bouncing light

ilha da mocambique is a small island of the coast of mozambique. it has a long history, having been a major arab trading port before it was visited by vasco da gama, the portuguese naval explorer, in 1498. the portuguese took over the island from the arabs, establishing a port and naval base in 1507. they also built a fort, São Sebastião, in the sixteenth century. the settlement remained the capital of portuguese east africa until 1898 and repelled the dutch who attacked the island in the early seventeenth century. the port was used as a trading port for slaves, spices, ivory and gold.

aware of the threat of a siege, the portuguese built this huge water tank within the fort. then, as now, it served as the main source of water for the tiny island - now inhabited by 14,000 people. i was struck by the tones and light that was bouncing about the room.

thanks for looking!

hasselblad 500c/m, 50mm lens, tripod, remote cable, ilford delta 100 b&w film, ~ 1 minute exposure.

ilha da mocambique, mozambique