Last year I was fortunate enough to take a photographic tour through Ethiopia.

My objectives were to increase my confidence and improve working in extreme light.

The tour wasn’t what I expected, but thanks to a rather bullish lead photographer (with no shortage of confidence) who tested everyone’s patience by leaping into subjects face at any given opportunity, by chance, I found my passion – reportage.

Despite being shouted at by this individual for failing to position a lens up the nearest Ethiopian nostril, I realised that aside from feeling embarrassed by such behaviour, I felt that it was destroying what for me, is the prime role of a photographer, to be the eyes of others. To record a moment in time. To share emotion. To tell a story.

It’s an amazing experience to enter the territory of a tribe, yet the first few minutes are frenzied with the excitement of western visitors, cameras being pointed in all directions & hope of selling wares.

With this particular image and my newfound focus, I moved away from the crowd and took time to observe whilst my bullish friend was, well being bullish. I was standing about 30 meters away from hub of activity. The girl in the image was also standing some distance away and was looking across at him with what I felt was a combined look of curiosity and suspicion. I felt connected. I felt that we were both aware of what seemed a bizarre intrusion and wanted to capture this moment.

I caught her eye, sought permission with a small raise of the camera, received a nod and took the shot as she glanced back. I saw beauty, strength and independence. I still do.

Hoping for candid meaningful moments, as opposed to poses, I had my shutter speed pretty high, with an ISO of 400 to try to balance a sharp shot in harsh sunlight conditions.

It’s a nice enough image in colour, but prefer the depth of texture that black & white reveals. For me, this image reminds me of how we are surrounded by natural beauty, interest and depth right in front of our eyes, wherever we are.

If I had stuck with the pack and my bullish friend, I may have captured a more technically pleasing image and probably a direct look, but feel that I would have soon felt tired of an image with no story and little emotion.

Hence, this is a shot that I’m proud of. I hope you like it too.

What do you think are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a great photograph? Don’t be shy!

There is so much I like about the natural composition of this image but if I had to choose only two impactful features, it would firstly have to be the textural contrast between the chaotic directions of wood against the clouds and her skin. I like the architectural drama as well as the narrative in giving clues as to the type of location. My second, would just have to be her expression. With the light on her face providing a little 3D and drawing you into those steely eyes, this just has to invite curiosity.

If you would be able to make this photo once again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or different?

If I could take this again, the one thing I’d do differently would be to push down the ISO. I guess we’re all our greatest critic, are we not?

Gabrielle Stewart shared her photograph in the FRAMES Facebook Group.

Photographer

Gabrielle Stewart, UK
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Equipment and Settings

The image was taken with my Fujifilm X-Pro2 and the XF16-55mm f/2.8 lens. I shot at ISO 400 and fast exposure of 1/1000 sec. Having been a Nikon queen for most of my life, I took the mirrorless plunge in 2016 and haven’t looked back. The reduced weight provides me with the freedom I need to be agile to shoot in multiple scenarios without aching wrists and back.