'A Project Starts When You See Something That You Can't Explain'

Photo courtesy Ed Cross Fine Art

Mário Macilau, Taking a Shower (a boy washes himself with soap before a meeting with charity workers), from the "Growing on Darkness" series, 2012–2015

You think it's hard being a photographer, for most of us? Not really. Read the inspiring story of Mário Macilau at the BBC News Magazine.

It might make your day. Possibly your week.

Mike
(Thanks to Richard Conolly)

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Comments

[James SInks]

That first photo is beautiful. No, beyond beautiful--stunning. It's all tone and line and gesture brushed out of a black backdrop. It could be a Degas monotype.

[Speed]

" ... I was never intimidated ... "

[Paulo Bizarro]

A true lesson in living, learning, and pursuing one's dreams.

Great photos too.

[Andrew Vartabedian]

There is a series from a few years ago on Al-Jazeera about "The New African Photography." One of the episodes features Mr. Macilau - https://youtu.be/xvdfIBi5Hug.

[Stan B.]

Throughout the world there are a myriad of voices that are seldom heard simply because of poverty, what Gandhi called "the worst form of violence." It is a poverty that can often trace its roots to colonialism.

We must then rely on the voice of others, those who often present a partial or distorted view, when they don't get it wrong altogether. This myopic viewpoint can then further preexisting prejudices and misconceptions, while the truth continues to remain hidden among those who must live it daily.

The foreigner sees only what he knows. -African Proverb

[Robert Roaldi]

And we worry about how many pixels we need.

[Steve Ducharme]

That photograph is achingly beautiful. Sublime.

[chris.scl]

Now what was MY excuse for neglecting photography today?

[ShadZee]

Wow, what a powerful image. Everyday I look at hundreds of images, this one is the most special i've seen in months. ... and a great story.

[Steve Jacob]

I'm sure he'd take much better pictures with a Sony A7Rii...

Seriously though this is an inspiring story, but the images speak for themselves.

[Darlene Almeda]

This is what happens when you trust your instincts so much, fear and risk fail to stop you, and your purpose becomes the truth you are willing to pay attention to.

[Manuel]

Trading a mobile phone for a film camera! I can hear brains explode at a distance...
In all seriousness, there was a time when Mozambique used to be the poorest country in the world. It was at the bottom of the list in practically all areas of development. It probably still is. Life can be unimaginably hard there, especially for children. Mário's childhood may not be the most expressive example of hardship - at least not so much so as the lives of the children he depicts -, but I can't help warming to his story.
It's nothing short of a small miracle he managed to hone his talent and skills under such circumstances, in a country plagued by extreme poverty and ever-enduring internal conflicts that syphon all the government's resources. His determination is simply admirable.
And, of course, the photographs are great. They need a bit of context - they're not quite self-explanatory -, but they're extremely accomplished. Thank you for letting us know about this, Mike.

[David Dyer-Bennet]

The BBC interview is very good; all Mário Macilau's words, and he's quite good with words (and English words) too. Not all visual artists are.

Also -- if you haven't, click through to the bigger version of the photo here, or study the version at the BBC link (those two are the same size). At least to me, on my screen resolution etc. (so who knows for others!), it's vastly more impressive at the larger size (and it's not that much larger). For me, it crosses some sort of line that makes a big difference.

[Reiner]

Thanks for this great link.