Wednesday
Jul072010
Photography 101 and how to catch people unaware
July 7, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: Eliza 
I have this crazy dream sometimes; it's actually a waking thought too...not just night time madness from too many glasses of wine before going to bed.
I want to be able to become invisible, to walk amongst people without them having any clue that I am there. I want to be able to go up to groups of old wazee (old men), sitting in their bomas chewing the fat, discussing the price of cattle, with old wrinkled faces and ear lobes down to their shoulders. I want to capture their expressions, and their laughter. I want to walk amongst the women at the local market, sitting their with their pyramid piles of tomatoes and potatoes; laughing and scoffing at their menfolk, the price of maize, what so and so's daughter got up to. I want to capture them, their expressions and their faces without them having one single clue that I am there.
Sadly, without this miracle, it is all but impossible. As a tall blonde mzungu (white person) I stand out like the proverbial sore thumb. And so the moment is lost, they see me, they become aware. They either make it very clear that they don't want to be photographed, or they pose and they gesticulate; that wonderful free and candid moment when their expressions tell their unguarded thoughts is gone.
But if I were invisible? I could sneak amongst them, actually who'd need to sneak, they wouldn't see me right. I want to capture that moment when someone loses themselves to complete and utter joy, laughter, merriment, side-splitting humour when their faces have become one giant crease, wiping tears from eyes. Or the middle of an altercation, when two youths are fighting over something, some girl maybe - dangerous anger and jealousy so apparent on their faces twisted with rage. Or a mother's pride watching her young children playing in the yard, resting from whatever she was doing at the time, taking time out, lost in her thoughts.
I once read about Sebastiao Salgado (my ultimate God of Photography - it was his "Workers" exhibition that I saw in London when I had just joined Reuters, and knew that I was the happiest person alive to be doing what I was doing) that on all his assignments, he spends at least the first few weeks with his subjects, just wandering around with a camera over his shoulder, shooting off the odd image now and then, letting them get used to him and the funny box he carried. He times it right, when he starts shooting for real they don't give one jot. They're now bored with him, don't give him a second glance.
The picture above, on the left, appears in a brochure for a fancy 5-star lodge, it illustrates their community projects and support for the local villages. She's certainly beautiful, I mean look at those cheekbones! But if you asked me which picture I prefer, I'd have to say the one at the right, taken seconds after the first and when she thought I'd put my camera down and was no longer paying her attention. I think she is truly beautiful, teeth and all! I called her my "model of the day", and she laughed long and loud.
Reader Comments (8)
I agree, both shots are beautiful, but the right one says it all. It is hard over here to get those not-posed shots, I understand it is even harder for you in Africa. Great post, now I am going to check out Sebastiao Salgado
Oh..you've echoed my sentiments so clearly here. Me too - I often wish to be invisible..to capture those moments that no one would think to capture..the expressions and emotions that are so much a part of living. And - of course - I can see why that image with this beautiful woman's big smile..all toothy and happy is your favorite. Mine too!!!
Wouldn't that be wonderful? She is beautiful, I love the juxtaposition of the patterns, and her expression in both shots. Just stunning.
The one on the right is a smile from the heart, which you can always tell by the look in the eyes.
I agree with everyone here, and you as well. :) I'd love to be a fly on a wall with a fly sized camera to take photos of people unaware. Both images of the woman are beautiful. She looks so regal and slightly amused, but the second one is absolutely joyful.
The second image is so good. Such a a happy and relaxed smile. Totally unaware that you are still taking pictures.
I started laughing out loud when I pictured Toni's fly with a fly-sized camera, but that would do the trick, for sure, if you couldn't be invisible. As long as no one swatted you! :) Believe it or not, Eliza, I thought this was one image of two men when I first saw it. Seriously. The more I read your post and then really looked, I saw it better (man! I'm not that old!). That is one very beautiful woman, indeed...one who could teach us all about real beauty, I'm sure. I love how you have experienced life, Eliza, and how you are able to show us your incredible world.
I recently did a photoshoot for a co-worker who was getting married. I went to the hotel and photographed the bride and her bridesmaids getting ready. The first shots are terrible, they posed and smiled and arranged themselves for the camera. Once they forgot I was there, the photos progress to beauties, just like the girls themselves.
You are so right about this!