A look at some of the top Fox Valley photos of the year
We live in an age of selfies and YouTube videos, where everyone, it seems, comes armed with a camera and isn't afraid to shoot.
Amazingly, through all that clutter, the power of a single image still can make us stop and take a second look - to marvel at the skill involved in recognizing a great photo opportunity when you see it and then capturing that moment - happy, sad, tense or thought-provoking - for today and future generations.
Every year we ask our Fox Valley photo staff - Rick West, Brian Hill, Laura Stoecker and John Starks - to put together some of their favorite images of the year. We hope you'll stop and take a second look at their work and reflect on the year 2014.
Fireworks entertain fans in the stands while Huntley High School varsity football players huddle up as they break from their pregame warm-up drills before their game against Dundee-Crown High School in October.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
Edward Hayes of Elgin bows his head during a prayer group at Vineyard Church of Elgin. Hayes was homeless and addicted to cocaine before members of the church and their breakfast ministry helped to get him into a rehab program. He's been clean for three years and has volunteered at the church every day since.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
Owner Amber Bauman hugs a friend after a barn fire at Valley View Acres in unincorporated Crystal Lake killed 32 horses in November.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Erie Rosson of South Elgin gives a giant smooch to her great-grandson Jacob Denten, 6, of Gilberts, before the start of her 100th birthday party in October. Surrounded by family, friends, and most of the other 32 residents of White Oaks in South Elgin, Rosson was honored with a party at the assisted living facility where she lives. Rosson is the facility's first centenarian.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
A runner is framed by tall pine trees at Centegra Health Bridge Fitness's fifth annual Northwest Trail Run at Veterans Acres Park in Crystal Lake.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Violet Mustard, 4, of St. Charles yells out to her mom to watch as she hangs upside down swinging on a playground zip line at Island Park in Geneva. They were taking advantage of a nice day in May for a bike ride along with Violet's twin sister Elie when they stopped to play.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
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