Best 10 Photography Blogs of 2010

 As the curtains draw on an eventful year in photography I wanted to share my top 10 Blogs in cyberwold (both audio as well as typed). More than the Top of the Charts this is my way acknowledging the knowledge of photography imparted to me. These are also my most visited online locations where I go to find inspiration and learn new things in Photography (not in any particular order). 

1. Strobist – The Strobist from David Hobby (Dave) is the Mecca of the flash photographer. This blog/site is the  encyclopedia of not only flash but anything related to lighting on photography. If you were a student of photographic lighting the Strobist is the place irrespective of whether you were a junior schooler or a university researcher. The Lighting 101 content is the bootcamp, and regular content  is both insiparation and educational. I do not entirely agree with David's narrow choice of strobist gear and can fill you in with alternatives if you are keen. If I see enough comments the next blog will be called the "Cheaper and as Good Strobist". I  love David Hobby's own portfolio is an inspiration for the portrait makers.
2. Photoshop Insider – Scott Kelby famous for the three volume "The Digital Photography Book"  is perhaps one of the most prolific writers of photography books. He is the Editor of a number of photographic journals and magazines. His blog is an insight into someone who breathes and lives photography.  His blog is great for the stunning visual compositions and what goes into making them great. Though the blog is personal, the work from Scott Kelby Media group and when he recently posted pictures of Scott Kelby media group headquarters the scale of his effort dawns on you. 
3. Digital Photography Life – Scott Sherman and Michael Stein are enthusiasts of photography and have great individual blogs. This is the blog to accompany their once a week podcast which  is always a kick to listen to and make for perfect commute killers!  The blog is a useful reference and to figure out what have they been talking of in the pod-cast (sometime bangalore traffic can be unnerving). 
4. Phototips - From the self confessed redneck Jimmy Beltz is an amazing show about all things photography. It is slow paced, just right if you are not an expert, is nicely broken down into sections, a theme which always seems to be of interest and great content. He is genuinely interested in making his listeners great pro-photographers and discusses the how of running a photo business in addition to the creative content. The show is backed up by a great website.
5. Photography 101 - Scott Winterburg reminds you of your school teachers with his patient voice and almost lecture style podcast. He is actually a teacher and does bring up very interesting  student shots in a show and tell format in his video cast. The blog accompanies his video-cast, which is very informative for someone starting photography but extremely insightful for even an informed photographer. 
6. Digital Photography Tips from the Top Floor - This would be the longest running podcast (since April 2005) on photography I have come across. Chris Marquardt "The Photo Guy" and  Leo Leporld "The Tech Guy" come together to cast this weekly show which has amazing tips, latest buzz and lots of techniques for creating better pictures.
7. Joe McNally - Written by author of the same name is famous for the "Hot Shoe Diaries". This blog is not updated regularly but when it is it so refreshing with the quality of capture and the sheer insight that one gets here. I love his portfolio which always has amazing portraits.
8. PhotoFocus (previously TWIP) – Led by Scott Bourne, Photofocus is not a blog per se. Instead, it is an online magazine about photography. Updated several times each day, with the intent of informing, entertaining and educating people who are interested in photography. Scott has been writing on the blog since 1998 and has been audiocasting since 2007. The blog also has great tips and content delivered regularly by Scott.   
9. CanonBlogger - Being a Canon user and a blogger finding this blog was natural for me. Jason Anderson surprisingly is not affiliated to Canon and contrary to his blog title is pretty much camera agnostic(so i think). Interlaced with contests, news, photographic tips it his one hour podcast a week which endears me to his photographic talent. Never short of sharing his knowledge
10. The Art of Photography - Since I started learning photography by watching the Art of Photography from Ted Forbes I could not keep him off this list though he has vanished off late from the podo-sphere and the blogosphere. His video-casts are high quality, very informative and rather than ramblings  on other shows are always well scripted and well delivered. Only if he had continued ihewould have up on this list. 

phew- its so much easier to write with light.(write = graphos, light = photo)