Documentary photography excites me because I love to tell stories through photos. The other part that most interest me is the uncertainty and the adventure that unfolds when embarking in such assignments. However, this shoot was not an assignment but rather a personal shoot to add to my portfolio. I did this shoot on 27th September - 28th September 2016. The following is the story behind the images.
I went to Kigamboni the day prior to the shoot to ask and find the people that are going to fish so as I can join them and be able to make some powerful images. To be specific I was looking for a guy who has a boat. I found one had a talk with him and he introduced me to two other fishermen Shabani (Captain Shimbi) and Juma. I greeted the guys and we agreed to meet the next day to go fishing with them. The fishing trip was supposed to be during the night, we were supposed to spend the night on the sea. We agreed to meet the next day at 5:30 pm.
The morning after. We are heading back to the port. Front: Shabani (Captain Shimbi) enjoys the sea view. Back: Juma is praying. Camera: Nikon D7200 ISO: 4000 Shutter: 1/80 sec. Aperture: f/2.8 Focal Length: 17mm.
5:30 pm, I was there accompanied by my cousin. Well prepared for spending the night on the sea with our jackets and some snacks in our backpack. So we waited for the guys as they prepared the boat and packed all the requirements. We were supposed to start our journey into the sea by 06:45 pm. So I took upon that time to interact with Shabani and Juma.
The Morning After. Shabani (Captain Shimbi) removes the lamp. Camera: Nikon D7200. ISO: 560 Shutter: 1/100 sec Aperture: f/2.8 Focal Length: 35mm
7:00 pm we are on the boat sailing and trying to find the first place to start fishing. In my documentary work, I do not like to pose my subject if I don’t have to. I let my subject be and let them relax in their native environment. I know I won’t make some great images in the fast instant. But after they are comfortable with me and have interacted with them for a while then I get the images I want. I want them at first to know that yes I am the guy with the camera but still that should not hold us to get along. If they are comfortable then I can pose them if need be, but most of the time I don’t pose them. How they react to their environment that is what I want to portray and they only react naturally if you don’t pose them.
Ok, let us get back to the boat! Now we found a fishing spot and we are ready to try our luck. They lowered the anchor into the sea. Then Captain Shimbi started preparing lamps so as we could have light because it was totally dark. The light would also trick the fish to come up.
Shabani (Captain Shimbi) setting up the lamp so as to start fishing. Camera: Nikon D7200 ISO: 100 Shutter: 1/500 sec Aperture: f/1.8 Focal Length: 50mm
I took the above picture while captain Shimbi was setting up the lamps. I shot it with the highest aperture of my lens the 50mm f1.8. I also needed to freeze the motion we were in the boat and it was not steady so I used 1/500 shutter and ISO 100. I used ISO 100 because I knew my subject was already lit with the lamp properly and there was enough light on his face. Also, I wanted a low key image. This was my favorite image on that trip.
Long story short, the day was not that great for the fishermen they did not get any fish, though we almost got four. It was raining at some point, they were many challenges of shooting because it was very dark. But the overall experience was amazing and would definitely do it again but well prepared.