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Best of 2023
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  1. 52-Week Challenge's Gallery
  2. Best of 2023
Jack Kosowsky - Eagle Up Close
Continental Divide
Last afternoon light hits the continental divide mountains. Viewed from Hidden Lake Overlook trail
Mira Building Reimagined
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Haleakala Sunset
Setting sun seen from the summit of Haleakala - 10,023 feet above sea level. Maui, Hawaii, USA
mink
Sv.Tomaz
Beautiful winter morning in Slovenia
I'm Not Interested in Your Coy Looks
Two Rufous Hummingbirds facing off
Morning on Blue Lake, Utah
Andree Chappaz
Andree Chappaz
US Army
T4
World War 2

Andree Chappaz was born in the United States on September 14, 1925. His early years saw his family relocate to France when he was four years old. Andree’s formative years were spent in France, where his father found employment at an aircraft factory near Paris. With the growing turmoil in France and the looming threat of war, the Chappaz family decided to return to the United States on Thanksgiving Day, 1937.
After graduating high school, Andree pursued his passion for the arts by attending the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco. His life took an unexpected turn when a military captain arrived to recruit personnel for a headquarters unit, specifically needing graphic artists. Andree eagerly awaited his 18th birthday, which arrived in September 1943, marking his induction into the U.S. Army.
However, Andree was not assigned to the graphics unit as initially expected; instead, he found himself with the Engineers at March Field. Subsequently, he was transferred to the 1885th Aviation Engineering Battalion. This unit’s primary responsibility was to construct airfields for heavy bombers as the war front advanced, ensuring these bombers remained within range as the front lines shifted from island to island.
Andree’s journey took him to Bushnell Army Airfield in Florida, where he underwent rigorous training in tropical conditions. The unit’s destination was Guam, where they were tasked with building three crucial airfields: Hammond Air Field, Anderson Field, and an outlaying landing field. Hammond Air Field, in particular, became the headquarters for the XXI Bomber Command, operating the new B-29 Superfortress, which brought the Japanese homeland into striking distance. Remarkably, this airfield was constructed in just 54 days, with Andree and his fellow soldiers working day and night.
It is important to note that even after the Marines secured Guam, many Japanese soldiers remained on the island, occasionally interfering with construction projects. Andree and his fellow soldiers participated in patrols to maintain the security of the airfields. One of their initial tasks was to clear the airfield construction zone of mines and unexploded ordnance left behind by both sides during the conflict. During one such patrol, Andree discovered a mine rigged to a bomb on the beach, a situation that had to be carefully handled.
Like many others in his unit, Andree had been issued the wool uniform (commonly referred to as “woolies”), which indicated preparations for the impending landings on the Japanese mainland. It was during this time that the news broke of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing an end to the war in the Pacific, a relief to all soldiers who had anxiously wondered when the conflict would conclude. Before the war’s conclusion, Andree was promoted to Technician in Fifth Grade.
In February 1946, Andree was honorably demobilized and returned to the San Francisco area. After his military service, he resumed his education at the Art Institute, although after a year, he decided to leave school. Subsequently, he worked in the silk-screening industry for the Army at the Presidio for several years.
A_177_ OLD GOLDEN GATE ON A FOGGY DAY
Duri
Minnekhada Fog
We are the Same
Andrew gave the green light to this image
Maui Sunset
Sunset seen from Papwai Scenic Lookout. Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii, USA.
Madagascar
Reimers-270-Edit
Inpired by Annie Lebovitz
Dancer 2
Scott Smith
Scott Dean Smith
US Air Force
A1C
Korean War

Scott Dean Smith was born on June 2nd, 1935, and grew up in Toledo, Ohio. Scott attended High School at Scott High School in Toledo, leaving at 16 before graduating to help his mother by working in a factory as a hand truck operator/loader. Scott received a draft card notice before his 18th birthday, so he enlisted in the Air Force, reporting to boot camp on February 24, 1954.

 Scott reported to Recruit Training, followed by a trip to Biloxi, Mississippi, for radar operator school for three months at Keesler AFB. His primary radar training was on the AN/TPS-1 Radar, an early warning and tactical control radar developed by Bell Labs and the MIT Radiation Laboratory during World War 2.

After radar school, Airman 2nd Class Smith reported to the US Air Base at Fukuoka, on the southern island of Kyushu, Japan. He was forward deployed up a mountain with 17 other USAF members managing a backup radar system. They stood duty in converted barracks rooms for two days on duty and two days off duty. Watch was stood in pairs with another team member. Both took turns watching the Radar screen, plotting contacts, and maned the radio for two hours daily. After about 18 months, the site was closed, and Airman 1st Class Scot was moved to a new site on a small island in the Pacific off the coast of Japan. The duty was the same but more remote on this little island. Assignment on that small outpost lasted six months, and Scott was happy to return.

A1C Smith returned to the United States and worked on the Pine Tree Line. The Pine Tree Line was a series of radar stations across southern Canada at about the 50th parallel north, along with several other stations on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts manned by US Air Force and Canadian Armed Service members. The system was for early detection of a Soviet bomber attack on North America. Scott served as a radar operator, a plotter, and a radio operator with watches rotated to keep members fresh. Scott served there for over a year, completing his enlistment and active duty service. A1c Smith was discharged from active duty after three years and eight months. He returned to Toledo, Ohio, to the Carburetor factory he worked at before his service.
Foggy Reflection-Edit (1)
Calm water and mist make an atmospheric image
Cheryl Bennett (2)
Jack Kosowsky - Love Birds
A Golden Owl
Gill Nadeau
Gilbert Nadeau
US Navy
SM3
World War 2. - Korea

Born on June 4, 1926, Gillbert Nadeau joined the Navy with his mothers permission to enlist at the age of 16. When Gil reported to the enlistment office he was told that at four foot eleven inches tall he was three inches to short to enlist. He returned over and over again hoping to get a pass this requirement. One day a recruiter let him take the primary exams, and the recruiter called him up and let him join.
Gill attended bootcamp in Sampson New York. The morning of the first week of Jan 1944 when he arrived at bootcamp it was five degrees. During his initial physical he was placed against the wall with the hight chart. He was of course under the board. A corpsman lent him a uniform top while two corpsman put him against the wall and lowered the board, while a third took an ID card photo showing him above the min board. Maning was so short that Gills bootcamp was only 28 days long when they shipped him off to Naval Training Center Bainbridge MD to Signalman A School where he graduated and was meritorious promotion to Signalman Petty Officer Third Class after only 29 Days.
Gill was sent to Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek Va to the amphibious training command. They trained using an old submarine chaser 158 ft wooden patrol craft that used hammocks for the crews sleeping quarters. They then trained to crew the Landing Craft Infantry ships used to get men to shore during an amphibious landing. He then received orders to Portland OR to work on LCS-45 a Landing Craft, Support ship. The crew was 75 Enlisted and 6 officers and Gil’s Commanding Officer was a Lieutenant. The LCS primary roll was close in support of landing troops with 40mm guns and rocket attacks.
The ship transited to Hawaii and trained until his group of LCS’s had escort duty with a group of LCT the Island of Majuro. they then transited to Guam and finally to Eniwetok. During operations at Eniwetok the ship had an collision accident with another ship. This accident took them out of the operations hading to the Battle of Iwo Jima. The ship was repaired and assigned to another group tasked with the final operation of the Philippine islands. After the Philippine operations the ship was tasked with with the landings on the island of Borneo. The ship helped with the securing of Brunei and then with Miri.
Gill was in the Philippine Islands when news of the Japanese surrender and the atom bombs reached them. The ship was tasked to work with mine sweepers to clear the harbor and coast line of Shanghai China. Gill worked here until he caught a troop transport returning to the states. Gill was as discharged in May of 1946 but remained in the reserves until he was recalled during the Korean war. He served for another 18 months as an instructor at the Fleet Training Group on Naval Station 32nd street in San Diego until discharged in 1954.
Bled Reflection
Sky reflection in Lake Bled
Bluebird of Unhappiness
Le Consulat
Iconic cafe in Paris France
Zebra Captive
Backlit zebra at the Los Angeles Zoo.
Ghosts of Point Reyes
Shipwreck in the marshes of Point Reyes, just north of San Francisco, California
300-Chestnut-Dianne Wells-April
Dark Past
Arturo_Fire show_02.JPEG
Thailand Phuket fire show 202211
_8508600 1
_8506789-1
A Ruby-crowned Kinglet, singing
Sunset
Tranquility
Goth
Shot at the Whitby Gothic Festival 2023
The Sunflower Field
Let there be light
Phenomenal light and rainbows on the iconic lake Dumbleyung Western Australia.
Moon Garden JLDoman
Groom with a View
Nosbusch-193-Edit
Classic Family Portrait
Macy-228-Edit-Edit
Family
Fanal
Madeira
IMG_4077
St Georges Chapel Milky Way & Aurora
IG-20230317-17
2
Sheep
Sheep on the loose! Taken Sydney Royal Easter Show April 2023
Santa-Fe-pueblo-2493
Emergent JLDoman
Diffrent from the Rest
Crystal Pier
Long exposure in Pacific Beach, a community
Three Thirty-Three
Week 2 – Intentional Camera Movement (ICM)
Week 2 – Intentional Camera Movement (ICM)
52 Week Challenge
52 Week Challenge
Week 52 – Something New
Week 51 – Holiday Season
Week 50 – Visualizing Music
Week 49 – Your Home Town
Week 48 – Give Thanks
Week 47 – Circles or Curves
Week 46 – Nature Close-Ups
Week 45 – Rule of Odds
Week 44 – “Ugly” Location
Week 43 – Long Exposure
Week 42 – Part of a Whole or Fill the Frame
Week 41 – Shadows and Highlights
Week 40 – Framing
Week 39 – Wildlife Photography
Week 38 – High-Speed Photography
Week 37 – Hallways or Staircases
Week 36 – Squares or Triangles
Week 35 – Tell a Lie
Week 34 – Rule of Thirds
Week 33 – Self-Portrait
Week 32 – Golden Hour
Week 31 – Backlit Scenes
Week 30 – Motion Blur
Week 29 – Candid Portraits
Week 28 – Double Exposure
Week 27 – Center Composition
Week 26 – Symmetry #2
Week 25 – Water Photography
Week 24 – Film Noir
Week 23 – Urban Decay
Week 22 – Symmetry
Week 21 – Forced Perspective
Week 20 – Patterns and Textures
Week 19 – Negative Space
Week 18 – Portrait Photography
Week 17 – Architecture
Week 16 – Panorama
Week 15 – Macro
Week 14 – Black & White
Week 13 – Abstract
Week 12 – Food
Week 11 – Bokeh
Week 10 – Low Light/Night
Week 9 – Reflections
Week 8 – High Keys
Week 7 – Diagonals
Week 6 – One Color
Week 5 – Still Life
Week 4 – Leading Lines
Week 3 – Silhouettes
Week 2 – Intentional Camera Movement (ICM)
Best of 2023
52 Week Challenge
People’s Choice: Vote for Your Favorite!

Thanks for taking a look at the entries this week! Please click on an image to make it larger, then Like and Comment using the controls in the lower right corner of the image.

Reviewing each other's work often provides fresh perspectives on our own photography that we might overlook. Constructive feedback, even if initially unwelcome, often leads to improvement and growth. Expect to receive advice that may not align with your views, however, do your best to understand the perspective behind it. If you disagree, remember, it's subjective and everyone is entitled to their own views!

Explore the finest moments captured throughout the year in our "Best of 2023" gallery. These images showcase a diverse range of styles and creativity, highlighting the talent of photographers who made the year unforgettable.

* The 52-Week Challenge for 2024 is brought to you by SlickPic, Radiant Imaging Labs, and Photofocus

Jack Kosowsky - Eagle Up Close Continental Divide Mira Building Reimagined Haleakala Sunset mink Sv.Tomaz I'm Not Interested in Your Coy Looks Morning on Blue Lake, Utah Andree Chappaz A_177_ OLD GOLDEN GATE ON A FOGGY DAY Minnekhada Fog We are the Same Maui Sunset Madagascar Reimers-270-Edit Dancer 2 Scott Smith Foggy Reflection-Edit (1) Cheryl Bennett (2) Jack Kosowsky - Love Birds A Golden Owl Gill Nadeau Bled Reflection Bluebird of Unhappiness Le Consulat Zebra Captive Ghosts of Point Reyes 300-Chestnut-Dianne Wells-April Dark Past Arturo_Fire show_02.JPEG _8508600 1 _8506789-1 Sunset Goth The Sunflower Field Let there be light Moon Garden JLDoman Groom with a View Nosbusch-193-Edit Macy-228-Edit-Edit Fanal IMG_4077 IG-20230317-17 2 Sheep Santa-Fe-pueblo-2493 Emergent JLDoman Diffrent from the Rest Crystal Pier Three Thirty-Three
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