Honorable Mention
Namibia in a Nutshell
DESCRIPTION
A sloping sand dune in the Namib Desert near Sesriem echoes the subtle, slanting sun rays, scattered by the clouds in the distance. The rugged Naukluft mountains loom in the distance. I was drawn to this image for several reasons - it's a simple image, nothing fancy, yet it also quite complex in the way the different visual elements and colours combine in a harmonious way. I hesitate to describe in detail what it is that excites me about this particular image - there's a fair bit going on here, for me at least, and I'm tempted, but hopefully it speaks for itself and doesn't need too many words. At the end of the day, I just find the summary of its parts quite peaceful to look at and that's all that matters. I will just quickly add that there is an interesting little narrative element to this as well. Anyone that has ever visited Namibia will know that the arid country's interior is essentially defined by these iconic geographic zones - towering sand dunes, endless flat plains and impressive mountain formations. AUTHOR
I am a professional photographer based in Wellington, New Zealand, specialising in images of the built environment - residential, commercial and community spaces. Photography is also a hobby, although sadly neglected in recent years I must admit. For me, the latter is a means of more authentic and creative expression and an opportunity to connect with the natural world. That's the way I got into photography in the first place, almost 30 years ago now. It helped me to navigate the turbulent waters of early adulthood as I struggled to find and ground myself. It gave me purpose and a way to connect with the world that was not so analytical, or thought based if you like - learning to see the physical world as shapes, lines and textures was a revelation to me, instead of just objects with conceptual labels. It was many years later before I started working as a professional photographer, after trying and failing to live in the 9 to 5 world with my science and technology background and I feel much more balanced as a result. But I miss those early days of experimentation and discovery. Earlier this year and after a long absence, I travelled to my spiritual home of Southern Africa, where I grew up and rediscovered some of that earlier magic of photographing for the joy of it. All of the images submitted here are from this recent trip. 