2011 Sports Pictures of the Year

Reflecting back on the year and the images that I made along the way is always an interesting process. As a visual person, I can remember almost exactly all the moments before, during and after each of the images you see above.

It's a gift and a curse at the same time because I'm my own worst critic. I constantly wonder how I could made an image better.

It's not all bad though. I absolutely love what I do and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

I love looking back and realizing that, for example, if you would have told me a year ago that I'd be covering NASCAR on a somewhat regular basis I would have said you were crazy. Now, I'm hooked.

Working in a fantastic sports town for Getty gave me the opportunity to cover some great assignments with the freedom to take risks and challenge myself. It's had to ask for much more than that.

I learned a lot from my peers this year, following their work closer than ever and using it as a measuring stick. I created personal assignments for myself and came out of them with images that I've highlighted here. I worked hard to make/find images instead of letting them unfold in front of me.

Half the battle, I feel, is staying hungry and avoiding complacency at all costs. I had good days and ones I was less than pleased about but I can say that it was never for a lack of effort.

With that in mind, I'm anxious to see what 2012 brings. I have no idea where I'll be and what new things I'll be shooting but I've learned to appreciate the unexpected.

I hope you all are looking forward to the same.

NFL photos | Patriots v Broncos

"Tight end Daniel Fells #86 and tight end Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos make their way out to the field before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Emily Robison, 10, from Denver prepares to perform with the Denver Broncos junior cheerleaders before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"The New England Patriots get pumped up before agape against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Safety Quinton Carter #28 of the Denver Broncos runs through the smoke as he's introduced to the crowd before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos heads back to the bench before the start of the game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Wide receiver Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots is downed at the one yard line by cornerback Chris Harris #25 of the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

"Linebacker Rob Ninkovich #50 of the New England Patriots recovers a fumble by the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

"Tight end Aaron Hernandez #81 of the New England Patriots comes up short on a diving effort on a pass during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos reacts as he walks to the huddle during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos tries to escape the grasp of defensive end Brandon Deaderick #71 of the New England Patriots and recovers his fumble in the end zone during the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

"Injured safety Brian Dawkins #20 of the Denver Broncos reacts on the field during a break in the action against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos walks off the field after being sacked late in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

Sunday was far and above my best game of the season. Unfortuantely for the Broncos, thanks to three fumbles that lead to Patriots scores, they can't say the same.

I'll be honest and say that it feels great to come away with what I feel is a solid take of one of the most hyped games of the year. At the same time, there was definitely some luck involved.

Since it was such a big game, Getty had four shooters at the game and we each picked a quadrant of the field to work from. I had to send my selects to an editor in NYC during TV timeouts for him to caption, tone and transmit so I picked one of the spots in the North end zone. Thankfully for me, everything seemed to happen at my end of the field.

At the same time, I'm probably most pleased with the images that I found, created. My good buddy and feature slayer, Patrick, was in town shooting the game as part of our team and I'm sure that having him around pushed me to be even better.

I guess I can say that I enjoyed the pressure.

Even more images from the game on Getty's site.

NFL photos | Bears v Broncos

"A general view of the stadium as the Chicago Bears take on the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos makes a catch in front of cornerback Charles Tillman #33 of the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Miles the mascot of the Denver Broncos pumps up the crowd during a game against the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10 in overtime."

"Jonathan Wilhite #29 of the Denver Broncos is unable to recover an onside kick against during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Running back Marion Barber #24 of the Chicago Bears fumbles the ball and it's recovered by defensive end Elvis Dumervil #92 of the Denver Broncos as cornerback Chris Harris #25 helps makes the tackle during overtime at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10 in overtime."

"Place kicker Matt Prater #5 of the Denver Broncos is mobbed by teammates after kicking a game-winning 51-yard field goal in overtime against the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10 in overtime."

"Defensive end Robert Ayers #91 of the Denver Broncos celebrates as he walks off the field after defeating the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10 in overtime."

The Broncos did it again, but are you really surprised?

In what has become a weekly echo, the Broncos trailed going into the fourth quarter yet with the never say die attitude that Tim Tebow seems to ooze, they crawled their way back with a few minutes left on the clock. Mix in Matt Prater's golden foot and you'll get yourself another SportsCenter special.

Thank God.

For the first three quarters it was easier to spot an angel hovering above the stadium than it was to make even a mildly interesting photograph. Defense may win championships but it doesn't always make for compelling images.

I'm pretty sure I made 75 percent of my storytelling images between the 4 minute mark in the fourth quarter and the end of the game in overtime. Despite the frustration that caused, I wouldn't have it any other way. This was definitely a good one to shoot.

More from the game on Getty's site.

Keri Herman for University of Denver Magazine

Photographers contantly chat with one another about doing personal work to fill the void left by most of the stuff that pays the bills. When I got the call about this assignment I had a feeling I was going to be able to kill two birds with the single preverbial stone. It had everything I'm looking for in a personal assignment, a talented athlete, great location, action and portraits all wrapped up into one.

I often laugh to myself after I get off the phone with Greg or Chelsey from the magazine because they always ask if I'm interested in doing it. Did they really think I was going to turn this one down?

Keri had never ridden a rail or gone off a jump when she came to DU and now she regularly collects X-Games medals. If she keeps it up, she's bound for the 2014 Olympics. Read her story online.

After what seemed like six weeks of logistics, I headed up to Breckenridge where she trains with a trunk full of gear and an assistant in tow. I rarely leave the house at 3am for a shoot but we were chasing a mountian sunrise. Unfortunately, the sunrise part didn't happen.

On to plan B.

If things weren't already complicated, my battery for the dynalights struggled in the cold, my pocket wizards didn't like the huge mounds of ice/snow between me and the lights and the crazy wind that Breckenridge is known for made Keri have to work ten times as hard to pull her tricks off. Thankfully hardwire and a gas generator saved us from having to move to plan C.

Keri was determined to ride all 100+ feet of the quad kink rail and took lap after lap via snowmobile to get it, and the photo right. She didn't want to fake it and as someone who stives to get things right in-camera, I have a lot of respect for her.

After we wrapped up the mountain shoot and created a makeshift studio at Teal Art Gallery, we went to lunch with Keri and her friends. Trust me, that doesn't happen often. I'm around professional athletes all the time and Keri is about as down to earth as they come.

The stories we heard during lunch were definitely worth the price of admission. It must be nice to trot the globe and ski for a living but who am I to complain? I push a button for a living.

The feature was originally slated for the cover but it got bumped, understandably, when DU landed one of three Presidential debates. I'm hoping I get the call to cover that one as well.

Colorado sports photographers | USC v Colorado

"Safety Drew McAllister #19 of the USC Trojans prepares to lead his team out of the locker room before a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on November 4, 2011 in Boulder, Colorado."

"A Colorado Buffaloes student dons body paint in support of his team during a game against the USC Trojans at Folsom Field on November 4, 2011 in Boulder, Colorado."

"Running back Curtis McNeal #22 of the USC Trojans is upended by defensive back Kyle Washington #4 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the first quarter at Folsom Field on November 4, 2011 in Boulder, Colorado."

"Wide receiver Marqise Lee #9 of the USC Trojans makes a diving catch in the end zone in front of defensive back Greg Henderson #20 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second quarter at Folsom Field on November 4, 2011 in Boulder, Colorado. Lee Landed out of bounds on the play. Lee finished with 124 yards receiving on nine catches and two touchdown in the Trojans 42-17 victory over the Buffaloes."

Friday evening I spent my 26th birthday covering USC's romp over CU in Boulder. What can I say, that's life of a freelancer.

Thankfully there was plenty of photos to be made as USC quarterback Matt Barkley set a school record in throwing six touchdown passes and in rare fashion I had a photo of each one.

CU's transition to the PAC 12 has been rough but the up-tempo, west coast offense that several of the teams play has been a blast to shoot compared to mostly ground and pound style of the former Big 12.

More photos from the game at Getty.

Denver sports photographers | Lions v Broncos

"Defensive end Willie Young #79 of the Detroit Lions makes a diving effort to try and tackle quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 30, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lions defeated the Broncos 45-10."

This one pretty much sums up Tim's afternoon against the Lions.

I'll admit that I seemed to suffer similar struggles on the other side of the lens. I feel like I'm in a slump photographically.

I'm not sure if things just aren't going my way or I'm doing something different but compared to last season, I have some catching up to do.

The good news is that half of the NFL season remains for me to redeem myself.

Colorado sports photographers | XC Championships

"Alexander Dawson junior Robby Keown wenches as he approach the finish line of the CHSAA Boys 1A-2A Cross Country State Championships at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds in Aurora, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. Keown finished in 78th place with a time of 22 minutes and 15 seconds."

Thanks to the internet, this image gets to see the light of day.

Despite the fact that his emotions do a great job of representing several of the exhausted faces that crossed the finish line on Saturday, he finished sixth to last and it would never run in the paper.

Much of the day was a complete cluster and covering eight different races is easier said than done. It's a big game of risk vs reward, really. Compared to the pre-state meet on the same course that I covered in early September, I gave the finish line more priority.

The face above made that decision a successful one.

Colorado sports photographers | Crew v Rapids

"Miguel Comminges #32 of the Colorado Rapids and Emilio Renteria #20 of the Columbus Crew get tangled up while battling for the ball during the second half at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on October 27, 2011 in Commerce City, Colorado. The Rapids defeated the Crew 1-0 to advance to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against Sporting Kansas City."

How many would have guessed that yesterday there was six inches of snow on this field?

It's been an interesting week with the weather. We set a record Monday at 80 degrees, Wednesday it snowed several inches and Thursday the sun was back out.

Even more interesting has been the hype surrounding the team I like to call the Denver Tebows and a little thing called "Tebowing."

I know, I know, this is a post about soccer but just as with anything else this week the Tebow phenomenon has stolen the show; my blog in this case. Omar Cummings scored the game's only goal and celebrated by "Tebowing."

Sunday's game against the Lions should be fun if for no other reason to see how viral this thing goes.