A Year in Review: My Top 3 Images

I'm sure many of us have spent some time recently to look back over the year. What were the high points? Low points? What do we cherish, what have we learned, what have we let go, what have we gained? All valid questions.

For me, it has been a year of much introspection to say the least. I figure sharing my personal top three favorite images would be an opportunity to look back over certain highlights (though perhaps not the best and brightest moments).

These aren't necessarily my best images either, but three that have meaning over and above the rest.

1. Waterfall in Shenandoah

Trying to think of titles for these can be challenging. In my head, my immediate reaction is it reminds me of something out of some forgotten time, that a dinosaur should wander into the scene, maybe I should name it "Jurassic Park". But this was taken during a darker season in my life. Depression is something many of us struggle with on occasion in life. Sometimes from outside circumstances, often from our own deficiencies, but always a challenge. The events surrounding this time don't matter, just to say I'm thankful that God has used men in the past who struggled with their thoughts and hearts; men like Charles Spurgeon and Martin Luther. It showcases His grace all the more.

But it was a time of much introspection and much conversation with God. I'm so thankful for His grace upon a forgetful and short-sighted guy like me.

In the midst of it all He gave me this shot. The sun peaked through the clouds, the fog and steam rolled through the woods, and the result is one of my personal favorite shots I've taken.

And now, by His grace I can look back at that time thankful for the lessons learned. This shot is an added bonus to it all. He is good.

2. Peruvian Boy

In October I had the privilege to go to Peru to join with an organization there to help out with some impoverished children in some of the more run down areas of Lima.

It was an enlightening time, and one I'm really thankful for. Through the ministry opportunites, wonderful conversations with people, and experiencing a different culture, my own cultural stagnation was shaken up a bit. I think any believer ought to go on a good, well led, Biblical mission trip if possible.

While there, we visited multiple locations, the final being a church in a barrio in northern Lima. In my roaming around taking images for the trip, I peaked my head into this one classroom. As I observed, I noticed this boy playing with a tiny windmill, and I took a shot. I noticed that the sun was reflecting off of the toy, hitting his face, and casting a shadow of him and the toy onto the floor.

Because of the surroundings I wasn't able to compose it as much as I'd like to, but I tried to fit in what I wanted. Is it my greatest shot? No, I suppose not. But I hope it tells a story, a glimpse into what we experienced there. I guess you can look at it in that even in darker parts of this world, God is still shining a light in, bringing joy to many through salvation because of Jesus Christ. Continue to pray for missionaries, God is doing great things in this world.

3. Stony Man

One photographic lesson learned this year is the idea of scouting out a shot. Though it's not always possible to return to a scene, when it is, it's highly valuable to check it out in less than ideal conditions, so that when the conditions are as you want, you're able to just run to the spot and get a shot without having to think too much.

This was one such instance. While it would be 'easy' to credit scouting, ultimately I have to credit God for piecing this shot together for me. I do believe it's one of my personal best images, and for that I'm thankful.

Is there a lot of back story to it? No perhaps not as much as others, but you can read more about it here. It does remind me of time with my parents this year, something I'm truly thankful for.

So that's it, those are my top three images, and they carry in them much of what I believe God has shown me this year.