This is my 3rd year in a row participating in Jim Goldstein’s Annual “Your Best Photos” blog project. (Check out my entries for 2010 and 2011.) I hardly traveled in 2011 as I had just become a first-time homeowner so my priorities were elsewhere but in 2012, I got to explore some new places and re-visit old ones which was fun. As in previous years, I picked my personal favorites rather than try to determine “best” because that is too difficult to quantify. Here are my ten favorite photos from 2012 in chronological order.

Samantha Building Her First Snowman, Flagstaff, Arizona

Waking up to a snowstorm in Flagstaff was probably the single-most memorable experience I had all year. Being from a heavily-populated region of California, I cherish any opportunity to get away from the city and experience the simpler things in life such as playing with snow in a small town during the winter time. This was Samatha’s first experience with snow so I thought this image captured the spontaneity of the moment more than any other image I made all year.

Lily Pad and Reflections in North Vista Fountain Water at The Huntington Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California

I have spent a lot of time at The Huntington over the past two years. When you have spent as much time as I have in one place, then it really forces you to look deeper within a scene in order to keep things fresh. A scene within a scene.

Hikers Looking at Scenery, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Riverside County, California

I like making travel images that tell a personal story about the experience. Rather than just doing a generic snapshot of Samantha and I staring in a camera which reveals nothing of the experience, I wanted to make an image of us enjoying the Santa Rosa Plateau hike.

Moraine Lake and The Valley of the Ten Peaks During Spring Season, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

After a childhood visit to the Canadian Rockies, it took me 26 years to make a return trip as a photographer. I was a bit too early in the season to see the trademark blue water of Moraine Lake so I took this opportunity to use the thawing ice as a foreground element. Scenery doesn’t get any better than the Canadian Rockies.

Natural Bridge with Kicking Horse River Flowing Through It and Mt. Stephen in the Background, Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada

I made this image for my parents in honor of our broken bus 26 years ago. Here is the story, “Life Savers at Natural Bridge“.

Canada Goose Mother Keeping Chicks Warm, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Baby canadian geese was the cutest thing I saw all year, perhaps ever.

Full Moon Over Mt. Hood, Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon

I wouldn’t have captured this image of the full moon rising from behind Mount Hood without the help of some generous locals. A very surreal experience. Here is the original story, “The Kind Act of Sharing Knowledge“.

Rainbow Over City Hall, Pasadena, California

It was a brief glimpse of a rainbow, but there is nothing more gratifying in landscape photography to be able to realize your pre-visualized image.

City Hall Framed in Archway, Pasadena, California

I made this image of Pasadena City Hall while doing a review of the Canon 24mm TS-E f/3.5L II lens for BorrowLenses.com. This was an image I had wanted to make for a more than a year now and it ended up exceeding my expectations. I like how the shadows turned out there and think that is what makes the image.

Fall Color in Chinese Garden at The Huntington, San Marino, California

There are only so many ways you can photograph a tree with colorful autumn leaves but limitless ways you can arrange a photo of fall foliage.

23 Responses to “Favorite Photos from 2012”

1. Rachel Cohen
   January 1st, 2013 @ 5:23 pm

   Beautiful set of images Richard!

2. Things You’ll Find Interesting January 1, 2013 | Chuq Von Rospach, Photographer and Author
   January 2nd, 2013 @ 12:30 am

   [...] Favorite Photos from 2012 [...]

3. latoga
   January 2nd, 2013 @ 11:21 am

   Congrats on a great year of photography and travel Richard! You’re right, the Baby Canadian Goose shot is epically cute! I also enjoyed your Banff photos (even the ones that didn’t make your favorite list).

   Here’s to great light and safe travels in 2013!

4. Richard Wong
   January 2nd, 2013 @ 9:29 pm

   Thanks Rachel and Greg! Happy New Years to you both.

5. Sethuram
   January 2nd, 2013 @ 9:45 pm

   Classic!
   Have a great photographic and travel year ahead Richard.

6. Bret Edge
   January 2nd, 2013 @ 11:12 pm

   These are all wonderful, Richard. Being a Dad, I’m a little partial to the first one of Samantha making her first snowball. It’s so sweet and she’s such a cute little girl. Congrats on a great year. May 2013 be your best year yet!

7. Jim Goldstein
   January 3rd, 2013 @ 1:11 am

   Great set of images Richards. 2012 looks like it was a great year for you.

8. Richard Wong
   January 3rd, 2013 @ 11:51 am

   Thanks guys.

   Bret – Samantha is flattered that you think she still looks young.

9. Greg Russell
   January 3rd, 2013 @ 5:30 pm

   Gorgeous set of images, Richard. I like the mix of landscapes and travel…a well rounded selection I would say. I was also happy to see the Santa Rosa Plateau in there; I love hiking there but find it difficult to photograph (although one image from there almost made my 2012 list of favorites).

10. Richard Wong
    January 3rd, 2013 @ 6:15 pm

    Thanks Greg. Agree about the Santa Rosa Plateau. It is a great place to hike and scenic in it’s own right but there’s nothing that immediately screams, “must photograph!”. The Vernal Pools are a nice place though when no one is around.

11. Mark
    January 4th, 2013 @ 12:53 pm

    Congrats on the great year Richard, with beautiful shots to go along with it. I really like the variety here.

12. Richard Wong
    January 4th, 2013 @ 1:29 pm

    Thanks Mark.

13. Bernie Kasper
    January 4th, 2013 @ 7:50 pm

    Wonderful set Richard you have been one busy man hoping 2013 is as special for you !!

14. Richard Wong
    January 5th, 2013 @ 2:22 am

    Thanks Bernie. 2012 certainly ended in a very memorable way and I’m sure 2013 will be one to remember.

15. David Leland Hyde
    January 6th, 2013 @ 11:51 am

    I seem to be behind this year, glad I finally got a chance to look at these more closely. As Greg wrote, you have a good mix of memorable images here. My favorites are the Pasadena City Hall Framed In The Archway, Lily Pads at the Huntington and your version of Moraine Lake with the ziggy-zaggy water and great sky. And how can I pass up giving honorable mention to Mt. Hood. That one ought to sell well in Oregon and probably elsewhere too.

16. Richard Wong
    January 7th, 2013 @ 12:29 am

    Thanks David. I think we probably have similar tastes as the lily pad image was probably my favorite from the moment I snapped the shutter.

17. Ben Chase
    January 9th, 2013 @ 10:03 am

    Full moon over Mt. Hood = WIN.

    Great work!

    Ben

18. Richard Wong
    January 9th, 2013 @ 2:03 pm

    Thanks Ben.

19. Mike Putnam
    January 13th, 2013 @ 11:36 am

    Richard, Beautiful images! It looks like 2012 was a good year for you. I especially like the Mt. Hood image with the full moon rising. It is beautiful yet cool and somehow hopeful. Very well done.
    Mike

20. Richard Wong
    January 13th, 2013 @ 3:11 pm

    Thanks Mike! I like your work as well.

21. Fotograf Gdansk
    January 15th, 2013 @ 6:36 am

    Very impressive! A beautiful set! Thank you for sharing.

22. Richard Wong
    January 15th, 2013 @ 3:57 pm

    Thanks Fotograf Gdansk.

23. Tizia » Las mejores fotos del 2012
    March 15th, 2013 @ 12:21 pm

    [...] Fotos favoritas de 2012 – En el blog de ​​Campo Fotos por Richard Wong - Richard Wong  [...]

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