Being in a group with so many amazing photographers, I chose to leave my camera at home in hopes that the more camera savvy people in the group would be able to adequately capture the feeling of our trip. I did, however, bring my trusty iPhone 5 (complete with a cracked screen and outdated camera quality). Despite being phone shamed by those with iPhone 8’s and X’s, I think I was able to capture some photos that sum up the visual beauty of Ghana pretty well. Below are six of my favorite photos that I took on this trip.
The view around the corner from the Aya center where we stayed for the first half of the trip. This was always a welcome sight after coming home from a long day at my internship.Our weekend trip to the Volta region was a relaxing break away from the bustle of Accra. This shot is from the beautiful hotel we stayed at on the second night. It lies on the shore of Lake Volta, one of the largest manmade lakes in the world. This weekend was highlighted by the beautiful nature and wildlife encounters.The fruit stand around the corner from my work sold dozens of different fruits for less than a dollar apiece. The woman who worked the stand always greeted me with a friendly nod on my way to lunch, and I would often buy a mango or two from her on my way back into the office.Walking through the streets of the Nima neighborhood in Accra we came across this alleyway lined with garbage on either side. The red, white, and blue foosball table contrasted interestingly with the pastel colors of the houses and the rubbish in the background. Our guide stopped momentarily to pretend to play foosball, presumably for a photo opportunity.The stark colors of the Elmina slave-trade fortress were representative of the stark emotion felt by the group during our tour that day, though no photo could truly capture the sorrow and suffering felt by countless individuals on this ground throughout history.The door of no return is the name given to the pathway leading out of the slave-trade fortress. Our tour guide at the fortress led us out the door and to my surprise, the scene outside was strikingly beautiful. It was an odd juxtaposition seeing this type of beauty at a place steeped in such an ugly history. This is my favorite photo I’ve taken on this trip, but it wouldn’t feel right to post it to social media.
