PHOTOGRAPHY NEW BEGININGS 2011

I want to ta take this time and thank you for taking your time to visiting our blog, please keep on visiting us. Your suggestions and support is highly appreciated. It is the beginning of the year and Ukonwaba photo-club is back to work, thing are looking good and we are having a great start to the New Year 2011.

The group is looking to grow and expand more, new kids have joined the group and we had to start the photography classes from theory for those who were not with us in the previous year and of cause to remind the others that were with us. The kids are really looking forward to start taking photos. However, we could not start taking photos when we do n

ot know about the camera/our equipment and how the camera works. We had to explain the importance of knowing your camera and the use of light.

In the previous week we covered a couple of thing, including the use of light, the design elements of photography. We have also experimented with other mediums of photography such as abstract photography and I was quite happy with what the kids came back with.

The age group we have currently ranges from 8 years to 13 years old, it is clear that we will have to revisit the things we have done over and over again through out the year till we are sure that everyone understands clearly.

I have also uploaded some of the abstract photographs the kids took around the building.

Thank you.

Siseko

Photo Weekend in Khayelitsha

Two days of photo shooting in Khayelitsha. It was organized by Iliso Labantu Photo Group. It was the Tenth Flash Photo Weekend. It happened on December 17 and 18.  

Between ten and fifteen young township based photographers were busy documenting one area of Site C, known as Taiwan. They were accompanied and guided by local residents. After the photo shooting, they returned to the base to edit their work on time with Sue Johnson, Alistair Berg and another invited photographer at Libray of Site C. It was a pleasure to enjoy with them on Saturday. 

The shoot will be completed with an exhibition of some of the images in the same streets where they were shoot. It will be in this month, January. 

Alistair and Sinethemba.

Editing the work at Library in Khayelitsha, Site C.

Sue Jonhson.

The first time I went to Langa

The first time I went to Langa the kids hanging in my neck. It was in March, when I arrived in Cape Town. It was amazing! 

The free love I received from those kids was as a sign to me that one day I would teach them.

I came here with intention to teach photography to kids, to develop an inclusion visual project. Just 2 months ago, I could become reality this idea.

It was wonderful to see again those kids at Project Playground.

Ukonwaba Photo Club is one the best things happened to me in Cape Town.

The time I spent with the Kids from Langa was pretty pretty good. A special gift to me.

Thank you so much lovely kids and all news friends of Project Playground!

Ukonwaba Photo Club at EC English School!

In this week, Ukonwaba Photo Club went to EC English School in Cape Town!

Nicoletta, Director of Studies.

Danica, teacher.

Anita, Glória and Marion, students.

Glória, Paulo, students, and Anya, teacher.

Christmas closing at Project Playground

Last Saturday, It was Christmas closing at Project Playground. A big event. 

The amazing girls of dancing classes showed their vibrant African dance rhythm. The boys also played drums and danced frenetically. The movements and the beat are impressives. So energetic. Your body can't be stopped. Ask you to move.

Frida said to Mbulelo, the master of drums of Project Playground:  "... maybe I can found a dancing school". It was a joke, but I hope she does it! I would like to see here a Samba school with an African style. Will be original.

The carnival in Brazil started with Portugueses, the colonizers. They went to streets to play, dance, have fun. But the beat and movements of Samba come from the drums and rhythm of Africa. So it is very interesting for me to see here the roots of Samba in Brazil.

I love Samba. I love the sounds of drums! I love carnival street in Brazil! I would like to see here Mbulelo, Lungiswa (singing teacher) and their amazing girls and boys parading on the streets of Langa! I will get a lot of fun!!

Kids singing "We Are The World".

Pretty moment.

My short speech. When I said "I believe in the power of Love" and 

showed the phrase of my t-shirt "Love Can Change Our World".

Frida and Glória.

Exhibition in Langa

She was emotional when saw her neighbor on the photo.

Frida looking at the photos.

Books and pinhole camera on the table.

Kids seeing the book "Soweto" that will be use in advance class next year.

"Soweto", Jodi Bieber and "Amen", Jessica Hilltout.

"How to photograph absolutely everything", Tom Ang and

 Zwelethu Mthethwa, recognized south-african photographer.

I asked the people to choose the best photo for them.

Anele, my staff, chose these frames with a lots photos of Project Playground.

For her, the last months she worked there were as a dream.

Khany, my student, and her mother.

They chose the photo "Welcome to Langa", which one I appear.

He chose the blackground he grow up: on the streets.

He felt very proud to overcome this struggle reality.

Mapanya chose this photo due to body expression of the man giving his message... 

as a Hip Hop singer.

My favourite photo also!

Anathi, my student, and he chose the photo of Brenda, well-known singer, was born in Langa.

He chose this photo due to the light. For him, this photo says more than the composition.

He was touched by its.

Parents of Kwanele, my student. 

Of course (smiles), they chose the photo of "Mother from the church" took by their son.

She chose this one: her daughter in yoga class. 

She felt very proud to see her daughter. 

She was very happy when saw her house on the photo. Of course, she chose it.

She chose my photo. So sweet...

Hi!

The first goal was reached: to show the community to the community. Their life style, customs and culture. Now, our wish is to show Langa outside the borders. The world waits for us!

Click here to see the exhibition:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59943570@N05/sets/72157626143696482/