Click here to see Pictures of the Year 2009…
There are always a variety of photographs that highlight some of the events of the year for me. Some images are humorous, some completely superficial, whilst others are breathtaking, picturesque, serious, violent, and even terrifying.
Boobs and Guns
Let’s start with the humorous – the spoof picture of gun-toting beauty queen, Sarah Palin. The manipulated image, showing Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin posing for a photo sporting an American flag bikini and a rifle became an instant hit when forwarded by millions via email and suitably ridiculed her position within the US Elections.
Ice Cold Vodka
Picture: Platon for TIME
This picture that sends shivers down my spine. Even though it was published on the front cover of Times Magazine in December 2007, for some reason this portrait of Vladimir Putin has haunted me throughout 2008…
Picture: Platon for TIME
Perverse Pop Culture
Picture: Annie Leibovitz
I chose this image not because I actually like it, but because of the reactions it caused. I find modern pop culture perverse enough as it is, but I enjoy the typical contentious approach that Annie Leibovitz takes whilst photographing celebrities – especially when they result in a global (actually mainly U.S) uproar of innocent half naked Disney star, Miley Cyrus.
Flames of Hate
Picture: Halden Krog / The Times
I was part of the team that produced The Times Photostory of this horrific event. We broke the story and felt the subsequent consequences…I remember arriving back home that night feeling sick, angry, and absolutely shattered, moreover feeling compassion with the press photographers who had the difficult task of documenting these horrible Xenophobic attacks that followed for weeks after.
The Devil Within
Picture: Bogdan Cristel / Reuters
I like this photograph because it reminds me of me: when I watch the Tour de France. Especially towards the end, when the sprints begin, I become anxious and jump up and down like a lunatic devil.
Yes We Can
Picture: Callie Shell / Aurora for TIME
I really appreciated the photograph of Barrack Obama, with his feet relaxing on the table and showing his worn shoes. The image illustrates confidence, realism, and attitude: yes you can just put your feet up on the table and show the world that you’ve walked ten thousand steps today!
In conjunction with this image I also chose the following as a Top 2008 picture:
Picture: Gary Hershorn / Reuters
It was the day / night we all either stayed up throughout the night, or woke up at 3am to witness history in the making, the first black president of the United States of America.
Sucked dry – adios greenbacks, ciao ciao moola
Picture: Timothy A. Clary / AFP
What started off as a hint of a possible market collapse became a harsh reality worldwide. I find this picture great: the imagery of self-indulgence and capital greediness could not be more appropriate.
Powerful, beautiful nature
To end off this post (on a bit of a philosophical note) I thought it would be appropriate to show some nature/wildlife photographs. These are the pictures I find comforting and inspirational. They are pure, they are powerful, and they illustrate the essence of being:
National Geographic
Picture: Matthew Burrard-Lucas
David Maitland
National Geographic
These are just a few of the phenomenal photographs that have fascinated me this year.
thanks… refreshing insight into the life of Olaf and his alter ego!
it says 'spoof' you jackass.
that isnt actually sarah palin. it was photoshopped.
[...] Pictures of the Year 2008 There are always a variety of photographs that highlight some of the events of the year for me. Some images are humorous, some completely superficial, whilst others are breathtaking, picturesque, serious, violent, and even terrifying. Boobs and Guns Let’s start with the humorous – the spoof picture of gun-toting beauty queen, Sarah Palin. The image, showing Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin posing for a photo sporting an American flag bikini and a rifle became an instant hit w [...]
Thank you for the poignant perspective. I really enjoyed seeing the world through your "eyes" for a moment in time.
You have some really unique and memorable pictures,some are surreal ,like that of the "first black president of the United States" but the one that will remember most is that horrific photo of an innocent man in flames.
What a fantastic collection!
dammit BLAH! you so just burst my bubble, im so dissapointed right now, kind of like the time when i was emailed an image of a monkey flying a fighter jet, and someone pointed out to me that it was photoshopped. Oh well, life goes on. i must say i love the photo of Obama, and flames of hate is just chilling…
Here, I'll give our friend Callie Shell, a great creative, turn the worn out shoe patterns into Mac apples. I'm sure Steve Jobs would love it. Send me a commission. Cheers. The Baldchemist
blah – yes I know, hence the word "spoof" in my post
Flames of hate is a haunting photo… :S
What a great post and a wonderfully eclectic selection. Reading about Vladimir Putin in October’s Vanity Fair sent chills down my spine. A paranoid bureaucrat with delusions of grandiosity? Reminds me of a certain moustached German. The xenophobia victim is so raw, so powerful… it hurts your eyes, but you can’t look away either. Thanks for reminding me of it.
ok! huh?
Yeh, sorry – An explanation is called for.The Holes in Obamas shoes resemble Mac logo! Just replying to your huh? Nice collection b the way. I forgot to thank you. The Baldchemist
thanks for clarifying – didn't notice the apples before
I appreciated your choice of images and the sensibility expressed in your comments. Really good; thank you.
Thanks Lesley – it was difficult to choose these few images since there are so many amazing photographs out there – but I feel happy with the ones I ended up choosing
Top notch captain.
Love your post! I would have added some Olympic highlights too – Michael Phelps, Hussein Bold and the spectacular opening ceremony – http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/08/2008_oly...
Yes, good point – there were some spectacular images posted from Beijing.
thanks michellec!
Nice grouping. I'd already seen 1, 4, 7 and 8. Thanks for introducing us to the rest…you know, it's amazing how much control media has over our perspective. Thank God for the internet and randomness…
Europeans are even more gullible and ignorant when it comes to Obama than the weak-minded Americans who voted for him. He's a popular figure, no doubt, but so was Hitler. The picture with his worn soles was staged, you morons!
Fantastic collection! Thank you.
[...] Pictures of the Year 2008 | Gregor Rohrig Let’s start with the humorous – the spoof picture of gun-toting beauty queen, Sarah Palin. The image, showing Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin posing for a photo sporting an American flag bikini and a rifle became an … [...]
Please delete the comment posted by the obvious idiot above… The one who obviously has parents as trailer park as he is by the way they brought him up.
These are great collections…I love the Obama pic with the worn out shoes..it doesn't get any personal than that!
gringo – done.
your an ass, learn some people skills and get laid
The picture of the Orangutan in the tree grabs me for some reason. Thats why i want to go to South America soooo badly, would love to see them.
CoolGuy – I'd love to see a Orangutan in the wild too. The ape depicted in the picture above however is a Chimpanzee, not a Orangutan…
A monkey is a monkey, iv seen some before like gorillas but only behind bars, would love to see them in the wild too. That polar bear pic is awesome too.
love it! fantastic photos / spoof / whatever
Nothing like heading up a post with a fake picture meant to sensationalize what your ideology doesn't allow for. Stay in your big city, beefcake.
RE: The Obama photo: A similar picture was taken of Adlai Stevenson during a debate in his 1956 run for the US presidency against Dwight Eisenhower. He crossed his legs and a picture was taken of one worn sole. Stevenson was the last egghead to run for president and was considered the working man's candidate. I believe the picture was published in Life, a well read magazine at the time. You gotta admire the Obama campaign's one-up-manship with 2 shoes. Most of the general public never heard of Adlai Stevenson.
Wag the Dog, anyone?
Great collection. Does highlight what an absorbing and interesting world we live in isn't it? I would love to have you in our team of researchers..
It's interesting to see that ICE COLD VODKA sends chills up the spines of Westerners. Its the atavistic fear of Russia Rising, and under Putin, it IS rising ! Nice collection, Gregor.
"VICTORY IS SWEET": the stage all set, the hushed crowd, the eerie shadows, the eagles in the foreground: a cross between "MARS ATTACKS" and NUREMBERG a la Leni Riefenstal.
amazing picture
interesting site!! thumbs up!!
"but so was Hitler." – I haven't heard a genius make a connection between a modern political figure and Hitler for completely inane and bogus 'reasons' in almost a few weeks at this point! Thanks for your help, I was haing withdrawals! Oh and thanks for reveling the Obama picture for the sham it is. A photographer didn't just bust into his office and snap a candid photograph without Obama noticing. Revealing that this picture might have been set up in some way draws attention to the ominous paralels exemplified in Nazi propeganda and Obama's campaign.
orangutans don't live in south america! they live in borneo, a pacific island. and even if you went, there would be a big chance you wouldn't see them. they are very shy, and endangered.
Great shots. Greetings from Brazil!
Great photos!! Shows what kind of world we live in with no words; from wildlife, 'dictators', history in the making (Barack), folly of Sarah Palin, nudity in Hollywood and hate between humans (South Africa). Great work. Hope 2009 will be better.
Perceptions and comments are relative. We can't make conclusive statements, looking at the pictures solely, however, I take my hats off, to the photographer. Kudos to you. Let's look into their lives in totality, not only a portion of it, & be encouraged by their positive accomplishments. On the other hand, let's not commit their mistakes too. If we do, what legacy can we leave to our children? Life is good, all the time!
Wow! I really thought it was her. I mean, can't you just imagine her in that exact situation? I know I can!
What? THE OBAMA PHOTO WAS STAGED?!!!! I thought a ninja with a camera sneaked past ALL of his body guards and snapped a few shots off! IDIOT!
Spelling, I enjoyed your posts on all the other comment boards I have been to in my life.
Thank you for you lifetime dedicated to correcting others. (Starts a slow clap.)
These are some nice photos. Upload more photos online and make money http://www.uploaded.tv