Top 10 Photos - 2025

As I did last year, today I present my annual review of photographs published via the Cognitive Dissonance Dispatch. It’s my chance to look back and see how I did, identify areas for improvement, and reflect on what caught my eye. With each image selection, I’ll share some thoughts on why I like it, the story behind it, and more.

Again, I will use the following criteria for consideration for the Top 10:

• Pictures must have been featured in the newsletter, either in a normal post or in one of my ‘Five Picture Friday’ features.

• Must have been posted in 2025. (Not necessarily taken in 2025, just posted).

In no particular order, here we go…

Gateway Canyons Resort: Despite the incredible landscape, I had a bit of a hard time photographing this wonderful resort in western Colorado. Places like this can - while beautiful - come off as stale and overly manufactured. But this image makes me smile, the manicured lawn and Cornhole board set against the dramatic butte in the background. You could read some commentary in the image - the odd need for entertainment when in the majesty of nature. Compositionally, I also like how the diagonal framing of the butte points to the left while the Cornhole board points to the right, providing some tension.

Figurehead: As I have noted in the past, a favorite photographic rule is to always try to get closer to your subject. This lovely image of a figurehead at the Greenwich Maritime Museum in London offers a great example. You can get a feel for the craftsmanship and texture of the piece, put in context by the other figureheads blurred in the background. To me, it deepens the historical sense, showing how at one time there was a whole industry devoted to creating these symbolic pieces of art, decorating a thousand sailing vessels across the centuries.

Chinatown: I generally shy away from taking pictures of people. Too often it is intrusive or simply involves a human interaction with me having to actually talk to someone. But I nailed this scene while walking down San Francisco’s Stockton Street. I love the motion of the biker contrasted with the stillness of the man on the steps - the Chinese architecture as backdrop. You immediately get a sense of place. In a perfect world, the biker would be on the right of the frame for better balance, but I’ll take it.

Tree and Home in Chiswick: I seem to be drawn to pictures of trees set against buildings…it’s a subject matter combination that I return to again and again. This photograph is a good example. This amazing tree twisting and framing the warm door of a home in the London neighborhood of Chiswick feels almost like a Thomas Kinkade painting, although I would never admit that publicly. Nature combined with architecture somehow connects to my aesthetic sense. If I were to be critical, this particular image needs some more post-production work, leveling out the scene and perhaps making it less dark. But even as is, it creates a mood.

Marfa Truck: I am not really a car person, but this classic truck struck my eye in Marfa, TX. I really love this picture, even printed a copy out, framed it and hung it on the wall. The juxtaposition of the teal truck against the blue sky and white church, the diagonal shadow drawing your eye - the composition really approaches an abstract scene, following the classic photographic “rule of thirds.” To me, it feels like this scene could occur nowhere else, which is one of the great outcomes of a good photograph. It brings you to a specific place and time.

Exit sign: Last year I noted my tendency to take pictures of signs, and this is another sample. After a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, I was returning to my car and noticed this view. Another picture that ended up on my wall, I love the implied message here, that escape and peace and tranquility can be found in wild places and among natural settings. The composition is nice and I believe I nailed the right balance between focus on the sign and blurred but recognizable background, inviting the eye to wonder what’s out there.

Canyon Curves: I had a surprisingly good time photographing the Big Thompson River Canyon, generating numerous lovely photographs. The road twists through the Colorado foothills from Loveland to Estes Park, and for 5-10 miles is as scenic as anyplace in the U.S. I like this image in particular as it communicates the nature of the drive, curve after curve set amongst the rock cliffs. From a technical perspective, I think this image could benefit from a different focal length or camera lens to provide more depth, as it does seem a bit flat…but nevertheless it remains one of my favorites for 2025.

Metro Riders: Another rare example of a picture involving people, I lucked into this scene as the Metro train stopped on a cold winter night in our nation’s capital. There is a real sense of story here, with some loneliness built in. You can’t help but wonder about the man on the left, perhaps commuting home from the night shift in a solitary journey. Contrast that with the young group on the right, maybe going out for the night. This picture invites you to make up your own narrative as to what’s really going on…

Desert Cadillac: Another vehicle picture, despite my general uninterest in classic cars. One of my favorite photographic influences - James Popsys - has a great rule about photography. He says that good pictures should raise more questions than they answer. And this shot from Terlingua, TX does that in spades. Why is this entirely inappropriate vehicle stranded in the wilds of West Texas? Who does it belong to? How did it get here? The contrast between the decaying vehicle and its surroundings brings a sense of mortality. Plus, I really dig the rock in the lower right corner, anchoring your eye and providing a sense of scale and time.

California Gulch: Some days you just can’t help but take good pictures, and this July day in the San Juan Mountains was a prime example. I have numerous favorite shots from this wonderful morning, featured both in my post on California Gulch and the Animas Forks Ghost Town. I ended up selecting this one because of its strong sense of place and feeling of adventure. The road snakes diagonally through the frame, drawing you in to the amazing alpine wilderness, inviting you to proceed further and explore. Some of the best photography tempts you to want to visit a place, to see it for yourself, and this image succeeds in that regard. Go out there!

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The end. I was worried that this year would be a little disappointing. For some reason I feel that my photography had plateaued a bit. But as I put together this list - and identified another 10-15 images that didn’t make the cut - I was pleasantly pleased with the crop.

But I have identified a couple of goals for 2026 to level up. First, I want to take more pictures of people, on purpose. Second, I want to improve my post-processing skills a bit and see if I can improve that technical side of things. And last, I am experimenting with a new camera format which might open up some interesting photographic possibilities.

So wish me luck and tell me what you think! Were there pictures this year (or locations) that struck you? Did you have any favorites? I’d love to hear from folks about what you they like and enjoy. Shoot me an email.

Happy New Year, and stay tuned!

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Disclaimer:

All content and opinions are solely those of the author (Jack), and not representative of my employer, former employers, clients, anyone in Congress, my family, former college roommates, Baptists, the good citizens of Colorado, or my dog Mabel.