By Myles Tankle.
This was taken while being poled through the Okavango Delta in handmade mokoros…
Boat People, by Myles Tankle
First Winner of Image Review 8
Nikon D3000; 18-200mm lens; f/16; 1/400s
This was taken while being poled through the Okavango Delta in handmade mokoros. We spent 3 days/2 nights on this trip with the local people away from almost all modern conveniences while walking during the day and going on more mokoro rides in the early evening.
Going during low season we thought we wouldn’t need Malaria medication, however my girlfriend and I were horrified when as soon as we pushed off into the water it seemed like a million mosquitos erupted from all around us. We spent most of the time switching from a sense of calm serene wonder to a subdued and pernicious panic.
Don’s response
Without knowing the story behind this picture you might not guess that the three figures are poling boats along. But it doesn’t matter at one level because the image is just so well balanced and strong.
The delicacy of the hand position in the foreground, the upraised arm in the middle figure and the nicely framed third figure creates an effect that is at once paused and poised.
I’d love to see a monochromatic version of this very fine picture.
