Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Shooter Files Series

33 Street Photography Photos from One Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

After South Africa, I took a flight up to Ethiopia, starting in major city #48 Addis Ababa on the 100 City project. Being by far the country’s largest city, many visitors more interested in the rural, less traffic-filled side of the country don’t spend much time to get to know Addis Ababa. Beneath its chaotic and rapidly growing urban sprawl of an exterior, I found a mix of history, tradition and interest meets big city life. The colorful old character of Piassa and the the largest open air market in all of Africa, Addis Merkato, were two areas alone that made it worth exploring with my camera. 

So, here’s 33 photos that I was able to capture during my time in Addis Ababa…

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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…

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City Street Guides by f.d. walker:
A Street Photography Guide to
San Juan, Puerto Rico

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

San Juan

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33 Street Photography Photos from One Week in Johannesburg, South Africa

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 the largest city in South Africa, with one of the largest economies in all of Africa. While being a continental financial hub with plenty of wealth and a trendy, cosmopolitan vibe, it also has extreme poverty and in terms of crime and homicide, has become one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Joburg is filled with juxtapositions. Within that edge and danger, there’s a vibrance and friendliness to the city that makes it stand out among all of my urban travel. There’s much to explore, experience and photograph in this big city, if you take the risk.

So here’s 33 photos that I was able to capture during my time in Johannesburg…

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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…

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City Street Guides by f.d. walker:
A Street Photography Guide to
Medellin, Colombia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

Medellin

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33 Street Photography Photos from One Week in Cape Town, South Africa

After San Juan and teaching a workshop in London, it was back to the 100 City project with a 12 hour direct flight down to city #46 Cape Town, South Africa. This had been a city I’d wanted to explore for many years and it didn’t disappoint. Unfortunately, a large wave put a damper (pun intended) on part of my time here, as it crashed against a wall and my lens, ruining it. While I had to wait until Johannesburg to find a replacement, I did try a 14mm(21mm equiv.) for the first time here, which can be seen in some of these photos (see if you can spot them). While it was too wide for my taste and I returned it, it was fun to try out. Cape Town’s mix of urban city and edge with beautiful beaches and landscape was a great place to try it out too. 

So here’s 33 photos that I was able to capture during my time in Cape Town…

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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…

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City Street Guides by f.d. walker:
A Street Photography Guide to
Bogota, Colombia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

Bogota

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22 Street Photography Photos from 5 Days in San Juan, Puerto Rico

After Barranquilla, came city #45 San Juan, Puerto Rico on the 100 City project. Due to some money-saving flight scheduling on my way to London for a workshop, San Juan became an unexpected addition. My time here came before Hurricane Maria, but weather conditions still kept me inside much of the time. So, while I didn’t get as much photography in as normal during the project, I still made sure to get as much shooting in as possible.  

So here’s 22 photos that I was able to capture during my time in San Juan…

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