Merry Christmas! (or the case of the disappearing car)

Christmas 2011 Decorations at Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

Christmas eve 2011.

I decided to go make an interesting photograph of some “christmasy” decorated place around town. I chose upon the Zenith Bank Plc decorated roundabout on Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

In order to get there and have sufficient time to scout the location for interesting angles, I figured I’d need to leave my pad like 5a.m.

For some strange reasons, I was still awake at 2 a.m!

I knew there just was no way I was going to make it if I didn’t force myself to grab some shut eye. I forced myself to shut down after setting the alarm for 5:00am.

I must have been so tired I woke up at 5:17 am instead! My brain actually fabricated a dream with the alarm tune playing as background music!

I jumped up and into my already laid out clothes and shoes, grabbed my camera bag and mouthwash. Rushed into the bathroom, washed my face and ran out of the house.

About 30 minutes later, I was on ground.

I found a good spot (or at least what I THOUGHT was a good spot to park), got my tripod and camera bag out, locked the car and began my recce of the site.

After walking around for about 5 or 10 minutes I elected upon an elevated position to shoot the scene from.

From where I was standing, I could catch a glimpse of the car from time to time.

And so I started shooting, working as fast and as carefully as I could to make the most of the rapidly changing pre-dawn light.

30 minutes later, I decided it was best to call it quits as the magical light I was hoping to see really just didn’t happen (due to the harmattan haze I guess).

After clambering down from my shooting position I spent a few minutes to say my thank you’s to the gentlemen who assisted me up the ledge I shot from.

I said my goodbyes and walked back to the car.

But what a shock I got when I got back to the spot where I’d left the car not quite an hour ago yet – The car was gone! Disappeared! Vanished into thin air!!

Wow!

What happened?

Find out in the new year on my new blog at http://www.modamo.com/blog.

In the meantime, here’s a photo from my little (mis)adventure on Christmas Day!

Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is my kinda Guy!

WARNING:

This is NOT strictly about photography. It is a classic RANT/RAVE posting.

You’ve been warned!

It’s more about celebrating people who are courageous enough to voice THEIR convictions contrary to popular opinion or even “sage” advice!

I admire this man. Honestly!

After a series of consultations with Nigeria recently, the IMF in it’s “infinte” wisdom recommended that the Nigerian Naira was OVER-VALUED and therefore we should devalue our currency “for greater exchange rate flexibility”!!

Can you imagine that??

Look, I’m no economist or financial guru (even though I have a B.Sc in Computer Science and Economics), but the little economics i Learnt in ECN 302 (i think) – MACROECONOMIC THEORY told me that only sensible reason to devalue a currency vis-a-vis the world market (is that right?) is when a nation’s economy is pre-dominantly EXPORT DRIVEN!!!!

Nigeria, unfortunately is the EXACT OPPOSITE! We IMPORT EVERYTHING!!!!! EVERYTHING!!!!

Do they want to kill us?

Eh?

Devalue the Naira? To what end? For what purpose? Eh?

God save us from wickedness in high places!

So, back to Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. He is the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria – the apex bank in the land.

Anyway, according to the Guardian Newspaper today (one of Nigeria’s leading Dailies), Sanusi is quoted “We do not believe that the Naira is over valued… we do not believe that at a time when the oil price is going up and output is going up we should be losing the value of our currency.” He is further quoted, “We also do not think that it makes sense, if the IMF is concerned about inflation, to ask a country that is import dependent to devalue its currency…SO THE ADVICE GIVEN BY THE IMF, FRANKLY IS NOT BASED ON SOUND ECONOMIC LOGIC” (emphasis mine, of course!)

Whoopeee!!!

Tell them o!

Devalue Naira koo, devalue Naira ni!

===

Okay. Back to work. Rant over!

P.S. Can anybody hook me up with Mallam Sanusi L. Sanusi? I’d like to do a photo of him for my collection of people/Nigerians I absolutely admire.

On my list? Mallams el Rufai and Ribadu.

P.S.

I think I messed the scheduling of this post up quite a bit. It was supposed to have gone up last week or 2 weeks ago when I read the article I referred to in the Guardian newspaper.

Apologies.

‘Bukola & ‘Debowale Wedding Album

I just finished designing the wedding photobook of one of the sweetest couple I’ve photographed ever. ‘Bukola, the bride, was all smiles all through the day. It was so obvious that these two were really “into each other”!

Here are a few pages from their book!

Enjoy!

Wedding PhotoBook Title Page

Wedding PhotoBook - The Procession & Tying the Knot

Wedding Day Joy

Wedding Cake

Together. Forever.

Bride and Groom

Last page…

And they Lived together forever after...

Congratulations, Debo and Bukkie!

How To Choose Your Wedding Photographer

It’s the rare woman who’d go into marriage without giving careful thought and consideration before making the move. I believe brides (to be) ought to pay the same or similar amount of attention in the choice or selection of their wedding day photographer.

Brides Maids at a Wedding

This short posting is to help the intending bride make a wise choice of which photographer she’ll entrust the memories of her wedding day to.

1. BRIDE, KNOW THYSELF

Before you can find which photographer best fits you, YOU must of a necessity be absolutely clear about WHO YOU ARE! No not your name or your address! Rather, you must be absolutely clear to and with yourself about YOUR own individual feelings, dreams, fears, hopes and aspirations.

You must honestly embrace them as your own. These aree the things that formed you – molded you.

For example, if you are the bright,bubbly, effervescent type, then

2. TIME

Give yourself good time to find the man – oops – the photographer of your dreams.

The reason the good photographers are (already) booked up is just because of that – they are good!

So, give yourself a headstart – start looking for AND book your wedding photographer EARLY!!!

3. Know your pocket

A High Quality product is exactly that because it’s either made by/of:

1. High quality materials/components

2. High quality processes

3. High quality personnel

or various combinations of the above.

Now, none of the above mentioned “ingredients” can be cheap! Or, have you ever had of a dirt cheap original piaget wrist watch? that’s exactly what I thought! There just is not, and can not be a top notch product at rock bottom price! Okay. Okay. Not unless it’s stolen, of course!

But you get my point?

If it’s really that HIGH in quality then, it must of a necessity be expensive.

A note of warning here, though. “Expensive”, of course is RELATIVE!

Relative to what? To the size of YOUR pocket of course!

Right now, a Mercedes Maybach 62S is VERY< VERY EXPENSIVE for me at US$ 500,000:00! Oh boy!!

But to you, it might not be!

As a bride, you must have a frank, down to earth acquaintance with your pockets and know what realistically you can afford per your wedding day photography.

Long story cut short?

Have a REALISTIC budget.

4. Do your due dilligence AKA RESEARCH!!

Don't just take your cousins friends word for it – ask to SEE the wedding album! Use the www, facebook, google anything and everything at your disposal. Believe, not just anyone would do. If you don't agree, you wouldn't be reading this posting. Or would you?

5. Meet with the Photographer(s) in PERSON

After you've carried out your research (use the INTERNET and of course, WORD OF MOUTH), you can narrow your selection to a handful.

Call these "finalists" up, and schedule a face-to-face meeting (if possible). If that's not possible in time nd space, then at least get to TALK with this person. Ask questions and more importantly LISTEN.

Not only will you be committing the record of your wedding day to this person, you will be sharing that day with same, and in close proximity, too! You'd better be sure you have a good "flow" with this person or else!

Listen not only with your ears, but also with your HEART.

Don't be satisfied with a collection of handfuls of great images from different weddings. Ask to see complete albums of entire weddings. Anyone can come away with a few award winners here and there. You don't want to play russian roulette with your wedding day photos do you?

I tell people, when in doubt, go with your first impression or your gut feelings!

If you are very clear about what you want, no doubt you'll recognize it when it (s/he) shows up.

I guess that's about it in a nutshell.

Cheers.

Awesome Treasure Resource Centre, Ilupeju, Lagos

Have you ever stepped into a place and wondered why/how on earth you’ve NEVER heard about it before?

Awesome Treasure Resource Centre, Ilupeju, Lagos

Well, that’s exactly what happened to me when I stepped into the Awesome Treasure Resource Centre at 9A Tinubu Road, Ilupeju, Lagos, a short while ago.
Let me just put it in as few words as I possibly can – It’s the best kept secret per venues/locations in the whole of Lagos. No kidding!

They’ve got a well manicured lawn (IN LAGOS!!!!) and an ancient Pride of Barbados Tree and other well kept plants on the grounds.

Awesome Treasure Resource Centre, Ilupeju, Lagos

The building itself is old (at least 30 plus years by my estimate) but in very good condition. Step in through the reception and enter into a truly modern, IMPECCABLY designed space. Every single bit of furniture, accessory etc was most definitely thoroughly THOUGHT OUT.

I was there on a flying visit (of sorts. More about that later. Hopefully), so I really couldn’t take photos…

But seriously, if you need a venue for your next retreat; cocktail; business meeting; product launch; exhibition; show..etc. call Ufoma on 08033340195. Remember to mention my name

Independence Tunnel

Sometimes, an idea for a photograph just pops into your head, and until you “just do it”, it continues to disturb you like food stuck between your teeth!

Independence Tunnel, Maryland, Lagos

This image is a good example.

After driving through the independence tunnel more times than I’d like to count, I eventually permitted myself to co-operate with the force within.

Got camera, tripod, memory card, warm clothing and of course – my irresistible “pepsodent smile”. SHNICKT!

After quite a bit of negotiation, I eventually got “permission” to shoot in/the tunnel.

I must have gone there no less than 4 or 5 times before I got the above image in August 2009.

So why am I just posting it now?

That is story for another day. LOL!

Keep on Shooting!

Saturday February 12, 2011 The Redeemed Christian Church of God Lagos Province 35 (Apapa) held the second iteration of its Empowerment Summit. I was invited to come speak on “PHOTOGRAPHY”.

R.C.C.G Christ Church, Gbagada, Lagos

I kept wondering how to communicate anything of use to the people in the audience in the time allotted – 1 hour!

Eventually, I decided to make it a 3-part affair, starting with a short presentation followed by some practical demonstrations and finally a question and answer session.

In spite of the “technical” issues – ahem – at the start, I guess it all went jolly well!

On my way out of the venue my eye caught the above image. Believe me, I was tired and wanted nothing more than to go home…

But you know what happened eventually, don’t you?

Sigh.

Story of my life!

photo: Canon EOS 1DS3 + 24-105mm f/4 L IS (supported on the table)

The Very Best Things in Life are Free!

It’s good to have money. Loads of it. It’s better to have loads of money and be smart upstairs, too! But, I think it’s best to have loads of money, be smart, AND have a great heart. That’s the best combination.

But ALL the money in the world can’t buy the most precious thing of all – life.

LOVE - Unspeakable

I’m glad to be alive and to have friends and family who genuinely care for me (and tolerate my “excesses” – both real and imagined!).

Above photo: Canon EOS 1DSIII + EF 85mm f/1.2 L lens

JUBILEE! Engage – Embrace

The day before Valentine Day this year,my local worship place, Jubilee Christian Centre had two services. The first, titled “Engage” was for single folk below 30, and the second, “Embrace” was for the older/married folk.

EMBRACE - Church Talk Show

Church was very different that day, and not just the stage/setting!

Panellists discussing on Christian TV / Church Talk Show

Church was a load of fun with a quite animated Question and Answer session!

Mrs. Ronke Omorodion @ RCCG Jubilee Christian Centre

Pastor Bankole "Banky" Sadipe - Talk Show Host @ Jubilee

Pastor Kayode "KT" Ojo explaining the finer details

Audience listening with rapt attention

Did I also mention it was a blast?

Laughter is good medicine for the soul!

What a blast it was!

Of course, it wasn’t all about questions, answers and laughing. Fountain of Praise, led by Kunle Fadahunsi was at hand to lead us in the Worship of Jehovah!

Kunle Fadahunsi Leading Praise and Worship at RCCG Jubilee Christian Centre

Fountain of Praise

Truly a great and refreshing time.

P.S

All images shot with Canon EOS 1DS3 and 85mm f/1.2L (SLLLLLUUUUURP!) and 24-105mm f/4.0L lens.

Your Camera (Equipment) Does NOT Matter!

Does anyone really think that their signature would be materially “better” or different in some way if they signed with an el-cheapo ball point pen as against a 4 digit mont blanc?

Beautiful Black Woman Laughing

Hmmm?

Or what if you were given a stick of crayola to sign with – would there be any real difference?

Handsome Young Black Man Laughing

I don’t think so.

Why?

BECAUSE YOUR SIGNATURE IS YOURS – REGARDLESS OF THE WRITING INSTRUMENT!!!!!

This reminds me of a story I read on kenrockwell.com a while ago about a man who was involved in an accident and hurt his hands badly. While receiving treatment, he asked the the doctor if he’d be able to play the piano afterwards, to which the doctor replied in the affirmative. The man then responds with a grin and says, “that’s great! Because I never could play the piano before anyway!”

Bukki---Beautiful-Black-Woman

Cameras don’t make pictures – photographers do!

The truth is it’s a lot easier to buy a new piece of equipment than to learn how to really SEE and take great photographs.

That’s the same reason why the sales people overwhelm us with such nonsense stuff like mega pixels and ISO ratings. All those just DON’T count!

Like the great Ansel Adams was quoted to have said, “the most important piece of equipment in photography is the 12 inches of material behind the camera.”

‘Nuff said already!