On the Edge of Lake Baikal

On the Edge of Baikal

Russian Federation | Tuesday, January 8, 2013 | 5 photos

In 2007, I embarked on a 20-month journey through South America. It was the intersection of two passions: travel and photography. When combined, I found something compelling. To grow as a traveller, I needed to try to absorb everything that was going on around me, while as a photographer, I needed to beyond my natural inclination to not just observe, but also compose. Travel and photography were symbiotic. They fed off each other, and produced the offspring of the photograph. This byproduct of the photographic travel experience further connected people (the viewer) to the places, cultures, and landscapes in the scene. I love photography for this very reason, to connect me closer to the world, and to connect others to new experiences through photos.
Since S. America, I've lived on 5 continents, and travelled to over 40 countries, all with my camera bag in tow. What these experiences have taught me is that being in a place is much different than what is shown through the media. When I take a photo, I seek to show the reality of the everyday life, wherever that might be. I call this the little picture. With this competition, I hope to bring my little picture to the world.