tanzania 5

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Tanzania | Saturday, August 21, 2010 | 5 photos

I am 36 and love to travel and see the world through the lens of a camera. To have the opportunity to visit Bhutan on assignment; to attempt to capture the culture, the wildlife, the landscape would be a once in a life time experience.

Tanzania is a country of undeniable beauty and the Maasai culture transfixed me. To try and capture the people of the place can show the soul of the country.

My Maasai photo of the group of young men around a fire, as if like ghosts,(for they are quiet secretive) was how I wanted to capture them.

The Maasia woman was sitting, seemingly enjoying the sun, but her eyes had such depth, and her face showed so much of her life.

The ability of a camera (and photographer) to capture a moment in time is depicted by the shot of the three children, who are so different, but at that moment focused on the camera. The main child holding his stare and being somewhat guarded while the second child shows his excitement and cheeky side and the third boy just wants to be a part of the moment and gives a smile as he knows he is going to see himself in this photo.

This young lion, which I shot through the grass and slightly out of focus, was to try give the feel of the power of the lion - its wariness, sneaking up on you. Its ability to melt into landscape.

The wooden, hand chiselled canoes show a simple life, calm and unchanged over time.

Do these photos sell Tanzania, I can’t answer that for I took these photos, but do they make me want to go back and capture more of the essence of the country, absolutely. Do the photos take me straight back to my travels through Tanzania - to the smells, the tastes, the sounds, the feel - yes, every time I look at them.