Month: October 2022

When it comes to (frequent flyer) miles we might think we been traveling a long way. But socially, the journeys we make hardly cross any borders. No more loneliness in most parts of our planet. We go where everyone goes.

When more and more travel pictures are shared via social media, this phenomenon seems to increase. Symbolised by the ironic and alarming symbol of the social media queue.

Belgian photographer Natacha de Mahieu makes a critical series on mass tourism. Via geolocation she finds the mosts visited tourist spots (or traps) and makes collages of visitors. Would it be stronger if it wasn’t cut and pasted in Photoshop? Probably. Does it do the job anyhow? By showing us how we have become traveling lemmings? It sure does.

Watch ‘Theatre of Authenticity’ by Natacha de Mahieu in ‘De Volkskrant’

Skate culture in Palestina, brought to life by photographer Maen Hammad. He shoot (and rides) himself, but has also handed out disposable cameras to his fellow riders to shoot their lives.

The series thoughtfully combines fun and misery, meticulously composed shots and in-your-face blown-out snaps. Just a project to adore.

Photo of the installation of Maen Hammad’s work at BredaPhoto, 2022, The Netherlands

Watch ‘Landing’ on Maen Hammad’s website

This is what full screen, immersive stories should look like. A NYT production that takes you straight into the (snowboarding) action, thanks to great cinematography (by Emily Rhyne, Noah Throop, Nick Waggoner).

The angle? What fear does to a snowboard or skiing athlete. Well told in action shots, interview and background info. Enter cmd-F territory.

How real the fear can get and how things can go seriously wrong, comes together in ‘The Crash Reel’, an amazing film on the recovery of snowboarder Kevin Pearce, main competitor of Olympic champion Shaun White.

Watch the multimedia story ‘Escalating Tricks, Escalating Fears’ here