Bob Nelson Images

Bob now lives in Noosa, Australia but was born in Canada. At the age of 12 was given a Brownie Box Camera which he used on an experimental basis to photograph his family and friends.

At the age of 14 he joined the school’s camera club and learned how to develop his own photographs.

It wasn’t until the year 2001 when Bob retired and became a serious photographer. He has two passions, one travel, and the other photography. This, he claims is a perfect fit. His favorite subject matter is tribal people. He has indulged this passion on many trips to  Africa and Asia.

Without being intrusive, he attempts to capture the story that can be seen in the faces of  many of the tribal portraits he takes. Since many of the areas he visits are remote he would like to share his photographic journeys with others who may never have the opportunity to travel to these amazing places.

My Photography

I have always found that my camera can actually be a way of connecting with my subjects. The camera gives me an opportunity to communicate without words, only friendly smiles. My camera can be the beginning of a conversation in sign language and can instantly establish a friendly rapport with my subject.

In this book I have focused on portrait photography. A person’s face can be a disclosure of their character and can almost give me a map of the environment in which they live. African tribal people can have this amazingly smooth textured skin that seems to glow in even the harshest lighting conditions for photography. To complement their simple way of life they have the unique ability to create their own special fashion statement by wearing magnificently coloured beads.A fashionable necklace, worn with great pride, can be made from the plastic end caps of a common ballpoint pen. This juxtaposition makes us aware of our increasing influence on their culture.

I typically travel with a small group of two other companions who are professional photographers. Being a small group generally allows us not to be obtrusive or to interfere with their everyday village activities. The only gifts that we may give to the villages will be the much prized and decorative Cowry Shells. We make a special effort to avoid giving any gifts that are associated with western culture.  It is our attempt to thank the villages for their hospitality without changing their culture.  In most cases when we visit a village we will negotiate with the elders to agree on a modest fee which we will then pay to each person we photograph.  Apart from tribal photography I have included some images of people in the bustling  markets of West Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is one of my favorite countries in Africa because, in my opinion, it has one of the most interesting and diverse cultures and landscapes. In the North there are large concentrations of Orthodox Ethiopian Christians worshipping in churches carved from a solid piece of stone.  In the Central East there is the ‘Danakil Depression’ which is reputed to be one of the hottest places on earth. In the South there are the remote Surma tribes who are known for wearing lip disks, which can be 16 to 20 cm wide, made from wood or clay.

I consider myself extremely fortunate to have visited some of these tribes in Africa and I hope that seeing some of these photos leaves you with an increased understanding of African Culture. My wish is that in sharing this photographic experience with you is that we all can begin to appreciate the wonderful cultural diversity we have on our planet.

The book ‘Africa…Face to Face’ as seen here on this site is available in a limited edition of 100 and can be signed if you wish. Please contact me if you have an interest in purchasing the book or any limited edition images in the ‘Gallery’.