Rahab

I do believe that this is the final portrait from the group of women I worked with in Africa. I can't really go back and re-shoot any, so I know that photographically, they leave something to be desired. But I love the beautiful smiles these women live out in their lives and show in these photos.

I have 2312 photos from two weeks spent there. I actually could easily have taken more, but I was actually working as a volunteer, so I didn't have a lot of time to use my camera. :-) Anyway, I thought I'd start with some photos of the women I worked with. The organization is called Amani ya Juu, which in Swahili means, "Higher Peace". It is a reconciliation project, teaching marginalized women to sew so that they can have a trade and thus support themselves and their families.

Rahab is Elisabeth's daughter. She wasn't able to be there when we visited her mom for lunch in their home, but she was so excited to talk with us the next day and to tell us how she appreciated our visiting her mother. I think I may have mentioned that there is a way of thinking in Africa that guests are a blessing on a home. Rahab and her mother Elisabeth certainly reflected this idea!

Photographically, I like this probably better than the other portraits ... close crop, good DOF (I think so anyway), and no horrible shadow behind her from the flash. But there are hot spots on her nose, cheeks and chin. Are they too distracting? Any other thoughts?

Like I said, this is the last of the portraits of the women that I want to share with you at this time. I may eventually go back and rework some of them based on your comments, and will probably re-upload them. It won't be real soon, though. :-) I will start posting some other images from my trip ... a couple photos of some children, some landscapes from the Maasai Mara, and a whole bunch of wildlife shots from the safari.

I will look forward to hearing from you..... :-)

Congratulations on a very fine photo, Lou Ann, as well as for the indirect reminder that every human being on this planet (except for albinos) is a shade of brown. "Black" and "white" are merely social constructs, not descriptors of actual color.

--Lannie