Everyone else is doing a year in review, so I’m doing one for photos. Here are some of my favorite photos from the past year. Some are from big news events, some are just fun photos that I like.

East’s Dane Larson gets whacked by Council Bluffs Lewis Central’s Carlos Perez while battling for a rebound during action at the CNOS Foundation Basketball Classic at the Tyson Events Center Saturday, January 5, 2008. 

Lindenwood’s Raymond Stephens celebrates his victory over Dana’s Burke Barnes during the 133 pound championship match at the NAIA National Wrestling Championship in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 2008. 

College of the Ozarks players Kayli Combs and Janessa DeMuth react as time expires against Northwestern during the NAIA championship basketball game in Sioux City, Iowa, Tuesday, March 18, 2008.

Scouts stand at attention following the funeral service for Boy Scout Aaron Eilerts at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point, Nebraska, Monday, June 16, 2008. 

Sioux City’s Jason Tuttle makes a diving catch against Lincoln during Explorers baseball action at Lewis and Clark Park Sunday June 15, 2008.

Tyler Smith, 6, Hinton, rides a dirt bike at Joe Dirt Speedway as an older rider jumps in the foreground Tuesday, June 17, 2008.

Madison Gunderson, 6, Hubbard, hangs on tight during the Mutton Bustin’  at the Dakota-Thurston County Fair Friday, July 25, 2008. 

Charles Bowerman, Council Bluffs, Iowa, pauses by the remains of the fireplace at Little Sioux Scout Ranch Near Little Sioux, Iowa, Saturday, August 9, 2008. Bowerman was one of the scouts in the cabin when it was struck by a tornado on June 11.

Cody Redman, Van Wert, flies off the horse in the saddle bronc during the Iowa High School Rodeo in Moville Saturday, August 23 2008.

Carolina Ochoa, 13, Sioux City, climbs the Iowa National Guard climbing wall during the Labor Day picnic at Riverside Park Monday, September 1, 2008. 

Members of the American Legion and Marine Corp League display flags during the Pearl Harbor Memorial Day Ceremony at Peters Park, Sunday, December 7, 2008. 

Morningside’s Leslie Floral loses the ball against Iowa Wesleyan during basketball action at the Morningside Holiday Classic Monday, December 29, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

I shot a couple of games at the Morningside Holiday Classic today.  It’s amazing how much extra light spills into the gym during the daytime games, I picked up a full extra f/stop of light.

I did try to push my 50D a little bit at the women’s game in the evening. Usually in poor light I will shoot at ASA 3200. Tonight I shot part of the Morningside women’s game at ASA 6400 just to see how it would look. The shot above was at ASA 6400, the shot below was at ASA 3200. I was surprised how well it held up.  When the photo is enlarged on the screen there is more noise visible, mostly in the shadow area.

I probably won’t shoot at ASA 6400 much except in extreme situations, but it’s good to know I have another tool available when needed. And the 50D does go up to ASA 12,800. I may have shoot a few frames at a Heelan game sometime just out of curiosity.

PHOTO GALLERY

Briar Cliff’s James Larson, left, and Matt Geelan defend against Dakota State’s Sean Baitingter.

Brady Mayo soars though the air while snowboarding at Grandview Park Saturday, December 20, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

I like snowboarding, it makes for quick and easy photos. And when temperatures are around zero, quick is good. I was only there for a few minutes and my fingers were starting to become numb.

The photo was shot from a low angle with a 10-22mm lens. I shot a few frames as a silhouette and tried some where I exposed for the snowboarders, but I preferred the silhouette shots. There are a few snow pics from today posted in our galleries.

PHOTO GALLERY

P.S. Only 90 more day ’til spring!

Joseph Pittman, who recently moved to Sioux City from Florida, brushes snow off his car as people dig out of the snow Friday, December 19, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

It’s bad enough that I had to wake up to 10+ inches of snow on the ground, but early in the morning someone got their car stuck in the snow right in front of my place. So, not only do I have to wait for the snowplows to come by so I can drive down the street, I also have to wait for that bozo to move his car.

So what do I do while I’m stuck at home? I grab my cameras and photograph all of my neighbors while they’re digging out. It’s a good thing I live in a neighborhood with lots of photogenic people. We have a photo gallery from this latest snow storm that includes photos of my neighbors as well as pictures shot by Tim Hynds and Jerry Mennenga.

PHOTO GALLERY

Heelan’s Tanner Ferguson collides with St. Paul Johnson’s Dion Suggs Young as he puts up a shot during basketball at Bishop Heelan High School Friday, December 19, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

Ten inches of snow was enough for most everyone else to cancel their events tonight, but not Heelan, they were still playing basketball. I know the roads aren’t too bad right now, but I’m still surprised the St. Paul Johnson team made the journey from the Twin Cities, especially considering that another storm is on it’s way.

PHOTO GALLERY

Briar Cliff’s Matt Geelan shoots while guarded by Midland Lutheran’s Chad Langmeier during basketball action at Briar Cliff University Saturday, December 13, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

I photographed the Briar Cliff men’s/women’s double header basketball game against Midland Lutheran this afternoon. I was a bit pressed for time so I combined photos from both games into one photo gallery. Enjoy!

PHOTO GALLERY

Briar Cliff’s Liz Grider shoots while guarded by Midland Lutheran’s Olivia Miller.

Sioux City’s Adam Schmidt knocks down Waterloo’s Scott Pavelski during Musketeers hockey action at the Tyson Events Cener Friday, December 12, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

PHOTO GALLERY

South Dakota’s Annie Dirks is guarded by Sioux Falls’ Samantha Gacke during basketball action at the Dakota Dome Sunday, December 7, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

I was sent to Vermillion today to photograph one of the USD basketball players for a story that will appear later on our health page. Since I was there anyway, I went ahead a shot a few photos for our sports department and uploaded a gallery from the game. Enjoy.

PHOTO GALLERY

Natalie Carda plays against Sioux Falls.

Members of the American Legion and Marine Corp League display flags during the Pearl Harbor Memorial Day Ceremony at Peters Park, Sunday, December 7, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

I noticed the cloud formations as the ceremony was about to start, and I was hoping to work them into a photo somehow. I positioned myself behind the color guard and wanted them in the foreground with their flags flapping in the wind as another flag was being raised on the flagpole. But right before the flag was raised, the color guard members secured their flags so they stopped flapping in the wind. This shot wasn’t quite what I wanted, but I still kinda like it.

PHOTO GALLERY

World War II Amry veteran Gearl Hanslip salutes during the Pearl Harbor Memorial Day Ceremony.

Fresno Pacific players celebrate in the foreground as Concordia players console each other following the NAIA Volleyball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, December 6, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

Best 3 out of 5, and it went to five games. Makes for a lot of excitement for the spectators, but it can be a real pain for those of us working on deadline. It’s been a fun week, though. Lots of great action, lots of great teams.

Championship Game Photo Gallery

Fresno Pacific’s Thais Julio, 17, defends against Concordia’s Stephanie Scheele.