Post THE 2013 Shot that means the most to you.

[dubaiphil]

At the end of May I purchased my camera because I wanted to have something decent to take on a trip to Cambodia in July. There were 8 of us on the team and this pic represents the day that our lives were changed forever. A lot of our trip was spent in the slums of Pnom Phen. In the area represented in this pic many of the houses were built on stilts in a raw sewage ditch, one of the homes we went in was sinking and the sewage was coming into the home. The contents of the sewage ditch is what these people use for bathing, drinking water, and their toilet. We were all left speechless after the visit here but at the same time very grateful not only for what we have, but also for the privilege of being in that place! It may not be the best pic on this thread but it represents the day my heart was touched so deeply I can never forget it.

Cambodia gets under your skin, Rita. I will always want to revisit!

[dubaiphil]

Well last year saw the birth of our first child, and this year saw the birth of our second, but I'll refrain from the easy 'baby' pic this time around.

One of the shots that means the most to me from this year is from Venice. I've been fortunate to visit several times before but never with a decent camera, or an idea of how to use one. This time we had unfavourable weather, very limited time, and a pregnant wife, father-in-law and 1 year old boy to negotiate the hundreds of little bridges. Still I managed to grab a few frames. Not enough to be completely fulfilling (I could spend a fortnight in Venice, just me and my camera), but a few to keep me going until our next visit.

I'll skip the gondolas, Grand Canal etc, and stick with this image - two men going to work, Venice style, on a cold and bleak morning.

[Suzan J]

I started to read this thread and then found myself crying like a fool... Some of the stories relating to these pictures are so moving. I think this really shows the power of photography and how it impacts on those who take the picture and those who view it. I am feeling a bit sensitive today as our beloved cat is at the vet right now having surgery. It is sort of appropriate that I am reading about meaningful moments today. My shot is of my grandchildren who live in Florida. They came to stay with us for a couple of weeks in Canada. This was shot near dusk and it was one of the hottest evenings of the year. We had a camp fire, roasted hot dogs, played music, and danced in the summer heat. It was a very special moment.


DSC_0036 by Soo J, on Flickr

[Donald]

It was a very special moment.


DSC_0036 by Soo J, on Flickr

And it's a glorious picture. Full of the joy and innocence of childhood. I love it.

[davidedric]

Crying, yes, me too. Thanks everyone.

[Brownbear]

Grahame... Thank you for sharing. Truly nice to know. (PS I have some bugs in my stash that I will post later...)

I don't have any heart-warming photos with stories to share, and I can't decide on any one particular image but would I like to say that my experience of being part of this forum... especially for the encouragement, and helpful and honest advice, that I have received from members on improving my photography has been a very special experience for me.

Aside from my birds in flight, bears, landscapes (and likely other subjects I can't recall), my experience with learning to pan race horses especially stands out. I'm still amazed at all of the advice and encouragement I have received.

A great BIG thank you to all!

The image I'm posting is chosen because I consider it the most significant of the year in that it was taken at a major turning point of my photography hobby.

For many years I had concentrated on macro work and although still finding this fun it was not challenging enough. With the right lens and equipment, a decent subject and lighting all you need to do is get the focus right and that's it with a bit of basic PP.

Along came Christina with her horse racing and panning which got me tackling cars (and a cyclist) out of interest which progressed to 1/4 mile drag racing events by Fiji car club and my latest images showing up on Google. In addition to this new area of interest I'm tackling landscape, again prompted by threads from CiC so for me this has been a great photographic year and the camera's keeping me challenged.



Grahame

[rtbaum]

And big Thank You to Christina; your inquiring mind has benefitted many here on CiC. Happy Holidays to all

[terrib]

This photograph was the last one that I took of my husband. It was in August just a few days before we had to rush back to Texas due to complications caused by his radiation treatments. When I grabbed the shot, I was struck by his pose as being somewhat sad because he always walked with such confidence with his head held high. We knew, then, that he was going to lose his nearly 12 year battle with cancer but I had no idea that this would be our last outing together. He left this earth on November 24, 2013.

Mark said “The most important thing in fighting cancer is Attitude...” and this is so true. Neil did not waste time asking “why me?” or complaining. When he was going through treatments, he did all he could to recover quickly and when he was healthy, we LIVED life. He worried much more about me than he did himself. (The other day I found a note written on the lawn mower manual to me about oil changes)

I want to thank Collin for starting this thread and thank everyone who is posting their important photographs. Those who are sharing their most difficult times are helping others to appreciate their good times and helping some of us to know that we aren’t alone. But I especially want to emphasize to those that are sharing the joys of their year or those that have not yet done so because they somehow don’t feel them worthy of note - there are no comparisons to be made here. All of it, the joys, the sorrows, big and small. All of it is important. And the reminder that the simple excitement of capturing that first “fill the frame” bird photo could be the most important photo of the year - well, those reminders are what keeps us wanting to climb up from the depths, knowing that there will someday be moments like that again. Thank you, Randy, for making me smile.

I only found this thread yesterday and have been moved in some way by each and every post. I look forward to more!

[Donald]

Thank you, Terri.

[Barneyone]

We have visited Tiny Marsh, Ontario, Canada many times during holidays and this particular morning saw this wonderful sunrise, the peace was fabulous and very good for the soul.
That is why this is the 2013 shot that means the most to me.

[davidedric]

Thank you, Terri

And thank you from me, too. Dave

[Barneyone]

Sorry folks I have obviously misunderstood how to get a picture into a post
Help please.

[davidedric]

Have a look here HELP THREAD: How can I post images here?

Tinypic is the most reliable, in my very recent experience.

Dave

[mknittle]

Thank you Terri. Cancer has taken way too many good people.

[ShaneS]

So sorry for your loss Terri...your husband sounds like he was a good man and I'm not sure if I would have laughed with a smile in my heart or fell to the floor in a ball of tears when I found the note about how to change the oil in the lawnmower. What a guy!

May the holidays bring you peace and healing.

[IzzieK]

Rita...not to worry...I was recently afflicted by the same bug. I am learning...I have recently been successful too, so don't lose hope...

Sorry folks I have obviously misunderstood how to get a picture into a post
Help please.

[IzzieK]

Like most here, I am sorry for your loss too...I am sure you have many precious memories of him, too...especially the fun ones.

[Brownbear]

Thank you for sharing Terri. Beautiful... We LIVED life!

Here is one of my favourite poems written by Mary Elizabeth Frye in 1932...

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not here; I did not die.

[IzzieK]

I have a need to borrow this one from you if you do not mind...it is the first year my dear SIL celebrated Christmas without her husband and I feel bad for her too...Although they have 6 children and 19 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren, when the lights turned off, she feels most alone. I just wish she live near us so I can give her a big hug and cuddle too, at least cry with her sometimes...

Thank you for sharing Terri. Beautiful... We LIVED life!

Here is a favourite poem of mine...

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not here; I did not die.

[Brownbear]

Hi Izzie,

I should've of said that this is one of my all time favourite poems for the beauty and uplifting meaning of the words. I just edited my post to credit the authour.

Mary Elizabeth Frye (November 13, 1905 – September 15, 2004) was a Baltimore housewife and florist, best known as the author of the poem Do not stand at my grave and weep, written in 1932.[1]

I'm certain that Mary Elizabeth Frye would be delighted to know her poem is shared worldwide...

Just FYI from Wikipedia.

She was orphaned at the age of three and moved to Baltimore when she was twelve. She was an avid reader with a remarkable memory. In 1927 she married Claud Frye, who ran a clothing business, while she grew and sold flowers. The poem for which she became famous was originally composed on a brown paper shopping bag. Because people liked her twelve-line, untitled verse, she made many copies and circulated them privately. She never published or copyrighted the poem.[1]

The identity of the author of the poem was unknown until the late 1990s, when Frye revealed that she had written it. Her claim was confirmed in 1998 after research by Abigail Van Buren.[1]

I have a need to borrow this one from you if you do not mind...it is the first year my dear SIL celebrated Christmas without her husband and I feel bad for her too...Although they have 6 children and 19 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren, when the lights turned off, she feels most alone. I just wish she leaves near us so I can give her a big hug and cuddle too, at least cry with her sometimes...