Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/02/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I just returned from Afghanistan where my company is producing a network television special which will air in March. Obviously the still photography was a secondary concern, but I did manage to make what I think are a few nice pictures which I'd like to share. Cameras were an M6 and an M3, with the primary lenses a 35mm pre-ASPH Summicron, a 50mm collapsible Summicron and a 90mm Tele-Elmarit. Film was Fuji NPH and Reala. Contrary to what seems to be the popular view in this country, Kabul is far from deserted -- in fact it is teeming with people and traffic. Here is the central market. http://berkshire.ldp.com/~rolfe/Afghanistan/afghanistan0003.jpg There are tons of street photographers plying their trade on the streets of Kabul, most of whom paint their cameras like this. They make a paper negative and develop it inside the camera, then contact print the paper neg. http://berkshire.ldp.com/~rolfe/Afghanistan/afghanistan0010.jpg Although women do not need to wear the berkha anymore since the Taliban has been kicked out, virtually all women on the street in Kabul are still wearing them. The story is that they fear Queda operatives are still at large and have threatened to throw acid in the face of any uncovered woman they encounter. Until the women are sure this threat has passed, they are playing it safe. http://berkshire.ldp.com/~rolfe/Afghanistan/afghanistan0006.jpg Girls are back in the classroom now that the Taliban is gone. But notice that the girls in this class are several years older than the boys since they haven't been in school since the Taliban took over and have that much catching up to do. http://berkshire.ldp.com/~rolfe/Afghanistan/afghanistan0005.jpg In rural Afghanistan, it is sometimes hard to know what century you are in. Only the bike in this picture provides the tipoff. http://berkshire.ldp.com/~rolfe/Afghanistan/afghanistan0001.jpg These kids in the same village have never seen a foreigner before, let alone a Leica. http://berkshire.ldp.com/~rolfe/Afghanistan/afghanistan0002.jpg Comments and criticism welcome, of course. :-). Rolfe - -- Rolfe Tessem | Lucky Duck Productions, Inc. rolfe@ldp.com | 96 Morton Street (212) 463-0029 | New York, Ny 10014 - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html