Best Photographs of 2009: Globetrotting

ArchitectureEuropeSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart StudiosVeniceItalyVenetian Laundry

Roman Halftunda

Roaming through the Roman streets brought me to this architectural artifact. The exquisite edifice was best represented by capturing half of the rotunda and adjoining building.

ArchitectureEuropeSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart StudiosRomeItalyVaticanItalian ArchitectureBlack and White

Stormy Falls

This image was a day in the making. Upon arriving to McWay Falls in Big Sur, California I exposed a few frames. The clouds rolled in and rain poured down, stopping photography.

After filling up by the warm fire at Nepenthe, I returned to McWay Falls as the rains subsided. The dark distant clouds and streaming light made for a lengthy exposure.

Big SurPebble BeachCarmelLandscapeStormy FallsMcWay FallsJulia Pfeiffer Burns State ParkJustin ShifrinSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Imminent

On a frigid (for a California boy) April afternoon the Smithsonian Castle courtyard was nearly empty. The cherry blossoms were blooming in all their glory and the freshly planted purple garden was set off by the immense imminent clouds.

ArchitectureWashington D.C.Washington D.C. Best ofSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Wrought Rotunda Moonrise

The United States Capitol Building's rotunda is not often captured in a unique perspective. However, I photographed the iconic dome as the moon rose high above the capital steps and used this early American wrought iron lamp as the foreground.

ArchitectureB WWashington D.C.Washington D.C. Best ofSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Reflecting Spire

This quaint fountain is adjacent to the Mall in Washington, D.C. The still waters proved perfect for illuminating the reflected spire.

ArchitectureWashington D.C.Washington D.C. Best ofWozofotoReflectingSpireOriginalJustinShifrinSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Pink Alcatraz

The flowers blossomed on Alcatraz in the San Francisco bay. The dilapidated classroom building for prisoners once stationed at the Federal penitentiary is juxtaposed against the vibrant pink spring flowers.

AlcatrazBold Color B WSan FranciscoSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Rusty Water Tower

The water tower is simply beautiful urban decay.

AlcatrazB WSan FranciscoSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Looking to Future

The dried grass and ailing fence were an excellent backdrop for a lovely couple's portrait session. These two have years ahead of them!

Amanda ThomasPeople PortfolioSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

White Iris

Evening light enhanced the sandstone rocks in the background. This simple snapshot exudes a certain saucy mood.

San Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Back-alley Storage

Shanghai, China is a bustling metropolis that is ever-growing taller and wider. Leaving the fast-paced urban center for rural back-alleys brought me to this streetscape.

In a small abandoned hut in the middle of a village sat this trash pile. The varied debris made for an interesting image.

San Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Sitting Through Glass The world's largest seated outdoor Buddha was best captured by shooting the camera through my sunglasses; both polarizing the light and adding a slight color-cast to the scene. Please note all of the qualifications (largest, seated, & outdoor) of this Buddha. There are numerous Buddhas in Asia, and each one seems to be the "world's largest."

San Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Dewy Victoria Harbour This panoramic image was taken with long exposures in the evening after the sun set. The Hong Kong skyline glittered with A Symphony of Lights that evening.

LandscapePanoramablueSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Ha Long Fishermen

Cruising Vietnam's Ha Long Bay was breathtaking. The limestone islands carved by ceaseless salt winds provided countless opportunities.

This image was captured in the late afternoon as these fishermen worked for the "catch of the day."

Ha Long Bay's majestic beauty is like no other on earth.

VietnamSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Seascape Bridal

This beach bride might not be looking at the camera for this photograph, but the scene perfectly captured the mood of the day's festivities. As she walked from the altar into the warm sunlight, her skin radiated as she journeyed to the surf for photographs with her new husband, family, and friends.

WeddingOceansideSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart StudiosSan Diego Wedding PhotographySan Diego Wedding Photographer

Red Leaf, Yellow Spot

Bright powerful colors and details were brought out by holding this red leaf skyward.

Bold ColorSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart StudiosMacroCanon S90

Sail in Bunches

Paragliders were out in full force. These sporting pilots truly brought something new to the skyline.

GliderGliderportLa JollaSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Pastel Perch

A lone tree on the California coast stood out among the underbrush and the pastel sunset.

GliderGliderportLa JollaSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Canopy Ascent

The glowing canopy took on an iridescent glow when I composed this skyward photograph.

San Diego ZooZooSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios

Sail into Sunset

As we say goodbye to 2009, let us welcome the 20-"tens."

GliderGliderportLa JollaSan Diego PhotographerSan Diego Travel PhotographyInternational Travel PhotographyJustin ShifrinJ. Stuart StudiosJ. StuartJ StuartJ Stuart Studios