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. 

Lucas Oleniuk : 2011

Lucas Oleniuk - Staff Photographer                                                                                                          @LucasOleniuk

Miners stand above the infamous Bisie cassiterite deposit in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo.  Minerals from the remote deposit have financed a number of armed groups and are considered conflict minerals.

Carlos Osorio Favourites from 2011

Carlos Osorio - Staff Photographer                                                                                                             @carlososorio

 

A model wears a creation from the Mélissa Nepton show during Toronto Fashion Week on October 20, 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.

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. 

 

2011 by Andrew Francis Wallace

Andrew Francis Wallace - Staff Photographer

September 9, 2011 - Sailboats race on Lake Ontario as part of the 2011 Beneteau First 36.7 North American Championship. 

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.

Rick Madonik looks back at 2011

Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer

The pictures which follow are a small sample of the last years' work. In no way is the selection scientific, or unbiased. Many are favourites of the past year, or have some sentimental value. But all, I hope, elicit some form of emotion. From humorous to serious, from sad to elation, one of the things a good news photographer tries to do is capture a moment which helps tell the story, or at the very least, attracts the readers attention long enough to read the story.

Have a happy and safe holiday.

Ghadafi Halas! (Ghadafi finished!)

03/04/11 - RAS LANUF, LIBYA - A man motions with a knife to his own neck, and yells "Ghadafi Halas!" to show what he wants done to Libyan leader Muammar Ghadhafi as rebel fighters are greeted at the gates of Ras Lanuf after its liberation from Ghadafi forces. A rebel attack forced Gadhafi forces back towards Sirt. This is the first time the rebellion from the east has advanced into the western part of the country.