When Steve asked me to post a few pix from 2012, these are the images that instantly came to mind. Seeing as it's a blog, I'll write personal captions instead of the originals. The guidelines are to observe and not get emotionally involved, but these selects come straight from the heart:
Mohammed Shamden was trying to flee from Syria to Turkey when he was ambushed by Syrian forces. His pregnant wife was shot and killed along with the driver. It was easy to tell that he loved his wife more than anything and his saddness was heartbreaking.
The year was a mixed bag of stories and travels that introduced me to a varied cast of characters and put me in some intersting locations.
One location I will remember well is the edge of runaway 24R at Toronto’s Pearson Airport. That is where I produced this
collage portraying the airport’s busiest day of the year.
Read the story behind the image and have a look at Randy Risling's accompanying video:
These are my favourite pictures and links to some of my favourite assignments.
Ten metre platform diver Meaghan Benfeito trains at Montreal 1976 Olympic Pool, April 2, 2012. Benfeito and diving partner Rosaline Filion won bronze in 10 metre platform synchronized diving in London.
It's so hard to choose my favourite photos of the year. Favourite photos are not always the best photos but ones I feel a real connection with for a variety of reasons. I have my favourites of the bunch-do you?
After a major strike by mine workers, 46 people were killed in the ensuing clash between security, police and the workers. The father of a slain miner, Mxolisi Sompeta is seen in their small family home in the village of Kwadick in South Africa.
Bernard Weil, Chief Photographer, Multimedia - @bernardweil
Fourteen month old Jesse Arrigo and his mom Kristin lie quietly in a hyperbaric chamber at the Ontario Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Centre in Toronto. Jesse survived a near drowning in a backyard garden pond earlier this year. From what the family has learned they are looking not at months, but years of therapies that are not covered by OHIP.
Its that time of year again, when we each search out the pictures of
the last year and revisit what we liked best, or had the most impact,
from stories we've been involved with throughout the year.
Please remember to vote for your favorite picture in order to qualify for a prize offer.
NIAGRA FALLS, ONTARIO - Nik Wallenda, of the famous Willenda family, attempts to cross Niagra Falls on a tight rope (cable) from Goat Island, New York, to Niagra Falls, Ontario as seen from atop the Skylon Tower, on June 15, 2012.
TORONTO, ONTARIO - Four of the famed Canadian Snowbirds pass each other in opposing directions, two headed east, two headed west. The 63rd annual Canadian International Air Show, a featured act of the annual CNE, took off Saturday, September 1, 2012 with three solid hours of air demonstrations. The show featured the Royal Canadian Air Forces Snowbird demonstration team.
Stella enjoys a warm May afternoon laying on the front lawn of their east end Toronto home, with both her Mommies and her brother Sam, May 30, 2012. At two years old Stella was diagnosed with a inoperable brain tumour, doctors had given her three months to live. More on Stella here.
