Leyland Cecco

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

Ethiopia | Saturday, January 12, 2013 | 5 photos

When photography and I first met, almost by accident, I underwent a transformation. I saw how light hit the faces of my friends. I saw how they moved, how they gestured. I became addicted to capturing it. Now, I’m a sucker for natural light and even (gasp!) a morning person.

Photography gives me hunger while consuming me in the process. The moment I finished university, I packed up and moved to Egypt. I took a job as a history teacher to put money in my pocket, while at the same time exploring what came to be unexpected realities of revolution. Through my lens came a new perspective on a well-worn story. It’s become a ritual to share these photos with my students. The conversations that bring the classroom alive are a testament to the power of visual storytelling.

Everywhere I go, I seek out local photographers. There is always something to learn, and always someone to learn from. Always. Syria. Iran. Iraq. Egypt. Ethiopia. The people in the streets have taught me more than most textbooks. I tell my students they need to do what they love- what gets them out of bed. For me, it’s taking photos. I’ve spent the last couple of years teaching. Now, it’s my time to learn.