My Top Photos of 2023

I'm also a photographer.

Random odd fact: one of my most-popular photos on Google a Chinese shopping mall in Belgrade, Serbia. It has 1.3 million views.

This was random. I was out walking, exploring the area as I usually do when I’m in a new city, and I took and shared the photo. Sometimes, random actions end up being the most popular!

Rather than share more boring photos, I decided to dig through my photos of 2023 and share my top shots.

This is a photo of a restaurant named Zaseka. It’s one of the top places to eat at in the city I often visit in Penza, Russia. Not only is the food tasty, the complex resembles a fortress and there are swans in the courtyard.

This shot is from a trip we took early in the year. I was in a stressful mood and my wife decided we should get away from the city. It was a good idea. The hotel we went to actually has a huge display of art from artists around the world.

I took this one while leaving Moscow, Russia. I like the perspective of the building and also the contrast of older and younger travelers.

Here’s another perspective shot. This one’s from a metro station in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visiting these metro stations is a favorite activity of foreigners who visit Tashkent. See the various designs here.

After getting a new 3-year visa for Russia, my wife and I took a trip to Saransk. After a 2-hour drive, we explored the city. I prefer Penza over Saransk, but that doesn’t mean Saransk wasn’t enjoyable to visit.

These two photos were also from Saransk. We visited an art gallery with pieces from a famous artist named Erzya Stepan Dmitrievich. He was born into a poor family, but used his talent to showcase his art around the world during the early 20th century. He even went to Argentina to search for a specific type of wood.

Finally, a true gem — a photo of my wife holding our daughter before her baptism.

Looking back, I didn’t many photos in 2023. Moving forward, I would like to take more in 2024. Also, the photos I picked were best on their visual appeal. For capturing memories and experiences, I have my writing.

Raymond Duke