Zimberjack, a photo from Harare, East

Photographer's Note

There's a lot of Zimbabweans in South Africa, escaping their tyrannic government and the corruption that keeps the country under unbearable poverty and human rights violations.

While the population is peaceful, friendly, curious to meet foreigners and more then keen to have their photo taken, some thugs hired by the government interpose themselves and chase away foreigners to prevent documenting their situation in every day contexts, whether at the market or on the streets.

I had to drive 45 minutes away from the capital to be able to photograph people, without having to get authorization.

With constant power cuts, people rely on wood to warm themselves and for cooking, causing deforestation.

dcole, jeromep, worldcitizen, macjake, timecapturer, CLODO, cherryripe, stego has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

dcole (281) 2014-08-10 10:57

Hi Andre,
Excellent portrait, I really like the lighting and inclusion of the environment, great shot!
Best regards,
Dorian

worldcitizen (16234) 2014-08-10 12:21

Hello Andre,
You were courageous to take photos in Zimbabwe. A good friend of mine is from Harare, and most of her family has had to leave due to the current situation. Sadly, the Zimbabwe she grew up in was prosperous and the people were happy. Things have gone backwards... About your lovely portrait, this man manages a smile, even under difficult circumstances. It's a realistic look at daily life in a country that we don't get to see much of these days.

holmertz (103732) 2014-08-10 12:45

Hello Andr�,
I was in Zimbabwe for the elections in 2000 and the situation was really bad then, People were already very scared but it seems things have gone from bad to worse since then. It's such a disgrace that this beautiful and once quite prosperous country has gone down the drain in such a way. At an election meeting Mugabe came so close to me I could have slapped him in his face, but then i wouldn't have been writing this critique now :-)
It's a fine shot of a man who keeps his spirits up, in spite of all. I love the good view of the environment around him and the people in the background.
Best regards,
Gert

macjake (98544) 2014-08-10 13:13

Hi Andre
what a sad state of affairs.
its hard to imagine living in a country or in a world like that.
We certainly are not going to solve any of the worlds problems here on TE today, but i just dont understand why governments do this - of course its for money and power - but really...why??
i know thats a simplistic statement, but it just pisses me off.

very sad to hear about the government not wanting people taking photos either - so i guess this is quite the treat for us.

the man has a genuine kindness to his face, well captured. interesting to see the axe attacthed to what seems like a pipe?

wonderful photo of the human spirit
cheers
craig

jjcordier (79299) 2014-08-10 21:40

Andr�
Une photo-t駑oignage de tr鑚 belle qualit�. Beau portrait de cet exil�. M麥e s'il prend un peu la pose, on ressent beaucoup de tristesse dans son regard.
Amicalement
JJ

timecapturer (49288) 2014-08-11 6:14

Hello Andre
a beautiful study this and a superb piece of journalistic imagery. You always bring us something original and different and also of perfect quality and interest. Bravo!

Have a good week - B.

CLODO (45118) 2014-08-11 7:20

Bonjour Andr�

digne du National Geographic, mais avec les autorisations en moins! Malgr� son existence difficile, il semble faire front et pose fi鑽ement devant ton appareil photo.
Amicalement
CLODO

cherryripe (21033) 2014-08-11 9:38

Salut Andr�.
Comment vas-tu ? Il s'agit d'une magnifique portrait et j'adore le regard dans ses yeux. La lumi鑽e est tr鑚 belle aussi. Tu sais, nous avons quitt� le Zimbabwe 3 jours avant que tu aies pris cette photo. Mais depuis les chutes de Victoria. Je n'ai pas os� prendre en photo les gens dans la rue comme une pauvre dame albinos avec ses deux enfants.

stego (24132) 2014-08-11 9:51

Hi Andre,
A great portrait! The man in his context, one suspect that his life is far from easy just by looking at him, but at the same time he is almost smiling. Coincidence or not, I like the reminiscence of a sepia image, with all that brown.
It's good to see your photos again.
Regards, Jos�.

Bartleby (13552) 2014-08-13 11:41

Salut Andr�,
encore un super portrait en situation avec ton utilsiation caract駻istique du grand angle qui fonctionne super bien ici. Pose et lumi鑽e sont au top. Et une note int駻essante.

Phil

willperrett (14215) 2014-08-14 9:11

Hello Andre

This is serious documentary photography here, as your note implies. We see relatively little soc. doc. on this site, and even less of this quality. The eye-contact, expression, relevant background environment, even the lowering sky: all are part of the overall effect. Excellent work, and I hope you got clear away from the government thugs.

Respect

Will

Bergenphotos (3326) 2014-08-14 14:43

Hello Andre.

I just visited the western part (Victoria Falls). I rented a bike and went to a random neighborhood to experience a bit more of Zimbabwe than the touristic town of Victoria Falls. I found extremely nice people at once. Zimbabweans are very open and talkative people. I even got a hippo carved in tree as a present, just from playing with their kids and discussing their country. They wanted me to take several pictures and it didn't seem to be a problem up there at least, but I can imagine Harare is a bit different.

This is a wonderful portrait, can't say otherwise. You include the man, his work and the atmosphere around with the man in focus. Cannot ask for more in a perfect portrait.

Best regards,
Fredrik

ktanska (45126) 2014-08-15 11:43

Hi Andre,
It's a tough life there, always so sad to read about tyranny in many countries.
Cool portrait taken on a short break of daily work. All brown colours make a calm overall feeling. I haven't seen before an axe with a metallic handle. Not the most ergonomic, I'd guess.
Kari