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fotos for food


fotos for food
Photo Information
Copyright: Karl Hill (mikobi) Silver Note Writer [C: 5 W: 2 N: 40] (147)
Genre: People
Medium: Black & White
Date Taken: 1979-12
Categories: Portrait
Camera: Olympus OM-1, Zuiko 50mm f/1.8
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2009-03-17 7:37
Viewed: 465
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
On December 25th (Chrismas Day!) 1979, the president of Zaire (now the Congo) Mobutu Sese Seko and the World Bank decided to change the currency of the nation. If your savings were in the old colors, your money was useless. As it turned out, only the rich and connected were able to exchange their money for the new currency, and most of population simply lost their life savings.

Overnight, we were plunged into a barter economy since money was useless. I was a secondary school teacher (science) in those days, in the remote village of Bulongo (see map). As such I had nothing concrete with which to barter. I devised a "fotos for food" campaign, and put a sign up in my window: 1 meal = 1 foto. If they provided a meal (often either beans and rice or cassava and leaves) I would take their portrait, send it back to the US for processing and printing, and give them the print the following summer when mail from the US arrived.

Previously, using my camera in the village had been a bad idea...risking linking me to the image of tourists; no one in the village owned such a valuable item. A radio was the height of luxury. Now word spread, and for the next three months we lived day-by-day on food exchanged for portraits, until the new money began to trickle out from the cities.

I asked people to look however they wanted to be in their photo, so this series consists of the self-portraits of the villagers of Bulongo, Winter 1979 through Spring 1980.

This is the first photo in that series and is the village primary school math teacher (center) his wife, right, her sister (left) and son. I have *no idea* who the idol is (it is likely a Bakuba king), but I love the whole feel of the photo.

-K
KBE, tlacoyoweb, CMJC, szatanowska, Karyn674, TasmaniaC, Janice, glint, diamatei has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To diamatei: glimpses at others' livesmikobi 2 09-14 11:11
To Madsterdam: Older shots.mikobi 2 03-19 01:06
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Critiques [Translate]

This is a very touching story in a way...It is hard to imagine that photography became a way for people to eat! I guess it benefited both, the photographer who was presented with an opportunity to create exceptional portraits like this one, and the photographed who would not go hungry that day. Either way, this is a great portrait. Thank you for sharing this story with us.

This too is an interesting shot Karl. Great story behind it. I've only recently begun to appreciate more of the "old-fashioned" photo style. I feel quite incompetent when it comes to the digital post-processing, but still in all, I want to know more about it. You mention your new camera, Canon XSi, which I also have only since this past Nov.
Thanks for bringing in this (and your other, first image) breath of old-fresh air!

Jim
P.s. I have my points disabled, due to the fact that I'm more interested in one's relationship with an image, photography than being a judge of some unknown, unquantifiable standard.

Well Karl, first of all welcome to the TL family.
Such an interesting story. 1979 - not really that long ago, but the photo has a very old look to it. Love the grainy gritty look - it really suits the story. Thanks for sharing this. Looking forward to more..
Trudy

  • Great 
  • KBE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 446 W: 103 N: 582] (2707)
  • [2009-03-17 9:19]

Hello Karl :)
Very very interesting story behind the picture very touchy and deep connection with the photo.
I cant belive how they converted the currency without replacement! very bad :(

Its good that u had a camera which helped u to have meals :)

I loved this photo fantastic old style and great heavy 35mm grains, beautiful! i liked the addition of a black statue standing beside the kid.

TFS
Looking forward for more photos :)
Regards,
JZM

P.S u can also critique on other TL members photos which will let others to have a look at ur gallary :)

Hey Karl,

Great Document of times gone by...
No better way of posting it than in the old way, using an original

Nog digital dark room can fake this touch of history
Thanks for posting

Jan

Excelente imagen y excelente historia, gracias por compartirnosla. Las fotos tienen el encanto de fijar el tiempo que no ha de volver. Un saludo :)

Bom dia Karl
I have seen your gallery yesterday...
First i read your intro...and you have a very adventure life...and I put there your coma experience. All travels help us to built what you are.
Your photos speak about other but of course a lot about you and what you feel important.
In that "play" with memory i feel very impressive almost all your photos.

we can be living the same time but you not live all in the same way. Your photos are very precious...they speak about people, place and time.
Thanks
My regards
Teresat

  • Great 
  • glint Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 620 W: 3 N: 531] (3606)
  • [2009-05-15 18:07]

Hello Karl,
this is a wonderful photo. Your subjects have such dignity.It is fascinating because they have chosen to pose in this way, with the idol and the radio.I smile at the little boy who stands at the same height as the idol.
regards,
Bev

HI Karl,
some things that are happening let us speechless and it is even difficult to imagine.
Thank you for sharing the photo and especially the story behind it. I like a lot old photos and old cameras (just remembered the old russian Smena of my parents). Looking foward to seeing the entire serie.
All the best, Diana

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