My Favorite 5 Photographs of 2012

By Mike Dooley | Published

Jan

2013

My Favorite 5 Photographs of 2012 and Why I Like Them

As part of looking forward to photography in the next year, I always like to reflect on what I have accomplished in the past year. I wander through all of my photography folders and decide what worked, what didn’t, which are my favorite, and what I would like to do more of in the upcoming year. It really does help me to understand where I have been, and to help me understand where I would like to go with my photography in the upcoming year!

So without any further delay, here are my favorite 5 photographs from 2012, with a little bit of the reason why:

1. Full Moon Over Providence

On July 3rd a friend and I headed into the city of Providence for a little bit of night photography.We were amazed to find the city eerily deserted, but took full advantage of it. The full moon rising over the city skyline was an image I had been after for a long time. If you look closely in the lower left corner you can see my buddy Mike. My first instinct was to clone him out, but in the end I felt that the lone individual in the shot added to the feeling of isolation. The colors, the lights, the reflections, the city skyline, and the moon all work together and make this my favorite photograph from the past year.

HDR photograph of the full moon over the Providence Skyline from Waterplace Park. Taken by Rhode Island photographer Mike Dooley

Full Moon Over Provience – Waterplace Park Providence Rhode Island

2. The State House

The Rhode Island State House is easily one of the more recognizable buildings in the state. Located in the heart of the city of Providence, the architecture stands out like no other building. The dome of the State House is the fourth-largest self-supporting marble dome in the world, and is topped off by a 12 foot tall bronze statue that we loving call the Independent Man. Shot at dusk, I love the way the golden light brings this magnificent building to life

HDR photograph of the Rhode Island State House. Taken by Rhode Island photographer Mike Dooley

The Rhode Island State House at Dusk

3. Blue Eyes

I love to photograph people, especially faces. Portraits are by far my favorite form of photography. This natural light portrait was taken in the shade of a giant tree on an afternoon that reached close to 100 degrees, but this photograph made it well worth the effort.

Blue Eyes

4. Temple of Music

While this shot is less then a week old, I have been overwhelmed by the response that I have gotten. The photograph is of the Temple of Music at Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island. The Temple of Music is a very familiar landmark in the state of Rhode Island and easily recognizable to almost every Rhode Islander. What makes this photograph a favorite for me is the dramatic number of emails and messages that I received about. Folks from all over the country who have spent time in Rhode Island have contacted me to say thanks for bringing them back to a happy time in their lives.

Photograph of the Temple of Music at Roger Williams Park at dawn after a fresh snowfall. Taken by Rhode Island photographer Mike Dooley

Temple Of Music – Roger Williams Park, Providence Rhode Island

5. Rays of God

On my way to the beach for some sunset photography I could not help but be overwhelmed by the rays of sunshine breaking through the clouds. They were far brighter then I have ever seen, and only lasted a few minutes before the holes in the clouds closed back up and were gone.

HDR photograph of the suns rays beaming through the clouds at Sakonnet Point Beach, Little Compton Rhode Island. Taken by Rhode Island photographer Mike Dooley

The Rays of God – Sakonnet Point Beach, Little Compton Rhode Island

Which photograph is your favorite? Please take a moment to vote for the photograph that you like best in the comments. I hope that you have enjoyed viewing these photographs as much as I enjoyed making them. I look forward to hearing your opinion!

18 Comments

Kim Davis January 2, 2013 at 3:42 PM #

This is really tough to pick a favorite. But overall I like “Full moon over Providence” I Love the colors and the reflections in the water.

- Mike Dooley January 2, 2013 at 5:06 PM #
  
  Thanks for stopping by and sharing Kim! I have to agree, there is just something about this one that draws me in 🙂
  
Steven Wilkinson January 2, 2013 at 3:55 PM #

They are all nice shots, but I like cityscapes and I love the warm tones to the lights, the great reflections in the water and the great detail and sharpness of the whole image. So I cast a vote for “Full moon over Providence”

- Mike Dooley January 2, 2013 at 5:07 PM #
  
  Thanks for stopping by and voting Steve!
  
Amy January 2, 2013 at 6:37 PM #

I love ’em all, but i think #3 is my favorite, that smile lights up the room! Good luck, keep taking pics.

- Mike Dooley January 2, 2013 at 6:52 PM #
  
  Thanks Amy! I am with you on that, she is a very lovely young lady. One of my goals this year is to do more portrait work!
  
Beth January 2, 2013 at 7:41 PM #

I like the last one. Looks like heaven shining down on the ocean.

- Mike Dooley January 2, 2013 at 7:49 PM #
  
  Thanks Beth! I still remember seeing that in person!
  
Lili Feinstein January 3, 2013 at 12:32 PM #

Toss up between Temple of Music (just so lovely) and Blue Eyes, which is perfection in portraiture.

- Mike Dooley January 3, 2013 at 12:42 PM #
  
  Thanks Lili! I love portraits, and hope to spend more time on them this coming year!
  
Stephanie Johnson January 5, 2013 at 2:26 AM #

I think they all are beautiful, but I’m partial to Rays of God. I think that’s absolutely breathtaking.

- Mike Dooley January 5, 2013 at 9:38 AM #
  
  Thanks Stephanie! I love this image as well – I processed it a bit more then I normally would, giving it more color and pop. I really wanted the image to have that over the top feel to it to help capture what I was feeling when I shot it! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
  
  Mike
  
Iza January 9, 2013 at 8:50 PM #

I cannot decide between last two, but I think I will go with the 4th, 4. Temple of Music. I like the delicate, pastel colors of the sunset over simple, white winter landscape.

- Mike Dooley January 9, 2013 at 9:07 PM #
  
  Thanks Iza! I do love the soft pastel colors of a winter morning! So peaceful and tranquil feeling!
  
Fotograf Gdansk January 15, 2013 at 7:36 AM #

Very impressive! A beautiful set! Thank you for sharing.

- Mike Dooley January 15, 2013 at 7:55 AM #
  
  Thank you very much Fotograf Gdansk I am glad that you enjoyed them!
  
BayAreaABiker February 3, 2013 at 3:18 AM #

My 1st vote goes to “Rays of God” and 2nd to the “Blue Eyes”. Great Images! Thanks for sharing.

- Mike Dooley February 3, 2013 at 9:42 AM #
  
  Thanks for voting, glad that you took the time to stop by and share your opinion!