I wrote recently about the importance of selecting your best images from 2009 to give yourself a true reflection of your photography year. After much deliberation, here’s my top five images. Overall, I’m happy with where I ended up with these five. I think some are reasonably memorable and as is the case with my photography, consist of a range of topics –  from the familiar (Akuri and our dogs) to the somewhat bizarre. The year 2009 was supposed to be a time for me to return to “shooting for pleasure”. About halfway through the year I was struggling to meet that simple goal but by rediscovering 35mm film, things started to turn around and by the end of the year I had too many pictures to post and share. Overall, the year was an absolute joy for me photographically – after shooting professionally between 2007 – 08 (and losing some personal motivation) – a genuine love for photography has returned and it’s intertwined deeply into my life again.

Some new years resolutions for 2010:

• Shoot more with Medium Format
• Take fewer pictures
• Take better pictures
• Finally get around to entering some competitions (and winning a few)
• Continue to write on this blog and expand Lost In Focus

Anyway, onto my top 5. Please feel free to share your favourite images !

“Victory”
Olympus E-P1 + Kit lens. Taken at Gasworks Park, Seattle.

“Akuri and Ume”
Canon 5D Mark II + Canon 200mm f/2.8 L lens. Our late Rottweiler Ume and my wife Akuri. Probably my favourite shot this year (and easily my most meaningful). Not a posed shot – I just sat at the back of the beach while Akuri and Ume played together in the surf.

“Burgers Now Open”
Olympus OM-4 + Olympus OM Zuiko 21mm f/2 on Fuji Velvia 100. Street shot taken of a dog waiting for its owner outside a burger bar

“Morning”
Olympus OM-4 + Olympus OM Zuiko 21mm f/2 on Fuji Velvia 100. Akuri again with Sora.

“The Birds”
Olympus OM-4 + Olympus OM Zuiko 135mm f/2.8 on Fuji Neopan 400. Triptych of birds & trees, somewhere in Washington / Oregon.