this entry is inspired by @friendlymoose 's #pobphotocontest prompt. this week, he asked for the best photo of 2024. for a photo enthusiast like me who takes photos almost everyday, not just one but multiple photos, this is quite difficult. selecting the best would mean going through hundreds if not thousand photos.
as i was browsing through, i realized that it was difficult to choose the best. what is meant by the "best" in the first place? there were exceptionally looking photos, photos of significant places, photos of important situations, photos which affected my emotions the most. so what exactly is meant by the "best"?
oh well, allow me to take you back on a journey with my choices for the "best" in each month.
december - ginza (chuo-ku, tokyo)
allow me to start with the very posh shopping district of ginza. this was taken before the christmas tree subquest we had in marunouchi. as we were crossing the street, i gazed upon the bright lights at my side and took out my phone to snap a photo while walking. yes, it was skewed. but i loved it more because it was skewed.
november - mount fuji from lake kawaguchi (yamanashi, japan)
do i still need to say something? i think the photo speaks for itself. mount fuji is truly japan's icon and not taking a picture of it is a sin. and i don't want sin so i took lots of pictures. if the mountain could just talk, i think it would have already complained on how many pictures i took. this picture was taken when we joined a walkathon around the lake and we all knew that mount fuji is visible from the lake.
october - seoraksan national park (seokcho-si, south korea)
it was not to long ago when i visited south korea for the very first time. i could still remember how i felt so helpless the whole time, felt like a child even who could not communicate what he wanted. the language barrier was just so strong. but in one of those days, we went hiking. yes, that is how much i loved hiking that we even hiked in our vacation trips. and this picture perfectly captured the day; friends happily walking the path, just enjoying each others' company, engaging in animated talks while taking in the scenic view of the rocky mountain.
september - tokyo tower from shiba park (minato-ku, tokyo)
before the new tallest tower in tokyo, skytree from 2012, this tower up here is the tallest since 1958. records don't matter at all, she is pretty. i think i got lucky with how good this shot turned out to be. i remembered to be a bit irate waiting for this one guy who was in my photo frame, he wouldn't budge while also taking a picture of the tower. when he walked away, i took his spot and got this shot. thanks to him i guess.
august - tokyo station (chiyoda-ku, tokyo)
a fully lighted tokyo station is just so good. with old architecture contrasting modern skyscrapers, yet always the centerpiece. i remembered how lucky i was this night, just arrived on time. a few minutes late then i would have missed the lights before they were turned off. this was also the start of one of my ambitious nightwalker mini series, travelling along the yamanote train line.
july - nishizawa gorge (yamanashi, japan)
i think it is quite obvious that i love hiking. this one was one of the best experiences; it has everything from paved path, dirt trails, wet slippery rocks, hanging bridges, cool air, great nature! this photo in particular captured the slightly dangerous trail on a great backdrop. beautiful things in life are hard earned indeed.
june - tokyo skytree from shirahige bridge (taito-ku, tokyo)
this was one of the first few days, or nights rather, of my nightwalking series. i got so bored with the gym treadmill that my body started to explore my immediate vicinity at night. with these amount of lights, who wouldn't fall in love with the charms of exploring the city at night? i particularly loved this photo of how it showed motion and stillness in one frame.
may - kamikochi (nagano, japan)
can't you feel the fresh air? can't you feel my trembling limbs while taking this picture? from an overnight bus, we arrived here even before sunrise. the place was foggy and right there i knew that i lacked layers against the cold. i was freezing and moved around a lot to feel the heat until it became comfortable around noon. but this place was just magnificent! seeing those snow capped mountains in the backdrop with lush trees up front is a once in a lifetime experience.
april - mount hodo nagatoro trail (saitama, japan)
it was the beginning of spring, and flowers were in bloom as we hiked this mountain. it was one of the most memorable, the flowers were definitely the main attraction of this trip. and just like the azaleas blooming up the mountain trail, my love for hiking bloomed.
march - akakura onsen ski area (niigata, japan)
oh this picture needs to be here. i still remembered how much i trembled while riding this lift up high. and i could still remember how proud i felt for conquering this steeper than usual slope. i have been snowboarding for quite some time now, and although i still consider myself a newbie, i have finally unlocked some new skill set on this sport. i started to gain more confidence of this new skill on these slopes.
february - snow monkey park (nagano, japan)
in one winter vacation trip, we visited a park which featured monkeys who bathed in hot spring waters. they were so freely roaming in the area not minding the humans at all. this place was their territory and we were just there to witness how they behave. this furry one seemed to be an elder with that majestic pose, just observing the people observing it.
january - manila bay (pasay, philippines)
which brings me to the very first month, and it was also my first month here in hive. it was back home in the philippines as i was walking along manila bay near sm mall of asia. it happened to be around sunset, and manila bay is known for its beautiful sunsets. there i witnessed it first hand how the sky glowed with the subtle reflections on the water. it was just awe inspiring! and capturing the silhouette of this visual artist who was also admiring the beauty, i was at the right place at the right time. and this is my entry to the #pobphotocontest. i guess i chose the photo closest to heart.
how about you? care to share your best photo of 2024? and how would you choose your best photo?
as always, AMPING KANUNAY!
all content is by yours truly unless otherwise specified
all photos are taken with a galaxy s23 ultra
Nice photos! 凄い！
Next month will be your 1 year in Hive ayee hahaha
my anniversary month! hurray!!!
Glad to hear you're enjoying snowboarding, I have never tried this sport...
I haven't skied for a while, the cost has gone up so much, but I am a double black diamond Mogul skier!😀
I really enjoy the sport!!
oh my god! wow! that way way beyond my league. (i had to do a little research on the term, lol)
i tried skiing before and all i could do was the constant Vs on a flatter slope. and here you are... wow!
try it again at least once a year
It's a lot of fun my friend!👍😀
We taught our youngest boy when he was two years old to ski.... with no poles! He later became ski patrol at Mount Baker ski resort in Washington! He and his wife Agi are the ones we went down to visit for Christmas!😍
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