Best of Niger 2021

I had the chance to return to Niger in Jan/Feb 2021. It was a weird experiencing returning to a place I had called home for so long, but as a visitor now. A lot had changed, but still a lot was the same.

In terms of photography, the biggest difference is I went back with a super telephoto 150-600mm lens so I was able to try some shots I had previously dreamed of, but never had the gear to attempt.

Here I present Instagram‘s favorite photos of my time back there vs my favorite photos of my time back there:

Number 3

⟻ Yours | Mine ⟼

We agreed the long distance photo of this minaret came in at number three. For me, it’s an iconic image of Niamey – you can’t go anywhere in town out of sight or sound of a mosque.

Number 2

⟻ Yours | Mine ⟼

For number two, the insta hivemind chose this up close and personal shot of the setting sun. Honestly, I was lucky while I was there. I had several evenings with very lows hazy which gave some stunning clear sunsets! Usually sand and dust fill the horizon and it’s not possible to see the sun as it gets low. My number two shot was this vantage point of the setting sun over the Niger river.

Number 1

⟻ Yours | Mine ⟼

My number two shot was the insta hivemind’s number one shot. It’s probably the most photographed scene in Niamey (from the deck of the Grand Hotel), but I think what set this shot apart from the hundreds taken from the exact same spot is I was able to show it in a way people hadn’t seen before (and isn’t that the point of photography?). Now my favorite shot didn’t even make it into the insta hivemind’s top three, but it was taken from the exact same location. I’m a sucker for the post-sunset colors over the river. I also love the light trails from the car’s headlights crossing Pont Kennedy and one of my favorite things about Niamey is how at dusk every day thousands of bats come down to the river to feed and drink (those specks are bats not sensor dust).

So there you have it and as a side note, the insta hivemind’s top shot has been added to my print store. You can check it out at joelwitwer.darkroom.tech

I love seeing my shots exist out in the physical space so if you see a shot you like on there, but honestly can’t afford it, give me a shout and let’s work something out.

If you want to see more of my Best Of posts, check out below:

More Best Ofs:

• Best of Uganda (November 2020)
• Best of India (November 2019)
• Best of Uganda (April 2019)
• Best of Kenya (March 2019)
• Best of Ethiopia (Dec 2018)
• Best of Iceland (Nov 2018)
• Best of Scotland (Nov 2018)
• Best of Norway (July 2018)
• Best of Morocco (April 2018)