11 FROM 2011

I read about a challenge of picking your best shot from 2011. So I went forward after reading another way to do this and picked my best 11 from 2011. It was a bit difficult. Not because I had problems with the work, but because I didn't go shooting as often as I would have liked. But I found what I liked. And with each photo, I'll tell you why.

And here are my 11 from 2011.

#11 WATER LEVEL
While this isn't a particularly fascinating photo,
this was a recapture from 2008. I like the
simplicity of the image. And the age.

#10 TRAIN
While shooting along the Canal Walk in Richmond, this train came barreling
along the tracks above me. I always wanted to capture a train and the overcast
sky the heavy iron work made for a perfect black and white.

#9 ST GEORGE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
I can't tell you how many times I've captured the steeple
of St. George's Episcopal Church. It just stands out in
the middle of Fredericksburg and speaks of history. This shot
was taken from Chatham Heights. I've taken winter shots
from Chatham, and I wanted to check out spring. The red
roofs and green steeple were a pleasant surprise.

#8 GOLF?
All these years, I thought he was on the
course actually playing the game. Instead, he
was perfecting another skill. This is such a fun
photo - a very relaxed Tom in his element.

#7 BREAKING PROHIBITION
I had the opportunity to shoot at the A. Smith
Bowman distillery. It was a fabulous tour and
the barrels made for some great shots. And a lot
of fun artistic work.

#6 SKYLINE
A shot on the way to Belle Isle in Richmond.
I was walking across the suspension bridge to the island
and looking up saw all these wonderful lines. 

#5 SILVER LEAF
It's just that, a leaf. It was a cool spring day and everything had the full
color of spring. I saw the glint of silver from the light on the backside
of this leaf and gave it a shot. I really didn't expect the photo above, but
sometimes what you think you'll trash ends up being the best shot.

#4 LOVE
While shooting at the train station in Richmond (you wouldn't believe the
opportunities at the train station), I was strolling around, and for whatever
reason looked down and this was on the bricks. It was Valentine's Day.

#3 WISDOM LISTENS
Another shot from Belle Isle. It was the abandoned hydraulic plant, I think.
For graffiti, I love the message. It's just so true. But the fun part was
taking this from a boring wall and making it art. Will definitely print this
on metallic paper so all that glitters...well, glitters.

#2 THE DOOR
Okay, gotta admit, I love this piece of art. This shot
was taken at the A. Smith Bowman Distillery. And
this shot was a loss. Wrong lens, quick take,
unfocused. What can I say. Such is the power
of Photoshop. I get a lot of feedback on this shot.

#1 CROSSING THE JAMES
I don't know what it is about me and railroad bridges. Taken in Richmond,
this bridge crossing the James River spoke of timelessness. And turning
it into art changed the scope even more. This is a metallic print and
everything glimmers and shines. My favorite shot of the year.

AN HOUR WITH DENNIS WALTERS / A DAY WITH WOUNDED WARRIORS

Last week had me out shooting the 2011 Rosner Pro-Wounded Warrior Golf Tournament at Cannon Ridge Golf Club. It was an exceptional day. First, meeting the Warriors was an honor. This group was full of energy and spunk and while I was out shooting the team foursomes, they were having a great time playing with pros, sponsors and juniors. The Warriors are part of SMGA (The Salute Military Golf Association).

Wounded Warriors

But before meeting the Warriors, the tournament hosted a golf clinic by Dennis Walters. Now, I don't know golf. Oh, I know enough about golf to know what a club and ball is. I know the difference between an eagle and bogey. And I even know what a mulligan is. But I didn't know who Dennis Walters was and I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet this inspirational man.

Dennis Walters is a golfer who in 1974 suffered an accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. That meant he could no longer pursue his dream of successfully playing on the PGA tour. But Dennis didn't give up. He did pursue his passion for golf and determined to continue, learned to hit balls from his wheelchair, then a specially made golf cart. He now tours the country presenting The Dennis Walters Golf Show. And what a show it is. Dennis is inspirational in so many ways. He has a wonderful sense of humor and a drive (not in golf terms - though I'm sure that's just as good) that would inspire anyone to follow their dreams no matter what. And to top it all off, he's an animal lover and rescuer who travels with his companion dog Bucky.

Dennis and Bucky

Bucky was rescued by Dennis from Canine Castaways in Arcadia, FL. But Bucky is more than Dennis' companion; Bucky is part of the show. Dennis trained Bucky to do all the tricks of the trade and this little pooch is a hit with the audience.
 

 

And once Bucky's schtick is done, the show goes on. We're talking golf here. Dennis gives tips - and some interesting tips they are. While any golfer would get the gist of all of this, okay, I'll admit, not being a golfer (remember - eagle, bogey, mulligan) I didn't get all the golf stuff, but the show was fantastic with Dennis presenting his "special" clubs and actually hitting the ball with them. I'm not talking they just puttered across the grass, I'm talking they went out onto the range with a bang. And you're wondering, "special" clubs?
 

He had a club made out of a fishing pole. One made out of a radiator hose. One that was all bent and jointed. Not to mention his Judge Judy gavel club, his cell phone club and his 3 iron that hits three balls at once, and I'm assuming this is a "special" club, because I seriously don't know what a 3 iron is, but I do know you can only hit one ball at a time in tournament play.

All bent and jointed

Really, it's a radiator hose

The 3 iron

The 3 iron in action

So if you're ever out at a tournament or you see The Dennis Walters Golf Show advertised, don't miss it. You don't have to be golfer to enjoy the fun. It's an inspirational, enjoyable hour you won't forget.