First Impressions

Jul 31 2018

7 First Impressions of Varanasi, India
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After finishing Delhi, I took the train down to Varanasi, India for major city #51 on the project. Just like Delhi, I’d been to Varanasi before, but not yet to photograph for the project. If you know anything about Varanasi, especially for photography, this is a city that had to be included.

What can you really say about Varanasi? It’s honestly a city that needs to be experienced, not described. No cliché bs, Varanasi is truly unlike any other place in the world. One of the world’s oldest and holiest cities, you can really feel this in its atmosphere. The holy river, the ghats filled with life, the chaotic spirituality and more make this a city you can’t forget. From early morning to night, Varanasi is one magical place. Be ready for touts, hassle and other photographers, as this city is far from a hidden gem, but if you want to experience a city that goes at every sense of the imagination, Varanasi is at the top.

So here are my first impressions of Varanasi, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Jul 12 2018

7 First Impressions of Delhi, India
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After finishing Ethiopia in Dire Dawa, I took a flight to Delhi, India. While I’d been to Delhi before, and India many times, I’d yet to photograph Delhi for the project. So, after focusing on Mumbai and Southern India’s major cities the previous year, now it was time for a few in Northern India, starting in chaotic Delhi.

When many people imagine India, they imagine chaos filling the streets, smells filling the air and honking horns filling their ears. Well, if that’s what you imagine, then maybe no city in India brings that to life more than Delhi. Mumbai and Delhi are India’s largest cities, but they’re very different in character. While they both have that India flavor, Mumbai feels more cosmopolitan while Delhi feels older. Packed with history, markets, life and yes, pollution, Delhi has an atmosphere and look all its own. If you really want to experience India, you can’t miss Delhi.

So here are my first impressions of Delhi, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Jun 12 2018

7 First Impressions of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After making a project detour in Harar, I took a bus to Dire Dawa, Ethiopia for another major city on my 100 City project.

I hadn’t originally planned on spending time in Dire Dawa, but decided to fly out of Ethiopia here and include it on the recommendation of friend and photographer, Yves Vernin. I’m glad and thankful for that too because Dire Dawa quickly became one of the best surprises of the year. Even though it’s now the second largest city in Ethiopia, you won’t find much information about it online. So, it was mostly just step out the door and start exploring for this city. Luckily, the city center alone was enough to spend days here with your camera. With some of the most beautifully colorful streets in the world, a mix of influences and charm, and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere different from the rest of Ethiopia, I have to pass on my recommendation to you all too. If you’re in Ethiopia, include Dire Dawa.

So here are my first impressions of Dire Dawa, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

May 24 2018

7 First Impressions of Harar, Ethiopia
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After photographing Addis Abba, I took a bus to Harar. While not a major city in my 100 City project, it was a city I still had to come photograph while in Ethiopia.

Harar is a special place and the best of what people might imagine of the more traditional and historic side of Ethiopia. It’s considered Islam’s fourth holiest city and probably my favorite walled city I’ve been to anywhere, and the least touristy. The Unesco World Heritage city takes you back in time and while it might not be the independent kingdom it once was, it still provides a rare glimpse of that past combined with a very authentic and local feeling today. Mixed in with the history, is a very active and friendly local community that makes the experience photographing here even better. While the walled city is packed with interest and life, there’s another side to the city outside of the walls worth exploring too.

So here are my first impressions of Harar, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Apr 30 2018

7 First Impressions of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After finishing a couple major cities in South Africa, I took a flight to Addis Abba, major city #48 on the 100 City project.

Ethiopia has become one of the more popular destinations for travelers to explore in Africa. For good reason too. It’s welcoming, safer in comparison to much of Africa, beautiful and full of unique interest and life. Addis Ababa tends to be included as nothing more than Ethiopia’s big city transit destination, though. While most come for the more rural side of Ethiopia, this chaotic, traffic-filled sprawl can be overlooked. Underneath that less pretty urban exterior is much more than first meets the eye, though. My project focuses on big cities and one of the many reasons for that focus is to see, and show, how much more major cities offer than their stereotypical first impressions. The truth is there is color and beauty to be found, and much more. And as Africa’s fourth-largest city and its diplomatic capital, it’s by far the country’s largest and most influential city. It’s a very complex city that mixes the urban atmosphere with Ethiopia’s rich traditions and history. With the largest and craziest open air market in all of Africa, you already have enough reason to bring your camera for some street photography, but that’s just the start if you really explore this active city.

So here are my first impressions of Addis Ababa, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Apr 09 2018

7 First Impressions of Johannesburg, South Africa
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After starting South Africa in Cape Town on my 100 City Project, next came the country’s largest city, Johannesburg.

Johannesburg, commonly shortened to Joburg, is not only the largest city in South Africa, but also an economic center of Africa. While it brings a reputation of crime and danger, it also provides a vibrant, rapidly changing city. Within some of its danger and edginess, you’ll find a friendly and trendy heart to the city. It’s a big city with plenty to see and hip neighborhoods to explore. While it might be the city I felt I needed to worry about safety more than most any other during my project yet, it’s also one of the friendliest and warmest big, urban cities I’ve experienced yet.

I always try to be honest and not your typical travel fluff making every destination look like the perfect dream. So, I will be open about the dangers here, but I will also try to provide tips that can help because I truly feel Joburg is worth it, with more than enough positives to outweigh the warnings.

So here are my first impressions of Johannesburg, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Mar 19 2018

7 First Impressions of Cape Town, South Africa
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After teaching a workshop in London with Dmitry Stepanenko, it was back to the project with a city that had been on my list for a long time. So, for City #50 during my 100 City Project I took the longest direct flight in my life down to Cape Town, South Africa.

Situated in one of the most picturesque spots you’ll find anywhere for a city its size, there’s no denying Cape Town is a good-looking city. Nicknamed the “Mother City,” sitting below Table Mountain next to endless beaches, you’ll also find one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world. With all of its natural beauty, it’s not surprising there’s a very outdoorsy feeling here. Mix all that with its urban atmosphere, history and mix of cultures, it makes for one of the more unique cities yet during my project. Cape Town has a lot to love about it, all with some beautiful light and stunning backgrounds that make it a great city for some street photography too.

So, here are my first impressions of Cape Town, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Mar 01 2018

7 First Impressions of San Juan, Puerto Rico
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

*My time in San Juan came before Hurricane Maria. All impressions are based on the city before the hurricane’s devastation to the city, which still hasn’t recovered. I’m a bit cautious of providing links to help because of the questionable corruption and some suspicious refusals of help coming from there, but here’s one link that includes 12 Effective Ways to Donate Money for you to choose from, if you would like to help.

City #49 San Juan had never been on my list to visit on the 100 City Project, but due to a money-saving flight opportunity on the way to London to teach a workshop, I chose to explore, photograph and learn more about this popular Caribbean destination. San Juan is an urban city, so it’s not like most other island destinations, but it has its fair share of beaches and tourist attractions too. Being the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas, there’s a lot of history here. You can see the colonial influence within the walls, but outside there’s a much different city that many visitors never venture. There’s a raw energy felt in San Juan, but its heavy tourist and USA influence takes away some of its authenticity and interest, in my opinion. Still, there’s a mix of latin, colonial, american, caribbean and urban city character all in one. Not every city contains a blend like that. Flights are cheap here too.

So here are my first impressions of San Juan, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Feb 05 2018

7 First Impressions of Barranquilla, Colombia : Carnival Edition!
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After Medellin, my last stop in Colombia during my 100 City Project ended with a bang in City #47 Barranquilla, for its famous Carnaval celebration.

Barranquilla is an important industrial port and the fourth largest city in Colombia with over a million people, but it’s best known for its annual Carnaval celebration. Most of the year, nearby cities like Cartagena and Santa Marta attract all the visitors compared to this working class urban sprawl, but once a year Barranquilla packs its streets with the South America’s second largest Carnaval. While Rio de Janeiro’s celebration is the largest, I’ve now experienced them both and might have to give the edge to Barranquilla when it comes to which is more enjoyable. The intimate craziness of the celebration mixed with the friendliness of the people make it special. I wouldn’t really recommend visiting the city any other time of the year, but if its Carnaval time, then Barranquilla makes for an unforgetable experience, especially with your camera.

So here are my first impressions of Barranquilla, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Jan 15 2018

7 First Impressions of Medellin, Colombia
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After photographing Bogota, next up in Colombia for the 100 City Project was Medellin (City #48).

Medellin is the second largest city in Colombia, but with a vibrant life that feels even bigger. Still, at around 3 million people, it’s no small city to begin with. Nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring, it sits in the central region of the Andes mountains giving it a warm, yet cool climate that matches its personality. Medellin has one of the more picturesque mountain backdrops around, but the beauty doesn’t stop there. From the neighborhoods to the people to the cable car views, Medellin is easy to fall in love with. In my opinion, it’s a top 3 city in South America, especially to live, which seems to be backed up by all the expats moving here. And to top it off, it’s gone from one of the most dangerous to one of the safer major cities you’ll find in Latin America.

So here are my first impressions of Medellin, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…