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Thank you for the comments. However, this is image serves a an expression of cultural pride and tradition, and is not intended to, and hopefully does not, portray lack of wellbeing. As far as your mention of Obama - I certainly hope and believe that there might be more of an awareness and appreciation for the diversity of cultures after his term(s) are finished, for recent personal experience have left me with the impression that some sections of the western world have a rather mioptic mindset afa this. Vincent certainly told me that he is glad to assist with this, as even us white South Africans understand so little about this initiation, and the reasons why.
As I mentioned in the previous upload - his stint as a mKwetha finished last week, and I believe that he is back at school this week, completing his last year at high school, before applying to a Cape Town University to study electrical engineering.
As I mentioned in the previous upload - his stint as a mKwetha finished last week, and I believe that he is back at school this week, completing his last year at high school, before applying to a Cape Town University to study electrical engineering.
I know what you mean Koert. However, this was shot only just outside the town of Kwanokathula, kind of 'just turn right past the general store, and walk 200m into the bush'
Quite a privilidge to be from a place like South Africa, where first and third world is on display, walk together, and feed into one another.
I quess that one must sometimes first live away from such a society to fully appreciate this.
I remember how as a kid the mKwetha's would appear at the 2nd hole on the golf course, sell us the balls that they have picked up, and then caddy for us all the way up to the 17th hole, before they retreat back into the woods as we approach the club house. Quite a scene with 4 half-naked men dressed in sacks and painted white carrying the clubs, advising on club choice and holding the flag poles.
Quite a privilidge to be from a place like South Africa, where first and third world is on display, walk together, and feed into one another.
I quess that one must sometimes first live away from such a society to fully appreciate this.
I remember how as a kid the mKwetha's would appear at the 2nd hole on the golf course, sell us the balls that they have picked up, and then caddy for us all the way up to the 17th hole, before they retreat back into the woods as we approach the club house. Quite a scene with 4 half-naked men dressed in sacks and painted white carrying the clubs, advising on club choice and holding the flag poles.
As a practising documentary photographer, this image causes me a little bit of trouble. You have had great access here, but have fallen into some very colonial and "spectacle of the other" practices with your composition and framing.
Looking down on your subject creates a power structure in the image (you are high and looking down) and can re-inforce negative stereotypes, especially with the subject matter you are covering. In this image i get no sense that you had created a connection with your subject or what was going on, it feels more like a record shot.
You've obviously got some great access here...use it, and really get to know and understand your subject, that's the key, bring your subject out, make them shine.
Looking down on your subject creates a power structure in the image (you are high and looking down) and can re-inforce negative stereotypes, especially with the subject matter you are covering. In this image i get no sense that you had created a connection with your subject or what was going on, it feels more like a record shot.
You've obviously got some great access here...use it, and really get to know and understand your subject, that's the key, bring your subject out, make them shine.
No 30. Lets see a few more Andre.
Hi Mark.
I salute your comments. It is interesting how your sentiments strike a cord with me. Africa and it's custom requires a rigid protocol. I was told that in the military, and subsequently taught the same when I participated in a more humanitarian role. And as you rightly state, looking down onto someone of respect, or elders, or whoever you meet, if you are the approaching party, begs of disrespect. I was taught that if the chief of a village might sit on his hunches - you go lower than that when you make aquintance.
My angle in these photos was purely personal, and devoid of my previous teachings. I have been taking a lot of straight-angled photos, and consulted an experienced potrait photographer on how to 'break the mould'.
My recordings of Vincents is pure, and I have tried to tell others about that perculiar custom that the Xhosa have. Vincent shares my enthusiasm.
In mitigation: Have a look at my numerous uploads, and read my narrations that accompany them. If you remain convinced that my attitude reeks of colonialism and associated sentiments, then please point out those images or narrations out to me and I shall either delete them from epz, or alternatively put up a defence.
With much appreciation, Andre
I salute your comments. It is interesting how your sentiments strike a cord with me. Africa and it's custom requires a rigid protocol. I was told that in the military, and subsequently taught the same when I participated in a more humanitarian role. And as you rightly state, looking down onto someone of respect, or elders, or whoever you meet, if you are the approaching party, begs of disrespect. I was taught that if the chief of a village might sit on his hunches - you go lower than that when you make aquintance.
My angle in these photos was purely personal, and devoid of my previous teachings. I have been taking a lot of straight-angled photos, and consulted an experienced potrait photographer on how to 'break the mould'.
My recordings of Vincents is pure, and I have tried to tell others about that perculiar custom that the Xhosa have. Vincent shares my enthusiasm.
In mitigation: Have a look at my numerous uploads, and read my narrations that accompany them. If you remain convinced that my attitude reeks of colonialism and associated sentiments, then please point out those images or narrations out to me and I shall either delete them from epz, or alternatively put up a defence.
With much appreciation, Andre
Thanks Toothpilot.
Hi Andre, I look through your PF on a fair few occassions, 
and just this one jumped out at me for this. It is not necessarily wrong to compose in this manner, just that sometimes you get jumped on for it. Always good to be aware of power relationships and it seems like you are
and just this one jumped out at me for this. It is not necessarily wrong to compose in this manner, just that sometimes you get jumped on for it. Always good to be aware of power relationships and it seems like you are
Thanks Mark. As I said before, you are quite right in this, and I shall keep this check in the back of my mind. Thank you for your honest critique, Andre
