The Ones I Like List of 2010 [A Detour]

Some of my favorite photos have been the product of my taking a detour from an expected path.  Detours are a way of life, literally and metaphorically. So I've decided to add one to the "List."  Before unveiling my #1 photo on The Ones I Like List of 2010, I want to revisit a few other favorites that didn't make the official countdown for one reason or another.

The Historic Crocket Hotel.  This photo was taken while I was on assignment in San Antonio for Where Guestbook.  The photo itself wasn't part of the assignment, but rather just something I saw while walking back to the hotel, and I thought would make for an interesting photo.  I'm not always up for long exposure -- don't like carrying around a tripod -- but since I had my tripod with me, it all worked out.  The streaks were created by the lit horse-drawn carriages making a turn from one street to the next.

Laurie.  This was my favorite portrait of the year, both for the photo itself and for the way Laurie, a fellow photographer, described the portrait experience in her wonderful blog. I love the image for the generous eye contact and for the branch shadow at the neckline.  Just as a tree extends those delicate branches, Laurie extended herself in approaching the shoot, something that is very much outside her comfort zone, with total vulnerability and open-mindedness. I admired it completely. 

Apartment Therapy.  Back in April, my friends Vernon Caldera and Adam Gibson asked if I could photograph their apartment for Apartment Therapy's Small, Cool 2010 contest.  It's something that I had experience doing when it came to editorial work, but not so much when it came to interior beauty shots.  That said, I think we did just fine.  And the apartment, cool as can be, made it to the national quarterfinals, doing really well, but missing by just a smidge.  Vernon is the founder of Left Brain Right Brain Design and Keep Houston Rich.  Adam is the Business Development Director at Rottet Studio.  The pair's talent can only be outdone by their stunningly good looks.  (Wait, is that wrong to say??!)

heron.  I like heron because it's quiet, unadulterated.  From a technical standpoint, it's quite different from my typical fog photos in that the depth of field is wide open and the scene, broad.  That's another thing I like about the image -- the unexpected of it all.

Mister Charming.  Claudius entered my life in late 2009.  He walked in on a conversation I was having near the parking garage and then screamed "adopt me!"  I did.  One of the best decisions I've ever made.