As 2012 comes to a close, I thought I’d take a look back and post my personal favorite photos from the year. 2012 was a momentous year in my life since Claudia and I got married in August! But photographically speaking it’s been a relatively quiet year, unlike 2011 when I spent more time in foreign countries than I spent in the US. This year Claudia and I were happy to mostly just be “home” in Colorado, though we did manage several big road trips to Montana and the deserts of California, Arizona, and Utah. (None of the desert photos made the cut here… they just can’t compete with the mountains!)
It’s insanely difficult to whittle down a year’s worth of photos to only 12; a list of 16 or 20 would have been much easier! But “12 for ’12” was my theme here so I had to do it. Without further ado, here’s my 12 favorite photos from 2012.
Mt. Sneffels Summit Sunrise : Prints Available
Sunrise atop Mt. Sneffels (14,150 ft.) – May.
Solar Eclipse over the Sneffels Range : Prints Available
The peak of the May 2012 annular solar eclipse above Yankee Boy Basin. Potosi Peak is on the right, with Mt. Sneffels behind. At the bottom you can see the solar eclipse as refracted in the lens flare.
Fiery Dunes Sunset : Prints Available
A fiery sunset over the Great Sand Dunes with the Sangre de Cristo mountains behind – June.
Pyramid Peak Sunrise : Prints Available
Sunrise reflection of Pyramid Peak, in Glenns Lake – July.
Cracker Lake Dawn : Prints Available
A lone mountain goat surveys the scene at Cracker Lake at dawn – July.
Dark Sunrise in the Needles : Prints Available
A single beam of sunrise light illuminates the Needle Mountains on a stormy morning deep in the Weminuche Wilderness.
Grenadier Sunrise Reflection #2 : Prints Available
Reflection of Vestal Peak and Arrow Peak of the Grenadier Range during a fiery sunrise.
Aspen in the Fog : Prints Available
Aspen forest in the fog – September.
Fall Creek Sunrise : Prints Available
A stormy sunrise above Dolores Peak and the vast aspen groves of the Fall Creek valley near Telluride, Colorado – September.
Chimney Rock Sunset : Prints Available
Sunset light on Chimney Rock and Courthouse Mountain in the Cimarron Range near Ridgway, Colorado – September.
Cimarron Sunset Panorama : Prints Available
The Cimarrons lit up by a spectacular sunset over Ridgway and Pleasant Valley, with the Sneffels Range in the background. Chimney Rock and Courthouse Mountain are the prominent peaks near the center. The West Fork Cimarron valley is at left.
Ice Lakes Icy Dawn : Prints Available
Dawn light in Ice Lakes Basin on a chilly October morning after the second snowfall of the season.
I wish you all the best in 2013!
I have no idea how you narrowed it down to a dozen, but it’s a phenomenal set to cap off a great year. You’re a rock star 🙂 Happy New Year to you and Claudia – I know you two have big things planned for ’13. Cheers!
Thanks Dave! 🙂 Yes 2013 should be a fun year!!!
For most people this would be a top 12 of like, several years! What a great year, and what a great way to reflect on just being able to “be there” when the good stuff all happens. I know a lot of it requires long hours and hard work, and maybe therein lies the greatest satisfaction. For the last few years, your work has been a huge inspiration for me personally — so thank you for all that hard work. Here’s to 2013 and another year celebrating the worlds greatest vistas, we are lucky to be able to be in place that is truly humbling in its beauty.
Hi Paul, thank you for your comments and compliment! We are lucky indeed to live in this great state.
My top three is:
1) Aspen in Fog
2) Dark sunrise in Needles
3) Fiery Dunes Sunset
Great work as always Jack!
Thanks Michael! 🙂
Amazing, as always. What a great collection. Happy New Year!
We are looking forward to many more great shots (plus a little more snow) in 2013.
Thanks, Ned
Thanks for your compliment, Ned! Yeah, I’ve got a very photographic and adventurous year in mind!
Happy new year!
Absolutely phenomenal series Jack! I look forward to seeing more of your work in this coming year.
Thank you Ryan, I appreciate it! 🙂
You definitely earn your moniker, “Mountain Photographer” with this set. Some very beautiful mountain scenes, with a number of them in remote locations. I like the Eclipse, Grenadier and the Needle Mountains best.
Thank you David, I appreciate your comments!!!