Faces Of The Year I

The first of my favorite seven "Face Of The Day" photographs from the Dish in 2007. I'll be posting one each day in Christmas week. Some readers ask my criteria for these shots. I guess I'm looking for faces of human beings not always on the front-pages, new ways to illustrate stories around the world that would not be covered on the blog usually, and images that are simply striking, beautiful, rare or revelatory. I scan the Getty photo service each day for them. It's one of my favorite Daily Dish-tasks - and made possible by the Atlantic's subscription.

Rocky Elsom of the Waratahs lies on the pitch after being knocked out during the round six Super 14 match between the Waratahs and the Bulls at Aussie Stadium March 10, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. By Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.