An End of Year Retrospective for 2009 – Part IIPosted by drfl on December 30th, 2009

Yesterday, I presented 10 questions I ask myself at the end of every year regarding my photography and indeed I recommend everyone asks themselves as well.  Some of the questions can be answered with hard data and analysis.  Others require a more introspective look at our motivations, emotions, and attitudes.

As I mentioned yesterday, retrospectively, I feel that 2009 was a successful year.  I have expanded my portfolio by nearly 25% and I have ramped up some business marketing effort.  For today’s review, I have prepared my top blog articles from 2009 from a selection of over 180.  They range from the hard pragmatic to the philosophical esoteric.  Unlike yesterday’s post that contained purely subjective matter, today’s post is formed from some raw data.  I researched the articles that have had the most clicks, most tweets, most comments, most diggs, most emailed, and most discussed around the water cooler (ok, maybe not that).  Even after all that, though, I have subjectively weighted some of the articles higher.  To be fair, the most popular articles are the how-tos, what-to-dos, and why-to-dos.  Some of the less popular articles are the introspective goal, vision, etc. articles.  Indeed, it is more likely that many more people searching the web for this topic than articles on less tangible aspects of photography. So, here are my top blog picks for 2009:

#7 Returning to One’s Roots With a Point and Shoot

While the total number of views is less on this article, I included it since I believe that this has been a fairly hot topic. With more and more people getting high quality point and shoots, including professionals, I felt it important to add it to the list.

#6 Soaring With Your Personal Photographic Vision

One of the more esoteric articles, this deals with the topic of defining one’s vision in photography. As I feel that this topic is essential to growth as an artist I have included it on the list. One of the more subjective picks.

#5 Why You Should Always Or Never Listen to Your Critics

A personal exploration of my reaction to photographic communities that has been surprisingly popular.

#4 The Evil Ones Who Lurk in the Dark Destroying the Bytes

A popular article that deals with my personal experience with hackers, data loss, and theft.

#3 How to Get Sharp Enlargements: Breaking the Megapixel Myth

Perhaps one of the most Google’d articles in my archives, this article discusses the “right” amount of megapixels for enlargements.

#2 Easy Techniques for Dripping Fall Colours With Digital Cameras, by Darwin Wiggett

Darwin’s inclusion as a guest blogger has been without a doubt an incredibly popular article. Although I did not write it, I have included it due to the sheer amount of clicks. Thank you, Darwin!

#1 The GO PHOTO Principles for More Self-fulfilling Photography

Lastly, I have included my favorite article of the year and my contribution to Darwin’s blog. A very subjective pick as I have no data regarding this particular piece, I feel that it was the strongest choice for #1.

I wish everyone a joyous New Year and hope that 2010 is prosperous for you and your family. Keep shooting!