Portrait – EM

 

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Arts

It’s Black & Apricot today

It’s a Black and Apricot day. 

Freestyle, buggy trousers and a head wrap to round it up. 

The Kiss . .

Taken in Bamberg, Germany 

1.7.2016

DOORS..

A door is a portal, an opening, an entrance, an exit…

I Love doors. They hold a symbolic meaning, doors are depicted as the portals through which righteous may enter as well as leave. you never know what is behind a door until you open it.

Closing a door might mean gentleness, whereas shuting the door might imply it would no longer retain or return.

You never know what happens after you close or open a door and step outside or inside.

Each time someone closes the door, Know they will come back.. If they shut it.. know they might not return.

Think before you close, open, or shut a DOOR.. !!

One love

Photo credits to Veronique Alferi, Maureen Lermer and McKay Browne

Pink and Black – Harmony-

Who says you can’t be a rock star, rocking African embroidered blouse with shorts and high heels..

Augsburg 22/07/2015

NDEMELA’s Creations – 2015 part 1

Clothes by Maureen Lermer of Ndemela’s Creation NC
Models: Sabrina, Veronique & Maureen

Moments Photos by Peter Ruhland
Mering, Germay

Come away with me

Around the block with Njamy Sitson – Songwriter-Singer & Actor

Brief Professional Highlights of Njamy Sitson

Njamy Sitson was Born in Cameroon.
A singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, Musictherapist, actor & storyteller, he has appeared in numerous festivals, concerts, performances, seminars & workshops.

Numerous solo & group concerts in Europe ( with the “Njamy Sitson group ).

Story telling & performances at various academic institutions , schools & kindergardens.
Conducts vocal workshops and seminars in African percussion, singing, vocalpolyphony for Universities, choirs and classical orchestras . Member of the ” European voice Teacher Association ” E.V.T.A

What is your name?

My Name is Njamy Sitson

Where do you come from?
I come Form Cameroon

Where are you based
I am based in Germany

When did you first start singing?
I started singing at an Early age 4 or five years. My Mother director the church choir, music was At Home.

What does your family do to encourage you?

My family encourages me To sing for passion but not To be a professional musician, because making a living as a musician  in Africa was difficult and it wasn’t easy.

Who else in your family sings?
My lovely Brother and Mentor Gino SItson , based in New York is a Master singer, my two of my brothers and sisters sing very well, although they are Diplomats and Translators.

Who are your musical inspirations?
My Brother Gino Sitson is my favorite singer, I also like Pygmies music, Al Jarreau, Bobby Mc Ferrin , Hukwe Xahose,   Anne-Marie Nzie, Ravi Shankar, Bach,Thelonious Monk!

* What kind of music do you listen to today?
I Mostly listen Tod indigenous music Form Africa, European classical music, Jazz, African Pop music . I am opened minded.

*Have you ever faced any bad moments in your career?

The Bad Moment in my career is when there is no job, it can create a depressive Mood. But it’ s life ” Rain doesn’t Fall everyday”

Another Bad Moment was when I felt exploited by a producer 6 years ago. I discovered how music business can turn into Jungle fever.

*Where would you like to perform mostly

I would like to perform everywhere polite people who have the culture of listening are. Cameroon is of course my favorite ” home is home”

*Who would you mostly like to open for?
I would like To perform with Charles Ewanje Epee, Pierre Diddy Tchakountė , Guy Mbiro, Georges Seba, Gino Sitson.
Journalist

* Do you play any instruments?

I play African Percussion, Ngoni, Kalimba, Berimbau. To compose, I mostly use Piano

* If you could dabble in another genre of music, what would it be?

It would be Overtone singing form the Tuva people.

* What genre of music can’t you stand to listen to?

I don’ t like too noisy and aggressive music.

* What hidden talents do you have?

I like both ( writing music & lyrics ) how can you dissociate the head from the neck ? I do act and paint as well.

How do you get people to take you seriously as a musician?

I like when the audience take time to listen To the music because the music is a story telling, like painting, Pull of important Details.
Of course when they feel touched and you feel connected to the audience.

* Do you enjoy writing music and/or lyrics?

Of course, the music has such a power it embodies spiritual vitamin, it can relaxed me when I am anxious, the music, remind me what love is, so I have to catch the Nest flower for my darling.

What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career?

 Being a musician is a Devotion, it needs to give the best of yourself, being surrounded by positive and clever people.

What are your future plans?

I am Working in different projects, with ” World Percussion Ensemble ” for the second recording CD and the World Tour, with my lovely brother Gino Sitson
I will be playing with one Barock Orchestra Form Bologna Italy , then a duo project with a virtuoso Kamanche player and singer Negar Kharkan Form Persian music ( Iran ).
I Tour now in Trio with Daktarimba ( German Jazz masters ), also AS a solo performer.

You are acting in quite a number of series and plays, tell us about them?

I did Co-Acted with Barbara Rudnik in the movie “Oktober Fest” as well as main actor in “Mein Deudshland” .

Co-Acted with Maximilian Brückner, and with Charles Huber (Der Alte) in the ” Mandela, das Musical”.
Co-composed soundtracks for the films “Oktoberfest” and “Blutige steine” with Donna Leon for ARD television.
and Artistic director of the “Malaika Afrika Festival” in Augsburg.

Below Njamy Sitson playing in  ” Bitterer Honig”  A. Gon Theater and ” Oktoberfest film “

I appreciate you taking your time for this interview! Please do well to always update us, your fans asked us to tell you!

Yes i will, thank you very much Maureen Lermer for this amazing interview and many blessings To you and all my Tour fan !

Looking through the lens with SCOTT MITCHELL

How are you today?

I’m good every day that I’m alive, thanks.

What are your names?

Scott Mitchell

Where do you come from?

I was born in Detroit and quickly moved to a northern farm town of Michigan at a very young age.

Where are you based?

I’m based on the planet earth, but often feel my soul fills the expanse of the universe. My current activity related to art and photography is anywhere that inspiration takes me. My professional job in IT is based in the Metro Detroit area, but even that is in a global company.

What does photography mean to you?

Photography for me means a lot. Everyone now is a photographer, but my goals with it go deeper than capturing selfies and memories. I feel it is the best way to capture a moment of human expression; a moment that can tell a story that is either accurate or one that the viewer chooses to create in their own eyes.

 

What first drew you to  photography and how did you discover it?

I had a photography class in high school that highly intrigued me. We used 35mm cameras and developed our own film and photos. I loved it, but fell away from it when the class finished. It wasn’t until later in life that I became interested again. Approximately 6 years ago I started playing with the manual settings on my Sony Cybershot as I tried to capture people / culture moments as well as some sunset scenes in Colombia. That was the point of no return for me and I started emptying my pockets for camera and lens purchases.

 

What do you think makes a memorable  photograph?

The most memorable photograph reveals expression I believe. While on holiday you take a photo with your friend in front of the Costa Rica zip line adventures office and then one of you screaming during the adrenaline packed moment of zipping through a jungle canopy, both photos are memorable, but one is more memorable and has more powerful expression in it. The same power of expression can be caught in quiet and humble moments as well when people are in the photo.

How does black and white vs color play into your work? Do you find them to be totally separate beasts or complementary?

B&W and color photos are separate beasts and complimentary I think. As you see now, artists are even combining the two and using bits of color to entertain our eye. I debate on every photo whether or not I’ll make it black and white or color. I believe that going B&W removes color distraction in some expressive moments. Next time you look at a B&W photo notice how quickly your mind can process it as opposed to a color photo.

 

What do you want your viewers to take away from your work?

As in my poetry, I always hope that viewers can see the same thing I saw and feel the same thing I felt in the moment of the photograph. If you remember our photoshoot, I wanted to sit and talk between sets. That’s me attempting to make a deeper connection during the moment so I can then attempt to capture something more in the photo.

Who are some of your favorite classic photographers, and how did they influence you?

I’ll go with two that you may not expect ones for this question. Sally Mann and Vivian Maier.

Sally has been very unorthodox in her photo adventures. She’s done some work I’d never even be interested in doing, but the results are incredible. In one of her sets “Deep South” for example, the photos are sometimes an ordinary scene, but she somehow captured it in a way that gives a strong eerie feeling that won’t allow the eyes to look away.

Vivian Maier was a nanny in NYC and took thousands of photographs during her life, of which many reveal a uniquely creative eye for doing so. The sad part is that nobody ever saw any until after she passed away and someone bought a box of her belongings which included hundreds of undeveloped film rolls. I recommend that everyone look her up online to see her work.

When you are out shooting, how much of it is instinctual versus planned?

It’s almost always instinctual for me. As you know, I’m not a studio photographer so I always need to make use of whatever surroundings and lighting is available in the given moment. This is how I like things to be.

What are some projects/ideas you have for photography

I’m in the down season right now since it’s winter here and I don’t have a definite plan for any projects at the moment. For me it’s like writing poetry. A muse just suddenly appears and I go with it. I do plan on traveling to Africa though and I’m sure I’ll take more photos there than I ever have elsewhere.

Why do you take photos?

For the satisfaction of artistic desire being quenched.

How has social media played a role in your photography?

Social media has allowed me to share my work and receive feedback from people around the glob. Also, I take advantage of following many inspirational photographers and I learn from their work.

What are some tips/advice you would give to yourself if you started  photography all over again?

While perhaps my progress could have been faster, I’m completely happy with how it all played out. In the realm of art I’ve learned that no creativity worth doing can ever be forced. It has to be inspired. Therefore, I wouldn’t tell myself to do anything differently. I might say to buy the more expensive camera sooner than later to save the time and money on the cameras I wouldn’t be satisfied with.

where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I used to plan a lot for the future, but started living in the present moment much more. I love adventure and I love life, so I see myself being the same as I am now. I know there will be failures and successes and it’s all good. Wherever I end up is exactly where I should be.

What are your hobbies?

Besides photography, I like writing poetry and short stories. I love travelling!

We will like to see some of your favorite photography.

You always have permission to share any of my work my dear friend Maureen.

Thanks for making time for this interview!

A big thanks to you for honoring me with an interview. Hope to see you soon!

You want to know more about this brilliant photographer and Poet, go to his links below.

http://worldiction.com/ Photography Blog

http://evokingthedeep.com/ Poetry Blog

Email address: scottmitch@live.com

By the way, Scott and i did some great shoots down town Chicago, it was amazing working with him!

One Love. Peace

Photography -Arts- Fashion

It’s a Black and White combination.
Smart outfit can be worn at any occasion.
Make up style , Aftican spirit inspired.
One love. Peace