Row of small stone cottages
Africa,  Monochrome Madness,  People,  Photographic techniques,  Themed galleries

Gallery: seeing African pathways in black and white

June 26, 2024 / 46 Comments

His path was marked

By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere

And he walked his days

Under African skies

Paul Simon

If like me you live in the Northern Hemisphere, there’s something magical in discovering the world of the Southern. Africa in particular seems to draw us to explore, with its vast plains and forests, still-wild spaces, fascinating animals and very different cultures. Maybe too there’s a lingering romantic sense of the continent as an unknown frontier to be opened up, despite the somewhat negative associations attached to our historic explorations there.

I’ve used Paul Simon’s song before to introduce a post, but as it’s one of my all-time favourites I have no problem using it again! For this week’s Monochrome Madness theme of ‘roads, lanes and paths’ I’ve decided to limit myself to scenes from various trips to Africa, as I seem to have photographed a lot of paths and roads there over the years.

Not all lend themselves to black and white conversion, but I’ve picked out some I think work well. I’ve gone for a mix of rural paths and urban streets, to show several sides of Africa. And I’ve stretched the topic a little to include some people in the latter as I always enjoy a bit of street photography!

Do please remember to tag your post Monochrome Madness so it is easy to find in the reader. And check out Leanne’s Monochrome Madness page to learn more about this fun challenge. Maybe you’d like to host a theme from time to time? If so, do contact Leanne via her page.

Dusty track lined with trees and stone walls, children running

In a village in Senegal

Couple on a horse drawn cart

On their way to market in Ngueniene, Senegal

Young girl walking past piled up car tyres

In Fimela, Senegal

Track through Yayeme palm forest, near Fimela, Senegal

Winding path among tall palm trees
Woman with bowl of fabric on her head passing a motorbike shop

In Serrekunda, Gambia, on market day

Woman walking past taxi while looking at her phone

Street scene in Bakau, Gambia

Parked car, man wheeling bike and fast food stand

Street scene in Bakau, Gambia

Lots of baboons approaching down a track

Baboons near Mandina Lodge, Gambia

Several boar crossing a dusty track

Warthogs in Tanzania (scanned from an old slide)

Car parked on a gravel road with low hills

On the road in Namibia

Old woman with a stick passing two boys sitting on a wall

On Rua de Banana, Cidade Velha, Santiago, Cape Verde

[my feature photo is of the same road]

Passing the Palais el Badii in Marrakesh

Man and boy walking alongside a high stone wall
Narrow street with horse-drawn cart and people

On the Rue Riad Zitoun el Jdid in the Southern Medina of Marrakesh

Busy street with bikes, carts and cycle rickshaws

In Moramanga, central Madagascar

Two men with bicycles on a tree lined track

On the road to Joffreville, northern Madagascar

A path through the Ankarana Est reserve, Madagascar

Narrow stoney path between trees

46 Comments

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