Mist, Bones, and Burning Horizons

Skeleton Coast, Namibia (Photograph courtesy of Solly Levi - www.sollylevi.com)

In A Life in Frames, my protagonist Lejf Busher—a Namibian photojournalist—travels the world in search of stories. Yet no place exerts a stronger pull on him than his land of vast open spaces. Between assignments, he always seems to find his way back to the red dunes of Sossusvlei.

Namibia offers much to the traveller seeking adventure and Southern African warmth. For the explorer who yearns for wide horizons, they’ll catch their dreams beneath star-studded skies.

The Skeleton Coast National Park lies about a four-hour drive west of Otjiwarongo, where Lejf grew up. It opens only during December and January due to the unforgiving weather. The sea along this part of the coast is cold and violent. While many believe the name “Skeleton Coast” originates from the shipwrecks scattered along the shore, its true origin lies in the bones of whales and seals left behind by whaling and sealing operations. Human remains have also been found—grim reminders of the stormy sea’s toll and the ruthlessness of humankind.

And yet, the beauty here is indisputable and almost lyrical: long stretches of misty shores resting against the hip of the Namib Desert.

It is a place that feels like the edge of the world—raw, rugged, and hauntingly serene.

“Ross spins a haunting, unforgettable story that speaks to the emotional isolation that seems to plague modern society… beautifully written… readers who enjoy the work of Blixen or Carson McCullers will enjoy Ross very much.” —Karl Wegener, author of Operation Nightfall: The Web of Spies

A Visionary Behind the Lens: Honouring Sebastião Salgado (1944–2025)

A community above Chimborazo, Ecuador - 1982 (Image Courtesy of International Center of Photography)

Brazilian photographer and photojournalist Sabastião Salgado died on May 23rd—a sad loss to his family and friends. But the legacy of work he leaves behind will continue to inspire many generations to come. He was an artist who worked with a social and environmental vision.

Trained as an economist, Salgado truly started taking his photography seriously when he travelled to Africa, and in 1973, he became a full-time photographer, working on self-assigned projects. His works have been widely published and touring exhibitions presented throughout the world. Together with his wife, he advocated to restore a part of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil.

Salgado’s interest in the relationship between humans and nature was beautifully reflected in his work Genesis (2004-2011), a series of photographs of landscapes, wildlife and human communities who continue to practise their traditional ways of life. He won numerous awards throughout his career, including the Hasselblad Award (1989) and Outstanding Contribution to Photography Sony World Photography Awards (2024). His work was never just about capturing beauty—it was about showing truth, even when the truth was uncomfortable.

Why do photographers like Salgado choose to devote their lives to social and environmental causes when they could apply their gifts and skills to capturing the beautiful and cinematic? Do we need to be reminded of the poverty and sadness in the world?

The short answer to that is, yes, we do need a reminder. Our day-to-day struggles feel very real and our to-do lists cause tremendous anxiety. Yet most of us who live in developed countries never experience life-threatening inconveniences. When we make our electronic purchases, we hardly ever stop to trace back the assembly path of our latest and greatest technology. That path often leads to a destination few of us have the heart or stomach to imagine.

Social documentary photography is a dedication to presenting life in truth, as it is, without the candy coat, so that we may not become anaesthetised to the realities of a world we don’t physically encounter, but we cannot and must not disregard.

In a society where dissatisfaction has grown to disproportionate levels, it brings us in touch with our compassionate natures and with gratitude. As an art medium, social documentary photography is becoming increasingly popular and relevant. Through these powerful photographic imagery, we are confronted with the truth and it stirs the desire for change—whether political or social.

Leonora Ross is the author of the literary saga

A Life in Frames, the compelling story of Namibian photojournalist Lejf Busher, whose deep passion for capturing human stories through his camera lens defines his work and complicates his life.

When Cooking Matches the Mood

The cooking bug can send you on a glorious high.

For me, it often strikes during those bursts of creativity, when I need an outlet that's steady and satisfying. For those of us who love experimenting in the kitchen—tweaking favourite recipes or exploring entirely new ones—cooking becomes a medium for emotions and artistic expression.

The energy matters; it should match the mood. Yesterday was a fabulous blue-sky, sunny day. The patio door was open, and I watched fitness enthusiasts running and cycling on the paths in their shorts and T-shirts. The mountains sparkled under the radiant sun, and the Earth seemed to call out, 'Let’s do this!'

Berry Chocolatey Banana Muffins

My father shares my enthusiasm for cooking, though from afar. Living continents apart, I can’t treat him to samples of my kitchen adventures. Instead, I send him pictures with little descriptions. It’s become our ritual—he playfully ‘complains’ that I make him hungry, and it’s sent and received with affection, a bond that bridges the distance.

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Cooking also brings gratitude: I’m reminded of the abundance I have in my little world.

Smoked Salmon With Avocado and Cucumber Roll, and California Roll

Today, though, the energy is different—soft, subdued. The mountains seem content to retreat behind their cloudy blankets, as if recharging after a raucous day of play. The grey sky feels like a pause, inviting snow to dance down at any moment. My mood mirrors nature’s quiet calm, and it’s all good.

Leonora Ross is an artist and novelist from Western Canada. When she’s not writing novels, she enjoys writing whimsical poetry and prose and is an avid mountain hiker and amateur photographer. Her writing and photography have appeared in several literary journals. Read more about her latest novel, A Life in Frames.