Weekly Photo Contest: December 24 to January 4 | Favorite of 2022

[mollyc]

Happy holidays, everyone, whatever you celebrate, even if it's only New Year's. Please note this week's challenge runs a few days longer than normal since many people travel or are otherwise unavailable. I think by January 4th we should all be back to mostly normal. 🙂

This week I would love to see your favorite or best photo of 2022! Any genre, any camera, your single favorite (or best, I'm not really picky on this...sometimes our best technically aren't very exciting, and sometimes our very favorite might not be the best on a technical basis...choose either category) photo from 2022. The only requirement for this is that you took it during this calendar year; archive photos earlier not eligible.

And while necessary, I'd love a little explanation as to why you chose the photo you did.

Usually by this time of the year I have 3-10 favorites, and it's always hard to narrow it down. I have other images that I'd say were better on a "portfolio" basis, but I am choosing this photo because it includes Halley (not always cooperative, but adorable when she does), film, medium format, and home development of film. For me it's the combination of all factors that put this at the top of the list this year.

As always, standard rules apply:

• The photographs must be your own work
• You may only submit one photo per contest.
• No commenting or liking photos until after the judging has taken place.
• This contest runs for about a week and a half, starting now.
• At the end of the competition, the judge (last week's winner) will choose a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place photo, providing as much feedback as possible.
• The 1st place winner will start a new thread with the topic/theme of their choice, and act as the judge for that contest. (Winner has 48 hours to create new theme, after that it defers to 2nd place).
• Be sure to update the Contest Master List as soon as you post a new theme.

 

[Hughmac]

Molly, I’ve noticed in recent competitions that the line about updating the master list has been missing; is this a change of rules or an error that has been copied on?

Cheers

Hugh

 

[mollyc]

Molly, I’ve noticed in recent competitions that the line about updating the master list has been missing; is this a change of rules or an error that has been copied on?

Cheers

Hugh

Oh, it porobably got skipped one week and it's just gone missing. I'll find the line and add it back in. 🙂

(ETA: it was me who skipped it the last time I was host. 🤦🏼‍♀️ Good catch and sorry everyone!)

 

[tizeye]

While there are several throughout the year, I think I will have to go with the one taken yesterday. While I've taken many photos at the Wetlands Park, was always constrained to the service roads around the 16 retention ponds. Monday they opened a mile long boardwalk through one of the ponds and weather cleared where able to experience it yesterday. It takes you out into the middle of the action! Wasn't prepared for birds in flight with single shudder setting, but the opportunity presented itself - one shot and a 200mm lens, make it good!

 

[Hughmac]

I’ve just had a look at my SmugMug page, and it seems I uploaded a total of 88 shots in the whole of 2022, so, choice being very slim, watch this space…

Cheers

Hugh

 

[soulreaver99]

Lots of photos photos taken of my son this year since he was born in January. My favorite photo however, was shot on my iPhone right after his birth in the hospital. My wife had several complications and a difficult labor which resulted in requiring an emergency c-section.

After finally waking up after surgery, this was the moment she held our son for the first time. I know it’s super cliched and over said, but the best camera is definitely the one you have on you.

 

[mollyc]

oh this is going to be a difficult week+ to remember which thread i am in.

 

[PhilBoogie]

I’m a cyclist, and love to take long trips. On the longest day I like to set a new record, riding from dawn till dusk. I started 2 years ago, riding 300km / 185mi. This year a cycling buddy wanted to ride with me, so we started at 5am and choose to ride on the border of the province of Noord-Holland. Passing farmers land, I saw the beauty of the rising sun, with grazing cows in the morning fog. So I stopped, took this photo (yup, phone). I really like it, even without applying any technicality to it. ISO 32, 77mm, f/2.8, 1/2660s. It was a 14½ hour ride (413km / 256mi).

 

[CK Williams]

Landscape photographers, Death Valley CA, February 2022
I don't consider this my best of the year, but it serves the important purpose of reminding me to be willing to look at things from different perspectives.

 

[PhilBoogie]

.

 

[iSwift5]

Recently taken here in Italy. I was shocked in real life too by the scene, so thought a photo would come out really nice.
Taken with iPhone 13 mini.

 

[AZhappyjack]

We had just finished redecorating our dining room, and within a week or two, I got my iPhone 14 Pro Max. This shot was taken during an afternoon of experimenting with the camera. I've never been much for black and white still life photos, but I really like how this one came out... the partially opened shutters provide just enough backlight on the vase of flowers.

 

[Strider64]

Well, I really didn't snapped that photograph that made me go "Wow", but I like this one the best for 2022 as it says to me "I'm licking my chops, looking forward on future photographs".

 

[someoldguy]

Every year I do a Christmas calendar instead of sending out cards . Over the course of the year , I put what I feel are potential calendar pix into a separate folder where they can be culled out to the 13 best . This one just popped out to me ...

A friend who has family in San Diego , and visits often , tipped me off about this location (the Scripps Pier)
as maybe being a good spot . She was right .

 

[Snowlover]

I think this is what I would choose as my favorite of the year. Our friendly neighborhood rattlesnake was kind enough to let me close enough to get this shot, and I love the lighting and detail in the scales.

 

[mtbdudex]

Local trail here in SE Michigan.
I truly love MTB riding, specifically the transition of dark-dawn-daylight rides.
Every single one has its moments to be a part of.
This particular one had stratified fog with sunrise, birdsong abound.

 

[mollyc]

Contest closing tomorrow.

I expect an onslaught of late entries. 🙂

 

[Janichsan]

 

[OldMacs4Me]

This is my favourite, not necessarily my best. During January and February of 2022, the Canadian flag became a world wide symbol of freedom, love, joy, and so much more. It is in that spirit I post it.

Of course our own PM denounced it, bouncy castles, portable hot tubs and Bar-B-Qs as symbols of domestic terrorism.

 

[oblomow]

Norway this summer, on the coast. First long holiday without the children. Gorgeous evening with a stunning sunset. I remember I kept telling my wife: "wow, look there! this sun! the sky is exploding!". It ended with the these colourful clouds when the sun finally completely disappeared.

 

[_timo_redux_]

2022 was a good year to make pictures. Like most, I'm sure, it was hard to pick a favorite -- and it's always hard to conflate good feelings one remembers making the picture with what's in the picture itself.

Anyway, lots of good efforts, but often my favorites have unexpected or unintended things show up.

I like this one for its edges.

Lake George, NY, last July
Canon R5

 

[thirsty_monk]

This is my favourite one. It was the first picture of a wildlife in which I did achieve the "professional" look at least in my opinion

Canon 70D with Canon EF-S 55-250mm 4.0-5.6 IS STM

 

[OldMacs4Me]

Did @mollyc forget her other project while launching the deck of cards?

 

[mollyc]

Did @mollyc forget her other project while launching the deck of cards?

molly got caught up in nice weather and spent time outdoors. 🙈 thanks for the reminder

 

[PhilBoogie]

molly got caught up in nice weather and spent time outdoors. 🙈 thanks for the reminder

Or participating here.