Cliché at most

Been trying to withhold posting this one…but I think the time has come. It’s inevitable now. It must be posted.

I feel this photo adheres to one of the biggest clichés in photography. “Something focused in the foreground, with depth of field played on a sunset/sunrise in the background.” *Commence large sigh*

So I ran across this little sunset last year when we were in Oxfordshire visiting the University…didn’t end up there but never mind.

So I’m not going to deny that there is something remarkably artistic about photos like this. The contrast between the depth of field and the focus…but I really can’t help but feel that they are a bit cliché. Although I guess I can’t say too much considering how I am just as guilty for taking this kind of photo.

Anyway, hopefully it will still appeal to some of you. I still find it quite artistic. I just find myself wincing sometimes when I look at it.

 

[Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom]

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Latitude: 51.706698

Longitude: -1.228151

The Golden Contrast (& A New Journey!)

 

Yesterday, on my last day in Dubai, I took a little walk along the creek outside our compound to see what I could see as the sun went down. I personally may not see as much worth as others do in Architectural Photography (don’t ask me why), however I definitely noticed something this time.

Dubai is not just the opulent city of gold and money that many see it as. It’s not just the gateway to anywhere else in the world too. It’s a wide world in it’s own right. Walking along the creek I walked by many boats worked by people of all backgrounds; from Indians to Filipinos. Whilst they’re on deck they’re also catering to tourists from every destination imaginable; from the United States to China and Russia. It’s a world in itself.

Not only that, it’s not actually as urban as it may appear. It’s not all high-rises and skyscrapers, this part of Dubai is the old and historic part of the city. Just look at the photo: You may see just some boats on the river in front of some buildings, but I see contrast. Juxtaposition. I see the difference between the urban future and the developing past, in the present. These old fishing, tour, and cargo boats and dhows sitting in front of Bank headquarters in a cosmopolitan city represents just that.

In other news, this photo also marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life. As of tomorrow, I will officially be in University. Undoubtedly I will be in a financial hole, with travelling being very limited, however this will not stop me from doing what I love doing. I will be attending the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, and if that doesn’t present me new photographic experiences I don’t know what will. Not only that but I am constantly digging up old photos I’ve taken from across the world for you to see. So I will definitely keep going.

So farewell Dubai. I’ll be back soon. Hello London!

 

[Dubai Creek, Bur Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates]

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Latitude: 25.265071

Longitude: 55.302220

Looking Through a Gateway in Time

 

I haven’t done too much travelling around the Middle East so far in my life, however there is one place I definitely do remember.

Petra is one of the great archaeological wonders of the world, featuring incredible structures cut from the beautiful rose and orange sandstone in the land and a remarkable water system from years past. It is believed to be the centre of the caravan trade in the Middle East; providing a hub for many traders from across the Eastern Peninsula to trade their goods. It is a famed world heritage sight, and one of the most popular destinations in the Middle East for tourists, backpackers, archaeologists, and the like.

You don’t see much of Petra in the long trek to the ‘temple’, however when you near it you certainly feel like you’re peering through a hole in time. Admiring the ruins from afar and up close, while walking down the exact same path as numerous traders have before you, is truly breathtaking.

 

[Petra, Jordan]

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Latitude: 30.327578

Longitude: 35.441508

Golden Path

 

This is another old favourite of mine from back in Burma. This is a shot of one of the few paths up to the Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most famous and sacred Pagodas in Burma. This shot is a perfect example of why Burma is titled: The Golden Land. Every year this Pagoda undergoes a ‘refurbishing’ where the coat of gold has to be restored. The sheer price of the pagoda itself is incredible, and it shines a beautiful light across the capital city of Rangoon.

Actually at the foot of the pagoda, there is a circle lined with statues of the 8 Burmese Zodiacs, each of which correspond to a certain day in the week. There is 8 because the Burmese have an extra day which we treat as Wednesday Morning and Wednesday Afternoon, represented as the White Elephant with it’s trunk raised and the White Elephant with the trunk down respectively.

I myself, being born on a Tuesday, am a Chinthe under the Burmese Zodiac. A Chinthe is a sacred Leonid creature which is revered in the Burmese culture; used as a sign of strength and protection. Giant Chinthe statues are often found outside many sacred Buddhist sites in Burma, as they are constructed to spiritually protect the site.

 

[Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon, Burma]

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Latitude: 16.798436

Longitude: 96.149464

Tradition

 

I’ve been trying a long time to edit this photo to how I want it to be, but I think I have edited it far enough. There is no amount of tweaking  I can do at this point which will make this any better (I don’t think).

There are three things the Besotho people have that is exclusive to their culture: their ponies, their blankets, and their hats. Now unfortunately this photo does not feature the hat, but it does however show two Besotho men riding their Besotho ponies, wrapped in their Besotho Blankets.

I find the Besotho people incredible with regards to their culture, and how it has been maintained for so long in their tiny but proud little kingdom. I really wanted this photo to turn out well, but due to the speed of our car and the window in the way, I feel like it may not have been as good as I hoped. I didn’t want to stop the car, nor the men on their journey though. So I guess it can’t be helped.

Let me know what you think!

 

[Outside the Sani Pass, Lesotho]

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Latitude: -29.345683

Longitude: 29.021201

Surprise!

 

Because: why not? Who doesn’t appreciate a surprised peacock?

 

[Ranthambore National Park, India]

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Latitude: 26.017327

Longitude: 76.502574

Ancients

 

So we’re in Dubai now. Can’t help but still reminisce about Addis though. It’s still going to remain my home.

Our last day I did a session with some of the local tortoises we had on the compound (all of which we have bestowed silly names which I will not mention). I really like this macro-shot of one of their legs, the fade and sharpness of the scales.

 

[Addis Ababa, Ethiopia]

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Latitude: 9.060662

Longitude: 38.775750

Twin Peaks of the Ancients

 

My next attempt at some HDR editing. It was quite a dusty, or rather, sandy day in Egypt. Unfortunately this made it hard to get good shots of the site due to poor lighting. So instead I have decided to compensate by increasing the gamma and exposure a little bit to really emphasise the pyramids.

 

I should have something else to say about this…but I really don’t have much more to add but the fact that it was an amazing sight. If only all of the other ancient wonders were still around for us to see.

 

[Giza, Egypt]

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Latitude: 29.971904

Longitude: 31.120759

Canopy

 

So I had a great day today. I was outside in the garden while the monkeys were visiting…for almost 2 hours! The best part was as time passed they all got used to me and just acted as normal. Even the alpha male sat only a metre away from me at one point!

Anyway this gave me a perfect opportunity to examine their behaviour. It was really interesting seeing the different personalities they have, almost like humans! (I might be uploading a portfolio soon)

This guy got up to 50 centimetres above my head, as he ate the leaves off the branch. Brilliant!

 

[Addis Ababa, Ethiopia]

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Latitude: 9.060676

Longitude: 38.775762

Imperfect Perfection

 

This is more of a novelty shot, but I was really excited when I found it. I’ve always been looking for a ‘fungi shot’ for a while now, because they’re a hidden beauty of nature. They exist in a range of colours, shapes, and complexities.

This may be just a small white toadstool, but I still got excited enough to actually lie down on the wet ground to get this shot.

 

[Addis Ababa, Ethiopia]

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Latitude: 9.060584

Longitude: 38.775634