Ethiopia

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

Ethiopia | Thursday, July 4, 2013 | 5 photos

My name is Jasmine and Jasmine means flower. Flowers leave a scent where ever they go and I want to leave my photography scent all over the world. I have a strong lust for travel and adventure. Last year I picked up my camera and travelled to Ethiopia by myself for the sole purpose of capturing images to tell the world. It changed my entire perspective on life and it changed me. There were so many moments when I looked at someone: a beggar, a mother crying, the homeless, naked people lying on the ground, children playing in mud in front of brothels and thought this could be a million dollar photo, unfortunately I couldn’t bring myself to point $2500 worth of equipment into the face of poverty. It just wasn’t worth it. Going to Ethiopia by myself was a very big mistake, I journeyed this experience alone. Although there were moments of awe, I wish I had gone with a friend or group who were photographers as well. This would have greatly lifted the grief I had to deal with coming home. This is why I like the idea of being mentored. Going on an adventure to a new country, having someone who knows what they are doing and is able to guide and scaffold my learning.