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?