My Photography Year 2008 in Review

Another year passed by. 2008 has been a very eventful year—happyness, sadness, busyness, crazyness—you name it.

I didn't have as much of an opportunity to hike and photograph nature as I did in 2007, but I did have a small opportunity to walk along the local trails and capture some nice photos. I don't have any winter images this year yet, except for my backyard covered in tonnes of snow, but that is boring, just a white surface. However, winter is not over yet, and now that Matthew is growing really fast, I think I will be able to pull some strings to get some winter photos. I always keep kicking myself in the foot for not bringing my camera on the road. I keep seeing lots of birds, and I think my husband and my son Matthew could spare me a few seconds to shoot the birds, if you know what I mean.

What can I say about 2008? It was the best year ever, and there are many more to come. Blogging was slow, but I am so fortunate to have an excellent circle of bloggers that supported me and always left very nice, kind comments. I am also fortunate to have such great conversations with each of you and to get to know you more and more every time. The nice thing about that circle is that it is not all about photography. My photography is my personal photo-journal, and as I connect with each of you, I still have to look up at the sky, laugh, read, write, enjoy art, eat, and show off my baby.

Thank you all for all your 2008 contributions, and I look forward to blogging with you here and at your Blog in 2009.

And if you ask about the photo in today's post, well, I always try to photograph textures, and I am just never happy with the end result. Once, I photographed almost every brick outside of my house and was still not too happy. However, I was happy with this one. I don't exactly know what it is, but someone left this graffiti painting on the old bridge at Tim Taylor Trail, Newmarket, Ontario. Bingo! I was happy with this one.

Happy New Year and Happy Blogging 2009!

~ Anna

Comments

Tom Arbour said…
Thanks Anna- Happy New Year to you as well.

Tom
S-V-H said…
It's nice to know you Anna, your wonderful blogging and your little sunshine Matthiew!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family!

Susanne
Sue's Daily Photography
Anonymous said…
happy new year!
roentare said…
In this new year, I like to wish you happy new year!

the image is abstract. I like it as no one really knows what a new year will be like. The simplicity and the colour gives a glimpse of hope for a better new year
Bob Johnson said…
All the best in 2009 Anna. I love the shot, at first I thought it was some type of hanging flag, very cool, great textures and love the colors.
Anonymous said…
Happy New Year to you and your son and husband Anna! Here's to a great 2009!
The photo? Great capture - beautiful contrast between the colors and monochromatic background. Nicely done.
Take care.
~JD
Anonymous said…
Happy New Year, Anna!

The photograph above is one of your best as far as composition, texture, color contrasts, and exposure. Even the way the small patch of yellow points to the trace of amber mineral stain on the rock as it exits the frame is perfect.

It is one of those shots where the "what is it?" is irrelevant to the photograph... the best kind. Enlarged and framed, it would hold its own with any other artwork. I wish it had come from my eye and camera so I could display it in my living room!
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Tom, same to you, Happy New Year. Anna :) BTW nice to see you here :).
myonlyphoto said…
Oh Susanne what can I say to you my friend - it is nice to know you too, and hope 2009 if good to you and full of wonderful adventures. Happy New Year to you too, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hey Kriscpec, happy new year to you too. All the best, and lots of fun blogging. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi roentarre, thank you so much for your wishes. Thank you for wise words, I like that 'the simplicity and the colour gives a glimpse of hope for a better new year' - again beautifully said. Thank you again. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Bob, all the best to you too in 2009. You know the colors do stick out forward, it does seems like a seperate thing, or hanging flag. And also I think I have to give a credit to the graffiti artist, lol. Thanks again, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks JD, all the best wishes to you too in 2009. I must say this time I was lucky to find this graffiti. I like it myself, lol. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Happy New Year, to you too Will!
Thanks for the beautiful comment on my photo. Will I have to ask, because of the description you gave, did you ever work for art museum as a critic?

You said: 'Even the way the small patch of yellow points to the trace of amber mineral stain on the rock as it exits the frame is perfect.' - I better now go and look more closely, boy you got attention to detail, and I missed it, lol.

You said: 'It is one of those shots where the "what is it?" is irrelevant to the photograph... the best kind.' - so so true.

You said: 'Enlarged and framed, it would hold its own with any other artwork. I wish it had come from my eye and camera so I could display it in my living room!' - hey Will if you want a copy you can have it, let me know and I can format for you for printing.

Thanks again for your interesting comment. Anna :)
Ele ^_^ said…
You did wonderful photo in 2008.. I wish you a great new year!!! ^^
Andrea said…
Great Picture!
A very nice composition:many times the best shots come from small things.

Happy New Year to You All.
Anonymous said…
Happy New Year..I am now following this blog..Hope u can follow me too...Have a bountiful 2009!
RW said…
All the best in '09 Anna!

Lend me your ear I have a award for you (Click Here)
Unknown said…
Nice to hear from you again and Happy New Year 2009.Hope to see more photos for 2009.:D
Anonymous said…
Anna,
Thanks, Happy New Year to you too. :)
Let's make 2009 even better than 2008! It's gonna be Matthew's first birthday, right?! :) :)
Max-e said…
Hi Anna, hope the coming year is full of happiness for you and your family.
I like your photo - the colour aginst the stonework makes a nice contrast.
Anonymous said…
happy new year!
wonderful photo:)
Peter said…
Hi Anna! For a start, I'll swap my 80 degree heat we're getting here for your boring snow. How I wish I could experience a white Christmas. Maybe one day!

Just got back from working in ED and I was flat out like a lizard drinking (very, very busy) all night. I don't know who had the worst chest pain, the patients or me. Just joking!

Anyway, I hope you and your family had a great Christmas and a jolly new years eve. All for the best for 2009 and beyond.

Take Care,
Peter
Bee said…
Anna, there really is something so pleasing about that scrap of colorful graffiti against the rough texture of the stone.

I'm glad to have met you this year, and look forward to more words and pictures!
Lena said…
Happy happy happy New Year to you and your family :)
Purple Cat said…
Happy new year! lots of joy and creativity!!!
XX PC
myonlyphoto said…
Ele ^_^ thanks, and wishing you great 2009 also. Thanks for dropping by, on my way to your place. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Andrea, you are so right. Happy new year to you too. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Ness, me too. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Roger, I got an ear award, lol. Thanks. All the best to you too. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Fook same to you too. Thanks and all the best in 2009. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Leo, I am sure 2009 will be a great year. Yes, it will be Matthew's first birthday in May. What a milestone for a little guy, lol. Thanks again, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Max-e for your comment, and wishing you the same, happy healthy new year. Anna :)
Birdy Official said…
Happy new year. You have amazing blog and beautiful pictures.

Pk-photography
Anonymous said…
Anna, wish you a lovely and photography-filled 2009 too. Blogging circles are indeed fascinating! PS: Matt gets only 5 years before he reads all that?? :P
Happy New Year to you, Anna! Thanks for sticking with us, and being still one of our original readers!
We look forward to your 2009 posts and photos!
--JB
Anonymous said…
Hope the new year shall bring you even more joy from your family and your photography.
Happy New Year
Ruth said…
Glad you found me, because now I found you. Wonderful spot you have, unique. And that baby of yours is FANTASTIC. I chuckled over the books pic and the laughing one so far.
Jo's-D-Eyes said…
wo Anna what a good writer you are, not to name the great shots you made...

We are back from holidays...I always enjoyed visiting you blog in 2008, you were a reall inspiration to me.
I wish you many Happy and Creative wishes for 2009! I hope to watch your beautiful photogaphic blog many, many, times in 2009 with also much joy. Please feel/be welcome to follow my blog also,

Friendly greetings from:
JoAnn's D Eyes

www.joannwalraven.blogspot.com
Ren said…
Hi Anna,

Wow, this site of yours is really fun and happening.

Do you want to know how silly am I? I visit StoryBlob everyday, waiting for your new posting and I almost wanted to send you an email yesterday to ask, "Are you ok? When will your next post be up?" ;p

Happy New year to you, your family and your readers!

P.S I am going to amend my blogroll.
Ruth said…
Thank you for explaining that Matthew is 8 months. :)
Max Coutinho said…
Hey Anna,

What a marvellous heart-felt post: thank you *hug*!

Indeed 2008 was a great year...so many changes, so much growth...amazing! And we got to meet your Baby Matthew (what else could we ask for?) :)!

Darling, thank you for an amazing 2008! And Here's to a fantastic 2009 *raising my glass*!

Love to Baby Matt and you!

Cheers
Swubird said…
Anna:

I think it's a great photo. The super bright colors really stand out. I like it a lot.

I am also very happy that you are among the circle of bloggers I correspond with. It's a whole new world - this internet. We make friends that we never even knew existed except in our imaginations. It's great to see all the pictures and to read all of the stories and comments. It broadens the mind and makes us feel less alone in the world. Old, young, big, little, man or woman, they are all great people.

This year my task is to reach out to more friends and say, Howdy!

happy trails.
myonlyphoto said…
fengyebingxueer nope not interested, however glad you could make it to my blog, lol. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks birdy! I will drop by your nest soon, lol. Thanks again. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Priyank. Yeah 5 years seems right, lol, or I am at least hoping, they are all computer books though, lol. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks JB, and btw I will be sticking with you for another year :). Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Chris, same to you, and looking forward to your great photography. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Ruth and I hope to continue our conversations throughout this year or beyond. Thanks again for your visits. Anna :)
Fruity said…
Nice spotted photo! Seems to be floating or flying or my mind playing tricks :) Anyway happy belated happy NEW YEAR and all the best forward for this year
Fruity
myonlyphoto said…
Joann it is always nice to see you here. I enjoyed your blog last year and looking forward to more in the years to come. Thank you for your kind comment, wishes and as always visit. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Oh Ren you are so nice, thank you so much for the visits, if I knew I would speed up my writing. Just these days with baby on board things a bit slow. I am thinking co-joining my blogs together, to give my bloggers a choice. Thanks for your kind wishes and I hope to continue to blog with you more this year. Love your economic cartoons, excellent job everytime. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Ruth yes yes he is only 8 months, and its today. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Max my dear friend, all the best to you too from all of us. Yes Matthew is the best thing this year and forever. Thanks again my dear and I am looking forward to more conversations with you this year and hopefully years to come. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Swubird, and I am also happy to that we got to know each other better, especially through your stories. But I have to tell you it was your glasses that pulled me into your blog, lol.

You said: 'It's great to see all the pictures and to read all of the stories and comments. It broadens the mind and makes us feel less alone in the world. Old, young, big, little, man or woman, they are all great people.; - so so absolutely true.

You said: 'This year my task is to reach out to more friends and say, Howdy!' - hey visit some of my friends on the list, I have great loyal bunch here :), but I think you know few already.

Nice to hear from you again.

Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hey Fruity, its been long time, but it is always nice to see you here. Thank you for your kind comment. All the best in the new year, looking forward to more fruit explorations. Anna :)
Max Coutinho said…
Anna,

Amen to that, girl :D!
kml said…
Even though the time is scarce - I am glad you are still hanging in with the blogging - I would miss you and your thoughtful posts and great photos!

I hope you had a great 1st Christmas with Matthew - each one gets better!

And I wish you a most Happy New Year filled with all that is good!

Hugs to you, my friend!

Kathy
MedaM said…
This photo is really interesting. This graffiti was painted great. At first sight it looked like cloths on the line of various colours. The colours make beautiful contrast against the beautiful texture of the wall.
San said…
A delicious study in contrasts--color, form, and yes, texture. I so want to touch that rocky surface!

Happy New Year to you, Anna! May 2009 be joy-and-light-filled for you and your family...
Dick said…
Hi Anna

Happy New Year, I know, I know a little late. lol
This is a very sweet post and I want to say "thank you" for your posts and comments.
Lynda Lehmann said…
The weathered stone is beautiful, Anna!

You photographed most of the bricks of your house, lol... That's like me, photographing bark on pine trees, up close, in a park where everyone is staring at me and my husband tries to pretend he doesn't know me!

You have such a nice circle of blogging friends because you ARE a good blogging friend!

Yes, Matthew and your husband can spare you enough time to jump out of the car (not when it's moving!) or take a side path for a few minutes, to get some new shots! When spring comes, you'll be able to take Matthew in his stroller, too!

Thank you for being a good blogging friend, dear Anna! :)

And Happy New Year to you and your family!
Sandi McBride said…
You know Anna, 2008 was okay by me, too. I can't think of a thing that went wrong that I couldn't fix, a thing that went right that I didn't feel good about. I'm looking forward to 2009 with enthusiasm and cheer. It's all what we make it.
Great post! Full of encouragement, some need it, they'll find it here.
Happy New Year
hugs
Sandi
Anna, that's a beautifully textured photo!!! I think of you often and know how much Matthew will enjoy a sleigh ride when the weather warms up. :D

So...you snap shots of textures too...over and over again. LOL... we ARE kindred spirits. Jeff really laughed at all of my squash photos. I wanted to get the bumpy texture and the lighting a certain way.

Have a super week, dearest friend.
I'm happy blogging brought us together. :D

Hugs, JJ/Nancy
myonlyphoto said…
Max, yes Amen, but don't you go anywhere, lol. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Kathy I am little late, however, thank you so much for your nice wishes. Yes first Xmas with Matthew was very nice, and enjoyable. Thanks again, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Medam thanks and you are so right. It looked to me like that too, just because of the strong contrast and color between the two. Thanks again, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hey San I would like to also touch it, but you know it was painted - no idea how - on the bridge where it is hard to access. I am think may be it was painted first on the canvas or paper and then glued. Thanks San for nice wishes, same to you. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hey Dick never too late, and no problem, always enjoy your posts. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Lynda you are so kind my friend. You know once I wanted to get picture of some dancing leaves, so I made my husband to throw some leaves around, you know instead of watching the leaves, I had fun photo him, it was just so much fun, and stress free, and he seemed to enjoy it. I don't know if he would have done it in the public, then we both probably be declared insane, lol, and who cares. Lynda, I am glad to have you on my blogging board, you are a true artist, and a good friend. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Sandi, I think we just have to live every day to the fullest and enjoy it. Glad that 2008 was good for you, and wish you all the best in 2009, happy and healthy blogging. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks JJ. Hey that's what photographers do, they go extra crazy miles to get the results. You know JJ, the important thing is that we enjoy it and have fun. Thanks again for your kind comment my friend. Anna :)