Timex revisited

Originally posted on A walk with my camera:
The landscape here has changed since I’ve last visited nearly 11 months ago.  I remember it was a sunny morning, people were smiling, and all was good.  But now things have changed – the sky is gloomy, life isn’t going too well, but people still manage to…

Faith in the Homeless

Jim invited me to attend the monthly brunch at St Johns Covenant church in North Portland. Not being a church goer, I wasn’t sure what to expect although I knew I would be in familiar company with some of the friends I had met at the Operation Nightwatch mobile hospitality center in St Johns. On …

Packing for Namibia

I leave on Friday morning on my next great adventure, a two week trip to Namibia, in southern Africa.   I am part of a very small group including my great friend and mentor Piper Mackay and Vaughn Hart, a new friend whom I hope to get to know well.  Namibia appears to be an …

The Blue Hour

For the last few days in Portland we’ve had some cold and crisp winter days where the sky is perfectly clear.  For me this is perfect time to take pictures in what is known as the blue hour.  Once the sun is below the horizon its rays start bouncing off of the atmosphere creating a …

Konso – Wednesday Sept 26th

We started the day stopping by an Ari tribe village and even though we weren’t able to stay and visit them, I noticed their village had long grassy lanes between rows of small houses and yards.  It reminded me of the place I grew up in Bristol, Orchard Road; it had a back lane running …

For the sake of tradition – Tuesday Sept 25th

Our final day of visiting tribes and we end with one of the most famous, the Mursi.  The Mursi women wear lip plates that give them a unique and unmistakable appearance.  The tradition is believed to have originated from a time when their women were taken because of the good looks and to deter this …

Heading North – Monday Sept 24th

Things to be grateful for:  hot running clear water and electricity 24 hours a day!  This is fantastic and to achieve it we have moved on to a new location, a town called Jinka about half a day’s drive north.  Having just had a nice long hot shower, I am feeling so much better, in …

The River

In the evening, Piper and I completed a shoot on the banks of the Omo River with my favorite tribe, the Kara.  Their face painting and decoration is incredible and beautiful; they make exceptional models!  With some coaching from Piper, I think my photography went up a couple of notches today.  I guess you can …

Dus – Sunday Sept 23rd

I awoke this morning feeling much better than yesterday, but still have a throat full of razor blades.  Yesterday I would have been happy to simply lie in bed but the cold medicine I brought helped get me through the day.  Reflecting on this trip, I am recognizing it can be hard going, and being …

Around the fire

We visited the Kara tribe again in the evening.  Watching the sunset in Africa is something I will never tire of.  The beautiful colors offset against the natural and man-made landscape create fabulous picture opportunities. Tonight the Kara village people danced for us around the fire.  Dancing appears to be a core part of the …