Taking pictures in Addis Ababa

I had never taken pictures in Addis if not for a special occasion like weddings or birthdays before I joined Desta for Africa (DFA) photography workshop. Well, I prefer taking picture when I am traveling. 

As part of my assignment in this workshop, I went inside people's houses in Piassa. I first proposed to do the architectural photography of old buildings in Piassa built during the Italian occupation, some 70 years back. But that has actually been done before by other photographers. In order to find the undone, I needed to go to people’s houses I had no acquaintance with.

I first asked people if they know anyone living in such houses. I first found ‘the bachelor’s place. You first know the house is owned by a bachelor when all the clothes washed and hanged to dry outside are male’s jeans. And when you enter the house and miss a color, miss the common order, that is the sign, no offence men J

It is an amazing experience though to find the picture of  Aklilu Habtewold (prime minister of Ethiopia, during Haile Selassie regime) framed because he was a friend of the late owners of the house, Encyclopedias older than my grandmothers age,  books you might not find anywhere else….so much more.

I also got to photograph in 2 artists house. If you agree a person's home is the expression of himself/herself, this house proves you right. This house is the direct presentation of the artist's philosophy, ideology and feeling.

Well I got to sit & see it before I capture it and there is a lot to see!

I also simply went and entered to people’s compounds asking them if I could take pictures of their house from inside, some are willing, some are not; it was quiet an eye opening experience for me.

Well speaking of people’s houses, Richard and Rita Punkrust’s house is one of the best compounds I have ever been in. I went to their house first to interview them for EchoAfrica magazine on the life of their best friend Laureate  Artist Afework Tekle and I recently went back to take their portrait picture for another project. Walking into these historians’s place is by itself like walking into history. 

Well my Piassa houses project has lately been taking a little different angle, can't  put it into words yet. And I have been into so many houses,  taking so many pictures,  I promise to share when done:)