Just over 4 weeks I ago I joined the #shoot4purpose initiative in Cape Town. This transformative street photography program was started by three amazing guys: Quaniet Richards, Nawawie Mathews and Shamiel Albertyn. The initiative grew so much that they are now assisted by an advisory council of 5 ladies who have also done the program before. The initiative is sponsored by Fujifilm South Africa and Orms School of Photography.
What is #shoot4purpose all about?
This initiative is a healing process for women who have faced some sort of trauma that they struggle to overcome. The first morning that I arrived I checked every one out. Most of us was a bit reserved, but by the end of Week 3 there was a closeness, a sisterhood amongst everyone. Even a bit of a brotherhood with the guys. On each of the days there was always a visitor or two who joined in with the group. The one day it was Hein, our Fujifilm sponsor, and some guy (can’t remember his name) who has met the organizers before on one of the cohorts and joined in because he supports the cause. Some of the ladies that was part of previous groups, also joined in. A clear sign: once part of a cohort, always part of a cohort!
Does it work?
The amazing thing about #shoot4purpose is that one can see each week how the participants grew in confidence, how they get excited about the photo moments. Even the one who doesn’t do people, actually did quite well . . . with the people in the group. I am amazed by how everyone’s photographic skills has developed over the past 4 weeks . . . and now we are doing our 5th and last week this coming Saturday. I’m already wondering what the heck will I do the Saturday after this one.
What have I learnt this passed few weeks?
Everything is not always what it looks like on the surface.
When I joined the group it was clear that the organizers and advisors are all seemingly from the same / similar cultural background. The amazing thing is . . . in true ubuntu style #shoot4purpose is open to everyone no matter your cultural background.
The only ‘equalizer’ here is that we all are part of #shoot4purpose for a purpose of healing from something. As I looked at each woman in the group and see how they flourished, grown in the past few weeks, I’m sad to think that we will not see each other every week anymore, but I will surely go back to visit #shoot4purpose on one of their cohorts again.
What did we do?
We took photos with the most amazing Fujifilm cameras, sponsored for use by Hein from Fujifilm South Africa. I totally fell in love with Fujifilm cameras, but photography is a really expensive hobby if your not making a living with it.
Oh yes, and we took black and white photos. Something I had to adapt to as I love bright colors. I had to learn to look at things differently and it is amazing how one’s perspective changes when you suddenly look at a black and white world. It is amazing how the whole image changes when you look at it differently, what pops out once you take the distractive brightness away.
Here is a bit of a comparison between color photographs and black and white photographs.
What happened to me?
If you know me well enough, you know that I don’t do photos as I don’t like seeing myself on photos and these past few weeks I had to deal with being on photos that other people took and that it was spread all over social media!! I absolutely HATE photos of myself. I hate what I see. What I can say, though, it surely looks much better in black and white!! 🙂
This coming weekend will be our last Saturday of going out taking pictures in this group – cohort 9. It’s kind of a sad thing, but new friendships have started and I hope that sometime in the future we will all go out on a street photography date again and catch up!
Que Sera, Sera!
