Photo-Challenge: Etva's Best of 2011

*snicker* There's just something about a cicada butt - both shocking and compelling! *grins* Thanks Abby!

LOL, Shelby!

Thanks Anna! I don't think I published "Flight" except on Flickr. It took me awhile to find that shot among the 100 photographs taken in a mere 40 seconds - LOL! "Morning Glory" and "Blue Mist Spirea" are also unpublished. I just hadn't gotten around to them:)

It occurs to me belatedly, that I started and ended my list with home; must be a message in that:)

True, but some days, I prefer the wild ride down the colorful arch of the rainbow - LOL! (((((Anna)))))

*Blushing* Thanks Mal! That means alot coming from you, since you're the one who led me here, and convinced me to share my photos. Strange to think, that just a year ago, I never even considered editing my photos. You introduced me to a whole new world of potential; my whole outlook on photography changed because of a pesky phone line! (Sorry, Anna, we just had to delete it! LOL)

*Grins!* So true, and I'll confess that I've since seen the creative potential of phone lines in photography!

Thanks Tzia! They are a reflection of my year, perhaps:)

Thanks Ambivalent. It's a learning process, but I think I'm making progress:)

Thanks DZ! We still had bumblebees, but I only saw a few honey bees. I sure hope they are thriving somewhere else. *sigh*

Thanks Anonymous! I was fascinated with the detail as well, and ended up with hundreds of bumblebee photos. You can find some of my favorites here on Flickr. This is another that I really liked, because of the tongue detail. LOL:)

Thanks Anonymous! I think they are all posted on NV as well, but they are easier to find on Flickr:) Glad you enjoyed them.

Thanks Holly! I should probably have changed the name to Cicada Moon, considering all the creatures that mooned us this year, but I decided that sounded too elegant for the final image. LOL:)

LOL! BFF, I never know what outrageous thing you're going to comment on! Uhm, nope, I work in the farmer's field... *snicker*

Thanks Shelby! I've definitely learned alot this year, and I'm not sure I even realized it, until I went through my files to pick my favorites. That Turkey Vulture taught me patience:)

Thanks A. Mac! Blue flowers seem to have been my primary focus this past summer:)

Thanks Soovi! I see what you mean about the farm painting -- I think it's the layered fields that resemble each other. I have a field fetish - LOL:)

Thanks Master Link. For me at least, this challenge was more of a year end essay, to show what I'd learned. I was a point and shoot kind of photographer at the beginning of the year, but I spent time on these photos, either looking for a way to capture an image already in my head, or trying to use editing techniques I'd learned in our virtual meetings. Digital editing was a completely new concept for me.

Thanks Jackie! My kids call it the "evil eye" that often prolongs our travel, and keeps them from their beloved video games! *grins*

Thanks Mrs. D. These were my personal favorites, but mostly, they reflect the learning and effort I've put into my photography. Some of my all time favorites aren't technically good, but they amuse me or make a statement - kind of like "Cicada Butt" though that shot did take some effort - LOL:)

That's definitely one of my all time favs, but the original photo was taken a few years ago. I desaturated it for the simplicity challenge:) Some of my best articles of the year were made up of older photos (Bosnia, Kazakhstan and Jamestown.)

Thanks Dubbya! I hadn't really considered the presentation order, but it seemed to have worked itself out subconsciously! LOL:)

Thanks TVOR! I'm glad you liked that one. Not everyone prefers contrast as much as I do - LOL:)

As I recall, I bumped the contrast to full, dropped the shadows to a very low amount, then desaturated the color slightly and lowered the amount of highlights.

This was the first year our Spirea bloomed, and I was fascinated with the delicacy and glowing appearance of the blooms, but could never capture it in the initial image. The black background helped to emphasize the glow effect from the delicate powder blue color.

If you look at the blooms on number 9 (also Blue Mist Spirea) you can see the difference a black background makes to the overall image.

Thanks 58! The great thing I've learned this year is that it's OK to be creative and play with my photos to change the appearance or mood. It's a completely new concept for me.

Sure you do! You've played with tint and saturation - making some of your photos more blue or colorful, and such. I know you have some creativity buried in that snow somewhere! You didn't leave it on the roof, did you? *evil grins*

You're supposed to slow down with two and half feet, 58! LOL:) No worries, Anna and I will take care of the elephants! We have a plan! (I think...)

Thanks Fletch!

Thanks TR!

Thanks Gray! I tried to pick a variety of styles, that showed what I've learned this year. That's really the theme, I think, and hopefully, it will continue on into 2012:)

Thanks Jobs! It's been a fun journey!

Thank you Lebowsky! 2011 was a great year for photography! :-)