Still life photography – yet another photography genre – is the depiction of inanimate objects, that are either man made or natural.

And still life travel photography depicts objects that manage to give a sense of place.

As easy at it may seem, still life photography is probably among the most difficult: because the object being captured is still, there is higher emphasis on the technical aspects of the photo, such as lighting and composition.

Shot one bright afternoon in Aperture Priority at f/1.8, ISO 400, 1/1600s | Some "ackee" on display at a roadside fruit stand. Ackee is Jamaica's national fruit and is used to cook the national dish "ackee and saltfish" which is usually served for breakfast.

The “openness” of the fruit on display spoke to me – in Jamaica everyone knows that ackee is not to be prepared or picked unripe or forced open, as it contains toxins until it reaches a ripe state. The first sign of a ready ackee is to see the fruit naturally open, with the red outer skin splitting to reveal the flesh and seeds, as above.

To prepare the national ish “ackee and saltfish,” salt cod is sautéed with boiled ackee, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and other spices, such as black pepper and pimiento. It usually is served with breadfruit, dumplings and fried plantains or boiled green bananas.

A Jamaican Breakfast: A delicious plate of ackee (in the center) and saltfish, with dumplings, breadfruit and boiled bananas. Cooked, the ackee looks like scrambled eggs.

Lebawit Lily Girma

Travel writer, Photographer, Guidebook author and Blogger Lily Girma has lived and studied in Africa, Europe and the Americas. In 2008, she left behind a prestigious law career to follow her passion. Her work has been published in various outlets, including CNN Travel, BBC Travel and New York Times Magazine, and her photography commissioned by tourism boards. Her first edition of "MOON BELIZE" travel guidebook is due for publication this Fall 2013 (10th edition, Moon Handbooks by Avalon Travel/Perseus Books). Lily's work reflects a deep love for culture and adventure in all its forms.

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