TESTIMONIAL FROM GRONUM SMITH, THE ENGINEER

I met Paul one evening at a common friend’s house. From the outset his approach to life interested me greatly and it was just a few months later I got an email about Paul’s plan to go to Madagascar. I was in particular interested in undertaking this trip for the following reasons: Firstly to come as close to being an "explorer” as our modern lives allow us, secondly to be able to live my passion through a lens (I was hoping to document and share my experiences in much more detail, but maybe that is the next step and challenge), thirdly I wanted to learn more about landscape photography and looking at Paul’s portfolio I was convinced that I could learn from him.

Even though Paul had not been to Madagascar his planning impressed me greatly. But then on the other hand I was not too concerned as one of the purposes of the trip was to explore and accept the fact that the journey can be as exciting as the destination.

Some of the lessons I learnt during my trip.

The light must be right. Otherwise chances are that your photo is only worth documenting your trip.

Think carefully about what and why you are taking that particular photo. As Paul asked me one "What made you take that picture, don’t over complicate”.

Equipment matters : But make the most of what you have!

Have patience with your subject. I have seen Paul taking a very long time to get that perfect picture of a very uncooperative and camera shy giraffe-necked Weevil in Ranomafana N.P. But then who would not be shy with such an unusually long neck?

Paul has a classic (i.e. film) background and the way he approaches taking a photo is reflected in that. Despite using a Digital Camera he plans and takes care with every photo that he takes.

I have also spent a lot of time thinking about the whole reason I am taking photos. I don’t have the final answer but for the time being I am training my eye and capturing moments. There might come a day that I will pack my camera away and I will be perfectly happy with only the lens of my eye.

Although our trip was aimed at photographing the landscape, plants and insects what I will remember most is getting up very early morning, the travelling, Three Horses Beer (THB) during the hot hours of the day and then the relaxation in the evenings where we would discuss our approach to life and how we captured moments of that during the day.