Advice on working in Gambia

[John Lawrence]

Simon;

You may want to pack a couple of nice pocket knives as gifts for the couple of people who really help you with your photos.

I'd check this is okay with airline / airport security first.

The most welcome gifts we used to take were footballs for kids in the villages. Easy to transport when deflated too. Pens, pencils, exercise books etc. are also welcome - but not half as much fun!

John

 

[OurManInTangier]

...and thank you also for not taking my question as being rude - I wasn't phrasing it very tactfully, my apologies....

No problem Martin, I merely saw it as a pertinent question, which it was.

It would be good to also have a specific contract governing ownership and use of the material which you shoot. Do you give complete ownership to the charity, or do you give them a licence to all the material for their own use while retaining some sort of possibility to use something in your work portfolio, or any other one of a zillion options.

Perhaps this is where working alongside a very small charity is a good thing. I've offered them full use of the (edited) images for publication online, in print and for exhibitions and touring talks...essentially anything they want. However, I retain full copyright ownership and they've agreed to consult with me should any third party wish to use the images at any point in the future...plus the usual credits etc. In all honesty, we'll have to see how it works out...we both could be being unrealistic and going against the norm - again, part of the information and advice I'd be interested in receiving.

Also, I'd be curious about how does one get the material out of the country as a backup to your local hard-drive etc. - mobile-phone, or globalstar, internet? It just takes one awkward boat accident to lose all your work, and you will likely be travelling a lot in small boats.

You're bang on the money regarding the boats, which will be an issue with whatever kit is taken. As for backup files, uploading etc - again, I'm seeking advice from the experts here. Clearly, with budget constraints and a small team, they'll be no tech support, sat phones etc. My initial thoughts were a) lots of cards b) a hard drive, possibly two c) trying to get an internet upload at (semi) regular points during my stay although this will require me having access to the internet let alone a decent upload speed. More research is needed on these points!

 

[OurManInTangier]

How long do you plan to be there?

It's looking like I'll be there for between 3/4 weeks but the majority of the team will be out there for 2/3/4 months. It may be nice to be able to spend more time out there but, should things go well, there will be the opportunity for me to return.

 

[OurManInTangier]

If it were me.. I would set up an FTP site with very good security. Upload your files from a city that has a good net connection. Have help on the home side to copy the files off of the FTP site and store them to both HDD and optical media - place the media in two separate locations. I would think that an upload to a portable storage device would be a good back up as well. A 500GB device is about the size of a portable HDD. You can copy an SD card directly to the drive.

Pack lots of water proof bags.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/594352-REG/Sanho_SHDCSUDMA500_HyperDrive_COLORSPACE_UDMA.html

I'll look into this, I know there will be the opportunity to travel into Darsilam on the Senegalese border or perhaps even back across the river into Banjul which will be a help.

As for the waterproof bags. Check. A must, no doubt.

 

[emraphoto]

send me a note anytime Simon. emraphotoATyahooDOTca works best.

i also know folks in Senegal if the need arises.

if you need an invite for lightstalkers i can send you one.

 

[OurManInTangier]

Simon;

You may want to pack a couple of nice pocket knives as gifts for the couple of people who really help you with your photos.

I'd check this is okay with airline / airport security first.

The most welcome gifts we used to take were footballs for kids in the villages. Easy to transport when deflated too. Pens, pencils, exercise books etc. are also welcome - but not half as much fun!

John

I've found that multi-tools are very acceptable.

I imagine I'll go with some small gifts, probably not knives as the UK border agency are pretty hot on that kind of thing, at least for the children. I should be able to squeeze some of these in with the supplies/tools/medicine thats being shipped out apparently...I'd have thought they'd want all the room they've got but I guess we'll see.

 

[OurManInTangier]

send me a note anytime Simon. emraphotoATyahooDOTca works best.

i also know folks in Senegal if the need arises.

if you need an invite for lightstalkers i can send you one.

That's extremely kind John, thank you very much. I think I may have registered some time ago at Lightstalkers but I'll double check.

I've got a few day-job jobs to cover at the moment but hopefully I'll be in a position to send you a note out tomorrow evening - but please don't feel you have to reply anytime soon, I realise you are a busy guy and I have time on my side for now.

Thanks again, its hugely appreciated....and that goes for all of you

 

[rxmd]

I should be able to squeeze some of these in with the supplies/tools/medicine thats being shipped out apparently...

Does the NGO expect you to transport stuff for them in your luggage? If they do, try to make sure that the necessary customs paperwork is in order, otherwise you might find yourself at customs in Banjul with a tricky import declaration. I've done that a few times for others, transporting medicine or large amounts of cash, and it wasn't exactly relaxing in some cases.

Also, one more reason to travel with a light kit.

 

[emraphoto]

Does the NGO expect you to transport stuff for them in your luggage? If they do, try to make sure that the necessary customs paperwork is in order, otherwise you might find yourself at customs in Banjul with a tricky import declaration. I've done that a few times for others, transporting medicine or large amounts of cash, and it wasn't exactly relaxing in some cases.

Also, one more reason to travel with a light kit.

i have it down to 1 medium sized backpack. can last on the road for over two months with it.

 

[emraphoto]

working kit for past 8 months

macbook air
2 x x100
1 sony a65 with small onboard mic and 24mm f2.8
6 batteries x100/4 batteries sony
2 chargers
power converter/plug converter
many smaller sized sd cards for x100 and 2 32gig cards for sonyvideo setup
3 8 gig USB keys
2 moleskin medium sized lined books
globalstar sat phone and data kit
zoom H2 recorder and earbud phones
bug net
pacsafe
toothbrush
deodarant
toothpaste
5 pairs of underwear
5 pairs of socks
extra shirt
nokia cel phone for local sim cards
passport
small envelope for receipts
various sizes of good quality ziplocs
light rain coat
shemagh scarf
raybans aviators
small trauma kit
closest airports flight schedules
assorted cords etc.
roll of gaffers tape
pictures of wife and kids
toilet wipes
assortment of currencies

 

[OurManInTangier]

Does the NGO expect you to transport stuff for them in your luggage? If they do, try to make sure that the necessary customs paperwork is in order, otherwise you might find yourself at customs in Banjul with a tricky import declaration. I've done that a few times for others, transporting medicine or large amounts of cash, and it wasn't exactly relaxing in some cases.

Also, one more reason to travel with a light kit.

Sorry for the late reply rxmd, work has kept me busy.

No, there's no expectation from the NGO for me to transport anything. Infact they send the big cargo transports you see on the back of trucks out to the Gambia and it is in one of those that there may be room for some extra kit of mine. Although that would mean sending it out a few weeks before heading out and hoping it arrives safely after a week or two at sea. I'll take advice from those that regularly deal with these types of problems in their work but I may try and keep it simple and keep it light rather than transport things over on the 'off chance' I may need them.

 

[OurManInTangier]

working kit for past 8 months

macbook air
2 x x100
1 sony a65 with small onboard mic and 24mm f2.8
6 batteries x100/4 batteries sony
2 chargers
power converter/plug converter
many smaller sized sd cards for x100 and 2 32gig cards for sonyvideo setup
3 8 gig USB keys
2 moleskin medium sized lined books
globalstar sat phone and data kit
zoom H2 recorder and earbud phones
bug net
pacsafe
toothbrush
deodarant
toothpaste
5 pairs of underwear
5 pairs of socks
extra shirt
nokia cel phone for local sim cards
passport
small envelope for receipts
various sizes of good quality ziplocs
light rain coat
shemagh scarf
raybans aviators
small trauma kit
closest airports flight schedules
assorted cords etc.
roll of gaffers tape
pictures of wife and kids
toilet wipes
assortment of currencies

John and PKR, thank you for posting this...this list has answered many of the questions that not only could I have done with asking but also no doubt would have had you rolling your eyes if I had same old novice questions

John, I'm about to PM/email you regarding the trip and tapping into your experience and local knowledge so I'd just like to thank you (all) again; invaluable doesn't begin to cover it and thats just from what I've read in this thread so far.

 

[rxmd]

Sorry for the late reply rxmd, work has kept me busy.

No, there's no expectation from the NGO for me to transport anything. Infact they send the big cargo transports you see on the back of trucks out to the Gambia and it is in one of those that there may be room for some extra kit of mine. Although that would mean sending it out a few weeks before heading out and hoping it arrives safely after a week or two at sea. I'll take advice from those that regularly deal with these types of problems in their work but I may try and keep it simple and keep it light rather than transport things over on the 'off chance' I may need them.

Never mind about the delay.

Maybe if you want to send some extra footballs or something, but otherwise I wouldn't do that. Anything you can't carry on your back, you can't carry around with you.

 

[OurManInTangier]

I'm planning to take some old school exercise books, pencils, pens and crayons (my wife is a primary school teacher and has ready access) as these are very much appreciated apparently but I've also been advised to max out my weight allowance with any extra clothing as this is always appreciated...if there is room, some sweeties may find a way into my kit too.