“Canon or Nikon: The Ultimate Battle for Picture-Perfect Shots”

When it comes to photography, one of the most common questions that beginners and enthusiasts face is: “Canon or Nikon camera, which should I buy?” This age-old debate has sparked passionate discussions among photographers for decades, and understandably so. Both Canon and Nikon are renowned brands with a rich history of producing exceptional cameras. So, let’s dive into the details and explore the factors that can help you make an informed decision.

1. Lens Ecosystem: One of the significant considerations when choosing a camera brand is the lens ecosystem. Both Canon and Nikon offer an extensive range of lenses, from wide-angle to telephoto, and from prime to zoom. However, the availability and affordability of lenses might vary between the two brands. It’s crucial to research and determine if the specific lenses you require are readily accessible within your chosen brand’s ecosystem.
2. Image Quality: The image quality produced by Canon and Nikon cameras is outstanding, and both brands continuously innovate to push the boundaries of technology. However, slight differences in image processing algorithms and sensor technologies can lead to variations in color reproduction and dynamic range. It’s advisable to compare sample images from different camera models of both brands to see which aligns better with your photographic style and preferences.
3. User Interface and Ergonomics: Another vital aspect to consider is how comfortable and intuitive the camera feels in your hands. Canon and Nikon have distinct user interfaces and ergonomics that may influence your shooting experience. Some photographers find Canon’s menu system more user-friendly, while others prefer Nikon’s layout. It’s a subjective choice, so it’s best to visit a store and handle cameras from both brands to determine which one suits your preferences.
4. Budget and Pricing: Your budget plays a crucial role in the decision-making process. Canon and Nikon offer cameras at various price points, catering to different user needs and budgets. It’s essential to define your budget range and explore the options available within that range. Remember that investing in lenses, accessories, and future upgrades should also be considered when evaluating the overall cost of a camera system.
5. Future Expansion and Upgrades: Consider your long-term goals and aspirations in photography. If you anticipate expanding your gear collection or upgrading to more advanced camera models in the future, it might be beneficial to research the options available within the brand you choose. Compatibility and familiarity with a specific brand’s ecosystem can simplify the transition to higher-end models or newer releases.

Ultimately, the decision between Canon and Nikon in 2023 boils down to personal preference, shooting style, and individual requirements. Both brands have loyal user bases and deliver exceptional results. It’s advisable to read reviews, seek advice from experienced photographers, and even rent or borrow cameras to gain hands-on experience before making your final decision.

Remember, the camera is just a tool. It’s the photographer’s vision, skill, and creativity that truly make captivating images. Whether you choose Canon or Nikon, focus on mastering the fundamentals of photography, honing your craft, and capturing moments that speak to your soul.

So, go ahead and embark on your photographic journey with confidence, armed with a camera that resonates with your passion and artistic vision. Happy shooting!

Note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not endorse any specific camera brand. The choice between Canon and Nikon is subjective and should be based on individual preferences and requirements.

Saving for the Rainy Days!

Mama here recounts with a faint grin, the good old days when the Nigerian Naira was highly valued, she would go and buy food with little money and because she was a regular customer at the food joint, the vendor would give her so much food with free fish if she wasn’t buying fish that day. The quantity of food was so significant that her guardian would ask if she stole the food and sometimes even follow her to the food vendor to ask and be sure that the food was not stolen.

Although Mama forfeited education because she did not like the black robes that they were made to wear if they had to attend school, she had a knack for saving money. No matter how much she got either from her guardian or as a gift from relatives, She remembers how she would save a little amount of money given to her, even if it was just a few cents. She would put it in a small wooden box under her bed and dream of the day when she would have enough money to buy the things she wanted. She found a way of saving a little out of it after having bought food or whatever caught her fancy.

As mama grew older, she started helping her guardian out with their petty trading business. They sold fruits and vegetables at the local market, She continued to save the little profits she made, and by the time she got married, she had saved enough money to start her own business.

Mama started selling tomatoes and pepper to her neighbors, and her business grew quickly. However, she knew that there was more money to be made, so she invested in a grinding machine. With the machine, she could grind grains and spices, and she soon became known around her neighbourhood.

Mama has never opened a bank account and she only spends and receives cash only so the cashless policy was a major threat to her business while it lasted. So if you didn’t have cash you could not buy from Mama so she missed out a lot in terms of patronage.

Despite these challenges, she remains determined. She continues to save her money and look for ways to expand her business now that cash is now in circulation in the country.

Mama looks back on her life as a young girl with pride. She knows that her success is a result of her hard work, determination, and the art of saving that she learned at a young age. She continues to operate her grinding machine and petty trading business and hopes that her granddaughter who she is seeing through school with her small business will learn a thing or two about saving.

Making Ends Meet: A Portrait of Mama, the Plastic Bottle Vendor

Nigeria like many other countries have and are still experiencing its fair share of economic downturn and policy changes have had a devastating impact on the economy. Many businesses have closed, and millions of people have lost their jobs, life has become really difficult for people of the working class much less for older people who have to rely on their children, relatives, or caregivers. Amidst this cash crunch, Mama has found a way to survive: by selling plastic bottles.

I saw mama on my way back from a ceremony, I wanted to speak with her but I was kinda skeptical because she didn’t look like she wanted to be disturbed but we went to her anyway. My colleague greeted her and contrary to our initial opinion, she greeted us with a very warm smile as if she was just waiting for us to come over and speak to her. We would later learn that she has a hearing problem in her left ear. People in the community think that she is snobbish and does not respond when they say hi to her. Maybe nobody has gone close enough to know that she has a hearing difficulty and that’s sad. Senior citizens need not be by themselves. We need to do better for them.

She used to work as a street vendor selling pap and akara (bean cake) every morning, anything that could make her profit, no matter how little. But when the pandemic hit, her sales dropped dramatically, and she found it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. One day, she noticed that people were throwing away plastic bottles all over town. She realized that she could collect them, sell them to people who sell Kunu Zaki(Sweet beverage), Zobo(hibiscus drink) or vegetable oil, and make a small profit.

Since she cannot move around too much because of how old she has become, someone comes to collect the bottles from her and pays her for the amount she has collected she charges N20 for a small bottle (one in her hand) and N50 for a big bottle of 75cl. The money she earns is enough to buy food, medicine, and other essentials.

Mama’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and ingenuity of the human spirit. Despite the challenges she faces, she has found a way to survive and even thrive. She has turned a seemingly worthless item into a source of income, and in doing so, she has shown that there is always a way forward, even in the darkest of times. It is even more difficult now that there is no cash in circulation. The likes of mama may not have a bank account to be able to make online transactions and even though she had, her customers are not the ones to make money transactions to buy or sell anything.

But Mama’s story also highlights the urgent need for governments and other organizations to provide support for those who are struggling. The fact that an elderly woman has to collect and sell plastic bottles to survive is a tragic indictment of the state of the economy. She needs to be in an old people’s home, retired and resting. It is essential that we come together to find solutions to these complex problems and to support those who are most vulnerable.

As Mama sits in from of her house, her bag of plastic bottles clinking behind her while she waits for her buyers, she remains determined and hopeful. She knows that every bottle she collects is a step toward tomorrow’s survival. And as we look to the future, we can all learn that we need to make policies that provide and care for people like mama because no matter what we do, we will all grow old and how we treat the senior citizens around us is how we will be treated eventually. So let us support one another through the toughest of times.

How I Fell in Love!

See I love taking pictures, but I dont like my picture being taken. I think I am camera shy!

Someone asked me how I got interested in taking pictures, it took me a while to actually think about it and provide a response. Let me see if I can explain some of the reasons for my love for pictures.

First I have always been facinated by by the fact that a photograph has the ability to freeze time, capture wonderful moments, emotions in a way that no other medium can. I also love watching old photos and imagine what life was like at the moment when the photograph was taken. Growing up, old photographs were always in black and white and so…this is funny but whenever I think about the past, I think in black and white. I love the fact that a simple looking technology or otherwise has the ability to capture a images so I wanted to know how it worked and my curiousity about cameras made me fall in love with photography. The most facinating thing for me has alwasy been the way a polaroid camera will instantly produce result. It would be one of my best days if I get a polaroid camera for myself.

For many people, photography is more than just a hobby. It is a way of life, a creative outlet, and a means of self-expression. Some people take photos to document their travels, while others capture candid moments of their loved ones. Some use photography as a tool to showcase their creativity and unique perspectives, while others simply enjoy the technical aspects of the craft. for me it is the fact that I can look back and think …look how far we’ve grown.

Regardless of the reason, there is something magical about the act of taking a photograph. It is the ability to freeze a moment in time and capture a fleeting expression or a beautiful scene forever. It is the thrill of discovering new angles, experimenting with lighting, and playing with composition.

For many photographers, the love for photography goes beyond just taking pictures. It is the art of editing, enhancing, and transforming a photo into a work of art. It is the feeling of accomplishment when they see the final product and share it with others. Moreover, photography can also be a tool for social commentary and activism

For me, photography is a way to shed light on important social issues, to tell the stories of underrepresented communities, to inspire change, to help people see the beauty in the simple things of life.

38 Years of Making Moi Moi

My team and I went into a small market in Ibadan called Mokola market to teach women how to utilize technology to boost their business using simple apps they already use. This was to commemorate International Women’s Day 2023 on March 8th. While doing our thing, I passed through an aisle, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a woman wrapping bean pudding (moi moi). Knowing the typical Ibadan person, they shy away from photographs, especially by a stranger…their first question will be “What do you want to use my picture for?” and then they will go ahead and decline. I could not resist so I turned right back, ignoring my team…this image was calling me. 

I asked her if I could take some pictures while she worked and of course, she asked me the question “What do you want to use my picture for?” let’s just say after speaking a few English and a little Yoruba that I could, she called her son who is educated and asked me a few more questions and she gave me permission”

The interesting thing was the story she shared with me while I took some pictures of her. She has been selling moi moi for about 38 years. This explains her swift hand movement while wrapping the moi moi into the leaves. You can tell this by the slight blur around her hands.

Mama’s bean pudding, or “moi moi” as it is commonly known, is a popular snack in Nigeria. It is made from ground beans and spices, wrapped in leaves, and steamed until it is firm and slightly spongy. Mama’s recipe has been passed down to her by her mother as a little girl who also learned the art of moi moi making from her mother before her, and she has been perfecting it for almost four decades.

Mama wakes up every morning before dawn to begin the laborious process of making moi moi. She soaks the beans overnight, then grinds them into a fine paste using an industrial grinder. She adds spices like pepper, onions, and fish, and mixes everything together until it is smooth. Next, she prepares the leaves. She dips them in water to clean and softens them, then folds them into triangles. She doubles the leaves and lightly punches the leaves to make a hollow shape and scoops a spoonful of the mixture into the leaves and places them in a large pot to steam.

Mama’s moi moi is so popular that by the time I was taking these pictures, she had sold the first big pot and was preparing the second set. People come from all over the market to buy it. She sets up her stand in the same spot every day, and by mid-morning, a long line of customers has formed. Some people buy moi moi as a quick breakfast on the go, while others take it home to eat with their families. Some pair it with bread, Eko or Agidi (corn starch jello) some eat it with Garri or pap, and it even pairs well with party Jollof.  

As much as I want to continue talking about mama’s delicious moi moi prepared with palm oil which took me down memory lane, I want to appreciate her hard work and resilience despite the challenges she has faced, Mama has never given up on her business. She has persevered through economic downturns, and changes in the market. She has always found a way to keep going, many sellers will insist on taking cash despite the cash crunch in Nigeria, but she had her son providing support so if you don’t have cash, you can make a transfer.

Mama’s story is an inspiration to anyone who dreams of starting their own business. She has shown that with hard work, determination, and a good product, it is possible to build a successful enterprise. And even more than that, she has shown that the bonds we form with our customers can be just as important as the profits we make.

As Mama wraps up another day of selling moi moi, she reflects on the past 38 years with pride. She is not educated but her small business has supported her 5 children to get an education which she is very proud of. She knows that her bean pudding has brought joy and sustenance to countless people and that her hard work has made a difference in her community. 

I celebrate mama and many other strong women like mama this International Women’s Day!

What If We Changed The Way Beauty Was Defined?

Do you still look at women or men with facial marks and think they must be some kind of unrefined personality? Beauty standards differ from place to place and from community to community but what defines our beauty standards is mostly the mainstream pop culture which is mostly influenced by the west. But who says that facial marks are not a beauty standard for some people?

While there are certain beauty standards that differ from place to place, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Each person has their own definition of beauty, and what may be considered unrefined or unattractive to one person may be seen as perfectly normal or even beautiful to another.

So, while it is true that mainstream pop culture often dictates what is considered “beautiful,” it is important to remember that everyone has their own definition of beauty. So, don’t be quick to judge someone based on their appearance – you never know what beauty standards they may adhere to.

I was working one day when I came across a woman with facial marks, but I initially did not know she had facial marks, what attracted me to this woman was her beautiful bogus hairstyle. Then I called her attention to ask her permission to take this picture. She gladly obliged me. she had a baby on her back and what surprised me was that her baby boy also had the same marks on his cheeks. I was surprised because it is often believed that nowadays babies you see with facial marks in 2022 are most times female and they are more likely to have undergone FGM. However, that is not the purpose of my blog today; rather it is the fact that as a photographer I want to spot beauty in its true form and also show that beauty comes in all forms, regardless of who defines it.

There has been a significant shift in society’s perception of beauty over time. In the past, certain physical features were often associated with beauty, but that is no longer the case. Instead, beauty is now seen as being more than skin deep. It is an inner quality that shines through someone’s personality. This change is likely due to the increased exposure to different cultures and ways of life that people have nowadays. With this greater understanding of the world, it is easier to see that beauty comes in many different forms.

I Am My Father’s Son

Far away from home
Our fates unknown
The journey just began
And the struggles are endless.

Still, the unfair sun keeps glowing hotter than before,
And we are shedding our last drops of hope.
“We are never going to make it, Father! We have fought a good fight.
Let us now surrender to the scorns from life, and rest with peace.”

He looked into my eyes, like he understood my babbling.
With a swift move, he pulled me up and placed me on his shoulder,
Taking new bold steps, like he just woke up from a trance.

Father, oh father!
I admire your strength.
We have walked miles, this I am sure, even though I can not count just yet.
But your head has never been raised this high,
Shoulders never been so firm.
Your resilience to move on even when life has constrained us backward, is emboldening.

The love of a father is not often preached,
But now, with this journey of revelation,
I see just how much power your love holds.
So this is me making a pact,
I would walk with you anywhere.
And with a proud voice I would tell the world,
“I am my father’s son.”

Poem by Amaka Akiti
Youth Corps Member
Oyo State, Ibadan.

Photography-How-to-win-a-spot-at-FIFA World Cup

Have you ever wondered about the photographers that take those awesome soccer images we use on social media for memes, news reports and all that? The most widely used ones are from football matches. Other ones used are from the Olympics and other sporting events.

Picture from Digitalrev.com

It will be a photographer’s dream to be part of the fortunate few to capture those awesome moments. First, you get to watch the match and then have fun capturing those moments on the field that we most often adore. Sitting close to those photographers during the world cup, I can only imagine how many thousands of clicks you will hear every second. Have you also ever wondered what it takes to be one of those photographers just clicking away every second of the match? Well, I do every time I watch a match – not like I watch football but maybe If I happen pass-by where a match is being watched or have to watch a match because Nigeria is playing.

So I stumbled on a site while researching how to get a spot on the media team for a major event like Russia 2018. It gives a detailed description of how you can get a spot at the FIFA World Cup event. It took me like hours before I found this site but here: http://bit.ly/2N7QtVj and http://bit.ly/2IDvXZs. It’s too late for this year’s world cup though but I’m pretty sure it can serve as a guide for someone and it pretty much the same process every season with maybe some slight changes.

This tripped me a lot- During Pyeongchang’s winter Olympics, Canon was there to provide tech support for all canon photographers during the games. That’s not all, they also had about 72 staff from 10 different countries that speak 10 different languages to help the photographers with any issues they had with their gear. You don’t want to miss that award-winning photo because your gear had a minor glitch. Check out their gear room.

Picture from Digitalrev.com

Cool right? These cameras don’t carry lenses rather the lenses carry the cameras.

The True Story of the “Ghana Must Go” Saga in 1983

I have always wondered about the history of the bag Ghana-must-Go, Sometimes I fear that as Nigeria’s economy is going through what Ghana must have gone through in those years, there will be a tendency to send Nigerians parking from their country if they do not behave themselves in other countries. The Exodus wont be only of 1 million people because the number of Nigerians in diaspora is more than a small country’s population.
Whatever happened to that strong solid Ghana-must-go bag that we used to have is exactly what has happened to Nigeria as a whole – very poor quality.
Thanks Teslim for this post.

OldNaija

Jerry J Rawlings at Tema Harbour | Abiyamo

Growing up in Nigeria, Ghana and other neighboring countries, you must have heard of the popular term “Ghana Must Go“. Yes! It is the name of a common big bag used to store things or pack loads when traveling. But have you ever wondered why this bag, called “Chinatown tote” in USA and “Tuekenkoffer” in Germany, is called “Ghana Must Go” in Nigeria and Ghana? Well, someone did not just sit and coin the name for the bag, a real life incident that happened in Nigeria back in 1983 christened the bag “Ghana Must Go”.

In 1983, during the democratic regime of President Sheu Shagari, the federal government of Nigeria ordered a mass deportation of illegal immigrants living in Nigeria due to the atrocities most of them were reportedly perpetrating in the country. More than…

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A rose by any other name…

 

As a child I loved dry season which was towards the end of the year and the beginning of the next year. To me, dry season meant celebrations like Christmas and the New Year, it meant days of dry skin-no sweat, it meant days when our hairs would turn white from dust and we would imagine we were old. But then I grew older and the dry skin was not fun anymore neither was the dust on my shoes or the blood in my nose from the dryness. If like me you are from the north in Nigeria you would understand how extreme the weather can get. My best childhood memory of rainy season was the fact that my mom would make you a very hot cup of chocolate tea especially if you got beat down by the rain on your way home. I began to develop a liking for the rainy season, then I fell in love with the smell of freshly cut grass, and the smell of rain from afar and eventually when I started photographing, I found that it was more beautiful to take pictures against the background of green vegetation. The flowers blossom most this time, the roses look redder and the grasses look greener. The combination of natural colours like green and yellow or green and pink or green and purple, whatever colour the flowers are, are always against the green background, they always look beautiful. The clear blue skies or the clouds shielding the sun from harsh condition and giving you opportunity to take lovely photos.