Ben Wilhelmi

Aerial photography, Tanzania

This big country is a marvel for a pastime like aerial aerography...

 

Delta on the northern part of lake Natron, where salts mix with fresh water from a river coming from Kenya, Southern Ewaso Ng'iro, Rift valley.

 

Low pass to greet a Maasai walker.

Minimal art?

 

One of those airstrips in Tanzania, along lake Natron, not too far from the volcano Lengai.

A non-perennial lake at the foot of mount Kitumbeine received unusual visitors.

I enjoy looking for various subjects of total different composure,colors and style like this psychedelic spiral of salt in lake Natron...

Versus this same lake natron, another day and welcoming flamingoes slightly disturbed by my approach to land nearby

Masai portraits in the Tanzanian outback

A selection of masai people in various stage of their lives...

 

The married man.

 

Young woman.

 

Young boy freshly circumsized and in the impure healing period. It shows by his black cloak, his feathers at an early stage around his head, and the white make up.

 

same period for these 2 teens but they belong to another clan and are more sober in display.

 

And for girls, the fashion also shows their new status, here are 2 girls from 2 different clans . The black cloaks and the white beads are the main markers.

 

 

Another married man. Where did he pick his vintage 70's hat?

 

A young girl who has not been through the ear extension process.

 

A married woman in full traditional gear, included the extended ears.

 

 

Indian ocean reefs, Pemba island, aerial photography

 

 

There are a few islands along Tanzania mainland. Zanzibar, Mafia and Pemba are the big ones. Here is Pemba and its stunning reefs. I have been flying over uglier places...

B/W portraits, Sonjo tribe, Tanzania

For a change here are some pictures from a lesser known tribe, the Sonjo from the Sonjo valley west of lake Natron. The women are not flamboyant like the Masai women, strange as they are neighbors. The young on the other end tend to copy the Masai warriors. It seems it is not out of awe but out of fear to be spotted in the bush and killed. Pretending can save one skin. These tribes have been enemies with the Masai for centuries...like most tribes which happen to cross paths and cows with the Masai.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aerials, Tanzania

 

 

 

Street photography in Stonetown, Zanzibar

 

 

 

The billy boys.

 

 

 

 

 

Colorful fashionista!

 

Kids are kids everywhere...

 

Kids and young men love to show off on the beach front. Some are real performers, whether in diving exercises or on solid ground.

 

Masai portraits on films, Tanzania

Some of my early maasai portraits, on analog cameras. I like to show youngsters pictures were possible before the era of smartphones...

 

 

 

Young circumsized boy. Warrior soon he hopes!

 

 

 

Is that Maasai elder really turned into a muslim? I doubt.

 

 

Wildlife, Tanzania

 

 

A different way to see wildlife...a colleague on landing.