Take your picture! is an attempt to stop taking and start giving pictures. Its also a try to fulfill the wish to be remembered. I first stumbled across this thought when my late grandmother asked my mother to write down the story of her life. It again crossed my mind, when I went through my family's old photographs. Its a box of images, some of wich are over a hundred years old. I can't imagine my grandchildren getting excited about a bunch of outdated harddrives they find on their attic. It's my decision what I will leave behind, but what if there's more important things to spend your money on, like food and water?
I gave away free Polaroids during my trip to Uganda. I shot close to 90 pictures, many of wich I think were the finest portraits I have ever taken. The majority in Kamwokya and Kyebando, Kampala. To not ruin the business of all the small photo-studios in the slums I gave most of them to children.
I shot Fuji FP-100C color film, so the pictures would also reflect the time they were taken in. The camera I used is a Polaroid 340 Automatic (and a 330 as a backup). All the waste (except cardboard boxes and paper) was taken back to Europe for recycling or proper disposal.
This project was kindly supportet by Calumet Hamburg and the On The Road Aid Program who I thank very much for making it possible. I also thank Alex, Kati and Simone, three social work students from Austria, as well as all the people from KCCC who showed me around the slums of Kampala.
To be continued in the future.
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