January 30 and 31, 2012

From the streets of Rwanda: A man holds down his booty; the industrial complex of Gikondo, Kigali; mattresses to heaven; a once and future manor? iPhone 5 camera app, modified in PicFrame app.




For all the American ExPats, who, though they may enjoy the vastly more popular real football, still need their American football fix (at 1:30 in the morning). iPhone 5 camera app, modified with Camera +

January 29, 2013

I joined the Africa International Club (the AIC) on an outing to Kigali's Telecom House. There, at Bridge to Rwanda, we met with scholarship candidates to various engineering schools in the US (bottom, right ). We also visited the Carnegie Mellon ICT campus (top, right). And, finally, we visited kLab (knowledge lab) where folks commune on all things IT. The mosaic is a remnant of all computers, past. iPhone 5, Camera + app, Snapseed app and Pic Stitch app.
Learn more at:
http://www.bridge2rwanda.org/
http://www.cmu.edu/rwanda/
http://klab.rw/

January 28, 2013

Our gardener, John, keeps our yard lovely, rainy season or no. These little buggers have been blooming for three months. iPhone 5 camera app, modified in Snapseed, then Camera +, back to Snapseed to complete.




I love the purple family and, therefore, I love what John has done with the place. iPhone 5, taken in Hipstamatic app, modified in Snapseed.

January 27, 2013

South African found Art meets New England baseball art. iPhone 5 camera app (HDR), modified in Camera + app.

January 26, 2013

Bored cat. iPhone 5, Cortex Cam app, modified in Camera +.

January 25, 2013

Love. I finally got my act together and mounted our "engagement doors" to our bedroom wall. Mark gave these to me as he proposed to me on September 10, 2011. These shall remain a fixture of our lives, wherever we may roam. iPhone 5, Cortex cam app, modified with Camera +.

January 24, 2013

OR



Early morning light in our living room. iPhone 5, Splitpic app and Camera + app.

January 23, 2013

Some recently acquired handmade artwork--plaster and paint mounted in plywood. Still searching for the perfect wall space. iPhone 5 Cortex Cam app, modified in Camera +

January 22, 2013

At the gym. iPhone 5 camera app, modified in Camera + app and then modified in Snapseed app, ISO 50, 4.13mm, f/2.4, 1/710 sec

Location:Rue de L'Hdpital,Kigali,Rwanda

January 21, 2013

Quench my thirst.
Tap Water in Rwanda is pretty well-treated and potable, but most of us Muzungu still opt for Montazuma-free water. iPhone 5 camera app plus Snapseed app, ISO 50, 4.13mm, f/2.4, 1/190 sec

Location:Rue des Parcs,Kigali,Rwanda

January 20, 2013

Close encounters of the first kind. Kwitonda ("Humble") family in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.




This Black Back came right up to us and just plunked himself down right next to me. iPhone 5 camera app, Camera+ app, ISO 50, 4.13mm, f/2.4, 1/680 sec




He was playful and sleepy in the sun. iPhone 5 camera app, Camera+ app, ISO 50, 4.13mm, f/2.4, 1/500 sec




Sunning himself with apparent bliss. iPhone 5 camera app, Camera+ app, ISO 50, 4.13mm, f/2.4, 1/600 sec




One of 8 babies we saw with our group. They, like us humans, are uber curious. However, the professional guides and trackers have learned the Gorilla language and grunt at the babies when they approach humans, which keeps them at bay (their Mama's will interpret any interaction with a humanoid as a potential usurping of their power). I have to say, I envy the guides' jobs. Putting "Gorilla wrangler and professional grunter" on my resume would be awesome. iPhone 5 camera app, Camera+ app, ISO 50, 4.13 mm, f/2.4, 1/530 sec

Location:Ruhengeri,Rwanda

January 19, 2013

Whilst driving to Volcanoes National Park to meet the gorillas, we made a quadrupedal friend on the road. iPhone 5 camera app, edited with Sanpseed app, ISO 50, 4.13mm, f/2.4, 1/1700 sec

Location:Ruhengeri,Rwanda

January 18, 2013

Do you see what I see? Loving this one. Your guesses are welcome! Iphone 5 camera, apps "Split Pic" and "Camera +".

Location:Rue du lac Ihema,Kigali,Rwanda

January 17, 2013

Rwandan groceries: basmati rice, olive oil, milk, cheese, iPhone 5 camera app, ISO 800, 4.13mm, f/2.4, 1/15 sec and canned goods.

Location:Avenue de Rusumo,Kigali,Rwanda

January 16, 2013

Satellites, everywhere. Sadly, that big one in front (in our backyard) is just ornamental. Wondering how long the smaller ones on the new hotel next door will last...? ISO 50, 4.13mm, f/2.4, 1/580 sec, iPhone 5 camera app, HDR.

Location:Kigali,Rwanda

January 15, 2013

As you can now probably tell, motos play a big role in everyday Rwandan life. Here, I'm (thankfully) going against traffic on my way home from cat food shopping. ISO 50, 4.13mm, f/2.4, 1/60sec. iPhone 5 camera app.

January 14, 2013

Though taken on the 13th, sharing for the 14th. The final steps out of Nyungwe Forest, husband, father-in-law, Ed, and guide, Anthony. ISO 1250, 130mm, f/6.3, 1/200sec.

January 13, 2013

Nyungwe Forest, Canopy Walk. ISO 50, 4.13mm, f/2.4, 1/1900sec. iPhone 5 camera app.

January 12, 2013

Nyungwe Forest Lodge sunset. ISO 50, 4.13mm, f/2.4, 1/25sec, iPhone 5 camera app.

January 10, 2013

Motos are a major form of inexpensive public transport. This main road, that goes through the center of town, gives a great hilltop view of the Kimihurrura neighborhood and the mountains, beyond. ISO 1250, 105mm, f/8.0, 1/2500sec.

Location:Kigali,Rwanda

Inspired by some of my photographer friends, I have embarked on a Photo of the Day journey for 2013.  I currently use a Nikon D70 with a Tamron AF 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 LD Tele-Macro (1:2) lens.  I shoot in raw (.nef) format and save for the web in .jpg.  When I receive my iPhone 5 in the next few days, I may intersperse photos from that, as well, just to test it's capabilities/limitations in comparison to a full-on DSLR.  I hope you enjoy the photos I share.  Please share your comments and thoughts whenever you feel inspired!  

~Juliet Hutchings, January, 2013

January 1, 2013.  Our dogs love to munch on everything. Though this is usually called "chicken wire" we call it "dog wire." The beautiful flower in the background seems to, sometimes, come secondary to our daily reminders of the dogs' wildness. ISO 1600, 180mm, f/9.0, 1/1000 sec, Nikon D70

January 2, 2013. Construction is the word of the decade here in Kigali. Our neighborhood is chock-a-block with hotels-in-progress. This fence stretches all the way around the corner, seemingly endlessly. ISO 1600, 70mm, f-6.3, 1/640sec, Nikon D70

January 3, 2013.  The behemoth hotel that has been, perpetually, under construction across the street from our house. You'll see, shortly, that this gentleman is not doing much of anything. ISO 1600, 105mm, f/11, 1/1000sec

January 3, 2013.  With our wall and razor wire in the foreground, this man actually appears to be doing something on the hotel being constructed to the left of our house. ISO 1600, 122mm, f/11, 1/1000sec

January 3, 2013.  Spying on the construction site across the street, through the palm leaves in our garden, by the front door. ISO 1600, 122 mm, f/10, 1/800sec

January 3, 2013.  Watching me watching him? ISO 1600, 300mm, f/10, 1/1000sec

January 3, 2013.  2 men on the latest hotel being constructed in our 'hood, as seen from our veranda, off to the right of the house. What are they up to? ISO 1600, 300mm, f/10, 1/1000sec

January 4, 2013.  One of my frequently used Moto taxi stops at the Union Trade Center (UTC) in Kigali Town Center. ISO 1600, 70mm, f/6.3, 1/640sec

January 5, 2013.  I love the way things are lit during rain storms.  ISO 1600, 180mm, f/9.0, 1/60sec

January 5, 2013.  'Tis the rainy season, though it is ending, here in Rwanda. This is a big-leafed plant outside our front door (I'm terrible with botany, no idea what it is called). But, I love it in the rain. ISO 1600. 180mm, f/9.0, 1/60sec

January 6, 2013. Settling in takes a lot longer than I think either I or my husband realized. After one full year in Rwanda, I finally found a voltage converter (that does not melt) for Mark's Xbox 360, for Christmas. He is in heaven ;) ISO 1600, 300mm, f/6.0, 1/15sec

January 7, 2013. Lucky in the spotlight, on her favorite chair. ISO 1600, 70mm, f/4.0, 1/15sec.

January 8, 2013. The girls, in various phases of repose. Top photo: ISO 1600, 70mm, f/4.0, 1/15 sec. Bottom left photo: ISO 1600, 122mm, f/4.2, 1/15sec.  Bottom right photo: ISO 1600, 100mm, f/4.5, 1/80sec.