Blog

Food For Thought

Mmm, cookies.

Over the weekend I learned that I’d been included in a list of the top 100 travel photographers in the world. While it certainly is an honor to be included alongside the likes of some very talented photographers, it got me thinking. How do you actually classify something like that? There are probably thousands of exceptionally talented photographers working in the travel arena, both as professionals and hobbyists. Is it really possible to choose 100 and say they are better than others? Isn’t creativity too subjective for this kind of exercise? Looking through the list and one thing stands out. Names such as Steve McCurry, Michael Freeman, Michael Yamashita, David du Chemin, Mitchell Kaneshkovich and Gavin Gough (to name a few) don’t appear. How is it possible to have a top travel photographers list without Steve McCurry?

I guess as humans we like things nicely ordered and neatly ranked. It tries to fit our linear world but for everyone that lands on the list, someone equally deserving misses out. Perhaps, instead of calling it “The Top 100 Travel Photographers in the World for 2013″ it would be better called “100 of the Top Travel Photographers in the World for 2013″. A little less definitive but probably a little more accurate.

Life of Taiwan

Rukai 魯凱族, Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Culture Park, Sandimen, Pingtung County, Taiwan by Rich Matheson

A couple of friends and collaborators are involved in a new travel startup in Taiwan. Below is the press release.

‘LIFE OF TAIWAN’ WEBSITE LAUNCHES

On February 24, Taiwanese people around the world celebrated when Ang Lee, who was born in Taiwan 58 years ago, won a second Best Director Oscar, this time for Life of Pi.

Now, on May 7, 2013, comes a new website introducing the scenery, cultures, history and cuisines of Taiwan. Life of Taiwan (http://www.lifeoftaiwan.com) has more than 150 pages of information about the East Asian island.

“International arrivals have been growing for the past decade, and we think Taiwan’s tourism industry will enjoy a big lift thanks to the success of Life of Pi, which was made right here in Taiwan” said Mark Sinclair, founder and CEO of Formosa Services, the Taiwan-based startup behind Life of Taiwan.

“We’re providing high-end tailor made tours targeting professionals and their families. There is no safer place to travel than Taiwan and as everyone who has been here knows, the Taiwanese are a very special people.”

The website covers everything from Taiwan’s aboriginal tribes and their festivals to the island’s diverse and vibrant religious culture. Gourmands can read about Taiwan’s tastiest foods, while outdoors types will discover that Taiwan has more than enough mountains, rivers and dive sites to keep them busy, plus hot springs where tired muscles can be soaked at the end of a tiring day. And if they’re not already aware of Taiwan’s treasures, birdwatchers and other kinds of ecotourist will find the website’s description of Taiwan’s spectacular natural diversity engrossing.

The website is gorgeously illustrated with photos taken by Michelin and Asian Geographic photographer Rich J. Matheson. Rich specializes in images of religious events and Taiwan’s aboriginal groups; his work can be seen at http://www.thetaiwanphotographer.com

The text was written by Steven Crook, author of three books about the island – Keeping Up With The War God (2001), Dos and Don’ts in Taiwan (2010) and Taiwan: The Bradt Travel Guide (2010). Steven is currently updating his Bradt guide for publication in spring 2014. Links to many of his published articles can be found at http://crooksteven.blogspot.com

For further information feel free to contact us on contact@lifeoftaiwan.com or call +886 6 2088173.

Durbar Light

Streaks of light over Kathmandu’s Durbar Square

I’m currently in the process of a massive edit and portfolio consultation which sees me staring at a computer screen for days on end selecting images from my library. Couple that with moving house next week and all the work that entails, and I’ve not really had many opportunities to go out and shoot recently. While going through my back catalog I came across this image from Durbar Square in Kathmandu and processed it using one of David du Chemin’s presets from the recent Craft & Vision preset release (today is the last day for discounts). It’s a bit over the top but fun nonetheless.

Archive

Food For Thought

Archive

Life of Taiwan

Archive

Durbar Light