Kenyan Photographer Shows Stunning Work

Zimbabwe Mon 13-08-2007

Kenyan Photographer Shows Stunning Work
By Martin Chemhere

Untiledt “For the first time in my career my pictures have attracted buyers in an exhibition situation. Its amazing how things have turned out to be for someone who has just begun to know the exhibition circuit” said young Kenyan photojournalist Antony Kaminju currently in Harare.

A highly talented photo journalist, Kaminju’s work is part of the 2007 Gwanza Month of Photography showing at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, in Harare untill 14 August.

Working from Johannesburg, South Africa as a freelance photo journalist for various regional and international media, Kaminju has brought to Harare a refreshing photographic list that has in no tune endeared him to the city’s audiences and buyers alike.

In a month long show, his photographs have attracted buyer’s interests within only a couple of days. “A couple of buyers have liked my work; they want to buy them straightaway. Previously, I have sold pictures to the media, which is my main line of work, but this is a first to sell in an exhibition like this”, he said in excitement.

Although he has only held two exhibitions, mainly because he is only two years from graduating at college, Kaminju feels this development is a reason to wear a wide smile but at the same time remain focused and work harder. “With this kind of positive response I will have to plan for future exhibitions in Johannesburg and Nairobi,” he said in interview.

Antony Kaminju’s portfolio at Gwanza 2007 is a tale of Africa’s hidden secrets. His “Ceremony” shows part of a large crowd in South Africa, in a ceremonial mood.

Shaven heads are the order of fashion, and all appear in their youths. Many wield walking sticks bearing feathers at their tips and piercing the mist filled air.

The photographer has captured the tense mood of the gathering, the firm and anxious atmosphere, the density of the crowd. This characteristic is experienced in another of his photographs titled “The king” who depicts an African ruler in front of his subjects.

Again a ceremonial scene, the picture sends feelings of authenticity and dominance on the king`s part while the crowd before him appear loyal, obedient, united, faithful and even ready to follow his command.

Specializing in documentaries and editorial photography Antony Kaminju was a pioneer student at the Market Photo Workshop, Johannesburg in 2005.

“The King” who depicts an African ruler in front of his subjects

He trained for one year at the famed institution after having begun in Nairobi; in the late 80s where he worked for the flagship media house The Nation Newspapers for five years.

He observes that although the photographic industry is posing a difficult sector for many aspiring young Kenyans, it has begun to open up for those willing to work hard with little resources.

After the flirtation with Kenyan scribe life, he packed his bags and headed for bright scenes of Johannesburg and enrolled at media college. He is full of praise for this highly ranked media institution. “I have since realized that the medium of photojournalism is evolving and very dynamic.

The curriculum is so good and expansive that it covers all vital media basics and advanced courses. I am now able to write feature articles after my training with the Market Photo Workshop.

“The college has some of the best lecturers who are internationally highly regarded and they know their work in and out. More importantly, attachments for students are organized with the best media house in world based in Johannesburg. “Once you go through the Market Photo Workshop one gets the conviction that they can make it professionally as an independent photo journalist or just a photographer”, he said.

Kaminju pointed out that although the school has distinguished itself over the years, a good photo journalist “must put their own input regardless of how good the materials they get from the lectures?

He is also of the opinion that the school prepares adequately the student photographer with the best practical know how in running photography as a business. “There are certain aspects like understanding the photographic language among other things that make the student come out of the school with professional confidence to be able to move on after.

For him Market Photo Workshop was an eye opener in many ways. “In Kenya photographers retire at around 50 years at a time when in South Africa one is supposed to be beginning to enjoy their career. Untitled

“It also seems that in East Africa photographer think of money first before taking pictures. In South Africa it is work first then money later. He said that photographers in South Africa were advanced because their economy was top class and thus they were challenged and empowered to think outside the box.

They also enjoy more creative opportunities and the scene is ultra dynamic. As a result they are inspired to work beyond the age of 50 or so as the depth of opportunities avail from the wealthy industrialization of the economy.

After setting foot in Harare he is a changed man: “From this year’s Gwanza Month of Photography I have been further motivated to work even harder than I thought before I came down to Harare.

Does he have photographic heroes? “No not at all, I just read photographic books on people like the legendary South African photographer Santu Mofokeng.

I have never said I want to be so and so. I am not following any conventional methods in photography I am just taking pictures” But what does he want to achieve in future? “In a few years time, I want to be someone in African photography.”

Antony Kaminju has held one group photographic exhibition as part of student’s familiarization with the professional world and held at the Market Photo Workshop. “The exhibition was good and it was about cross border traders from Zimbabwe into South Africa.”

Keminju schooled and grew up in rural Kenya. He did his graphic arts training at the Kenya National Polytechnic between 1992 and 1995. After graduating he worked “ a bit” as a designer in Nairobi.

He moved to photo journalism during the East African country’s multi party political turmoil. From 1998 to 1999 he started working with the National Newspaper until 2005.

He described working on his homeland as challenging. “In Kenya I worked hard just like others because we had limited resources. But in South Africa I found out that resources are plenty and there is a set platform to set the foundation for one’s work.”

Despite the fact that he is still regarded as an emerging photographer, Kaminju already sees himself as a benefactor of some sort especially back home in Kenya. “ I want to go back to Nairobi and set up a small studio or workshop that will help young Kenyan photographers develop properly.

Together with other interested Kenyans we have the idea and we want it to work”, he said. What future does he see for black photographers in his adopted country South Africa? “ Opportunities are coming up for black photographers in developed nations like South Africa.”

What about in Zimbabwe? He singled out photojournalists from Zimbabwe such as the high rising Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi and Alexander (Alex) Joe, the veteran former Nairobi based and now Johannesburg stationed Zimbabwean among some of the names that have put local photography on the world map.

What about Gwanza” “It’s a strong statement to the locals and the world that Gwanza is happening in difficult times. There is a great future with this exhibition in both Zimbabwean and African photography in general.

There is however room for improvement which area can be addressed through local workshops and international exchanges. I will try to return and share with other locals my own experiences.

Generally I want to see a lot of developmental photography in Zimbabwe which is a process of recording day to day activities”.

He also urged African photographers to be professional in order not to lag behind in attracting real business that he said was traditionally a preserve of white photographers. “White photographers have always had an edge ever blacks due to their business culture that appeals to mainstream business.

As black photographers we must work in a professional manner and keep time in delivery of work. “Photographer in Africa must record events in their backyards.

In the past we generally lacked a system to document our cultures so lets collectively change this negative scenario.” He said that photojournalists and photographers have the “natural two eyes and a third eye in the form of a camera. I urge photographers to maximize that advantage.”

Posted By: .

skip to top

Your Comments

skip to top

African Artists Portfolios

Ehoodi Kichapi Jes'se is a Mixed Media Artist

Miguel Petchkovsky is a Mixed Media Artist

Click To View All African Artist Portfolios

Kaafiri Kariuki at the Creativity Gallery

Shades of Time: An exhibition by Kaafiri Kariuki at the Creativity Gallery National Museum of Kenya

News By Regions

Featured Artist Portfolio

Title: Making Ways
Name: Tabitha Wa Thuku
Country: Kenya
Medium: Mixed media on heavy canvas
Size: 149 X 140 cms
Click here to view