catandfinch

take flight

On a hot afternoon in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, a child runs barefoot down a hot, dusty sidewalk. A moment of childhood captured forever. Most people th...
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On a hot afternoon in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, a child runs barefoot down a hot, dusty sidewalk. A moment of childhood captured forever. Most people think of childhood as unshackled freedom, but that is not always true. In West Africa, child slavery is found in the cocoa fields, on the fishing boats, and in the marketplaces. For all of us childhood is fleeting, but for some, childhood is lost.
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NIKON D70

Aperture f/8 ISO 320 Shutter 1/1000 Focal Length 130/1

upload_date

Mar, 2016

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Likes

+16

Awards

Spring Selection Award

Superb Composition

Peer Award

Top Choice

Absolute Masterpiece

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Behind The Lens

Location

The photo was taken in the capital city of Ghana, Africa. I was up in the Jamestown lighthouse looking down from a small window.

Time

The photograph was taken on a hot, humid West African afternoon. Before moving to Africa, I had specialized in portrait photography. I could pick the time and location for the best shot. Street photography forced me to be inventive. I found it still possible to capture a portrait even on the busy streets of a capital city.

Lighting

By pure coincidence, the lighting ended up just right to allow the shadow of the child to echo the shadow of the birds in flight.

Equipment

I used a battered old Nikon N90. The old Nikon was obsolete and limited. If I could do it again, I'd have a better camera. But in the end it's not about the type of camera you have, but rather, it's about having your camera.

Inspiration

Street photography sometimes requires you to find a great backdrop and wait for the shot. However, I was visiting the Lighthouse with friends and my time was not my own. Luckily, a young child happened to be running down the street. It was almost as if the child from the graffiti art had come to life. The best photographs tell a story and this photograph speaks to the fleeting nature of childhood. Most people think of childhood as unshackled freedom, but that's not always true. In West Africa, child slavery is found in the cocoa fields. on the fishing boats and in the marketplace. For all of us childhood is fleeting, for some, childhood is lost.

Editing

The only post-processing I do is using iPhoto on my MacBook Air. Yes, just like my camera equipment, it's limited. The great thing about photography is there is always so much more to learn.

In my camera bag

My favorite camera to carry is Nikon D7100 with a 28-300mm zoom lens. Just like my N90, the D7100 has become a bit obsolete. But undoubtedly, my next great shot be captured while using it. The lens is my absolute go-to. It gives great flexibility and I don't need to fuss with changing a lens while roaming the streets of a city.

Feedback

Photography is about capturing a moment. The better the moment, the better the photograph. Street photography can be a bit like hunting. You hunt for a backdrop and wait for the right person to walk in front of it. You wait for the right expression on a person you've just met. You look ways to create good lighting even under a unrelenting sun. You hunt for moments that tell a story.

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catandfinch

catandfinch

take flight

On a hot afternoon in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, a child runs barefoot down a hot, dusty sidewalk. A moment of childhood captured forever. Most people th... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow catandfinch

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On a hot afternoon in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, a child runs barefoot down a hot, dusty sidewalk. A moment of childhood captured forever. Most people th...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.