In 1969, when I took this picture, black-and-white was still much in use
because it was much cheaper to print. Still, I needed to shoot in color as
well, which I did. Because zoom lenses had not yet reached professional quality
I used only primary lenses. And to be ready for anything happening, I always worked
with two cameras, a Leica M2 with a 35 mm lens and a Nikon F with a 105 mm
lens. I also carried a similar pair of cameras so equipped to shoot black-and-white.
Thankfully, those cameras were relatively small and light compared to
professional digital cameras today, of which you need only one toady for any situation. Additionally, for when I had the time to
change lenses, I carried Nikon lenses of 20, 28, and 50
mm in a pouch on my belt. Still, I used my Leica the most, as it was the easiest to hide when necessary
to shoot unobtrusively, and because I liked to shoot close to my subjects.
I shot this picture in Niger’s Sahel while working on four books on
African children of different countries. But my experience with this tribe, the
Woodabe, and that of the Tuareg, who I was also shooting there, got me the
following year a National Geographic
assignment to do a chapter on each of those tribes for their book, Nomads of the World. At that time I
would shoot only color.
The men here are singing at the rhythm of their companion’s hand-clapping.
They are on their way to a Yakey dance, which doubles as a male beauty contest,
where they will grimace comically, rolling eyes and showing teeth to display their
whiteness, as I have shown in previous posts.
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Photo de 1969 de nomades Wodaabe, connus aussi comme
Bororo, en chemin vers un yakey, une
danse qui est à la fois un concours de beauté masculine. Joyeux, ils
chantent, rythmés par les battements de mains de leur compagnon.
