Cora’s Camera Corner

February 26, 2014

For several years now I’ve been fascinated with taking photos of the people and places I know. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to travel to various places around the world and also to work on a Newspaper that allows me to visit and meet really cool people and locations that I would otherwise not be able to meet or see. Here are some of my favorite and best photos from the past few years. From canals in Gent, Belgium to the Soccer Turf in Iowa City; There are photos from all over and I hope you enjoy them.

These are just a few of the photos that I had the pleasure of taking over the 2013-2014 basketball season. The girl’s team went to state this year and it was really fun getting to see them progress throughout the season and document their win streak.

They say soccer is the world’s favorite sport, well it’s definitely one of City High’s favorite as well. This year I’m documenting the road to state for the Boy’s Soccer Team. Last year they get 2nd in the state and are back with a vengeance to take it all. The girls’ goal is to get back to state this year and get past the first round. Soccer is so much fun to photograph because both the girl’s and boy’s team have such charisma out on the turf, which translates into great photos!

Ecuador

This summer I was fortunate enough to be accepted to go on a National Geographic Student Expedition to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. I spent 18 days with 20 other fabulous photographers and wildlife enthusiasts working to create a presentation of our best photos. These are just a few of my favorites. Some are taken on my iPhone and others with the camera I brought with me.

One of the photographers , Mackenzie Pardy, poses with a "Owl Butterfly" on her nose. — One of the photographers , Mackenzie Pardy, poses with a “Owl Butterfly” on her nose.

On our last day in the Galapagos we spent it on the beach. I took this panorama on my iPhone of the beautiful sky, ocean and beach.

On the bus ride to the Paramo (our first stop) we drove through Quito, Ecuador's capitol. The colorful houses creeped up the hills and mountains of Quito. The sky was a beautiful shade of blue and I couldn't help myself taking this photo from the bus window. — On the bus ride to the Paramo (our first stop) we drove through Quito, Ecuador’s capitol. The colorful houses creeped up the hills and mountains of Quito. The sky was a beautiful shade of blue and I couldn’t help myself taking this photo from the bus window.

On our first full night in Quito we went on a stroll through the city.

The family that owned our hostel in the Paramo had a little girl who was quite social with our group.

Close up of an "Owl Butterfly" in Mindo, taken with my iPhone. — Close up of an “Owl Butterfly” in Mindo, taken with my iPhone.

On our way to lunch one day I came across this kid playing with a ball and it just happened to be framed by the "Helados" or Ice Cream pole which turned out nicely. — On our way to lunch one day I came across this kid playing with a ball and it just happened to be framed by the “Helados” or Ice Cream pole which turned out nicely.

Jeans out to dry in the hot Ecuadorean sun.

The best sunset I've ever seen. This photo doesn't measure up to the beauty and all the colors that were in the sky that evening. I took over 50 photos of the sunset but this one is by far my favorite. — The best sunset I’ve ever seen. This photo doesn’t measure up to the beauty and all the colors that were in the sky that evening. I took over 50 photos of the sunset but this one is by far my favorite.

Galapagos is known for its Giant Tortoises, so we couldn't go to the islands without seeing some. This was taken at a tortoise nurturing center where they raised them to go out into the wild. — Galapagos is known for its Giant Tortoises, so we couldn’t go to the islands without seeing some. This was taken at a tortoise nurturing center where they raised them to go out into the wild.

A Guadalupe statue sits in front of a green tinted window of a church.

Xicotepec, Mexico

Another fun trip I went on recently was to a city in southeast Mexico. I went down with the local Rotary Club in Iowa City along with a few students from City and West High. We all helped put fluoride on school children’s teeth, gave out medicine and painted a school. It was an amazing trip and in

such a scenic area.