13 inch high poster made from 3MP files, amazing quality in reproduction.
13 inch high poster made from 3MP files, amazing quality in reproduction.
Since the day I returned from Mozambique Africa in 2001, where I spent 4 weeks working in an orphanage and photographing children, I saw the writing on the wall that the days of film were over. Because of the ease and inconspicuous use of my little 3 MP Canon G1 digi cam, I photographed with it extensively, while my big film camera and lenses spent a lot of time in the camera bag. I reviewed the pictures with amazement, and reproduced them quite large with beautiful results. From there, I bought Canon’s first version of the 1D, and have migrated along the way, keeping Canon’s flagship 1D & 1Ds cameras in my line up ever since. The big digital/film debate lasted a few years and was silenced in an amazingly short period of time. At least for most anyway.
I’m often asked if I miss photographing with film. The answer is simple: No. As a matter of fact, my criterion for accepting or rejecting current digital files have become so critical, that many of my film shots would now be rejected. Its exciting to work in an industry that is so rapidly changing.
I know this is a blog about Alaska, but I thought I’d make a little detour and show some pictures from Africa, since it was my first illuminating experience with digital photography.
A brief comment about the children. There were 500 of them in this orphanage, and if they saw me with a camera I was nearly mobbed and begged incessantly to take their picture. Never before, and never since have I photographed people who displayed such an interesting and natural poise and facial expression as these kids. I did not coach them, except perhaps to back up since they would fight one another to be in the frame. No one has taught them to smile, or say cheese, or any of that baloney that creates an unnatural look. Quite simply, they are beautiful.
All the shots were taken with the Canon G1 (By the way, I think that camera is now at the G11 version). In a few cases, I used an off camera Canon 550EX flash, with a tiny softbox. The G1 supported use of Canon’s infrared transmitter, that permits off camera ETTL triggering of a remote flash-an amazing feature for a little digi cam in that era.
You can see more of these photos on my website. It is a little buried, in a section devoted to “Beyond Alaska“, and you can explore some of my other travels there also.
I don't think I've met a more collective set of penetrating of eyes in my entire photographic career. Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 2001
Canon's swivel LCD monitor made this shot possible by holding it over the group while they hammered away on the drum. Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 2001
Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 2001
Children's day unleashes gifts to the children, and in this case, new shirts for the this group of guys. Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 2001
The line you see in the background is part of lengthy kite string made out of strips of plastic shopping bags and tied together. Play invokes a great industrious and resourceful effort in Africa. Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 2001
Same sex affection is common in Africa, and the children so freely express their brotherhood. If you notice the key around the neck of the lad, you are observing a very integral part of Africa living. Everything is locked up. Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 2001
If you are having a bad day, stare at this guy for a while! Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 2001
These two beautiful girls were orphans as the result of Aids. Later that day I saw one of the kids at this orphanage walking around with a donated American t-shirt that said "sh#t happens" Dang, I wish I had a shot of that. Machava Orphanage, May 2001, Iris Ministries, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA
Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 2001
Now look at that pose! Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 2001
Hop-Scotch interruption. The girls are much less "profile" and therefore the majority of photos I took were of the boys. Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 2001
I sat in the back of a truck in the dark with this little guy and he would teach me Portuguese by pointing to the stars and saying "estrella" (star) and having no mercy on my pronunciation. Making me repeat it until I got it right. Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 20
Manuel. A troubled boy, I hope he is doing well today. His picture sits on my cabinet shelf still. Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 20
Quite a bit of purple fringing on this flash assisted shot, but quite remarkable. I did not shoot in RAW for all of this, which regret today. Back then, I was just learning. Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 20
The constant fight to be in the front line, therefore a little riff-raff action on the sides. I played soccer with the cluster of life within the first few hours of my arrival. Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 20
EYES. wow. Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 2001
The golden light of Africa is a gem for sidelighting. Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 2001
The thumb in the bottom right is a common sight, and one I was constantly trying to exclude from my photos! Zimpeto Center, Maputo, Mozambique, AFRICA, Iris Ministries, May 2001
Hey Patrick. Nice to see this selection. I was so impressed when you first showed me some of these, and couldn’t believe the quality of that little bitty digital camera. You captured those kids beautifully!
Calvin,
Yes, that seems like so long ago, and so much has happened in the industry since then. It’s amazing. If I remember, you are leaving soon, are you using a housing other than the ewa marine?
Hey Patrick – great shots of these kids! Could you maybe comment a little on why you went, what you did, what you saw, things you learned? I haven’t done a trip like this, but I have considered it from time to time, and I would be interested to learn some more of your experience there. Thanks!
Jeff,
My trip to Mozambique was an extremely rewarding and educational trip on many levels. From a personal perspective, a global perspective, a spiritual perspective, and simply a perspective on humanity, human suffering, and a peoples amazing and endemic resilience.
First of all, my awareness of this specific orphanage and operation came through the director who spoke at a church here in Fairbanks. I found her a very compelling figure, she never asked for help and never asked for money. Just talked about their work and the personal and spiritual challenges that we all face. It struck the chord in me that had long waited to find a place to donate some time for a good cause, and I said to myself, I could easily work with these folks.
So, I did. I went with little expectation. I would have been happy to dig ditches. But it soon became apparent that due to my work in photography, I gradually grafted into that role. The directors were not interested in pictures of desperate, sad, dirty looking children. They advised me to just photograph what I saw there and capture the joy. I did not find the pictures used on many provocative “entice to donate” publications. These kids were genuinely happy and pretty well cared for in spite of things. In the end, I was able to offer some imagery for the organization to use for education and information.
I learned a lot–about a lot, which is a vague sentence that probably nips the heels of most international travel. In 2001, Mozambique was not too far off a terrible civil war that nearly decimated the country. War and aids and other socio-economic tragedies left many parent-less children, or children without parents able to care for them. The orphanage I visited was far from perfect, especially from a fresh set of American eyes. But as an organization they were just transitioning from triage in a way. As they would say, were are first trying to feed and get these people off the streets, literally, keeping them alive. All the rest will follow.
The work I enjoyed most was of course, hanging out with the children and photographing them, but more specifically, I worked a little bit in primary care, doing basic health care in the clinic. This involved language, eye contact, and a very practical way to engage in the life and needs of the people. I’ve often felt that if I was not photographing, that would be the line of work I’d be in.
Africa. It is so epic. It is a land of great sorrow and pain, almost anywhere you turn. Nearly every country has its trauma story. And many are in trauma as we speak. But, there is a great beauty and resilience there as well. I just finished a notable movie, although it is a very painful session. If your soul feels pricked about Africa, get “Triage” Dr. James Orbinski’s Humanitarian Dilemma. He is a Nobel peace prize laureate from 1999 and was in Rwanda during the genocide. He is an eloquent man who has seen things too large for any single person to witness.
To all who harbor a desire to travel and participate in a similar adventure this is my advice. Go. Be a minimalist. Be low maintenance. Travel light. Give of yourself, not your goods. Talk little, be intuitive, watch incessantly, and read as much as you can before you embark, and lastly but not at all least…learn the language to the best you can. This is the doorway to many hearts.
To learn of another is to learn of oneself. American culture can never be judged completely by another culture, but there is no doubt for me, that to go to Africa, or anywhere really, means that you can’t come back the same.
Patrick,
I am the director of the centre you visited in 2001(still here 10 years on!!) -what great photos. We still give your poster to visiting VIPs and dignitries.
God is good and we love to see “God lifting the poor out of the dust to sit with princes and Kings” Psalm 113:7,8
What a privilege to see these kids who are thrown away b families and the communities now studying at University, raising families and the future hope of this poor nation of Mozambique.
God’s blessings for sharing this photographic story Steve and Ros Lazar
Steve,
Wow, 10 years. Longevity and continuity in you position, is a gift to many for sure. Glad to hear of your work and thanks for keeping me updated through your newsletters. I’ve got some unshakable memories from my visit there. My guess is many of those kids are now grown up and possibly married. It was a joy to be there, and keep up your good work. My regards to Roland and Heidi.
Hey Patrick,
I really enjoyed your photos of the children in Africa and your stories and feedback above. WOW! I had no idea that you’d traveled and done work with Iris Ministries. From Alaska to Africa and beyond, the commonality of interests that we share feels very small world-like. 🙂
I know you through my travels to Alaska and specifically through a friend in common, Hugh Rose. So to see your photos of these children really caught my eye. I too have a love for international travel and photography. But most of all, I suppose there is that common love for the human spirit.
Grateful for the work that you’ve done for Heidi and Rolland Baker and Iris Ministries and these children. And grateful that you help to open the eyes of folks to see TRUE BEAUTY everywhere!
Keep up the great work! I always enjoy your images!
Virg from Cincinnati, OH
Virg,
Thanks for your comments and for taking the time to enjoy my photography.