SAPPAs 2008 II

I finally got the prints back from Studio 177 and the final results for the prints. The above photo's both received Silver with Distinctions. 87 for the tree roots and 85 for the dog silhouette.

Here are a couple of stories about the background of these photographs.

Tree Roots

Mt Kinabalu is South East Asia's fourth tallest mountain and the 20hh tallest in the world at 4101 metres above sea level. The highest peak is ironically called Lows Peak. The ascent can take anywhere up to 14 hours split into two separate climbs and spans over two days. Descending can take around 6 hours or so.

In order to scale Mt Kinabalu, climbers must choose which route to take. One can either ascend the front and descend back down the same way, or they may choose to climb the back and go back down the normal quick way which is the front. Jaime and I decided on the latter. The back trail is called the Masilau trail and is a couple of kilometers longer than the normal trail but is more scenic and not quite as steep. The image you see of the tree roots was taken on this very trail. It was the only section between the Masilau Resort and where it meets the normal trail that had such an amazing natural occurrence such as this. Heavy rains have washed away the dirt to reveal what hides beneath.

Dog Silhouette

The Tip of Borneo (aka Simpang Mengayau to the locals) is the northernmost point of Borneo. It is located near to Kudat which is a 3 hour drive north of Kota Kinabalu (KK).

In order to take this photograph, I had to clamber down the sandstone rock face to the rocks and the waves smashing against them below. Initially I planned on getting some scenic photographs of the amazing rock formations... that was until a stray dog came wandering along.

I have had experiences in the past where stray dogs have chased after me. Perhaps I look like a good meal to them, so my first reaction to this dog descending the rocks towards me were similar to the reaction one would have of a wild animal approaching them during feeding time.

It wasn't until after this photograph was taken that the initial feelings of threat disappeared. The aura that this animal had was much like that of a humble old man living out his final years in peace. He simply walked down the rocks near where I was standing and watching him. He just stood there and surveyed the area around, looking towards the sea as if looking for something, waiting for somebody or longing after a lost love. After a few minutes he slowly walked back up the way he came and back to wherever he lays his head and calls his home.

-Ben