This week and next, Barbara and I will post some of our favorite images from 2013.
I’ll go first.

I couldn’t possibly say “these were my best photos” because a word like “best” is subjective to begin with and I’d almost certainly change my mind a week later and then again a week after that. So I decided to simply pick one memorable photo from each month of the year and write a brief sentence or two as to why it stood out.

JANUARY
 
This was early in the morning and the sky was partially clear and partially overcast. I like the way the light bounced off the clouds and snow and gave the Main Building a very even soft light.

FEBRUARY

The Notre Dame Hockey team played at Soldier Field in Chicago. I’ve never had a sun flare in a hockey photo before so this one stands out for that reason.

MARCH

The ND community gathers for the campus-wide Stations of the Cross. No one is required to be there yet hundreds participate each year. That sort of grass-roots spirituality is one of the quieter things that makes Notre Dame special.

APRIL

The Word of Life Mural (“Touchdown Jesus” to you and me!) celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013. In April it was lit with pink lights in support of those who’ve battled and are battling with cancer as the annual Relay for LIfe took place nearby in the Compton Family Ice Arena.

MAY

May means Commencement and this grad went into Notre Dame Stadium with a little flair that caught my eye.

JUNE

Okay, so I technically shot this in May…but it was May 31 and it was late at night…and hey, it’s my post, my rules! This was a lightning storm that passed just south of campus on Reunion weekend. I will probably never see anything like this ever again. Glad I was able to make a picture while it happened.

JULY

Summer is a quiet time on campus. We get used to the warm weather, the slower pace, and the shorter lines at LaFortune. This photo captures the spirit and pace of summer on campus in my opinion.

AUGUST

…And no sooner do we get used to Summer’s easygoing style than we’re jolted back into the school year by move-in and football season.

SEPTEMBER

A rainbow appears in a very convenient location the morning of ND’s eventual win over Big-Ten champion Michigan State.

OCTOBER

ACE Celebrated its 25th anniversary with a road trip to many ACE sites around the country. In this photo, Fr. Tim Scully, co-founder of ACE, visits St. Rita School in Ft. Worth Texas.

NOVEMBER

I’ve seen a lot of military flyovers in my years covering ND Football games. I have never seen one as absolutely perfect as this. The Blue Angels were low, loud, smoke-on, right down the centerline, and utterly perfect on timing. “And the home…of the…braaaavvveeRRRROOAAAAAARRRR!!!!!” Best. Flyover. Ever.

DECEMBER

ND hit the Big Apple for the Pinstripe Bowl. When they light the Empire State Building with your school colors…you know you’re doing something right!

So there you have it…2013 through my viewfinder. Stay tuned for next week when Barbara will show us how she saw the year.

Matt Cashore