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
