Mti 1, Burning Bush. Kenya 2010
There’s a great Peter Gabriel song about the tension between the desire to be home and to keep travelling. He begins with “Lost my time, lost my place, in sky blue,” and goes on in the chorus to say, “so tired of all this travelling / so many miles away from home / i keep moving to be stable / free to wander, free to roam.” Man am I feeling that right now. It’s good to be home but I’m jetlagged and not trying too hard to fight it because on Thursday I head back out again, this time to Senegal.
I’ve got a desktop wallpaper for you for the end of the month, I’ll post that before I go. Other than that my time back home has been too short and too full to even think about doing much more than putting the latest book out there for you (If you didn’t see that release, check it out here – The Inspired Eye, Vol II ). Add to the list of skills a photographer needs: an ability to manage time and get more done than possible.
Kenya was amazing. It was hard and I learned alot. I spent time with a great team of people whom I really enjoyed. But many of us struggled to shoot against our expectations. You go to a place with expectations and they can blind you. But they can also be the veil that hides some great surprises. I went for example, thinking I might get a few shots of majestic male lions or something. Didn’t come close. But I got some landscapes I love. And I learned a lot. It comes back to the idea that as creatives we must focus first on the process itself and not the product. Focusing on the product can blind us to what the muse is pointing at, and that’s a dangerous place for a creative who’s in the business of seeing and themselves pointing at things for others to see.
So now I’m up to my knees in gear that needs wiping down and checking, batteries that need re-charging, new harddrives to install for the coming year, and all the concerns related to getting what’s needed to do the job packed and out the door.
The highlight of my week was in seeing the reception to the last eBook. You guys blew the doors off my hopes and within the first 24 hours the classrooms I wanted to build for the school in Kenya were completely paid for. Thanks so much for participating in that with me. It’s yet another thing that sets this community apart from others. Y’all may not be big, but you’re big-hearted. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I intend to return next January, to see the classrooms, hear more stories, and ask the same question I asked this year, “what’s your greatest need?” I hope you’ll be part of it again then too. As an aside, when I was 8 I walked to school worried about having not done my homework well. These kids walk to school worried a leopard will eat them. It’s a very real concern and happens often. Kind of puts things in perspective.
Lastly, when I arrive in Senegal I almost immediately jump into a Land Crusier and drive 10 hours into the bush, so it’ll be quiet around here. But I’ll be thinking about you, promise 🙂
Comments
very inspiring words. thank you. this was the first of your blog posts that I have read. It was a good start!
I just saw the iPad launch, the whole ebook thing has certainly made you look very prescient. Kinda makes me think you had an “in” on the whole thing!!!
I can’t wait to see your updates from Senegal! I used to live there…..beautiful and mystic place……looking forward to your blog entries!
I am loving the concept of the e-books and have gotten started on the Inspired Eye Volume 1. I am also reading Within The Frame and Vision Mongers……I am knee deep in David duChemin (almost forgot, also viewing the Within the Frame podcast!) Have a safe and productive trip David.
How about getting your wife to post a blog while you’re away. I’d love to hear her perspective of what it’s like living with a travelling photographer.
Synchronicity…I posted this link on my facebook page last week…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSzZEj-jjF0
Listen to his opening comments…so true how things can just happen or take years to develop.
Good luck with everything David. Looking forward to your updates.
This is super! I can only join the other folks her. Very kind of you to donate that money. This makes a big difference. Good luck with the Senegal trip.
glad to hear that you’re donating to a great cause david. really blesses my heart. i’ve done some missionary stuff over the course of a few years. it’s a blessing when we are able to put in our time/resources to bless others who are less fortunate.
blessings.
Sometimes you come across individuals that make a difference, you are one of those. Great project with the school, great e-book as well.
safe travels.
Thank you for your continued willingness to help others…Be it children in Africa or photographers in America/world-wide.
Have a safe trip to Senegal.
Atta boy, David. You are “making a difference”.
I’m sure you worried about being hit by a poutine truck or someone with the “red plates” on your way to school too.
Well done on the charity side “for the cost of an Elinchrom Quadra pack you can build an extension on some kids school”… the less cynical will see that as a no-brainer as altruism is concerned.
…a leopard might eat them? It must take a lot of courage to brave that every day (for parents and students). We take so much for granted. Thanks for sharing that, I can’t wait tell our children and watch them try to wrap their minds around it!
Happy travels David and I’d love to take a look at some of those landscapes you captured. Hope this next trip goes just as well for you
If it is true that it takes a village, then it is also true that it takes an individual to gather and unite the village.
Many, many thanks for being that individual. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love that you are helping that school. I can’t wait to hear more about it.
My trip to Tanzania came quickly with little preporation time. Being open to the environment was key. I was fortunate with wildlife at every turn and green landscapes. More than 30 lions crossed my lens. Africa… it changes your life. Congradulations on the classrooms.
thanks david.
pb