I was sitting out enjoying the sunrise just a few weeks ago in Jamaica when I heard a hammering type of sound coming from close by. I decided to investigate and found this old man sitting out and creating something. I starting photographing from a distance so that he would not be distracted. I wanted to capture the pure essence of his work. He tapped with his hammer, he washed out the shell and then he blew it! It sounded awesome. You could have heard it for miles, I am sure.
I finally let him know I was there and asked him "how much"? He tried to convince me to come see "other shells" but I told him that I had to have "this one" because I had been photographing him. He was excited and we found a nice peaceful connection. I asked him if I could take his picture with "the shell" and he set it on his head and then picked up all his tools.
He told me that he has been doing this all his life. He dives and gets the shells and then he makes the horns. He showed me how he puts acid in the shell to clean out the muscle. He tried to teach me to blow it but I still have not mastered it like he blew it.
The beauty of watching someone create something that they love and being in such a glorious location on this planet made my heart sing with joy! Thank you my new found friend!
