The Bigger Picture

‘‘I observe more than I speak; just because I am not saying anything doesn't mean I have nothing to say.’’

Adrian Michael Green

It’s been one year since I met Marcelin, a thirty-year-old photographer based in Yaoundé and fond of tattoos and nature. I got to discuss with him as I was highly intrigued by this silent yet insightful-looking personality. I thought he could be the best fit for something even unique and perspective-changing to share about. Marcelin YIMDJEU was born in Nkongsamba but raised in different cities due to his father’s job that made them move several times until they eventually settled in Yaoundé in 2002. You are going to discover Marcelin's personal experience finding his way doing photography and his understanding of the job of photographer along with the way it all connects with his views and the tattoos covering his hand. It takes a moment of silence to be able to see the way things that look separated perfectly connect into something that surpasses our five senses based perception.

The World Within

''I found photography the best medium to help me evade away from this noisy world, to retreat to different places and to discover from what surrounds me. I am an introvert and as such, I don’t like to be in overstimulating environments, I am someone who prefers quiet spaces and stillness. Moreover, I love working alone.

Before I landed on photography, I got involved in several painting projects under the wings of Henri and Rodrigue, two Ebolowa Arts school graduated elders. They noticed my will and determination to learn so they took me in. I would watch them performing and I would give them a hand when they needed.''

''I started to feel the need for new excitements''

You press the button – we do the rest

''I started to feel the need for new excitements, something that would bring me closer to this sense of fulfillment, I knew I love taking photos back in the time, I’ve always loved nature, lively things, and this is what would lead me later on to photography.

I would take pictures using any phones, smartphones or cameras that I happened to have in my hands. I turned back again to my two mentors for advice and guidance. Surprisingly, they were getting a photography project started and told me they sought after me to join their team. I didn’t wait too long, I jumped straight in!

Starting out, they handed me a small camera, I would go to all the places taking pictures and come back and show them for appreciation. They would send me on streets, birthday parties, funerals, even when they would be doing their laundry, I would come over to shoot them with my camera. Soon and funnily, I’ve realized how different the vibes of those situations could be specific and nuanced and it was interesting to get familiar with and play with them through my camera. All this was part of my training to build solid knowledge in the art of photography. It hasn’t been simple and I’m grateful that I had a training mate, friend – Martial - and brother who was a great source of encouragement and still is a big support to date.''

''I love images that speak, that tell a story''

The World Without

''The universe of photography is so vast: You have street photography, underwater photography, photojournalism, fine-art photography, portrait photography; the list goes on. There are many types of photography and it’s up to each artist to specialize in one type or another, you can still keep it general just like I do since I became a photographer, as long as you feel comfortable covering all the varieties.

I am a fan of fine-art photography, I love black and white photography, I love images that speak, that tell a story, I like street photography, I love photography of nature, I am general.

I am inspired by certain figures whose genius is not only noticeable in the industry but do kind of subtly yet strongly influence photography’s advancement.

At the international level, there are countless names. Here at the local level, you have Alain NGANE and William NSAI. I appreciate Alain NGANE because his work just goes beyond photography, his art breathes maturity and it’s incredible. William NSAI is insanely imaginative; his creative mind pushes beyond the ordinary boundaries. He never settles, he always looks beyond for new photographic experiments. He can take his team to film to the far north only to have this special typical decor of northern leafless big trees and these warm ambiances. This particular touch of him to push photographic experiments beyond the common boundaries is breathtaking.''

''In general, what I like the most taking picture of are street ambiances, especially by night.''

Perfect shot

''I currently work for an agency yet I do make time for self-commissioned work for my creations. When I photograph on my account, I have this freedom to try different things. I can pick my camera and go to places that I want and feel inspired by like I did once photographing well-off neighborhoods and poor neighborhoods to make evident, the contrast existing between both social lifestyles and settings.

In general, what I like the most taking picture of are street ambiances, especially by night. Also, I love making photographs using concepts. You create a whole decor or you think of an environment and the characteristics of your models that are going to be featured for your new series. It’s really like an experiment where you bring together ingredients and try things all by yourself in a laboratory!

Speaking of experiments, the next I envision to try is shooting in a garage, I will go to a garage and bring a model to stage right in there.

I do have a photo gallery, I like to keep it to myself for the obvious reason that I work on the account of other people.''

''When it comes to favorites, street and nature come first, both hold deep meaning to me.''

Say Cheese!

''When it comes to favorites, street and nature come first, both hold deep meaning to me.

I love the streets, as I am someone who grew up in the street. I spent a big time there; I believe that’s why there is this feeling of home whenever I walk down the streets to shot, be that with street kids, or just the vibes. I think this ease with the milieu makes it relax to stage street boys that people commonly call the ‘’nanga Boko’’, on my creations. I reach out to them and explain to them what I am doing and why I am doing this, I ensure them their image would be kept confidential and neither would it be displayed for any exhibition or advertising. And yes they easily cooperate!

As for Nature, the forest is my biggest source of inspiration along with birds, rare birds. I remember going to funerals lately, and I found myself snapping wild birds, right at the place, because I came across rare species. A guide showed me around; they led me to this very pretty place, full of rare birds.

Taking photographs in nature is as difficult as hunting. Just as the prey won´t stand there so you can catch her, the same goes with your target on the camera. I can easily take a photo of a bird when she´s flying, but it´s another story when I need a photo of her when she lands. It takes alertness to complete such a task, by the moment the bird is landing, I had to have gotten my lens ready, my eye focused, everything set to shot. It´s not once the bird has landed that you´re going to seek your position; otherwise, you would miserably fail, because she won´t wait for you, animals are very wise.''

''Working with people is not always easy. You see, some people love taking pictures yet ... they’re not photogenic.''

The Camera doesn’t lie, The Vibes either

''The work at the studio is a bit more complex than outdoor. You have the client restrain your creativity to their vision; they won’t allow something that goes out of their standards spectrum, so you’ll probably end up with no room for your touch on the artwork, you’re just a medium to bring about the outcome. That’s why I like to venture out on my own, for freedom and creativity bound to no restrictions.

Working with people is not always easy. You see, some people love taking pictures yet they’re not made for staging, because they’re not photogenic. Dealing with this kind of person requires you to be very observing and directive, you don’t want your session to go all over the map. It’s best to have an art director by your side, for it spares the photographer’s time to give directions and such and allows him to concentrate on the photo shoot. It’s easy to pick up on someone not photogenic, as they walk up to my lens I sense it right away.

Unlike them, some other people are born with this ability. I come across this kind of people everywhere, in the streets, in my neighborhood; they’ve never posed for a photographer let alone took a picture using a camera, yet they’re naturally wonderful and it just takes some more exercise to make them real diamonds.

Nevertheless, one can grow photogenic, it’s not only something that some are born with and others not, but it is also possible as long as you work on breaking down your defenses and show your vulnerability.''

''This is the moment where all hell broke loose''

Lose Yourself to Find Yourself

''They’re many perks in working in this field, in terms of people you meet from all walks of life, the networking opportunities, the knowledge you gain. It’s been three years and a half that I am a photographer, and throughout my career, for instance, I’ve already had the opportunity to work with all kinds of people including countless celebrities.

Talking about my career and experience, the hardest yet most intense experience I have had photographing was during a nude shooting session with female models. The girl takes off her clothes before you, she’s all naked, and just as a painter will make a portrait of her using oil on canvas, so do you have to stage a portrait using your medium: the camera. This is the moment where all hell broke loose; I had to concentrate on my target, keep the professional attitude although the human part of me was so turned on. Hopefully, I made it and I liked it afterward. Though it was difficult and discountenancing at the outset, I grew to like this kind of photography experiences and I learned better self-control of my feelings over time repeating the experiment.''

''Change and evolution are the keywords here.''

Blurred Borderlines

''Photography is a seamlessly evolving industry; you need constant updates so you don’t get behind the crazy change pace. As for me, I got to learn something new every single day, every single time I hold a camera in my hands. Today I not only take photos, but I also make videos and a lot of photos and video editing using modern appropriate software. Change and evolution are the keywords here.

Photography in itself not only consists of taking pictures, at least I can say it’s a comprehensive and evolving job, and it’s connected to other types of artworks requiring a camera, such as modeling or cinematography, where the borderline is very narrow between photography and cinematography for instance.

Photography has a big part to play on the modeling business, sure the industry is still trailing over here yet we have all it takes to make things move. I mean we have all the resources at every level of the value chain to make it work: ranging from stylists and fashion designers – as the many young street-wear brand owners that have been popping up lately, to blog owners that can be a powerful medium to circulate the information, to photographers and models. I believe it’s a matter of collaboration, I believe if the modeling industry hasn’t taken up yet, then we have to blame it on the lack of faith from people and individualism: no one takes a chance and on the other hand, everyone just wants to play it split up with others.''

''tattoos [...] are medium to show how connected are my interests in life.''

Tattoos, Taboos!

''I am into tattoos; they are medium to show how connected are my interests in life. I like them well crafted, with quality ink. I told myself I should have to get one someday, and just so happened.

Here in this tattoo on my hand, you have my name, over there you have my daughter´s first name. There you have this drawing which is not done yet, it´s a canvas! I imagined it myself, then I went to a friend of mine - who is also my tattoo artist – to replicate it on my skin.

This tattoo alludes to nature as you can see: you have a feather, stars, flying birds, and there you have clouds, it’s an expression of my interests in nature and what I like to take photographs of, yet the whole picture is still on the making. The whole picture would be more explicit upon completion.

Here in Africa, tattoos are still taboo, with a lot of bad associations. When you have tattoos, people assume you’re a bad guy and this can make them treat you as an outcast.

As a tattooed man, I don’t get accepted everywhere and I have missed some business opportunities due to that, you have someone say to you ‘’Oh no you got tattoos, you most certainly are a thug, just back off!’’. On a personal note, I find this intriguing because I am a photographer; I am an artist actually, and this stuff is part of my world and culture! So when you call on me for work, what or who do you expect?''

I believe Africans still have a serious amount of work ahead when it comes to unpacking some mentalities.

Hard feelings and Strong Opinions

''I believe Africans still have a serious amount of work ahead when it comes to unpacking some mentalities. Even my friend Martial has to face similar situations when we are on duty because of his dreadlocks. Like if we go for a ceremony, people there will stare at us like they just saw an outrage, but come on we are artists, and it’s all a matter of personal likes and tastes, everyone has their look, people are different!

You’re not sure that I like the way you’re shaved bald, you’re not sure that I like your hair color or your wig either, let alone your hair extensions. Why do you assume I am a criminal because I have tattoos? Just because I have dreadlocks doesn’t mean I am a delinquent, neither am I a drug addict, it doesn’t mean I smoke! It’s just hair, it’s natural! I have decided to replicate what I like onto my arm, what’s the big deal? What get people so upset? We need to unpack those prejudices we need to change!''

When it comes to parenting, the parent’s role is to be there for their kid’s education, it’s that simple

Through a Parent’s lens

''I have kids and my kids are the most important thing in my life! Everything I do, I do it for them. I could live a lazy life, lay on the bed from day to night but I actually can’t because of my children, they’re the reason why I thrive and my greatest source of motivation.

I love kids but I think it’s up to everybody to decide whether or not to have kids, and foremost it's fairer to ask women this question as they are the ones who carry the baby in the womb all the process long, they’re the ones to decide whether or not to deliver the baby.

''One single loop and the balance can shift''

When it comes to parenting, the parent’s role is to be there for their kid’s education, it’s that simple. The parent needs to be present since a kid is someone who needs affection and care from both the father and the mother. It means that, whether the parents are together or live apart, they should do their best to surround the child with all the care and love this child deserves to grow sanely.

One single loop and the balance can shift, which is why some kids flee their houses and this gets even worse with severely broken families where not only the father and the mother are divorced or separated but they have a very toxic attitude ruining their kid’s mental health. So definitely, education through presence is the key role of a parent, and parents should be aware of their attitude and its effects on the kid’s future, they shouldn’t forget they’re at the source of the majority of what affects their baby’s life.

I want my kids to be proud of me, to stand tomorrow and be proud of the fact that I could provide for their needs, I thrived and gave them the best education and material comfort. I want them to be proud that I made a living off photography and made them have a happy life. This is one of my biggest dreams.''

Dulu Humans, 2020