Reinventing and Adapting During Coronavirus

A Photograph by Gordwin Odhiambo

Notice the hands in this photograph. And notice how the men, dressed in garments of varying colour, bear distinct eccentricities. Only the man in bright yellow seems in the middle of sentence, and the others indicate what degree of interest they’ve committed to the conversation—whether it is the man with his eyes wide, or the other with a thumb hovering over a phone, or the third with his head held down. The terrain is heavy with greenery. And so the man behind, at a remove from the ongoing parley, walks as though along an unmarked path. As no patch of earth is nameless, consider what lies on the horizon: hints of human habitation, life in the distance.

---

Gordwin Odhiambo: “Being able to see the past through visuals enables us to prepare for what's to come.”

The photos were taken in Nairobi, Kenya in the midst of the coronavirus in 2020. They form part of the winning series from the East African photography awards by Uganda Press Photo in 2020.

I took these photos during my regular photo walks in the community where I was born and bred. Being able to photograph at any time gives me more insight into everyday life.

This photography project showed the efforts made by the Kibera community amidst the pandemic. Despite the imminent threats of coronavirus faced due to its population size, local organizations and individual acts of kindness made sure that we were not going to face the worst of the situation. Faced with a pandemic, lockdowns, and the thoughts of where to get the next meal, individuals came together, organizations restructured and adopted new ways of serving its community. And when individual efforts were needed, fashion designers, philanthropists, artists, and midwives stepped up.

My earlier introduction into photography was mainly through community photography. Being able to tell everyday stories from my own community and shine a light on the beautiful things happening here is another opportunity to interact. Having more awareness of the subjects and people I'm photographing is essential for the photos to drive the story forward; I like to have conversations, initiate a rapport — this way, I believe, the photos will have more meaning.

Photography as a visual medium explores more than just societal issues; being able to see the past through visuals enables us to prepare for what's to come. As a photographer, telling the stories of my community has an influence on how it's viewed. Hence, I have a responsibility to narrate my stories to the necessary audiences for collaborative purposes, [to open] doors for individuals and communities in terms of development.

---

Two more photographs by Gordwin Odhiambo

These photographs are included in Gordwin’s series on adaptation and reinvention during the Covid-19 pandemic. What do you think about any of them? You can respond as a comment below.

---

---

Last week — Maheder Haileselassie

Photographs provide information and information is knowledge, which we always say is power. It's not just about the audience but also the photographer itself. It has this influence on you, so that if you have good intentions, it makes you become a better person. It makes you see people better and helps you understand and question your surroundings.  

Read more: Awramba: A Self-Sufficient Community.

---

Support Gordwin Odhiambo

Thank you for reading and sharing this feature on Gordwin Odhiambo. You can see more of his work on his website, and by following him on Instagram.

---

Support Tender Photo

Welcome, new subscribers! This is the 15th edition of the newsletter. Every week I feature one photograph and the photographer who took it. You’ll read a short caption from me, and a statement from the photographer. My goal is to set up conversations with the work of early to mid-career African photographers. You can support the newsletter by asking anyone—or 10 people!—interested in the impact and meanings of photography to subscribe. And, if you know of any photographer whose work is deserving of attention, please email me with their name(s).

What readers are saying:

A wonderful newsletter showcasing African photography. — Wesley Verhoeve, author of Process.