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With days left in 2011, I’m following up on my top-5 images on Flickr with my 5 most viewed posts of 2011, as well, my favorite 5 of the year. Lucky you.

5

Here are most viewed 5, based on Google Analytics.

1. Depression is My Nemesis
2. Fatherhood
3. The Perfect Penalty Kick
4. The Roman Colosseum Hot Tub
5. Indianapolis Memorial for Sal Incandela

All are easy to explain. #1 was the most honest, revealing thing I’ve ever written (over 160 comments). Who doesn’t like to be a voyeur? It also got picked up by lovebomb (still so touched), and the reason I got so many hits/comments. #2, Fatherhood, was my most popular post of 2010 and after my father died, it got a lot of traffic. #3, this one got picked up by some sites in Europe and I’m not sure anyone was expecting it. #4, I love this one – funny, creative and outrageous – this one got lots of love online and was only published in December. #5, this one is pretty obvious.

So what are my favorite 5? Drum roll please.

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Filed under: Random by Daniel
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This time of year naturally prompts professional reflection and predictions. Over the holiday break, I’ll be putting the finishing touches on a 2012 Digital Strategy for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which will reference everything from content to email to social media to SMS to photography to sweepstakes to gaming to mobile, and so on. It will be vast, and vast is good. The company is ready to fully embrace digital in new ways.

The metrics point in the right direction

The reflection part is what determines the next step forward. It guides the guidebook. Here’s what occurred digitally this year and it revolves around three themes – content, personality and relationships. These 3 simple, but often overlooked methods point to positive results, analytics and overall metrics.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Projects by Daniel
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The reason I’m in Japan is because of the race at Twin Ring Motegi, so I’d be in contempt if I didn’t at least mention it.

Growing up, some of my favorite drivers were Japanese. And when my parents owned a race team in the 1990′s, they had a couple of Japanese drivers race for them – Hideki Noda and Shigeaki Hattori – both of which won in Indy Lights. So let’s just say I’ve always had a soft spot for Japanese drivers.

Of course, it’s an honor to actually come here as a professional and experience this event first hand. My role for this race is part web support and part photographic support. And I’ve taken a good number of pics, including the one below. It’s quickly become a favorite of mine.

Happy fan

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Filed under: Japan, Motorsports by Daniel
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I check Flickr every day. It’s one of my favorite sites and I joined in October 2005. So long ago. When you check the same site everyday, you get to know it well, and you catch a lot of striking images.

I write a lot about photography and Flickr You can see a lot of my my posts regarding them, here. I also did a ton of analysis and interpretation of how IndyCar uses Flickr, here. I guess I’m trying to prove my Flickr street creds.

As I write in the Ohio Heat on this Saturday evening, I thought it appropriate to share some images that have inspired me recently. Yes, on Flickr. So enjoy some of my recent thoughts, obsessions, inspirations and the images behind them.

Another Pete Rock remix....

I don’t think any other artist from any other discipline has inspired me as much as Pete Rock has recently. I’m slightly embarrassed by the play count in my iTunes library. Think Twice, What You Say, Don’t You Love It and They Reminisce Over You have been way overplayed. Listen to any of these songs and you’ll get an immediate understanding of his music – complicated combinations of diverse musical backgrounds, sampled into an elegant, catchy unforgettable beat. Any of his stuff – 90′s hip hop, jazz inspired or his instrumentals will reveal this.  Pete Rock would play my soundtrack (if I had one), open up for my Hip Hop Chop pilot, and definitely host RobotoWear’s first big party. I’ll be in touch.

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Filed under: Flickr by Daniel
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Early today I got to shoot an IndyCar race. I’ve taken many racing photos. But never of actual on track action. My previous shots were limited to pit lane or the garage or a stationary car. Turn 1 at the end of a fast, long straight was an entirely different proposition.

I know the racing culture very well. Mainly because of my father. I’ve come to have immense respect for the mechanics that work on teams and the photographers that capture such captivating imagery. I could never be a mechanic (I can barely handle something from IKEA) and I only dabble in photography. So I quietly respect from afar.

I can’t hold a disposable camera to my photographic colleagues from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LAT Photo USA, Japan media, Firestone, local media and many, many more. But today I was a willing and very, very happy imposter. In fact it was unforgettable. I went out in the field and actually shot cars at speed. For real.

Dude, I shot the start of a race

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Filed under: Flickr, Motorsports by Daniel
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