Ethiopia: Zehafta's Story - en route

Ethiopia: Zehafta's Story - Welcome Home

I have mountains of photos to share with you from this day of laughter, tears, exhaustion, dust, and joy.

Ethiopia: Epic Story Tomorrow!

Meet Zahafta.

She is a student at the Mekele Institute of Technology (MIT) in northern Ethiopia.

She tested first out of 900 students on a recent placement test.

She travelled to the USA last year for a year-long exchange program.

She raised enough money to build the first well a remote Ethiopian village had ever known. This village now has drinking water that is clean and free of disease. It's a 250km drive north from Mekele near a city called Axum (site that a priest supposedly watches over the secretly located Ark of the Covenant), down a dirt road, then a substantial hike from the end of that road.

This village is her village!

She says they have yet to encounter any "faringies" (white people). And tomorrow JP and I will travel north with her to visit. I may be the most blessed man on planet earth.

Ethiopia: Song

Here are the beautiful children I was with today. I put this together for you to see their faces and hear their song. They love this Ethiopian anthem.

In compiling this tonight I was overcome with the simple reality that each of us has a name to proclaim, a song to sing, and a prayer to pray. Here is theirs.

This video is copyright © Paul F. Hassell and cannot be reused or distributed outside of Vimeo.com or SharingTheExperience blog without prior written consent.

Ethiopia: Leadership Training

Ethiopia: Smiles

Ethiopia: En Route

Airlines may be in survival mode these days charging for checked luggage, meals, even peanuts; but on Ethiopian Airlines one service is still free—children screaming. Yes, the screaming was VERY free last night.

I strongly considered joining in on the screaming actually. My second thought—and I grew rather fond of this one during the night—was to follow the "white lights that lead to red lights which indicate the exit," then bale out somewhere over the Mediterranean Sea. When you gotta scream you gotta scream.

It's sure to be a great month. Stay posted.

Ethiopia: Packing to Leave

Packing cameras, tripods, audio/video gear, and an extra shirt to leave for Ethiopia the next morning, May 5th.

Timelapse: 305 images over 2 1/2 hrs
Music: "Wade through the Night" by Matt Wertz

As I Depart for Ethiopia

This month I hope to tell stories that restore what has been stolen.

Adichie explains, "Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity,"

"Show a people as one thing, as only one thing, over and over again, and that is what they become." What has Ethiopia become to you? What story have you heard?

Undebatably, there has been a single Ethiopian story shared louder than the rest. I yearn to remain epochs away from the long painful history of well-intended aid that too-often bends toward heist of human dignity. Perhaps I'll be given the gift of sharing with you another story—a story reaching beyond distended bellies and buzzing flies on fecal-splattered faces as barefoot children walk dry clay streets. Perhaps I'll share a story of hope that's come so close you can touch it.

This month of May, these are the things I hope for. Will you please join me in Ethiopia?

The Simple Things

Made earlier today while scouting wildflowers for tomorrow's workshop.

On a sunny afternoon, when others put their cameras down and take a siesta, have you looked for the miracles in the shadows?

Enjoy these reflections of bright Spring green in a shaded portion of Laurel Creek at high noon. (84 images taken over 3 minutes in rapidly changing light are played together as a timelapse).

Epic Timelapse by Tom Lowe

Tom's work is absolutely ridiculous. I just had to share it with you here. Be inspired!

Climbing Obed Saturday

Join us on our sunny Saturday climbing at Obed Wild and Scenic River, TN. Chester the stray dog emerges from the woods and faithfully joins us for the entire day. He was a champ. Reece sets up his notorious hammock belay. Doug leads his first 5.10a sport route. Enjoy!

Camera: 5D Mark II
Lenses: 16-35mm f/2.8 II and 50mm f/1.4
Music: "Lookin' Out My Backdoor" by Credence Clearwater Revival

2 Workshops Worth Your Time!

April 24th - The Field Workshop this spring will be just one full Saturday of shooting rather than a whole weekend.

My hope is that more of you will be able to work this into your schedules. April 24th is for those of you who already know how to use your gear; you just want to get out to some stunning Smoky Mountain locations, enjoy the spring air, shoot the wildflowers and waterfalls, have dinner together, and critique images in a mtn cabin at day's end. $125. DETAILS HERE.

May 1st - This is the class for those of you who want to get the most from your digital SLR camera.

If you need a crash course in how to use your digital SLR for that summer trip you have coming up, this is for you. If you want a refresher in what Aperture, Shutter speed, and Exposure have to do with your photographs, this is for you. If you are terified of what might happen if you take your settings off of Auto, this class is for you. We'll have the class from 9-4:30pm at the beautiful 4 Market Square conference room in downtown Knoxville. $95. DETAILS HERE.

Mayapples and Dogwood by Rosemary Williams (Spring '09 Field Workshop)

Mt LeConte Morning Hike

It's a bitter cold winter. Three feet of snow pack the earth. In 20 years of hiking in the Smoky Mountains, I've never encountered a winter hike impassable without 10-point crampons. Needless to say, I was the only one up there this morning. It was beautiful, calm, and clean.

Practiced with time-lapse zoom and the H4n audio recorder. Enjoy.

Kessler Pocket Dolly Test

It's like a moving photograph!

Shooting in Rattlesnake Ridge, KY last week for ICM, I ran my first tests of the new Kessler Pocket Dolly. At just 6.5 lbs, it's a revolutionary and portable little slider for the 5D Mk II video shots.

So consider this a little tease of the stunning slide shots you'll see coming into my still image video compilations. I also included two beautiful moments on the second half that just make me smile.

It's a Beautiful Life

I was moved by this man's story today. Strangely, I identified closely with him, and it brought to mind my athletic career.

My gymnastics coach Phil Savage would ask, "Paul, how bad do you want it?" For a decade, ages 8-18, amidst the daily pain and joy of training, the question propelled me forward toward the distant Olympic prize.

Through countless setbacks, 15+ broken bones, 6 major surgeries, and perpetual rehab, the question reverberated in my skull; "Paul, how bad do you want it?" It was this rhetorical question that called forth the fighter in me. I fought to regain strength, to compete again, to press on toward the grand goal.

The grander goal achieved was in my character. My character was fostered to fight--to fight against injustice and the earth's undertow of apathy and despair.

This artful short film depicts such a soul. If you have a moment, watch. But prepare yourself; you may be inspired.

Michael and his daily ritual: One man's struggle to transcend.

Cinematography by Sean Mullens

Appalachia: Young and Old

Don (58) - Chelsea (8)

Get Outside; Get into Our National Parks

Adventure photographer Corey Rich talks about his favorite places to photograph and leaves me feeling extremely thankful for our national parks. Preach it Corey!

I'm wishing I could be out in Reno at Lake Tahoe for the NANPA Summit this week. It's my first NANPA Summit to miss in 5 years.

Behind the Scenes

Just for fun, come see where the photos come to life, meet Moses, and see the setup for our fairly random TV interview friday afternoon.

The unprecedented interview was requested by a Hollywood TV crew in response to our neighborhood snowball fight video posted online last week. We never could have thought this one up. Not a chance.

You can tune into truTV's show "Most Daring" sometime in March 2010 to see us.

Send Us to the Himalayas!

VOTE HERE for free!... and Gore-Tex will pay our costs.

You can send the Climb for Captives team to the Himalaya this summer!

We pay our expenses out of pocket so that 100% of $ raised goes to IJM.

This Gore-Tex sponsorship would be huge. Oh, and we would be able to take the climb abroad.

Slightly exciting. Now do your part. Vote by Feb 15th!

Sunil - The man who gave me his hat

If you follow my Twitter updates, you saw that while I was in Washington, DC last week I was given a very special hat off the head of a man from the High Himalaya. His name is Sunil. Our interaction was about much more than a hat. Here is his vision and story. Enjoy!

Is Paul a Videographer?

A neighborhood-wide snowball fight breaks out at midnight on Jan 29, 2010 in Knoxville, TN. I was testing my new Canon 5D Mk II at ISO 6400 by full moonlight. All Canon L series lenses. No color correction.

"I am a still photographer. The still photograph will always pack power that video can't hold a flame to. Though video fascinates me, I don't particularly feel videography is my element. So, why am I playing with it?

Here's why. Due to technology like the 5D Mark II, there's an increasing capacity for smooth integration of the still and moving image.

The current wave of change in photography is the photographer doubling as a videographer. This convergence is happening rapidly, and I'm loving it.

I don't intend to miss the boat on this one. I'd much rather be a Noah helping to build the boat.

In order to be adequately equipped to 'tell the untold story' in the months ahead, I believe I'll need HD video in my tool kit. Stay posted. We'll find out together."

June 2009. Using my indestructable HD video camera--the Sanyo Xacti--in the Tetons. This is where the HD Video/Photo fascination started. For just $299 I suggest you BUY ONE. You'll be glad you did.

DC Snowpocolypse!

From Metro, to beastly 1970 Bronco, to Arlington--we made it!

Tonight Dave, Char, Aus, Mark, and I had an adventure braving the DC blizzard of 2010. At 15" and counting, it's coming down hard.

Fear not!--the Bronco is coming down harder.

Let's celebrate the Fall Workshop!

Winter Warm-Up

As promised, here is the Turks and Caicos page created for your viewing pleasure.

CLICK HERE to see the pics.

"But Paul, you're not a commercial photographer? Aren't you into nature photography?"

To that I respond, "A visit to Turks and Caicos, four nights at the Tuscany on Grace Bay, lots of hard work (and even more laughs) with marketing master-mind Austin Church... no brainer!"

"Last Minute" Christmas Shopping?

Christmas sale on 8x12 matted prints. Only $29.95 each

when you buy 2 or more... or $40 for one. Regular price is $65.

Ends at 3pm Dec 21, 09
(or Dec 23 at 6pm for Knoxville residents willing to pickup)

How do I get the deal?

1. Become a fan of Paul Hassell Photography on Facebook. Click here.
2. Click on the "8x12 Christmas Sale" album. Peruse all 24 photos.
3. Read caption line. If it's available, it will say "1 left."
4. Order by using the link in the caption. Buy a few.

Email me with any questions. Now, go get 'em!

Excess '09 inventory. Selling below cost. Just one of each. Act fast.

Turks & Caicos - Tuscany Resort

The Tuscany on Grace Bay. Finished editing. Making a page for you to view several of these new images from T&C.

I wouldn't mind being...

back in Turks and Caicos right now. I'll post selected images from the Tuscany next week.

Okay, I'm actually just wanting to show off my gigantic new 24" iMac. It's setup on our kitchen table right now, because it's too big for my office desk.

Turks & Caicos - Flamingo Silhouette

taken early this morning

Welcome to Turks & Caicos - Sunset

The orange sky, surreal blue waters... difficult to believe my eyes tonight.

Where's Turks & Caicos?

3:30pm - Arrived safely. Allow me to be the first to say, "We live on a GORGEOUS PLANET!" Now, to the Tuscany. It should be a restful evening. But tomorrow I'll hit the ground running with photos and HD video interviews for 3 full days. I'm here with friend, writer, and marketing mind Austin Church of Bright Newt. Can't wait for what lay ahead. Crazy thankful to be here.

Fall Smokies Workshop this weekend

...was tons of fun! Our all-star cast included Kim, Rosemary, Leighton, and Kate. The weekend was complete with almost every form of weather, bears, turkey, and a stunning rainbow.

Stay tuned. In three weeks, we'll have a video assembled for you to share in our fall workshop experience.

Peace,

Paul

Rosemary Williams said,

"I always enjoy your workshops and really hate getting home to civilization. Your enthusiasm is contagious... I'm hooked on the Smokies and part of that 'addiction' comes from your workshops and the way in which you see nature that is rubbing off on me."

Kimberly Graves recalls,

"... standing in the forest completely surrounded by blazing yellow leaves [and] catching a rainbow in the middle of Cades Cove."

C4C Story Published - Knoxville News Sentinel

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/oct/30/mt-rainier-outing-aids-effort-to-free-child/