Here are some of the photos that stood out this year. I started the year in Asia, headed back home to South Africa and travelled a bit around Namibia. I then paid a three month visit to Europe, spent more downtime in Cape Town and now I’m back in cold South Korea. I haven’t worked much this year, but I’m currently back in South Korea doing the teaching gig. I don't really like to group the photos to a year but I did the same last year and thought that I’d share some of this years highlights with you again. I’ll continue to run this blog as I continue to travel and shoot photos. Thanks to those who follow my blog and welcome to all the new viewers.
Here, in no particular order, are some of my favourites for 2011. Enjoy!
Dead Vlei and the Namib Desert
This photo was shot in Namibia next to Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert with scorching temperatures and beautiful desert landscapes.
Ancient Cities, Modern Challenges
This photo was taken in Marseilles in a part of the city that’s infamous for its immigrants. I saw this young black boy playing up the street and waited for him to pass this old building dated 29 July 1881 - a time before France saw their influx of immigrants.
Etosha Wildlife
This picture of a Troupant bird was taken in Etosha. I shot many photos of wildlife and birds during the five days that we were there and this is one of many that stood out. It was a lot of fun and a challenge to shoot something a little different and I enjoyed making use of my zoom lens
Revoluzione
Corsica with its nationalistic graffiti was something that stood out as I arrived and till the day I left. This wall in Corte was one of those that especially stood out.
Harsh Korean Winter
The 2010/2011 winter was one of the harshest winters that I have ever experienced. Constant temperatures below zero and endless snow made for a difficult winter. This picture was taken at the Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul after a full day of snow storms.
Cinque Terre and Arcade Fire
This was hands down one of the best days ever! Clementine and I crossed from Corsica to Italy to watch Arcade Fire live in Lucca. We had a full day in Italy before the concert and decided to spend it in Cinque Terre. Walking around the small towns, lazing on the beach and feasting on some of the best Panini’s ever.
This year has been memorable on the music front and I had opportunities to see some of my most favourite acts performing live. These included: Iron Maiden in Seoul, Arcade Fire in Lucca Italy, Foals in Corsica, Kings of Leon in Cape Town and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at Synergy Festival in South Africa.
Suburb Safari Hippo
I kept myself busy for 3 months with some street art after returning from Europe and before coming back to South Korea. I used all of my own photos and pasted them around the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town, calling it Suburb Safari. Animals and birds were pasted on blank walls, bus stops, under bridges and on lots of other strange and ordinary places. This hippo was originally taken on the Zambezi River in Zambia and I replaced it in one of the dams in suburbia.
Early morning Pisa
Clementine and I travelled to Italy of a few days and arrived at the Leaning Tower of Pisa early in the morning before all the tourists were out. This photo was taken on my first day in Italy and I am especially pleased that there was no one spoiling the picture in the foreground, as this is often the case at these popular tourist sites.
A Wet Namibia
This year saw some of the highest rainfalls in Namibia and we went just after the unexpected ‘wet’ season. This picture was taken of a full Etosha Pan with the road to this viewpoint flooded. The whole of Namibia was covered under a blanket of green and was a beautiful sight compared to the dry hot Namibian weather that I have experienced before.
Colossal Structures
Rome is covered with large ancient buildings and this was one of them. The photo was taken in the St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Another huge cathedral filled with art, detail and religion.
Cobblestone Europe
This picture of a man on a red scooter riding on a quiet cobblestoned street was taken in Paris. It was my first day in Europe and I spent it Paris. I ended up seeing many similar streets and buildings, but this one remains special, because it was the first.
Backstreets of Qingdao
Behind the bling and prosperity of China is where you’ll find the old ways still embedded in society. In backstreets they sell meat on the street, chicken and other livestock on demand and having it cooked in front of you or to take home. All of this while many Chinese wonder around in their designer labels and polished shoes.
Sneaky Sistine Chapel Shot
Photos are forbidden in the Sistine Chapel, but on days when it’s this full they struggle to keep an eye on everyone. I sneaked this shot by putting the camera on a wooden structure that acted as a tri-pod and let the shutter open a bit. It’s always an adrenaline rush when you know you’re not allowed to take a photo.
Maloof Money Cup Mission
In September Kimberley in South Africa played host to one of the biggest international skateboarding events called the Maloof Money Cup. Our group of friends missioned up there for one raucous week. I took the Suburb Safari project with me and collaborated with local skateboarding site Repropait for a fun competition. People at the event and around Kimberley had to spot the Hyena and take a creative photo with it and they could win some Adidas and Dope Industries products. Things got out of hand and the photos were awesome. This picture was taken on the way to Kimberley in the small Great Karoo town of Victoria West.
China’s Facade
Shanghai is huge and the architecture is breathtaking. This photo was taken from The Bund and is a picture of Pudong which is China’s facade to the outside world. Tall skyscrapers and innovative architecture serves as China’s front for a forward thinking city.
Cordoba Spain
Spain was memorable with its warm street culture, unbearably hot summer days and great sights. This was taken at the world historical site of Mezquita-Caterdal in the South of Spain.
Please view 2010’s highlights here.
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