Art first hand, a fine silhouette at the opening of the Dunedin Fringe festival. : Pictures of the Year: Craig Baxter

By 3am firefighters were restricted to fighting this Jetty St fire externally, reminding me of historic Dunedin firefighting images. : Pictures of the Year: Craig Baxter

Low winter sun provides a different take on the Dunedin skate park. : Pictures of the Year: Craig Baxter

A 5-year-old counting a giant panel of dots makes for a interesting sense of scale. : Pictures of the Year: Craig Baxter

It’s a delight being able to capture the emotions of people from all walks of life, from Brodie’s great effort in the firefighters Sky Tower challenge . . . : Pictures of the Year: Craig Baxter

. . . to the joy of top level rugby players . . . : Pictures of the Year: Craig Baxter

. . .and lifesavers. : Pictures of the Year: Craig Baxter

The passion — Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan in concert in Christchurch. : Pictures of the Year: Craig Baxter

It’s hard to believe scenes like this one in Castle St, Dunedin, actually happened. : Pictures of the Year: Craig Baxter

A smoke machine and spotlights lend atmosphere at the midwinter lantern parade. : Pictures of the Year: Craig Baxter