These travel photos were originally part of a contest that required participants to showcase 5 of their best photos with certain colors predominant (yellow, red, green, blue and white). I now present them to you as a photo essay that shares some of my favorites from off the beaten path.
Yalla Yellow
The Umayyad Mosque (Damascus, Syria)
I feel really fortunate that I had the chance to travel to Syria in 2010. It was a wonderful trip and I truly loved it there. And like so many people, I feel sad that the country and its people have been suffering so much and for so long.
This photo is of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. It is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world and is gorgeous on the inside and the outside.
Umayyad Mosque–Damascus, Syria
When I took this photo, I loved all the warm tones I saw–the yellow ones especially–and how they blended with other colors and were reflected on the floor. My goal was to capture the sense of movement–and the moment in which it occurred–via the actual scene and in the reflection.
PS: What does ‘yalla‘ mean in Arabic? ‘Let’s go…hurry up.’ It’s my way of saying that I truly hope that the problems in Syria get resolved soon.
Romantic Red
Minangkabau Wedding (West Sumatra, Indonesia)
On my recent trip to Indonesia, I spent a month in Sumatra and attended 4 different weddings there. One of the most colorful was this one. I felt I was photographing a king and queen (for a day) since the various reds were romantic and royal accented by hints of gold.
Newlyweds at Sumatran Wedding
Do you see the beautiful red in their cheeks on on their lips? How many other shades of red can you spot? I see quite a few…
Groovy Green
Dewy Lime (Ambuquí, Ecuador)
While couch surfing in Quito last year, I was invited by the host family to go to their summer house up north–near the border with Colombia. The town: Ambuquí. It was off the beaten path, in the middle of nature and sounded cool. Of course, I went!
One morning, I saw this lime (limón?) covered in dew–or perhaps rain from the night before. I thought it was lovely and so, I grabbed my camera before it dried. Glad I did. Here’s the result.
Blissful Blue
Los Patos (Dominican Republic)
This is a lovely place to visit that’s a bit out of the way (it’s in the southwestern part of the country–far from Punta Cana, etc.), but well worth the trip.
It’s obviously the Caribbean Sea, but what makes it unique is that the water a nearby river is flowing in. I’m not sure if that’s what makes the colors so surreal and striking, but whatever it was, I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. And I couldn’t put my camera down.
Los Patos–Dominican Republic
Wondrous White
Baby Dillon (Amed, Bali, Indonesia)
The minute I met this lovely child, I pulled out my camera and started snapping away. That was in between hugs, of course. He was so cute–and incredibly photogenic. He’s half Balinese and half British. 100% adorable, I believe, too.
The day I took this shot, he happened to be wearing a white hat that was tilted to the side and a checked shirt. He had a couple of crumbs on his mouth, too. When I saw all of this (and the potential contrast and drama of the shot), I knew that black and white was the way to go.
Dillon in b/w
Photographic Information
All of these photos were shot on my Olympus XZ-1 except for the final one, which I took with my iPhone 4S.
My Nominees
Part of this contest is nominating 5 other bloggers, so here they are:
- Gray of SoloFriendly
- Jenna of This Is My Happiness
- Ruth of Tantamales
- Jeff of EuroTravelogue
- Erik of On My Feet or In My Mind
If you’ve already done this, my apologies for tagging you again. It gets tricky when so many people play! And if you haven’t been tagged and would like to play, go ahead–you can even without the tagging.
Your Feedback
Hope you’ve enjoyed this photo essay. Just wondering–which photo is your favorite and why?
And if you’re in this contest, please feel free to share a link to your post. I’d love to see it!
Extraordinary collection of photos of my friend! I don’t know which is my fave?! I love them all!
Jeff Titelius recently posted..Guided Canal Boat Tour Through the Historic City of Amsterdam
Thanks so much, Jeff! Really glad you like the photos! Was very hard choosing, but sort of fun. I may do another post in the future with 10 colors of my own choosing. I think that would be cool.
That is so great that you went to Syria just 2 years ago and loved it. These are all lovely photos, but because I love children, the last one might be my favorite. Thanks for the nomination! I haven’t finished mine yet but hope to soon.
Jenna recently posted..Animal Park in Brazil — Photo of the Week
Hi, Jenna. Thanks! Yes, Syria was very cool. I’m happy I had that opportunity and it’s very surreal for me now to read about what’s going on there. Makes me very sad. I’m thinking about writing some posts about the country and its people since I have many photos and a lot to share. So what if it was a couple years ago. I think it’s important to remember the people, etc.
Re: the child Dillon…glad you like that one. He was a real bundle of joy, I swear. Fun and funny!
I think you should write those posts…it is important for people to see the life, people, places in Syria. So sad about what’s happening there now, and I can only imagine how it must hit home for you having been there so recently.
Jenna recently posted..Teaching English as a Second Language
Hi, Jenna. I think I will. It’s really hitting home now more than ever. A couple days ago, I ran into one of my Syrian students in a local Target. She was there with her parents who were just a few days from returning to Damascus. We had a great chat, the bottom line of which was that their country is a mess. They do think things will improve after the upcoming election.
These are great. I love the reflecting floor in the mosque.
Daniel McBane recently posted..Ichiran Ramen — The Perfect Bowl of Noodle Soup
Hi, Daniel. Thank you–glad you like that one. It’s one of my favorites. Happy I had the chance to be there.
Love the pics. Good luck!
George recently posted..Helpx: Volunteering a Different Way
Thanks so much, George!
That kid is absolutely adorable. Love the red shot, too. I always love seeing how different cultures celebrate weddings.
Gina recently posted..Couple Travel: Camping for Closeness
Hi, Gina–and thank you! I adored Dillon. He’s so cute and sweet and of course, has that baby-soft skin.
The weddings were quite interesting, too. I felt quite welcome at all the ones I attended.
Your red is incredible. The details on the clothes and background are so intrincate. Four weddings in Sumatra? That must have been a cool experience.
Ruth (Tanama Tales) recently posted..Gourmet Foraging Experience
Gracias, Ruth! Yes, four weddings. Two were in Payakumbuh and the other two were up north in Lake Toba. Muslim first, then Protestant. Very different. Enjoyed all of them for different reasons. Will post some photos and video soon, hopefully.
Hey- I nominated you!
These are all great, nice job!
I especially love the green shot!
Erik recently posted..New Zealand- Chapter Eight: Cruising Doubtful Sound (Pt.3)
OMG–you’re right. Doh! I must have that darn TADD (Twitter ADD), I swear. Thanks for checking out the photos–happy you dig the green!
Absolutely loved the Umayyud Mosque photo in Syria–this collection is stunning! Glad you could do it, Lisa.
Charu recently posted..Why the Ace Hotel Is Shape Shifting the Social Media Landscape in New York City
Thanks so much, Charu. I love that shot, too. And thanks for nominating me!
The red shot is awesome. Lovely pics! The one reflecting the floor in the Mosque is awesome.
Yes, you’re really fortunate you got to go to Syria before the ongoing catastrophe began. I’m talking with my Syrian friend (who fled to Belg(um) right now on Skype. It’s such a horrifying situation there. I’d actually love to go, but I have a passport full of Israel stamps…
Sabina recently posted..A Delicious Lunch…If You’re a Camel
Hi, Sabina. Yes, I really was lucky. It’s such a mess over there now. I feel for your friend. Same for some of my students’ families–some have had to leave. Definitely not a good time to be there.
Maybe in a few years, if you get a new passport, you can go? And maybe I’ll see you there. I’d go back in a minute (when OK again)!
This is probably my favourite recent travel-blogger meme because it’s brought out some truly spectacular photographs! I love the groovy green lime!
Si recently posted..The 30 nicest travellers to follow on Twitter
Hi, Si. I agree–it was a cool meme. Glad you like the ‘groovy green’!