21 for 21
Watching the sunrise as I drive down a quiet road is always a treat. With a cup of coffee in hand, music on the radio and the time to experience a new day. I love watching the reflections in the windshield and feeling the warmth coming from the dashboard. As the sun rises, the shadows slowly give way to light. At first, the highlights create contrast from silhouettes of objects on the horizon and then the rigid lines of a barn come into focus. As it happens, I can't help but anticipate what lies in the not distant future. I usually have a camera within arm's length, ready to capture what I see next. I often think what beauty will be revealed? Will I be able to capture it? Will it be a new cherished photo?
It never gets old watching a sunrise or sunset. After all, it's a gift that, God willing, we can enjoy every day. The following photos were sandwiched between sunrises and sunsets, representing a few of the moments I captured in 2021. There were many favorites to choose from and thousands more that I experienced in my mind's eye. I'm grateful for the opportunity to explore the world around me. To meet people and to learn from their life experiences. Cheers to you and all that 2022 brings!
For more than two decades, Joseph L. Murphy has had the pleasure of meeting and connecting with people from all walks of life through photography. He has photographed presidents and heads of state, traversed the winding alleyways of the Fes Medina in Morocco, photographed the sprawling countryside and people that make up Argentina and covered events that have defined the U.S. Most recently, Murphy’s travels have taken him to Cambodia, Mexico, China, Vietnam and Ecuador.
He has spent the past 20 years specializing in agriculture photography for multiple organizations, publications and marketing projects.
A graduate of the University of Iowa, Murphy determined at an early age that his love of photography would shape his vision for life.