😀
Check out my 2012 photo if you’d like http://www.wiranurmansyah.com/12-foto-favorit-saya-tahun-2012
Best regards.
Nice selection with great variety Jim. Thanks for encouraging us in 2012. Wishing you and your family the very best in the new year.
all of the are really great photos. but i’ll choose the maui milky way. really amazing . i must say i haven’t seen the really milky way
hola Jim, gracias por deleitar nuestros sentidos con tan maravillosas fotografias, y poder apreciar la belleza de la naturaleza .
mis mas sinceras felicitaciones , es un placer iniciar el año con este regalo que nos hace con tu hermoso trabajo.
Enjoyed viewing your set.Happy New Year and many thanks
Hello there…i just love these photos,good work!
Amazing photos of star trails…
Congrats on a stellar (pun intended) year of photography Jim! Either I’m slacking or defense is harder with 2 kids, as I didn’t average nearly as many iPhone photos of the kids as you did. 🙂 You’re “Milky Way above Maui”photo is very captivating!
Here’s to great light and safe travels in 2013.
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Great collection here Jim. I too have been intrigued by the photo possibilities by just observing my youngsters.
Your travel photography inspires me as it’s something I need to focus on more in my travels – to document the journey and the scenery on the way and in the towns/cities as well as the eventual natural location I am heading to. Happy 2013 and good light to you!
I love your Maui Shot. The Death of Twilight
Amazing photos of star trails..
Wow, 60k in a year – you have been a busy guy. A super set of photography here Jim, you would think that little guy would keep you so busy that the 60k images would be of him, but apparently that is not the case here. I have really enjoyed the bokeh images, especially the favorite for this year. I have been hoping Nikon will release a similar lens. The night images are very nice – they always leave me wondering about the billions of things we don’t know about what is out there.
Great collection!
So good to see the variety, and so much richer in meaning than just a bunch of pretty landscapes.
I love the family and other people you have done this year, Jim, but I must say that the first photograph of Maui is surrealistically and otherworldly most excellent, in my opinion. I like the Bokeh too and your tendency to push the boundaries of what you or anyone has done before. I did quite a bit of experimenting this year too, but I didn’t put any of those in my portfolio. I suppose now that I’ve seen yours I ought to… Well, there’s always next year. This blog project is so fantastic. We all support it and you and think you’re a genius for putting it on each year. I love that there are many levels of photographers, each doing it for their own reasons. Who cares why? I’ve had greater exposure, calls from galleries, from media buyers, way more traffic, it’s a good discipline, plus it’s fun. Those are just a few of the many, many reasons for coming up with your top photos and posting them. Nobody cares whether they are the top sellers, the top hairbrained ideas or the top photos of underwater dogs, which was a real major museum exhibition. Art NEVER has to have a reason for existing or for being shared. Whatever people’s reasons are for getting involved in the greater photographic community, they’re fine in my book. Thank you.
I love the family and other people you have done this year, Jim, but I must say that the first photograph of Maui is surrealistically and otherworldly most excellent, in my opinion. I like the Bokeh too and your tendency to push the boundaries of what you or anyone has done before. I did quite a bit of experimenting this year too, but I didn’t put any of those in my portfolio. I suppose now that I’ve seen yours I ought to… Well, there’s always next year. This blog project is so fantastic. We all support it and you and think you’re a genius for putting it on each year. I love that there are many levels of photographers, each doing it for their own reasons. Who cares why? I’ve had greater exposure, calls from galleries, from media buyers, way more traffic, it’s a good discipline, plus it’s fun. Those are just a few of the many, many reasons for coming up with your top photos and posting them. Nobody cares whether they are the top sellers, the top hairbrained ideas or the top photos of underwater dogs, which was a real major museum exhibition. Art NEVER has to have a reason for existing or for being shared. Whatever people’s reasons are for getting involved in the greater photographic community, they’re fine in my book. Thank you.
Wonderful set of images, Jim. I really like the night sky ones!
Fantastic images, thank you!
Pretty sweet set Jim! Setting the bar pretty darn high though if you want to get better images in 2013!! ;0)
Excellent work, Jim! Love the variety.
really nice photographs..liked them a lot
You have an array of awesome photos! Thanks
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good photos
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Fantastic images …… unique photography
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