Jim Wilkes -30-

After more than 36 years at The Star as a reporter/photographer, Jim Wilkes is taking early retirement at age 60. He leaves today.

In that time, he's won more than 75 awards for writing and photography and has helped mentor many of the profession's young stars.

He has covered stories around the world and around the corner, bringing a personal perspective to events of the day.

The following is a selection of some of his photos from over the years.

1975 – Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau at a campaign stop in Port Hope.

Two journalists two different paths : Best of 2011

They are the same, but different, outside of the obvious difference, of course.

He is Canon, she is Nikon but they are both photographers.

Jim Wilkes and Michelle Shephard's path to photography was much different. Jim was a photographer first who early on discovered he could write. Michelle Shephard, a writer, whose beat and the expense of covering it meant she had to pick up the camera, discovered she had an eye.

Their beats mean they both cover a lot of ground. He puts a lot of miles on a Ford Fusion and she collects a lot of air miles.

They are both based out of Toronto, but their work is rarely in Toronto or about Toronto. It is mostly about what interests the people of Toronto.

Jim covers the Greater Toronto Area, basically everything but Toronto, Beat and Michelle covers the Terror beat.

Here are their favourites from 2011, notice that the Toronto place line is nowhere to be found.

 

JIM WILKES - @newsboy

MISSISSAUGA - Alexander Palubjak, 5, gets relief from 30 Celcius plus temperatures at a splash pad at Mississauga's Lake Aquitaine Park. Kids and their parents beat the heat at pools and splash pads across the city. July 12, 2011.

 

Jim Rankin 2011

Jim Rankin - Reporter/Photographer                                                                                                                @jleerankin

TUNIS, Tunisia - Graffiti in downtown Tunis thanks Facebook and the role social media played in the revolution. 

Bernard Weil's 2011 Favourites

Bernard Weil, Chief Photographer/Multimedia

@bernardweil

 

Viewed from beneath the wing over the West Arrm of Lake Nipissing, Harley Lang, 77, a 30 year retired veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force, flies his 1961 deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver, one of 1692 that were built.

Richard Lautens 2011

Richard Lautens - Staff Photohrapher

Rachel Heap-Lalonde looks on as Alice Heap sleeps and Dan Heap gets ready to get into bed. The sad housing situation of former Spadina MP Dan Heap and his wife, Alice who have no secure residence and are sick. They rely on family to camp out in their room at night to help them. October 12, 2011.

David Cooper and his favourites of 2011

David Cooper - Chief Photographer                                                                                                                               @whatzname07

 

Aircraft taking part in The Canadian International Air Show were on display at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Friday morning. September 3, 2011.

 

Steve Russell's 2011 favourites

 Steve Russell -Staff Photographer                                                                                                            @RussellPhotos 

A laneway off of Yonge is transformed into a movie quality rain scape in Curtis Grahauer's "I just Know Something Good is going to happen, 2011" during the 2011 edition of Nuit Blanche where the city core is transformed by the work of hundreds of artists in the sixth installment of the sunset-to-sunrise celebration of contemporary art in Toronto.  October 1, 2011.

2011 with Rene Johnston

Rene Johnston - Staff Photographer

This was a sad year for this photographer. 

Jack Layton's passing was especially bad because he had been one of the constant stories at The Star since I started. 

He was a city councillor riding his bike and I was a young hack learning how to run cameras. 

Then he ran federally for the NDP lead I was there with Linda Diebel. 

When he tried to take down the government with Dion and Duceppe I went to Ottawa. 

But. most of all,  when he walked out on the day he admitted to big time cancer at a downtown hotel just months ago I knew a friend was leaving us.

Rest in Peace Jack,

                                Rene Johnston

 Jack Layton announces that he has cancer elsewhere in his body and will be stepping down from his post as the NDP leader. July 25, 2011.

Vince Talotta's Year

Vince Talotta - Staff Photographer

Toronto Blue Jays Jose Bautista off the field as part of a series of Jay profiles on May 30 2011. 

 

Tara Walton's best of 2011

Tara Walton - Staff Photographer

Danae Chambers, 71, lays in her bed at Castleview Wychwood Towers, a Toronto long-term care home during a visit with long time friend and now her power of attorney Anna Schrofer.  Chambers a former artist has advanced Alzheimer's disabling her from speaking and moving on her own.  In April Chambers was sexually assaulted by a male practical nurse who is now facing charges.  Tuesday November 8, 2011.