Reflection: careful thought, especially the process of reconsidering previous actions, events, or decisions.

Reflections are not just for photographing. The last day of the year is a day of reflection for me. I like to spend some time this day reviewing the year that is drawing to an end. I am looking for something. I hope to find in days past, something that will improve life in the year ahead. Perhaps I can see in the events of the fast-fading year a reflection of things to come.

May you find what you are looking for in a Happy New Year!

I believe that the people and experiences we encounter in our daily lives are reflections of who we are and what we think. One way to learn about myself is to watch closely those who are closest to me. As a photographer I look for reflective surfaces to capture a different view of the world. I also look for people and experiences that reflect back to me who I am and how I perceive the world.

Some surfaces, a still pond for example, accurately portray that which they reflect. Drop a stone in a pond and its rippled surface reveals reflected objects in a distorted fashion. But even a distorted reflection contains an element of truth to it.

Someone once said that we the behavior we find most difficult to accept in others is the same behavior we ourselves commit. If I look closely enough, I sometimes find myself reflected in the behavior of others. Sometimes the reflection I see is like that in a still pond; sometimes it is more like looking at a rippled surface. In either case, the reflection, carefully considered, is a chance for me to see more clearly who I am and provides me with an opportunity to grow.

These photos were taken on Rex Hardware construction site after one of the few heavy rains the winter of 2007.

Reflections present us with an opportunity to observe things in a manner that differs from how we typically see them. A window, a mirror or a puddle of water can transform that which they reflect into a distorted but recognizable form, something strange and familiar all at once.

Reflections also present a photographer with a chance to portray something in an unusual, whimsical or even ghostly way.

Sometimes reflections give us a view of things we would not typically see. In today's photos, we see the underside of the Balshaw Bridge over the turning basin, a view most people would only get from a kayak, canoe or some other type of water craft afloat on the Petaluma river.

Take black and white photographs!

Even on cloudy days, red has a way of standing out in the gray and gloom. If you are going to take photos of someone and it's a cloudy day, have the person bring along some red clothes.

I bought these four, small Angels in Petaluma. I don't remember where I bought them or even when. They are about three and a half inches tall and are all little bells. Each Angel is a young cherub girl, dressed in a long gown and holds one of these four letters: L E O N. I like them so much, I've added them to my personal collection.

I've come across hundreds of Angels browsing stores and dealer tables over the years but I've never seen a collection of Angels like these that spell out someone's name. When I asked the person who sold them to me who Leon was, she smiled and said she didn't know. Whoever he was, I like his taste in Angels.

To all those who celebrate Christmas, may this be a merry one!

As astronomers would say (and the Beatles too), here comes the sun. Or as Christians say, here comes the Son.

Whatever your point of view, happy winter solstice. Starting tomorrow, we gain two minutes of sunlight every day. I hope you enjoy the extra daylight!