Today I am sharing a final look back at 2023. I’m pleased to share with you my favorite images and moments. It’s my favorite and my most difficult post to write of the year. It requires ranking and declaring something as a favorite. So with that in mind, let me say “favorite” with a caveat. These are my personal and humble favorites. They are not favorites as in the best technical or marketable. They are simply my personal favs for one reason or another.
It is also challenging because it mixes all my individual worlds together and areas of interest collide. I could post an entire favorite family pics for example and a favorite bike pictures post. I could, but I am not. I am mashing them all together in one final post of 2023. They are simply my personal favs for one reason or another.With all that in mind, lets get us warmed up. Here goes.
According to Instagram likes and engagement, here are my favorite images and posts from 2023. The ranking starts with the highest in the upper left and the lowest in the lower right. One detail to point out is that three of these images were not taken in 2023. I do Throwback Thursdays almost every week and three of the images, 1, 5 & 7 are from years past. Also interesting is that 5 of the remaining 6 are in my personal favs below!
I’m happy to share that despite my fairly limited posting here on the blog, that this year has been my best since 2018 in terms of visitor and visits. My top post of the year is a post I wrote last December found here, Bikes of 2022 – My Tumbleweed Stargazer.
I know blogging is supposed to be dead but I want to take a moment to write a bit about my thoughts on social media, blogging, digital and foreshadow a bit about what is coming in 2024 from me, print. Yes, tactical, physical things to hold in your hands. In my humble and personal opinion, I have grown to absolutely hate what Meta has done with Instagram. It used to be where I could share and connect with other photographers and cyclists. Now its paid, influencer media. I intend to use it and continue, but in a different capacity. Facebook is surprisingly my #1 referrer to the blog followed by search engines. Blogging is dead but this platform is once again growing for me. Interesting. For 2024 I will be doing print, sending post cards and creating meaningful contact through images and printed art. I will be doing a film project again. I don’t think I am the only one longing for things that are lasting and not in a digital space. Or maybe not. We will see. More on this coming in January 2024.
OK…Let’s get down to business. As always, click on any image in the following galleries to move to slide show mode.
Here are my favorite family photos. Note I like taking pictures and don’t like being in them too much. But I will include one or two with me in them. I am the awkward one not looking in the right direction or the one you ask what the heck is he doing? But…..As Jens and my twins grow up, we have less and less time together. This year had a few moments together as well as some individual moments with each of the kids. I cherish these images and Jen, Natalie and Nathan are the most important gifts in my life.
Also interesting this year is that I didn’t really focus on photography this year. I focused on experiences, riding without the focus of capturing images, carried my camera less and spent time focusing on creativity.
Creativity – Many of you know I grew up as an artist and a painter. I like texture and layers. I’ve spent some time exploring this throughout the year. Here are some of my favs.
Bikes, bikes and more bikes. Bikes are still my #1 passion.
Favorite Candid moment – Event photographers work their asses off. I love this picture surprising the event photographer at The Mid South by taking his picture. Note, I was moving and riding as I snapped this!
And that’s a wrap on my 2023! Wishing you all well this season. Much love and gratitude. Bring on 2024!
ImagineGnat 