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AFRICA—the word evokes images of wildlife, safaris, adventures, and masks of strange and unfamiliar images. But Africa, all these and more.

Recently, three of the most esteemed colleagues, Edi Huang, Lito Beltran, and Maria Macabio of the FPPF traveled to the “Dark Continent” and took home with them a cache of beautiful images that is Africa. In Johannesburg, the photo shoot was joined in by Riza Waterson, Jazel and Jaimee Bautista. South Africa, where they went, wasn’t all wild jungle and untamed wildlife, it had many other features that literally will surprise you when you see the images they brought home.

Of course, there are the de rigueur images of zebras, wildebeests, hippos, rhinos, and even a rare albino lion all in the wild. But Africa, especially South Africa, probably the most developed country in the whole continent had so much more to offer.

Considered as one of the leading suppliers of wine in the world today, South Africa has
vineyards and villas that dot the landscape. They were able to visit some of them and one would think French countryside. But then again, this is where photography is able to educate people about different cultures we are all too eager to stereotype.

Then there are the hotels. Beautiful conceived and elegantly executed, they will give any luxury accommodation and run for their money.

Probably one of the most exciting and intriguing set of pictures are that of the penguins! Who would have thought that South Africa would have these flightless birds in their midst? But their visit to the southern most tip of the continent, The Cape of Good Hope, just introduced them to these fuzzy little creatures.

In world sports, South Africa is so busy gearing up for the “2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa” which will be played in different parts of the country. Large football stadiums are
being built for an expected huge turnout of fans from all over the world.The games will be played in June-July next year. The millions of fans are now watching the Confederation Cup being played in South Africa. The top soccer teams are in South Africa vying to qualify for the 2010 World Cup championship.

Our photographers were able to take shots of the stadiums from a helicopter.

Sharing ones photos during one’s travel is probably one of the greatest gifts that photography has given mankind. It has shown us that we cannot typecast other culture and other people simply because it is what we hold true to ourselves. Photography has taught us that we are not the end all nor be all of everything we have experienced. Photography teaches us about other cultures, other nations, other people, who just like us, are trying to experience life to its fullest, visual as it maybe.

The FPPF thanks:
Canon Marketing (Phils.)
YKL Color Philippines
Chris and Riza Waterson
Derek, Simon and Jenny Waterson
Kerstin and Howard Haines

The FPPF Africa Poster may be downloaded from here.