I for one that I have never been a nature freak at all! I don't like the dust, I don't like the trekking and I definitely don't like wearing out my shoes. So, when I had the idea to go out to Olalua Forest I was actually getting out of my comfort zone. Definitely not a fan. So you might think, Olalua Forest is so normal, so many people have done it. That's the more reason why I would vouch for it now than then, it is something familiar to all of us. Nestled in the leafy suburbs of Karen, Nairobi, is the forested expanse of Olalua forest, a testament of human and natural interaction woven to create a minute bastion for nature lovers. In spite of its minuscule coverage as compared to Karura Forest the tall trees, the careful whispers of the wind in the trees, the gushing mini-waterfall and cacophony of animal and insect sounds are rather pleasing and provide a view to behold. In this space I found myself moreso in a careful dance with nature as everything was picturesque. Don't get me wrong this is not landscape odyssey since the trees obscure everything, but for a portrait photographer, this is paradise. This is where I introduce my awesome friend Dione Vugutsa. Dione, a photographer also, graciously accepted to be my model for the day. As such in this place I tried to bring out three things: serenity, life and freedom. So as we walked though the trails, the lines came through, the concepts came up. By far it was the most interesting time shooting this space. I would say, just for the sake of relaxing and getting out there, even if nature isn't your forte, just go to Olalua, hike the trials, listen and be free. YOU DESERVE IT!
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Tea Time!!8/29/2018 Its another one of those the moments where we make resolutions and the end up forgetting or just breaking them. So today is one of those Blog entries that speak to my resolutions for 2018 t go out an explore. I always admired the people that influenced my photography journey, from Mutua Matheka to Peter Ngung'u and how they were willing to let go of everything and plunge into the extreme or a journey of discovery. This was my resolution for this year, to explore and place myself in the unexplored. To push the boundaries of worry and self-doubt. So when the stars aligned and my pocket allowed, I set off to Limuru in search of tea farms. I had this one picture in my mind and it was always itching to be released. But before I started the journey I needed a crew to pull it off. In comes Linnette Muga, Dan Chichi and Brian Mutwiri. If you ever wanna travel and shoot, these are your guys. So the road to this one was long but any time is TEA TIME. I could not pass up the opportunity So the day was set, the crew was ready but the rain decided to make a special appearance, but I couldn't complain. The exhilaration and excitement was intoxicating to say the least, I really wanted this to work. The drive was quite the distance since I didn't know exactly where so I was solely reliant on hearsay and directions from Dan. So, about 15 Kilometers out of Kiambu town were greeted by a spectacular overcast expanse of tea farms from the left to the right. The undulating landscape seemed not to relent and this mesmerized me through and through as we drove along. I could not really decide where to stop but as fate would have it, we got our first location. So hurriedly we got through the small pathways leading to the farms. We were on the look out for farm guards. These guys will get any excuse to get money from you. We got down to business. We knew that our presence was unknown but unwanted at the same time. The challenge The challenge in this space was actually trying to control natural light. Despite it being overcast the sun was up and shining and so we used ND filters to tame the sun and this is what we got. And, as always thanks for the support in every way remember to comment and share the epic journeys we will go through this year. Shout out to Muga, Dan and Brian( was always behind the scenes) I really appreciated this one!!
Urban punk- Circa 20167/14/2018 Graffiti is a cacophony of the mind's perception enclosed in a creative space and the noise of reverberations resonating in art, beauty and character. The appreciation of what street art embodies lies with the story behind the mural. The artist with mask and can reflecting his desires, wishes, dreams and anguish. URBAN punk is a collection of Vienna's story of creativity and openness. The expression along the Danube riverside takes in the changing tides of authority, society and culture and crams them into a walk way of colour... I found this to be the most hidden and yet one of the most open gallery along the Danube River. The colours all meshed in what seemed to be expressions of emotion captured for many years. Canvassed over walls, posts and pillars are stories of people from various cultures, some of struggle, pain and hurt, others are a rebellion to the powers that be.
Yet in all this mesh of colour, emotion and messages it provided a solace for everyone. Some came to see the graffiti, others came to run in the spacious pathways of the gallery. My take from the banks of the Danube River was that the stiff-upper-lip of a cultural Vienna, full of cultural museums, classical music and opera halls, embraced cuddled and the showed off murals of a searching generation for miles and miles without fear of losing its identity. down to the plains8/24/2015 Well here I am again. I know I know I promised I would be regular but MAAAAAAN! God only knows. However I have not been asleep believe you me I have been shooting like a crazy guy. Well lets start with the trip down to the plain and I mean to Mwea Tebere Irrigation scheme.
The initial reaction is WOW!! The expansive rolling plains are magical, taunting my imagination in every way. From the endless rice paddies to the grazing livestock in the field there was no limit to the stories that can be told. Mwea is a small town by any standards but the hardworking ideology that cradles the town keeps it afloat through thick and thin. My time though was short lived . So here we are: A trip to Hell...Sorry...Hell's Gate.4/16/2015 Before I am cast from the heavenlies and given the strange looks- it was a road trip to the famous Naivasha Hell's Gate in Kenya. The gigantic cliff rocks in the bare wilderness stand defiant bearing scars of abrasion and erosion. The name Hell's Gate derives its name from the rocks that are found in the region. The crimson rocks which separated eons ago brought out ridges and hills that made the glorious scenery. Modern explorers try to tackle the cliffs each day and I fell into this trap, believe me you it is not that easy. Well I put this on myself because all the more reason to become a pioneer, a visionary and a front runner of our generation I decided to take a bike ride 10 kilometers to the ridges where all the wonders of life. Truth be told I was in pain. The Torture It all starts with enthusiasm boiling down to despair then exhaustion and if you get there, and most likely you will hallucinations( I think that's too far). The upside though is that the beauty is unrivaled. The scenery is breath taking and the quiet contemplation one gets is good for the sould. yes exhaustion is real but in the end it is worth it. appreciating the world as it is and seeing what it has to offer is the a reward in itself. So if anyone tells you go to hell- take the trip its fun. AuthorI prefer, Musau. Its unique and I really like the ring to it. So, why the wanderer. I think this is what most of us are but we do not know it yet. I would like to get you there, so lemme show you new places, new people, new food and most of all how to take it all in. Archives
November 2018
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