1/9
1/9
Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Manfred Heemann
June 16, 2023
Despite a blossoming tourism industry in the beach areas, Zanzibar suffers from limited economic possibilities. Manfred Heemann's colourful island series reveals the daily lives and character of its local population.
LFI: What is it about Zanzibar that fascinates you, and what do you want your pictures to convey?
Manfred Heemann: Zanzibar has a very interesting history, which is defined by African, Arab and Western influences. Its proximity to the African mainland can be felt, while, at the same time, everything seems very condensed, because it’s about life on an island. The economy is based on tourism and agriculture. I wanted my pictures to deal with the character of the local population’s lifestyle, which is limited by the economic possibilities. The very traditional methods of fishing, for example, mix with the presence of tourism, without giving the impression that one doesn’t belong with the other. This mixture conveys an involvement with the world, even if it's at a very low economic level.
What was your photographic approach? What did you pay particular attention to?
The most important thing for me was that the pictures capture the colour scheme of the local population’s lifestyle, in every light condition, including in the evenings after sunset. In the daytime, there's a particular Zanzibar light that can very quickly produce postcard motifs. To avoid this, my pictures were taken predominantly at dawn or dusk.
Which camera did you use, and how was your experience with it?
I photographed with a Leica M9, with Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8, Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH and Elmarit-M 28mm f/2 lenses. The thing I like about the M9 is that its handling and impression are very reminiscent of analogue M cameras. Compared to other camera systems, the colour reproduction and sharpness of the pictures, in particular, are still impressive today. These aspects can be further processed in a typical M style, during post-production. Furthermore, the Leica is always discreet. Even though I’m a photographer, I’m like a western tourist when I carry this camera; I don’t draw any attention. Each picture taken is also an exercise in “playing the instrument”.
Katja HübnerLFI: What is it about Zanzibar that fascinates you, and what do you want your pictures to convey?
Manfred Heemann: Zanzibar has a very interesting history, which is defined by African, Arab and Western influences. Its proximity to the African mainland can be felt, while, at the same time, everything seems very condensed, because it’s about life on an island. The economy is based on tourism and agriculture. I wanted my pictures to deal with the character of the local population’s lifestyle, which is limited by the economic possibilities. The very traditional methods of fishing, for example, mix with the presence of tourism, without giving the impression that one doesn’t belong with the other. This mixture conveys an involvement with the world, even if it's at a very low economic level.
What was your photographic approach? What did you pay particular attention to?
The most important thing for me was that the pictures capture the colour scheme of the local population’s lifestyle, in every light condition, including in the evenings after sunset. In the daytime, there's a particular Zanzibar light that can very quickly produce postcard motifs. To avoid this, my pictures were taken predominantly at dawn or dusk.
Which camera did you use, and how was your experience with it?
I photographed with a Leica M9, with Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8, Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH and Elmarit-M 28mm f/2 lenses. The thing I like about the M9 is that its handling and impression are very reminiscent of analogue M cameras. Compared to other camera systems, the colour reproduction and sharpness of the pictures, in particular, are still impressive today. These aspects can be further processed in a typical M style, during post-production. Furthermore, the Leica is always discreet. Even though I’m a photographer, I’m like a western tourist when I carry this camera; I don’t draw any attention. Each picture taken is also an exercise in “playing the instrument”.
ALL IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: © Manfred Heemann
EQUIPMENT: Leica M9 with Elmar-M 50 f/2.8, Summicron-M 35 f/2 Asph, Elmarit-M 50 f/2.8
Manfred Heemann+-
The photographer grew up in Mettingen, in the mining milieu of Westphalia, Germany. He developed an interest in art and photography, early on. After studying law and earning his doctorate in Munich, he spent about a year in Chicago. After that, he worked as a lawyer in Frankfurt on the Main. He has been working at the Financial Supervisory Authority since 2015. In addition to photographing with a Leica M, he is interested in images representing the past. Wasmuth & Zohlen Verlag published his photo book on this theme, Orte (Places), last year. A selection of the pieces were exhibited at the Heussenstamm Gallery in Frankfurt. Heemann lives in Frankfurt on the Main. More
