Nikon Professional Services BLOG
July 17, 2011 inNikon recently interviewed me for their Nikon Professional Services blog. Here is an excerpt. Traveling the world and moving from one locale to the next, "clicking" pictures of beautiful places and lovely people. You may ask yourself: "How hard can it be?" Let me tell you from experience: it's a tough job if you are serious about it, and you have to be serious about it if you want to make a living at it. The truth is, very little ... Read More
Tags: Africa, Ami Vitale, Blog, Nikon, photography
Guinea Bissau: Rediscovering the Soul of a Forgotten Land
July 17, 2011 in Also posted in Africa, Multimedia, conflict, contests, grantsI recently returned to the West African country of Guinea-Bissau on a generous grant from the Alexia foundation to revisit a village where I began my career as a photographer ten years ago. Young and very green, I had applied for a grant from them back in 2000, on a whim. To my delight and horror, I got it – even beating out some National Geographic photographers I heard, who had also applied that year. I had no idea what I was doing and ... Read More
Tags: Africa, photography
Speaking in NYC
October 31, 2010 inFor anyone in NY, I'll be speaking November 1, 2010 at 42 West 18th Street, New York at 5:30pm on transitioning into making films as a still photographer. During this evening's presentation, I'll show work from India, Bangladesh and Sierra Leone and how photographers can find a niche in today's changing world of photojournalism.With media outlets going through rapid transitions, this is a perfect time to find opportunity ... Read More
Alexia Foundation
October 6, 2009 inThe Alexia Foundation annually provides a $15,000 grant for a professional photographer to produce a picture story. For guidelines and rules to apply, click “Professional Rules” link at the top of this page. Photographers from anywhere in the world are eligible. The Foundation also provides grants and scholarships for five students. Students must be enrolled full time in an accredited college or university anywhere in the world. Read More
Budapest Baths
October 1, 2009 inBudapest, Hungary has long been renowned for its health spas and thermal springs but recently it has been discovered that many of these springs are connected underground by a huge "thermal lake." Divers are currently exploring the lake and the city is planning to ask for World Heritage status and may open the lake to the public. The ancient Roman settlement Aquincum, located on the outskirts of Budapest is the site of the very first hot mineral water bath ... Read More
Learning Lessons in Africa
September 29, 2009 inThis is the a project on The Guardian about Education in Africa. Here is the Link to the project: Read More
Guinea Bissau
September 2, 2009 in Also posted in Africa, Guinea Bissau, photographyAdema Balde washes near her family's rice fields in the village of Dembel Jumpora located in the West African country of Guinea ... Read More
Tags: children, Guinea Bissua
Gujarat
September 2, 2009 inMuslim children sit inside Dariya Khan Ghhumnat Rahat refugee camp set up outside a school in the state of Gujarat in Ahmedabad, India May 10, 2002. The extent of the damage and displacement of more than 120,000 people has threatened the secular ideals of India and left the government under attack for its inadequate relief ... Read More
Tags: children, Gujarat, India, refugeeHow do you prepare for an assignment?
August 29, 2009 inIt depends where I am going and what the climate and nature of the assignment is but one piece of advice I could give is the old adage..."less is more". The more you bring, the more you must carry. The less you bring, the more lightly you tread and leave behind. It is much better to try to adapt and fit in and to contribute to local economies. For example, I buy local clothes and food (minus high altitude or specialized equipment). Very often I see people bringing bags and bags of powerbars ... Read More
The Aftermath Project
August 29, 2009 inThe Aftermath Project "Two grants will be given this year, one for $25,000 and one for $15,000. Applications must be received by November 3, at the address on the application form. The 2009 winners and finalists will be announced by mid-December. Read More
