My 7 super shots
I am an idiot. For months, I watched as blogger after blogger published their hostel bookers My 7 super shots posts after having been nominated by fellow travellers, and I sulked as no one nominated me. I love photography, I am obsessed with taking pictures, and yet, here I was, still without a nomination. But in the end, Lisa Goodmurphy over at Gone With the Family finally took pity on me. And then what happened? I couldn’t write this post for a very long time, because I couldn’t choose the photos. Even now as I publish this, I am unsatisfied with my choice, because there are many photos which tell me a story, make me laugh and make me think, so that I don’t think this really makes them justice.
So, despite all this, here are my 7 super shots:
A photo that takes my breath away
My trip to Bali in October 2011 left me a bit disappointed, as I found that the famous island didn’t live up to all the hype. However, there was one place on the island which left me absolutely speechless with its beauty, and that was Seminyak beach, pictured above. Whenever I look at this photo, I am reminded of my afternoon there, walking, like this couple was doing, on the soft, smooth sand with waves gently lapping at my feet.
A photo that makes me laugh or smile
So I’m riding on the underground train in Berlin, and I approach the next station, which is called Wedding (pronounce Veddin). Nothing that funny about that, until I look up and see the image of a man running in the opposite direction towards an S-Bahn sign (overland train). While of course, the running man is just a sign showing a connection from a subway station to an overland train one, I can only giggle because all I can see is a man running away from his girlfriend as soon as she mentions the word ‘wedding’.
A photo that makes me dream
This photo, taken in a temple in Seoul, always makes me dream about the 1 month I spent in South Korea. With the help of many local friends who showed me around and took me places I would have struggled to visit had I been on my own (there is very little English outside of the capital), I fell madly in love with the country. It was also here that I developed a love for photography.
A photo that makes me think
This photo is nowhere near as sharp as it could be. In fact, aesthetically, it’s nothing much. It was taken as I sped on a motor boat in one of the river channels of the Mekong delta, Vietnam, and my humble point and shoot didn’t have time to focus properly. However, every time I look at this image I think about my life, and people in the Western world’s lives. While in the Mekong delta, I kept coming across children living in make shift homes, half on land and half on the river. You could see that they had very little (though they are well fed, since the Mekong delta is one of the biggest producers of rice in the world) and yet they were happy, and they smiled all the time, and broke into enthusiastic hellos every time they saw me approach on my boat. During moments like these, I felt stupid about the silly things I often complain about, and I was reminded that I am living a good life.
A photo that makes my mouth water
I must admit that I’m usually too hungry to remember to take pictures of what I’m about to eat, however, when I received a chocolate gift from my students in Switzerland, and opened it up to find these perfect-looking, volcano-inside truffles from Sprungli, I couldn’t resist and indulged in a bit of food porn photography. I had never bought Sprungli chocolate, because even if I passed one of its shops every single time I made my way home, I always taught that its cakes and chocolates were to expensive. Everything changed after I had my first taste, and at least, they became a treat for when I was too tired, or when I had achieved something important. I miss you Sprungli!
A photo that tells a story
A few weeks ago, I published the above-shown picture as one of my ‘Picture Perfect’ posts because I felt that it told a story. Not only did it tell the story of the iconic Berlin Brandenburgertor (a story of theft, distruction, and then, finally, restoration), but also of the unemployed people of Berlin, who, like the chap pictured above, get creative to earn some much needed cash.
A photo that I am most proud of (aka my worthy of National Geographic shot)
This photo, taken during my first ever sub-zero winter in Switzerland, is, in my opinion, THE most beautiful photo I have ever taken. There is nothing overly complex about it, but the blanket of crisp white snow, the large tree against a background of blue sky, and the group of trees in the background, all combine to create a peaceful image which you can get lost in.
I’d love to hear back from all of you, so here are some questions to tickle your memory:
What place makes you sigh when you think about it?
Do you find the ‘Wedding’ subway sign funny, or am I just being silly?
Is there a destination you are particularly fond of, but which few tourists seem to care about?
Have things you saw during your travels ever made you reflect on the way you live your life, or made you feel guilty?
Have you ever indulged in a particular food even if it was expensive?
Which world monument tells the most beautiful story?
-Text and Photography by Denise Pulis @www.theartofslowtravel.com. All rights reserved.
46 Comments → “My 7 super shots”
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I must admit that when I saw the subway sign I got all German “Vat iz soo funny abowt Veddin” however I do see your point. I have never been much of a photographer (as in I owned a camera for 2 years before I actually used it) but now I have bought myself a nice little bridge and hope on my future travels that I can put it to good use.
You are right to chose the snowscape though. Really simple but there is just something about it isn’t there. Lovely choices.
Hi George,
How’s it going? I wanted to check on your blog to see if you managed to find a teaching job in Japan, but I’m getting a ‘problem loading page’ sign.
For me, photography is important because I can capture pieces of my travels with it. I don’t want to be a professional photographer, but I do want to take pictures which I love looking at. By taking photos I also think I’m forced to look at the little details which I might ignore if I didn’t have a camera.
Start experimenting with your camera. It’s fun!
Your photo that “makes you think” makes me think too, of all the places I have been that live with less, but are happier than most.
Hi Annette,
Thanks for stopping by. Which destinations made you feel that way?
Wow, many questions to answer… (and beautiful choice of pictures, love them all)…
I have to sigh when I think about South East Asia, New York and Paris.
Never get enough of those places… Traveling in Laos and Cambodia made me think a lot about the life that we live in the West – the people have so little, yet their heart is full of joy and laughter!
I didn’tknow you’ve been to Laos! You need to tell me all about it, as I’ve only heard good things about the place and am quite intrigued. Do you have any posts about it on your blog?
Loving the wedding photo. Hilarious. That’s what I call German efficiency – telling men to run when they hear the word wedding.
aaaaa finally someone gets it! hehe
That’s because I am German. He he.
Oh wow! Then I’m even more surprised because all the German-speaking people who’ve seen this didn’t find it funny!
Oh they portrayed the typical stereotype of Germans not having a sense of humour then. Shame on them!
Actually,
I have met many Germans, and am pleased to say that they are amongst the funniest people on Earth!
Thank you! Please tell my British friends.
Denise–
The photo of the water basin in the Korean Buddhist temple reminds me of my own experiences in Korean temples, wandering upon them while hiking and participating in a Templestay. This photo is calming; I can hear the morning chanting and Dharma drums. To answer question number 3, I feel like Korea is one of those east Asian destinations that tourists usually skip over, as it’s not as well-known as Japan and China. Nevertheless, the lack of tourism is what makes experiences in Korea unique.
I’m also drawn to the Indonesian beach scene. The reflection in the sand makes me “sigh when I think about it.”
Great photos!
Sarah
The sign for Wedding is funny. Would’ve been even funnier if the woman was the one running, though
Yeah, but why would she be???
Great choices Denise! I love both the Bali shot and the Switzerland snow scene – both should be hanging on a wall!
The picture of the Vietnamese children is definitely thought-provoking. When we see children that are making do with so little it makes me think of how lucky my own children are to be growing up in the western world while so many of the world’s children are living in poverty. On the other hand, many of these children and their families seem content and happy whereas many people in first world countries seem constantly dissatisfied with their lives and what they don’t have or haven’t achieved. Something to think about for certain.
Lisa,
Thank you for the kind words.
The children I met in the Mekong Delta seemed amazingly happy, and so did the adults, although most people do very demanding physical work, and I am not sure whether this affects their level of happiness.
As you also mentioned, I am always deeply sad when I come across children or teenagers who don’t seem to know just how lucky they are, and can only complain that they don’t have enough.
These are some amazing shots! I think you’ve made some great choices and a bit hard on yourself. I love your National Geographic shot – so postcard worthy.
To answer some of your questions: I found the wedding sign funny – if it was a woman, then it’d be appropriately named Runaway Bride. Seeing children in Central America and Mexico recently made my kids realize how lucky they are and made us all feel guilty about wasting things. I love those Laduree macarons and will indulge in them even though they’re too much price for such a tiny thing. A place that makes me sigh – New Zealand.
Mary,
You just reminded me that Sprungli makes wonderful macaroons as well – super expensive but absolutely delicious
That last shot is great, a nice counterpoint to the first one.
The time you spent choosing these was well justified! Love it! I really laughed out loud on the Wedding pic, and a bit envious too about Bali. I live in the Philippines but I’ve never been to Bali which is relatively nearer to me. Great entries! (I’ve been tagged too, thanks to Mary of The World is a Book!)
These pictures are absolutely amazing. I love the winter wonderland you saw in Switzerland and I also chuckled at the wedding sign. I have been to Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, and Italy. I was going to venture to China next but that fell through. What do you think is a relatively inexpensive trip that would be the most beautiful?
Hi Nick,
Depends where you’re based, and which continent you’d like to visit.
Denise – wonderful shots and it really looks like you’re enjoying time behind the lens/ I also love the last snow photo – maybe living in a snowy country I can relate. But the romanticism of the first one is hard to beat too.
Like the winter scene in Switzerland a lot.
Enjoyed your photos very much. I chuckled along with you on the “wedding” picture and loved the Switzerland photo!
Love the sub zero photo from Switzerland. It just looks so serene – a perfect winter wonderland. In term of indulging in food — I love sushi and that’s unfortunately always expensive!
Hi Vicky,
I love Sushi too, and have paid for many overpriced platters around the world, and some weren’t that good!
I do love that first and last photo a lot. What I like about your photos is that all of them tell stories by themselves. No explanation needed! Plus, I love the color and space you leave in your photos- a lot of people, including myself, try to pack as much in as possible. sometimes the space is what makes them so beautiful and telling.
Hi Jade,
Thanks! I personally love clean and sort of minimalist photos best, along with pictures were all the colours work harmoniously together.
Beautiful island pic of Bali! I’ve never been, but I can imagine that it would be hard not to be disappointed with anything that is talked up so much. You “wedding” pic made me smile too
Hi Sabrina,
Funny you say that as I actually was disappointed by Bali. While the island itself is beautiful, what’s being done to it by foreign and local greed is just horrible.
Isn’t it amazing how much we agonize over photos that, in the end, are so stunningly beautiful? I did the same. I froze. Couldn’t decide on which photos to use or changed my mind several times over.
These shots are all simply lovely, Denise. Each one tells its own story. The last photo is definitely NatGeo-worthy.
Thanks for the kind words!
Your shots are stunning! I have loved this series and have been asked to link up too by Lisa, but haven’t had the time to sit down and do it – you have encouraged me!
If you have the time, I’d love for you to link up with our Friday Daydreamin’ meme – this is the perfect post for it!
I am so glad that Lisa nominated you, because I love these photos. Nice catch of that S-Bahn sign! Hilarious. And your Switzerland shot is truly beautiful.
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad I’m not the only one who finds that sign funny…it never gets old for me. As for the Switzerland photos, it’s probably my favourite photo ever from my travels, though I’d rather never see snow again in my life!
I also have been tagged but have not put my post together. Seeing yours and reading about how you agonized over it inspired me to get mine done, so I will post it next week…This is a great collection of photos. I especially like your story behind the Mekong Delta photo.
Hi Jenna,
If you love taking pictures then you should definitely do it! It’s so great to share special travel moments.
I loved all these photos! The fountain one is my favorite. And yes, the Wedding one is pretty funny
Den Den, I like all your shots.
Check my 7 photos too
http://www.shorttraveltips.com/7-super-shots/
Beautiful!!
Fantastic super seven shots! The 1st & the last are gems. And yes, the wedding made me laugh as well.
Here are my super shots. Have a look.
http://www.lemonicks.com/Travel/2012/05/21/my-7-super-travel-shots/
And yes, I too waited for someone to nominate me.
i can see why that first image take your breath away…it is stunning