Yesterday I talked to a man who has been in the photography business for a long time. And what he told me saddens me. Apparently, you cannot get a job with some of the big advertising agencies if you are anything other than a white person. Even the man I talked to who has been around the block cannot get a job with these big firms. Apparently we of non-white origin cannot take pictures as well as our brethren and sistren. When I asked him why this was the case, he mentioned that that is just how things are. If anyone knows why this is, please educate me.
Pictures will still be taken, however. I should probably view this as a challenge to overcome rather than an obstacle to stop me. At the stage I am, I know I have a long way to go before I even come close to the quality of photographer the man I talked to is. What impressed me about him, however, was the fact that he was willing to spend time to talk to me. Someone whose existence he did not know of prior to my call to him setting up the meeting. And not only that, he asked me to bring samples of my work for him to critique. The guy says I have potential. That means much, coming from someone as established as he is. Not only that, but he is willing to teach me more, an offer I most definitely intend to take up.
In the meantime, enjoy these shots taken of Central Park last week. Incidentally, this was my first time at the park in a very very long time. I am talking close to 20 years. Thanks to the efforts of the Nairobi town clerk as described by Bankelele here, the park is now a beautiful and safe place to visit once more. I love that this is the case!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Long way to go!
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21 comments:
Lovely pics I havent been to central park in eons maybe now I can pay a visit.
Don't let the discouragement deter you just keep taking good pics, make contacts and you may find the breakthrough
Was wondering when you were going to post already. Re: only mzungus taking pics, etc. How else will people afford large draughty houses in Karen? I've seen a couple of Indians who've forged their own paths...we'd be wise to blaze trails of our own, seeing that possession is indeed 9/10ths of the law.
Dude you got eye...hang on there, soon it will we you huko Karen....!
man oh man! great pics, as usual, i can hardly recognise it. the last time i was there was in my teens i think..i should go back there, and soon, that thing about who takes good pictures its unfortunately the established practice which we need to change..you got the eye, now that is a compliment! keep going there is a future for you in photography!
wonderful pics. I love them!!!
I suppose you will just have to knock on doors till someone appreciates your art.
having fun in Kenya?
yes, pity about blacks. but hang in there soon the expatriates are moving out and the young hot kenyans are becoming MDs. if we can prove ourselves biashara will come our way.
that guy was right, you have potential. keep at it.
those pics took me way back, back into time...cheers!
Hey, please do see it as a challenge. I think this is one of them things which is said so often, that people don't question or challenge it (as th guy you spoke to). Once you set your mind to it, then sometimes things happen. Just keep the faith. :) [I speak from a slightly similar yet different experience].
Brilliant pictures though. I loved the butterfly*(?) one!
*moth? :p (and yeah- I have had a name substitution!)
talk to lindsey mcyntire of suranzuri modelling agency in karen/ ngong road she has connections with those big shots in that industry. I dealt with her a short while in 2003( IT related stuff) and am sure anaweza ku-connect you. - she is white...
tell her that some guy of wananchi online tech support ( formely) reffered you ...
OK, let me confess...I don't know where central park is...the only parks I know in Nairobi are city park and uhuru park...where is central park?
You could just go it alone...cut out the middle man and let your work speak for itself (or create an alter ego called EGM White complete with faux-foreign accent and see if it makes a difference how people react to your work) LOL
As always great pics i will go with the rest of the commentors, find a way to let your work be seen and then take it from there.
we do have a truly beautiful country.
Ati only wazungu?
Hey, guys, you have power of (web, blog, know-how, etc) to break down such pissy obstacles. Why accept it? And right in your own "black" country? If you do not, then who will?
@Rista
You are always +tive
Saying "we'd be wise to blaze trails of our own". This is defeatist. Ati maintain bad status quo!
And I think for this very reason we have the web, blogs, flickr, etc.
Good to see someone giving you tips....keep at it. It is a challenge, part of life.
As for the pics.....loving the sunshine. Baridi imeingia na huku....going back to your pics to enjoy the sunshine. LOL!!!
@kenya.fm:
Please analyze (dispassionately)how the Kenyan pie is divided up. In any "war", never pursue just one strategy. Troops should be split up into those who try to break down the fortress doors, those who try to enter through windows and other small openings, and others who work on reaching the goal without ever vising that particular frontline. It's up to EGM to pick his strategy.
Kirima
Contacts are definitely very helpful. They may be beneficial in getting that breakthrough.
Rista
Agreed with you. That's why I am trying to figure out by talking to all these different people where I'll eventually land. I've heard of various ways people have succeeded, and that's what I need to do, pinpoint what my passion within photography is and follow through on that.
Xs
Asante!
Muthii
I figure the best thing is not to dwell on what's bad, but rather do what I know to be good work and sell that.
Majonzi
Asante!
I shall keep taking them pics
Loving it! Glad I came back.
Modo
Proving ourselves is vital. No sense in complaining over status quo yet we can't deliver. So instead of that complaining, I'll be working on delivery.
Беанс
Thanks! I will definitely work on this here challenge.
It was a butterfly.
Kip
Thanks for the 411. I'll check up on her and see what can come of it.
Wambui
You are right. It is City Park (post edited to reflect that). I think my mind was in New York city mode when writing this.
Hehe, that whole faux-foreign EGM kilt me. But you have a point over that going it alone. My goal is to use online photo sites to market myself.
Gish
Thanks. Thanks to the net, doing what you suggest is made easier.
Kenya.FM
True, there's the power of the web and all that. These media will definitely give you exposure, but if a Creative Director at some company wants to commission work, he will probably not go looking for folks online, but rather deal with those he already knows. The question comes down to how to break through that and become one of the ones that are known. Maybe using a different strategy might help. The one I have heard that seems to work is once you get exposure from the online presence and some international organization commissions you, then your chances are better locally. I don't know how true this is, but it is worth exploring. One thing I have heard, word of mouth is the biggest way to make it in this business. That's what I need to establish, a clientelle that will market me to others.
On Rista's question, how is her comment defeatist?
Mocha
Those do help, but as I've told Kenya.FM, the biggest marketting is by word of mouth. So on top of using these online presence, I need to build something that folks will then refer others to me.
Definitely worthwhile having an experienced person as a mentor.
Pole bout the baridi. I am so glad I don't have to deal with that again!
Rista
This multi-pronged attack is a good idea. As for what I'll use, that's what I am still trying to settle on.
It saddens me to hear that in our own country, that such an argument can be put forth?! I agree with you, take the challenge and break through!
You definitely have talent!
wuuuuuiiii,,,it saddens me too
**neema divine wipes away trickling tears**
hiyo, as per my knowledge huitwa institutional racism, hata sijui if i got my spellings right, yani si racism as such lakini watu hupractise,my advice to you, JUST KEEP ON PUSHING, do it better, faster, and get your profile out there, dont give up, just nag anyone...and keep on nagging them,,,watachoka and they'll give u a breakthru,,,
wow, those pics take my breath away, literary.
kind of back!its quite a shame about the whole zunye's owning the industry. but, you go for it!youve got the eye, so use it!heres a high five to the chap who decided to help you!this is what more kenyans should be doing! im really jazzed about that cause kenyans are generally selfish when it comes to sharing info that could propel others forward!all the best for real!
your makendes are welcome any wakatiii
kuna post fulani twangojea ama bado further research inafanywa in the meantime, ama unasubiri post mortem results? heheheh!!
Mwari
I shall do as you say! Thanks.
Neema divine
Welcome to my place. I will just enjoy taking pictures and show them to best of my ability at different places.
Wambui
Thanks.
Mama Shady
You are back! Even though kinda. Thanks for your wishes!
Aegeus
Inakuja!
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