JPG Magazine: Stories: Photo Essay: A jpg connection

A jpg connection

By Laura Boston-Thek

2 March 2008

A JPG Connection

While preparing for a quick trip to the Island country of Malta, I tried to gather as much information as possible. Where else could I find a large community of fellow shooter from around the world, than at JPG. So it was there I turned first.

After many emails inquisitive emails to people in my contact list, I received an email from a new contact. Curiously I clicked the link to check out my new contact and was happily surprised to find this new person to be from Malta. Many emails were parried back and forth between me in Germany and my new friend and fellow photographer in Malta. It was after one of these many questioning emails that Ronald suggested he and his friend come to meet me on the day of my arrival in Malta. What a happy turn of fate!

For 3 or more hours we sat together in my hotel lobby chatting about cameras, having an afternoon drink and getting to know each other. When the drinks were dry, we ventured out onto the streets of Sliema to check out the local corner camera shop and for Ronald to purchase some supplies for his studio shooting. With the coming of the blue twilight we drove to Vittoriosa, Ronald's beautiful home city.

The warm hearted nature and open friendliness was evident when Ronald took me to meet the family. I was greeted like an old family friend. I found this to be the case with all the Maltese people through out my Island visit. During dinner that evening a plan was hatched to meet up that Saturday for a whole day touring the country.

That Saturday morning we met and drove to the beautiful Buskett gardens with their feeling of being lost or undiscovered. Our visit cut short buy a vigorous rain storm that trapped us all in the small ladies room stall, we headed West to the coast. Driving along the rough and winding roads with their rock wall boarders we came to the edge of the Island, Dingli Cliffs. Ronald jokes that this is where the locals come to commit suicide....shockingly...there are actually a spot where tire tracks literally go off the edge.

Through the moist atmosphere just after the rain, we stood on the wildflower covered cliffs, looking out at the sea. The stunning country side dotted by small limestone buildings and Olive trees. That wonderful bit of stormy weather added great drama to the days shooting.

From the Cliffs we all decided a meal was in order and we headed to the oldest city on Malta, Mdina. With the warm light hitting the walls of the quiet city casting beautiful shadows on the narrow streets, we decided on a restaurant to try some Maltese specialties. The meal was delicious and the company and conversation even better.

We turned in early as my girlfriend who met me in Malta was running in the Malta marathon, (the real reason for my visit) the next day and needed a good nights rest. We had one more wonderful dinner together to say thank you for their generosity and hope to see you again soon.

It was due to JPG that this great friendship has formed and to JPG that I came home with so many amazing images and memories of Malta. This JPG community united two people from very different places, connected by similar interest.

So I would like to say thank you to Ronald and to JPG for opening these doors to another world for me.