Lusaka 6:30 AM Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is photo was taken around 6:30 AM, northeast of the center of Lusaka. Something that really brought home the reality of Zambia, was noticing how many people were walking along the side of the road. While most of these are obviously school children, at any time of the day there were always people on the road, walking.

In the distance it looks like there is fog, but actually it is smoke (I think) from all the burning that goes on to get rid of garbage.

A final note - This picture was taken in the Zambian winter, hence the fleece on the boy to the left.

Technically, I'm not satisfied with this shot, but I'm posting it because I think this really shows Zambia. I've radically cropped it and I think I did more, but as I stated before, I'm still not pleased with it.

mirarer, pticaruh, hispic, mauricet, alvaraalto, noborders, miszka has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mirarer (4256) 2008-08-22 10:49

Hi Kate,
When I visited The Democratic Republic of the Congo (is the only country I know in Africa, except Maroc and Tunisie) the first thing that shocked me was that, always a great number of persons on the roads, morning and night.
Probably your shot is not technically perfect but I find it very interesting.
Regards,
Mirari

rossofuoco (6318) 2008-08-22 11:01

Hi Kate.
Ottimi colori e buona composizione. Esecuzione eccellente.
Complimenti
Renzo

holmertz (9250) 2008-08-22 11:20

Hello Kate,
As long as a picture is not technically disastrous - and this is not - the only important thing is what it shows, and how it shows it. This is a very typical African view and gives me a lot of reminiscences, even though I've never been to Lusaka. In virtually all major African cities crowds of people walk for miles to their jobs or schools and back home because the public transport system is inadequate or too expensive. This is a nicely captured view of the road going diagonally towards the equally typical smoke, the sun barely risen somewhere behind the trees, people dressed well in the morning chill.
This is a picture well worth watching for a glimpse of African daily life.
Best regards,
Gert

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pticaruh (276) 2008-08-22 11:55

Both the photo and the note are quite sincere, thank for that! In a way, though, I would like to think of the smoke as of a mist :)

While reading the note, and with conjunction with the current Olympics, I remembered that Zambia has good runners in the middle and long disciplines. Is the walking experience involved? Maybe to some extend...

Regards,

Asparuh

hispic (7399) 2008-08-22 20:10

Hello Kate,
This photo has a power to surprise me, everybody seems to be cold in spite of Africa in July. This is very suitable for TE's mission.
Have a nice weekend, Hisashi

Bluejeans (31529) 2008-08-26 10:07

Ola Kate,
Interessante esta tua foto de vida diária com a movimentação destas pessoas nesta estrada de terra , gostei muito da neblina no horizonte , boa profundidade de foto , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

alvaraalto (5225) 2008-08-27 13:21

Hi Kate,

A beautiful impression of Lusaka at 6:30 AM.
A lot of people walking on these long road. It all looks so quiet and peaceful.
The two girls in front seems to enjoy their walk to the school.

Groet Rob

noborders (14215) 2008-08-31 2:58

I love the atmosphere of this photo (although it would have been nice to see their faces ! Also I would have maybe cropped a bit on the right and the lower part of the photo, but otherwise it is both interesting and very atmospherical.

The subject is very close to my heart ; I was in Zambia too but had no chance to visit schools, OTOH this is now often the reason for my travels to India nowadays...
Compliments and best regards,
Cath.