On 23rd February 2012, a group of over 60 photographers from different walks of life, ages and skill levels converged at the Pawa254 hub to listen to veteran photographer and trainer Sam Ouma. With a career spanning over 25 years that included covering the Rwanda genocide, 1998 American US Embassy bombing, and a range of other events, as well as portraiture and wedding photography, the photographers were eager to listen and learn from Sam.
Sam began his talk by narrating how he started photography at a young age. He was shown the ropes by the owner of a studio in his hometown in Kisumu. By the time he was in high school, he was conversant with using a film camera. After he completed his high school education, he pursued professional training in photography at Kenya Polytechnic.
Soon after this training, he ran into veteran photojournalist Mohamed Amin at Nation Centre where he, Sam, told ‘Mo’ that he was a professional photographer. This confidence pleased Mo, who decided to take him under his wing, mentor him, and teach him the ropes of the trade. Some of the most memorable quotes ‘Mo’ shared with him included “Don’t bring your emotions to the beat”. Sam attributes his detachment from emotions to this quote, which enabled him to be psychologically ready for some of the harsh realities he faced, especially in Rwanda, where he happened to be the first Kenyan photographer on the scene.
Having risen through the ranks in different media houses such as Nation Media and Weekly Review, Sam served as photographer, then senior photographer, until attaining title of Photography Editor. Sam Ouma covered various events in all spheres of news, including sports. Due to his vast experience, he was hired by Kodak as the Sub-Saharan Africa Head Photographic Instructor and travelled the continent widely conducting training seminars. He shared how in Nigeria he once attracted a crowd of 1,000 photographers.
After discussing life on the beat, Sam proceeded to talk about wedding photography, expounding on some of the finer details of making a good wedding picture GREAT. He concluded his talk by explaining the intricacies of studio photography and the importance of posing correctly to ensure symmetry, dignity, good color tones and skin texture.
He urged attending photographers never to disregard the concepts of composition, to always believe their sixth sense when out in the beat, and to always know their equipment. The class, which was expected to end at 6:45pm, ended at 7:15pm, as the talk was nothing short of engrossing and all attendants were riveted to their seats, hanging onto Sam’s every word.
Some of the memorable quotes by Sam as noted by the attendants include:
You have to know your camera and letting it be a part of you – Jake Wanjue
The sixth sense! – Fleur van Dissel
Sharpen your 6th sense; it will save your life – Carolina Gwandho
Always make use of your sixth sense, look at things beyond normal eyes, it will really help you come up with memorable photos. – Zack Burra Ojji
Composition is the proper arrangement of items within the view finder. Use the rules of composition. – Kenne Gi
Always archive/save all the images you shoot! – Gibson Maina
Admiring a scene through your camera Point Of View but not through your naked eyes. – Kool Bush
1st, always click, throw your feelings out of the window, see it through the lens first. – Daniel Kyeva
As a photographer you don’t work for charity, you are in it to make money, Money is not in the 4×6. Whatever you do, do it really well. As a photographer you need to see and create unique angles in your images, In news photography you don’t have a minute, You have split seconds. – Japheth Kagondu
To always strike a rapport with your subjects…and the rest will come naturally. Joseph Kyule