As Amos points out, Texas and Oklahoma are scheduled to burn down this weekend.
Meanwhile, heavy rain now inundating parts of Northern California should begin impacting Southern California late tomorrow… just about the time I arrive at LAX.
Alas, I couldn’t stop with just five photos. As I said before, it’s been a good year. So, rounding out my ten favorite photos of the year, once again in no particular order…
Shadow of the Giant - Despite having lived in Nebraska for over a year, this was my first visit to the grounds of the state Capitol building in Lincoln. It was one of the last brilliant, sunny days of Autumn before the chill of Winter set in… a perfect day for photography. I actually had to sprawl out on the sidewalk in order to get this shot. Obviously, I got some strange looks.
Cosmo Clock - Once the largest ferris wheel in the world, Cosmo Clock 21 towers over Tokyo Bay in Yokohama, Japan. A short distance away, the tallest building in Japan towers over all, but from up close, the ferris wheel alone dominates the skyline.
Lovely Lodgings - A short walk from my apartment in Makuhari stood this cluster of love hotels. I shot this in the wee hours of the morning following a late night karaoke session… inspired by alcohol, I suppose. And, yes, the sign atop the flying saucer reads “UFO Hotel”. Hideously ugly by day, hideously beautiful by night.
Last Light - The Rainbow Bridge makes another appearance in the list of favorites, but this time as backdrop. I haven’t a clue who these people are. I don’t even recall them noticing me, even though I shot this photo from only a few feet away. Tokyo is weird like that.
Train Soup - This is probably the most critically acclaimed photo I’ve shot in my entire life. The funny thing is, I don’t care much for the composition. Admittedly, it’s an incredible scene (thanks to some lucky timing), but I’ve always been somewhat disappointed with the photo itself. Go figure. Someday, I’ll give it a second try…
This has been a good year for me photography-wise, mostly thanks to the time I spent in Japan. So, with the end of December drawing near, I thought I’d share my top five favorite photos of the year. So, in no particular order…
Sea of Tranquility - This was kind of a no-brainer. I was searching the Loess Hills of western Iowa for Autumn color this early October morning, but (unfortunately) wasn’t having much luck. Shortly before wrapping things up, I spotted this perfect scene near the small town of Mineola. This is why I love the American Midwest.
Harvest Road - I pass this spot near Springfield, Nebraska fairly often. Corn fields dominate the landscape, but the plot of land on which this water tower sits is cultivated entirely with alfalfa. By late September, the corn had gone dry and brown, but the alfalfa remained a lush green. With the sky threatening rain and sunlight fading, the scene felt especially stark. Oddly enough, the hustle and bustle of Omaha was only a few miles up the road.
Escape From Tokyo - I was playing photojournalist this morning in Kagoshima, Japan, following the passage of Typhoon #14. As the locals began the long cleanup process, I spied this lone fisherman at Kagoshima Port… which had been entirely submerged in water at the height of the storm the day before. In the distance looms Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. Coincidentally, a few seconds after shooting this photo, the fisherman extracted an unlucky squid from the ocean. I was nearly showered with ink in the process.
Under the Rainbow - The Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo, Japan is a popular subject for photographers, especially as seen from Odaiba. Along with every other photographer in the country, it seemed, I was there to shoot the bridge at sunset. This shot, however, came near the end of the night, from a secluded location away from the crowds. Look closely, and you’ll spot seagulls resting on pylons in the water as dinner cruise boats drift by.
Matsuri - Following a long afternoon rambling about Tokyo, I stumbled upon this matsuri near my apartment in suburban Makuhari. The light was extremely dim, but I grabbed my fastest lens, bumped the film speed to ISO 1600, and got to work (after a couple of beers, of course). As the bon dance got underway, I took notice of this lovely young woman, and matched her pace as she circled the grounds with the rest of the dancers. I wonder if she ever took notice of me?
One thing I brought back with me from my time in Japan is the feeling that, every time my desk shudders, be it from a passing truck or my careless, bouncing knee, it must be an impending earthquake.
Oh, and I can stomach McDonald’s again… somehow.
Don’t worry… I didn’t slip on a patch of ice and crack my head open. I’m still here. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Great. Now my headphones have a loose connection in the right driver. The person who assembled them must have been anxious to go to lunch or something. Oh well. Back to Grado they go. Again
There’s a lovely blanket of snowing covering everything at the moment. I’d share some photos, but the temperature hasn’t risen above freezing since… well, I honestly can’t remember. Frankly, I’d rather stay inside. The next week should bring more snow and even colder temperatures.
A close friend won a Nintendo DS in a contest ran by Advanced Media Networks. Since I’m the last member of our social circle without a DS, he’s giving it to me. No longer will I be left out of the Mario Kart fun. Next time I see you, Randy, I’ll be sure to buy you a drink.
