The image was licensed via my stock agent, Aurora Photos.

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One of these images hit a home run, being licensed for $1,000 US. It was used as a double page spread in a travel book.

If you think you can pick which image it was, then leave your choice in the comments section on my Facebook page.

Late afternoon light filters through coconut palms near Dalawela Sri Lanka, on the 6 August 2006. © www.thomaspickard.com

Guests at Kuredu Resort taking first time scuba diving lessons in the lagoon, Kuredhdhoo Island, Lhaviyani (Faadhippolhu) Atoll, Maldives, on the 9 March 2007. The Maldives is a world renowned scuba diving destination. © www.thomaspickard.com

The famous Petronas Twin Towers at night, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the 22 May 2010. © www.thomaspickard.com

People buying Thai street food, Chinatown, Bangkok, Thailand, on the 11 October 2010. © www.thomaspickard.com

Charter boats docked at an island, Halong Bay, Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam, on the 8 December 2010. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage listed site and is comprised of 1600 limestone islands. The spectacular sceney makes for a popular tourist destination. © www.thomaspickard.com

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Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, South Male' (Kaafu) Atoll, Maldives, on the 8 July 2006. © www.thomaspickard.com

What to say?

The Maldives at its absolute best.

View and license more Maldives imagery from the following photo galleries:

MALDIVES | Scenic Photography

MALDIVES | Resort Photography

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My portrait portfolio had been bugging me for a while, so I decided to give it a refresh over the last couple of weeks.

I decided I wanted a mix of images which showed the impact a good portrait can have, as well as more commercial type portraits. And I wanted some fun, unexpected portraits in there too.

Going through this process, I realised two things. Firstly, I had previously over looked some great material, such as the portrait series above. And secondly, less is more. Having fewer photos in my portrait gallery, really did make for a greater visual impact.

I was fortunate to work with a 35-year veteran of the photo assignment industry and I knew I had hit the nail on the head, when she replied to my final selects with this comment:

“…it is really refreshing, fun and it’s a really good set of photos.”

View my refreshed Portrait Portfolio (there is a surprise in there).

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Tell me your favourite image on Facebook.

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At first glance, Male’ may seem to be a bit drab in comparison to the nearby resort islands, but if you take some time and get lost in the maze of streets, you’ll soon realise that Male’ is a unique and interesting city.

The four page piece is below. Unfortunately I didn’t get the opening photo, which is why it is blurred out below. Thanks to the creative team that puts the magazine together each year and continues to publish my work.

 You can view & license imagery from Male’ at these links: Maldives | Male’ The Capital and Maldives | Male’ Fish Market

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Comment on Facebook or Google+

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A Maldivian family enjoying the ocean Artificial Beach, Male', Male' (Kaafu) Atoll, Maldives, on the 19 January 2010. Artificial Beach was built by the Maldives' Government in direct response to the need for a beach on the capital island, Male'. © www.thomaspickard.com

It was World Water Day on the 22nd of March. This years theme is ‘Water for Cities – Responding to the Urban Challenge’. If there is one thing we can all do, it is this: conserve how much water we use.

And if you think you are doing a good job of conserving water – like I did – maybe you should check out this list of water saving tips. You may be surprised at how many ways there are to conserve water around the house. I know I was.

Water: Use it Wisely

Related Posts:

When the Water Ends.

World Water Day 2010.

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Stay in touch: Become a fan on facebook.

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Maldives aerial photo used as the cover for Maldives Finder 2011. Image © www.thomaspickard.com Double click on the image to license via Aurora Photos.

One of my favourite aerial images from the Maldives is going to be seen by a lot of people this year. The image above is gracing the cover of Maldives Finder 2011, which according to the Maldives Finder 2011 website is:

“… a first-of-its-kind comprehensive publication on the Maldives’ tourism industry. It is a celebration of the Maldives brand, and an informative guide to the destination. With academic and in-depth articles, the publication is a rich source of information on this unique tourism destination.”

The cover image of a dhoni travelling along a reef edge is available for licensing through my stock agent, Aurora Photos

Special thanks to Shafraz at the design firm responsible for putting together Maldives Finder 2011.

View and license more Maldives Aerial imagery via Aurora Photos.

Links:

Maldives Finder

Related Posts:

Aerial Swirl Maldives.

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Instead of showing my best, I’ve decided to show my favourite photos from 2010. While these images may not be my best images, for what ever reason, they are some of my favourite images I’ve produced this year.

Looking back through my photo archive reminded me of what an amazing year I’ve had. I travelled to ten countries, flew over 50 flights, produced tens of thousands of photos and picked up numerous clients along the way. In between I saw some amazing places and had some great personal encounters, often with total strangers.

Photography as a profession continues to give me an excuse to walk up to total strangers, introduce myself and more often than not, become part of their life for just a short period. I think my mid-afternoon rice wine bender with a group of old men one afternoon in a local noodle shop in Sapa, would be one of my highlight experiences of the year. And not because I enjoy getting drunk, but rather because it was so unexpected. There have been many more (experiences, not rice wine benders!).

A heart felt thanks to the people that I’ve photographed, worked with and met this year.

Love them or hate them, these are some of my favourite photos from this year…

Maldives, 7.17 am. Silhouette of a resort staff member during an early morning sea plane transfer to Lily Beach Resort for a lifestyle shoot. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Maldives, 9.07 am. An unexpected gust of wind blows a resort staff's sarong at Huvafen Fushi Resort, Nakatchafushi Island, North Male' (Kaafu) Atoll. Click to license. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Maldives, 5.17 pm. Six Senses Resort staff unloading a speed boat on an empty sand bar, prior to resort guests arriving for an evening of cocktails, near Six Senses Soneva Fushi Resort, Kunfunadhoo Island, South Maalhosmadulu (Baa) Atoll. Click to license. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Maldives, 6.52 am. Early morning light over a commercial fishing dhoni, Indian Ocean. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Malaysia, 9.24 am. People exiting a boat, Georgetown, Penang. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Australia, 2.39 pm. Chocolate Easter rabbits set against a cobalt blue sky, Katoomba, Blue Mountains. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Malaysia, 3.44 pm. Woman looking up at a bill board containing a photo of Michael Shumacher, Kuala Lumpur. Click to license. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Japan, 9.03 am. View from Rebun-to Island to Rishiri-to Island, Hokkaido, Japan, on the 10 June 2010. Rebun-to Island and Rishiri-to island are both popular destinations for wildflower enthusiasts and outdoor people. Click to license. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Japan, 1.12 pm. Man walking past an advertising billboard, Tokyo. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Monsoon storm clouds over Singapore Airport, Singapore.

Thailand, 7.58 am. Male waiter carrying a tray with beverages along the edge of an infinity pool, Koh Samui Island. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Thailand, 5.23 pm. People eating Thai street food on a narrow footpath, Chinatown, Bangkok. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Cambodia, 9.28 am. A videographer talks on his mobile phone, while a wedding couple pose for a photographer out of frame, Angkor Wat. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Cambodia, 10.51 am. Tourists wearing similar style hats, Angkor Wat. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Vietnam, 5.08 pm. Street traffic on Con Dao Island.

Vietnam, 8.03 am. Shoes on the Reunification Express train from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Vietnam, 1.02 pm. Young girl looking out of a train window on the Reunification Express. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Vietnam, 9.43 am. Portrait of two hill tribe women near Sapa. Copyright www.thomaspickard.com

Vietnam, 6.16 pm. Sapa at night.

Halong Bay, Vietnam.

And lastly, my favourite photo of my good self, courtesy of my wonderful wife, Jane.

All smiles atop Niseko Annupuri with Yotei-zan mountain in the background. Japan. Copyright Jane Edgar.

Related Links:

The Big Picture 2010 Part 1 of 3

Best Environmental Photos of 2010 National Geographic

Reuters Best Pictures of the Year

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Pole & Line Fishing Feature in Issue One of Island Aviation Vara Magazine Maldives.

Vara is the new in-flight magazine of Island Aviation in the Maldives. I’m happy to say I have a 6-page feature article in the very first issue on pole and line fishing in the Maldives. Thanks to my editor and the graphic design team for an aesthetic layout and a great double page opening spread. Love it!

The magazine should be hitting the back seat of Island Aviation planes this week or early next week.

This photo and many others can by licensed via my stock library at this link – Maldives Commercial Tuna Fishing | Thomas Pickard Stock Archive

Related Posts

Published in Bangkok Airways Magazine – Huvafen Fushi Resort

Published in Afar Magazine

Published in Hospitality Maldives Magazine

Published in Qatar Airlines Oryx Magazine

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Though most photographers’ have a love / hate relationship with Getty Images, Getty has a huge collection and more importantly a huge reach to existing and potential customers. Getty continues to license imagery of mine, which I know I wouldn’t be able to license myself, for the simple fact that I can’t connect with the diversity of buyers the way Getty does.

The iceberg photo was licensed via Getty Images as a Rights Managed license. The two vertical photos were licensed via Aurora Photos for inclusion in a book coming out in 2011 on luxury hotels. Once it is published, I can provide more details.

Water, waves and ice, Cierva Cove, Davis Coast, Graham Land, Antarctica, on the 18 November 2008. Click on the image to license it.

Portrait of Mauritian Guest Relations Manager Barbara Porydor at Shangri-La Resort, Villingili Island, Addu (Seenu) Atoll, Maldives, on the 31 January 2010.

Thatch covered outdoor lounge, Shangri-La Resort, Villingili Island, Addu (Seenu) Atoll, Maldives, on the 1 February 2010. Click on the image to license it.

Related Posts:

Processing, Processing, Processing

Vintage Stock Photography – The Way it Used To Be

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