Repairing Nets In Shade
Repairing Nets In Shade
A Photograph by Charles Lawson
The canopies are as close to the river as the fishermen can manage. This is the first lesson of their wayfaring, that the sea is source and inspiration. It is also a place of evolving intentions—those who sit ashore are no different in character from those who sit within their canoes, since both share the same desire or need to be near the river. In their comings and goings, as they daily seek to tend to the water, they accumulate knowledge about solidity in relation to the river. How a fisherman must balance out his body while ferrying a large sack, for instance.
— Emmanuel Iduma
“It's about the colours, the shapes, the life and activity in the scene.”
I made this image in Kpando-Torkor, a small, quaint fishing village in the Volta Region. I had ventured into the village on a warm Sunday afternoon, during a trip to Kpando where my mother grew up, and was struck by this scene: fishermen taking a day off, in an easy, purposeful routine of repairing their nets, under the billowing arches of the abala, the rudimentary fabric canopies under which they find shade and community. I believe I captured the scene with a cropped frame Canon and a 24-70mm lens. Finding a vantage point, I tried to be as discreet as possible, and took the shot.
The photograph best speaks to my style of photography. A distinct architecture and the ways in which people interact with it. It's also about the colours, the shapes, the life and activity in the scene.
Chance is a huge factor in my work. I go on walks and drives, and take pictures of anything I find striking. Occasionally I take note of a scene for later, either because I don't have the time or right equipment, or it's not the right light for what I envision. I suppose in saying that, it's not always so dependent on luck. Luck and planning go hand-in-hand. I try to explore, and I take the same approach in my editing process as well; a new path every time.
— Charles Lawson
About Charles Lawson
Charles Lawson is a Ghanaian photographer who works in Accra and neighbouring cities. Follow his work on his website, and Instagram.
Last Week — “Alone Among Others,” by Leul Mekonnen
Whether I am capturing the beauty of nature, the vibrancy of a cityscape, or the essence of a person's character, photography allows me to express my creativity while also providing a window into the world around me.
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Every Wednesday I feature one photograph and the photographer who took it: you’d read a short caption from me, and a statement from the photographer. Every Saturday I publish a lengthier engagement with photography. Between June 3–July 29, I’m writing a series of micro-essays in response to sequences of photographs previously featured on the newsletter. My hope is to engage with early to mid-career African photographers, and to create a platform in which photographers lead the cataloguing and criticism of their work.
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