Sudan was part of the “Go to Africa and shoot Anything You Want” assignment.
Complete freedom like that is often scary as you keep trying to second-guess yourself and your client. I had finally eased up on myself and said, “The hell with it, I’ll just do my usual thing and go out with no agenda and shoot whatever interests me.”
Again, it’s the people. It’s always the people. The animals are fine, the structures are exotic, nature often compelling, but it always comes down to the people.
The Sudanese are strikingly impressive: tall, incredible presence, self-possessed with a sense of color and theatricality that makes them a joy to shoot.
Couple that with a welcoming attitude and a desire to please and be friendly and you have a picnic every time you go out to shoot.
The men are comfortable being photographed, the women less so, but I think that this applies in many countries. Women do not want to appear vain. It takes a little work sometimes but sooner or later they show their pride and become more willing to be photographed.
