An African In Greenland

This book had me gripped from start to finish. I came across this book after finishing reading ‘Afropean’ by Johnny Pitts, in which he cites this book as an inspiration for his work. 

I have left a link to my video review on Afropean below- you absolutely must read it. 

This true story has been written by Tete-Michel Kpomassie starting from his native homeland in Togo, West Africa. 

He came across a book on Greenland in a Missionary Bookshop and was utterly awed by a place in complete contrast to his own. 

Completely mesmerized by it, he set his intention on getting there by any means possible. 

The journey occurs over a number of years starting from the country’s independence on April 27, 1960 through several countries across West Africa. 

He finally reaches France before staying for a short while with a connection he had made while working in consular services. 

I won’t go into too much detail here but I’m not sure if it is still possible to simply turn up at someone's door without any notice. 

I digress, the journey takes him across to Germany and in to Denmark before he finally sets off for Greenland. He would be the first African in Greenland and the natives were in awe of his visit to them. His travels takes him around treacherously cold and inhospitable regions of Greenland with his basic film camera. 

He shares some of his black and white images, I presume taken on a Zeiss Ikon Nettar with Medium Format Film. The images give us an insight in to the challenges of living in such conditions combined with his descriptions of daily life give a rich experience to any reader who has not ventured in to such far flung places. 

I am grateful to Johnny for having cited this book. The book takes you through highs and lows, the perils of journeying with small and little means. Ultimately the book is really about resilience, fortitude and Tete’s unflinching desire to reach his dream. Regardless of your circumstances with grit, hard work and determination you too can reach your goals and dreams. This book has been a renewal of inspiration for me as I hope it will be for you too. 

You can learn about how to become a better photographer, learn film photography and much more on my YouTube Channel! See you there!

Journey To The Kalahari

First published in 1984, The Cry of the Kalahari is an autobiography on the pioneering research that Mark and Delia Owens conducted on the wildlife of the Kalahari in Botswana [139% larger than the UK] during the mid-1970s. 

This book is an emotional rollercoaster and once I picked it up on recommendation from my sister, I just couldn’t put it down. It is truly inspirational for all, a journey of patience, determination, guile, fortitude, resoluteness, courage, bravery, sadness, horror, disdain, anger, peace, uncertainty… I could go on endlessly.  

You may have watched documentaries by Sir David Attenborough or be aware of the amazing conservation work of Jane Goodall but this seven year journey of Mark and Delia Owens not only represents them as zoologists and researchers, but shows their concern and love for the environment and the species inhabiting our world. 

The year is 1974 and Mark and Delia arrive in Botswana ready to start their journey with only $7000 in their pocket, which is the equivalent of about $40,000 in today’s money. That’s about the average yearly salary in the 1970s. It took them three years, in which they both scraped to save working two jobs and selling all their worldly possessions to make this research expedition a reality. 

Financing the trip was an ongoing battle throughout their eventual 7 year stay in the Kalahari. When they first arrived they ended up working in Gaborone for several months before making their way up to Maun. It was to become their go to point for supplies before heading south to Deception Valley in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. 

Throughout the book it alternates between Mark and Delia’s diaries where they share their intimate insights in to the relationships between animal and man, one to this day that continues to be fraught and fragile, as they try and piece together  a better understanding on how animals thrive to live with limited resources while on a shoestring budget. 

The primary study was centred around jackals, lions and the endangered brown hyena. One of the most incredible stories is about a lion they aptly named ‘Bones’ . Found with a life threatening leg injury, using their rudimentary skills, they conducted emergency surgery with whatever tools they had to save him. They would lose track of Bones for long periods of time only for him to suddenly reappear to their (and the readers) absolute delight. It turns out that Lions have an incredible natural recovery system. 

For me it was fascinating to find out about how brown hyena’s such as ‘Star’ (what a story that is!) interact socially with their kind as well as Lions. Having travelled to the Ngorongoro Crater myself, further east in Tanzania, I was struck by the balance in which animals live, rely and depend on each other. Reflecting on it, it almost feels like most humans are completely not in tune with the flora and fauna that exists on this planet. 

Living in the Kalahari also meant that Delia and Mark would go months without seeing another human being. It almost feels unreal that at times when they were at greatest distress, particularly when they came closest to running out of funding, suddenly somebody would come to the rescue. 

Starting first with receiving relief from a South African Half American/Half Englishman by the name of Bergie Berghoffer who appears suddenly out of nowhere and keeps dropping them off supplies until - well I’ll leave that incredible story for you to find out more about. 

Delia and Mark develop relationships with others on their occasional visits to Maun but overtime they find that due to their long stays in the Kalahari that they are becoming more and more distant from social relationships. 

They are relentless in sending out applications for grants to allsorts of wildlife institutions across North America, Europe and South Africa. Over time their persistence leads to trickle of funds which allows them to invest in getting more sophisticated and occasionally troubled equipment. 

This allowed them to pioneer research on brown hyenas, learning in detail where they went and how they lived with other hyenas. Their research gave us a greater understanding of the rather complex relationships that exist within these communities. 

Despite their challenges with funding, building relationships, and tracking brown hyenas and lions with their limited capacity. Mark and Delia faced an incredibly harsh climate and extreme weather events together, often bearing extreme heat or alternating their study patterns to continue working on their research. 

The threat of fires, drought but also the impacts of human encroachment and restriction had an impact not only on their scientific studies but also their social and emotional well-being. Fencing created by a handful of cattle ranchers restricted the flow of migrant wildebeest trying to find water during times of drought and resulting in unfathomable amount of death and extreme distress amongst their populations and ofcourse untold impacts on the habitats. 

Their experiences would make them one of the biggest voices for animals of the Kalahari. Writing and pleading with local, national and international actors to intervene. Things would be made worse by incoming mining prospectors looking to find untold riches in this vast and pristine land. 

Humans are by default meaning making machines. What's the point of all this? Whatever you define ‘this’ to be! This is something that you may have asked of yourself in different settings. Through reading this book you will be struck by the balance that the animal kingdom walks in, in sharp contrast to how as humans we interact and consume from this one precious and wonderful earth. 

Mark & Delia’s commitment and love for what they do is truly inspiring. Coming from modest beginnings to living on the edge for the love of knowledge.I'm so grateful to have been recommended this book and humbled by Mark and Delia sharing their journey. 

I think the Queen of Conservation, Jane Goodall said, 'For anyone interested in animals or in real life adventure, this book is a must' - I couldn’t have said it better. If you would like to find out more about the book click check out Delia’s website here where you’ll find out about her other internationally bestselling non fiction books too! 

Struggling reading? Have you tried listening to books? There are quite a few platforms which you can do this on. 

I find listening to books, particularly ones narrated by the authors, gives you a much more immersive experience. This book is incredible to listen to, where you might be, travelling by train, plane, yacht or car! 

For more Subscribe and turn on the notifications for your weekly video drop! 

Afropean Notes From Black Europe By Johny Pitts

You read because you want to be moved, feel something, be inspired or learn something new. Afropean is a book about understanding the lived experience of Europe’s black communities. No doubt this book will move you in ways that will get you to think more about you and how similar or different your lived experience is wherever you may be in the world. 

Johny Pitts is writer, photographer and broadcast journalist, born and raised in a low middle income home in Sheffield, England. His father is African-American and mother is White English. After breaking up with his girlfriend he moved back temporarily from London to Sheffield before embarking on his budget backpacking trip to Europe. 

What I find most interesting about his journey is that he was in his 30s when he first decided to do this trip. Unlike upper middle income kids on their gap year or post uni backpacking around Europe, he had spent years saving money and even then had to max out his credit cards to fund his 5 month trip. One which was spent not living the delights of some of its famous spots and sceneries but spent on a budget living and experiencing the lives of those communities living on the fringe. 

Johny takes us with him on this journey through Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Stockholm, Moscow, Rome, Marseille and Gibraltar. Interspersed with meticulous social and detailed historical knowledge, he infuses his personal experiences of the trip with those that he meets sharing their deeply rich experiences giving them a voice. 

One of the most fascinating stories that Johny writes about is on Alexander Pushkin’s heritage. Alexander Pushkin was a Russian poet, playwright, and novelist of the Romantic era. He is considered by many to be the greatest Russian poets and the founder of modern Russian literature. A Russian, his great grandfather was Abram Gannibal who was a son of a Prince from what is today the border between Chad and Cameroon. His story in itself is one of brilliance and excellence of the human mind and character. One of his sons would go on to become a General in the Tsar’s Army (incredible considering the attitudes towards people of African origin during the colonial period) and later one of his descendants would marry into British Royalty! 

In my own ignorance, this story reminded me of the great work of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges who was a French classical composer, virtuoso violinist, a conductor of the leading symphony orchestra in Paris  (as well as being a renowned champion fencer!) There are likely many, many more great artists who have African heritage that have influenced European culture directly that have simply been forgotten about or had their influence removed. 

The way Johny weaves the story of Alexander Pushkin, through to the Soviet era when those of African heritage saw even briefly an attempt to reduce the racial gap and now when being a man or woman of colour in Russia might find you targeted directly physically and in some occasions brutally. 

It is incredible to see that in Europe today so much is forgotten about notable individuals such as Pushkin, their heritage and contribution to European art and culture. Johny brings contemporary life stories and frames them eloquently within the context of the past. 

One of the most tragic dots that connect all the stories of the African diaspora living in various parts of European cities, is how similar their backgrounds are and the contempt and most challenging conditions they find themselves living in. From the Senegalese living in the Banlieues of Paris to the Freedom fighters of the ANC living a solitary existence in Stockholm. All share deprived and wretched conditions they live in even though after a generation of migrants has come most continue unable to be treated as citizens of their home state and face daily challenges trying to make economic and social progress. 

From encounters with people on the train who openly demonstrated their hatred of ‘foreynjers’ [I won't go into details here but you must really read the chapter ‘Rinkeby Swedish’] for anyone not aware of the deeply embedded racism within European society Johny’s travels and book is truly revealing of a european society with two halves. 

If you love travel, journaling or immersing yourself in real life stories you must read this book. Johny curates an online journal Afropean.com and contributes to The Guardian, the New Statesman and The New York Times. Be sure to check out his continuing work! 

How about grabbing this book wherever you might be and take an incredible journey through Europe that many of us will never get to see or experience. It will forsure change the way you see Paris or Rome the next time you fly for a getaway vacation. 

Have you read Afropean or any other travel/photography books? Let me know, I’d love to hear from you in the comments! 

You can grab a copy of the book here

Start Creating With The Photographers Playbook

You have a creative block. Everything has been shot. Probably. You have two options, give up or find some inspiration to create. Which one do you choose? 

There are many, many ways you can get inspired and by watching this video you have already made a great first step! 

I do love reading and during past times you might find me perusing in a bookstore looking for a new source of inspiration. ‘The Photographer's Playbook’ is certainly one of the best photography books you will ever have on your bookshelf. 

You may already be aware that photography by default is quite a lonely hobby. For most part it may just be circumstance. You work full time and on the occasions you have a chance to get out it's a challenge getting someone with similar interests to get together. This book is like having a a photography feast with some of the most recognized photographers in the world from Henri-Cartier Bresson to Alec Soth. You can find out more about the pros and cons of this book in the video. 

You will find 307 ideas and assignments you can pick from! These range from what to shoot, how to shoot, starting new projects, playing games with your photographic work and process. 

Something to The Photographer’s Playbook So why not get inspired by some of the most creative photographers out there. Some amazing photographers have contributed to this book from Henri Cartier-Bresson to Alec Soth [a couple of my favourites!] So why not take inspiration from them and start creating in your own unique way! 

This one book can keep you going for years and years. Definitely one to keep on the shelf, for a time when you are feeling a bit down, out of ideas and need a little inspiration to get up. It’s a fascinating find and one to keep the fun alive in your photographic journey. Grab yourself a copy and get shooting! 

Have you read the Photographer’s Playbook or any other photography books recently? Let me know, I’d love to hear from you in the comments! 

Get your copy of the book here: https://amzn.to/3kUlXRu

What You Can Learn From John Berger

John Berger is able to merge together lots of different disciplines - visual materials, paintings, photographs, drawings, sculptures, movies, the world, its truths and realities that exist in the world and peoples stories and emotional responses - for him they are all one thing. 

John Peter Berger was born in 1926 and passed away in January 2017. After serving in the Army in WW2 he went on to study at the Chelsea School of Art and Central School of Art and Design in London. He was an English art critic, novelist, painter and poet. Most notably his novel ‘G.’ won the 1972 Booker Prize, and his essay on art criticism Ways of Seeing, written as an accompaniment to the BBC series of the same name, is often used as a university text. He created great controversy when he donated 50% of his prize money to the Black Panthers in the US. Both the ultra right wing in the UK were incensed by this and the ultra left too when they thought he had not given enough! He lived the majority of life, 50 years in France. 

Berger’s abilities to describe images in so much detail mean that you even if you haven’t seen the image it will appear in your mind - and if you have have it will pop right back in. This chapter is based on the amazing Don McCullin’s and his photographs from the war in Vietnam. His haunting images are world known. How have you processed seeing Don’s images? It got me wondering how he did. Was his experience different to the framed narrative we see? I think its pretty amazing how much of how we see an image is a reflection of our lived experience. Today Now Don shoots still life and landscape photography, and shoots a lot on 4x5 cameras. This chapter left me with the question, if you took the photos he did in the Vietnam War, how would you process that? 

By drawing in so many disciplines in his written work Berger is able to capture the essence of what it means to photograph. You can be a world renowned photographer or not, you are capturing the essence of the human experience for you and for others- through reading his work he gets you thinking - thinking about your work and why it matters. 

This book is a collection of essays that Berger wrote over a long period of time. The string that ties them all together is his continual effort to try and make social and human connections between all types of disciplines, some which I to some extent agree with and others I’m not so sure about. 

In the Suit and the Photograph chapter - he shows this image of Three farmers going to dance - John fixates on is the suits they are wearing and how much they are like the suits in his village when they dress up and do something - the cheapness of the suits and the cuts says not only something about them but also about the world we come from today. Have things changed, if you really think about it? For Berger, art is something that means something to people. 

Through his immersive writing you can get a sense of depth of what the components of a great photograph are - for you it will trigger thoughts and ideas of how and why you shoot. How you can refine how you look at the world and how you can refine and contribute more of your unique style and work. 

For Berger, form and content does not exist. He is completely immersed in what is going on in the picture and what people are saying. In his second chapter he says ‘It looks as though (whatever kind of activity it might be) is going to outlive painting and sculpture as we have thought of them since the Renaissance’ he goes on to say ‘no work of art can survive and not become a valuable property’. 

It’s amazing how Berger has brought together so many aspects of the human experience which help us to understand a photograph. Often through the book he drifts off and makes some tenuous links between photography and history perhaps as a way to demonstrate his knowledge about the subject. In a way the book is timeless, by reflecting on the past he gets you to think about how modern industrialists are influencing how we see and experience the world. Overall this book is an excellent read for anyone looking to learn more about how they see the world and help you to construct your own vision which communicates your story. 

Understanding a Photograph is a drop in the ocean of all the work he has produced. He has translated many foriegn poems, the latest of which is by Mahmoud Darwish. You may also want to check out ‘Susan Sontag: On Photography’ which from a grapevine I have heard is very intellectual! Have you read Understanding a Photograph or any other photography books recently? Let me know, I’d love to hear from you in the comments!