africa twice

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Burkina Faso | Tuesday, November 8, 2011 | 5 photos

Sometimes I have to give up while trying taking a picture, just because I can’t manage to get it as I want it, as I perceive colors, as I “feel” them… That’s frustrating and sad, but I guess it’s just because I miss the adequate tools and technical knowledge. Sometimes, I get it exactly as I want and that makes me excited and smiling, satisfaction can last even for some days. It’s like I “created” something, but most of all I feel I can better share special moments with those who don’t have the chance to experience them... I opened in my mind a “pictures never taken” archive, which I keep remembering and updating. I love Africa and in every new experience I feel comfortable in taking pictures because they are based on a kind of relationship established with the people and the environment: sometimes it’s just a matter of a respectful eye contact with the people, sometimes I simply feel at home. During last three years I went around Kenya, Burkina Faso, Mali, Congo, Sudan working for humanitarian NGOs. I’m currently in Darfur, where I’m not allowed to take pictures and movement are restricted for security concerns… I got taking pictures of the most annoying aspect in the compound’s life: thousand species insects! I learnt to cohabit with them as I could discover kind of beauty in it: they make great compositions of colors and shapes with flours and leaves, their wings become flours as well…
My neighbor, a 76-old warm and romantic lady one day told me while I was on the door, ready with my rucksack to leave for a mission: “Valentina, be careful: the world is not that beautiful as you see it”. Although some difficulties I’ve been experiencing with my job, I still can’t agree with her.