Comments for Kevin Cook's Photo Blog

Comment on hank gathers rec center street ball by Ileen

Ileen — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:15:01 +0000

Very nice photos throughout your summer blog.
I am very proud of you.

Comment on hank gathers rec center street ball by rachel.horning

rachel.horning — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:37:51 +0000

kev…so good. so so good!

Comment on Howzit? by Yulla

Yulla — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:39:17 +0000

hey my names Yul ETHAN ELLIOTT an i came across ur blog accidently an i grew up in hillbrow lived here my whole life i saw the 1st pic u took from the roof top is is of that building i could see our aprtment block from there i realy liked the pics u shouldve taken more u eva need a guide next time u around let me knw its gr8 to see pics of the neighborhood but i feel u shouldve taken more i understand that u were warnd to be careful but its not all that bed anyway nxt time u around let a brother knw il take u anywhere arond here and ul be safe to take pics to ur harts content. love ur wrk but hillbrows got a lot more to tell belive me

Comment on It is about by Ileen

Ileen — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:46:41 +0000

You have had and will continue to have experiences in which you grow as a human being.
I am glad you were so affected by visiting Africa.
Your view of life have changed because of this trip.
Remember that America can also be beautiful and thought provoking, too.
All of us share this planet and forget that we are all human beings and that is an amazing commonality.
Your dream is to change the world. The truth is the world changes all the time by the events of the people that live in it and by nature’s force on us.
Whether you have an impact on one person or a thousand then change will happen and that is a good and beautiful at the same time.

Comment on It is about by Mandy

Mandy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:26:27 +0000

I’d like to say that I don’t think you have separate lives, one that you experienced in Africa and the one you’ve built in the US. It’s all part of YOUR life, right down to each moment you snap a picture. While they might not seem to mesh well together, each experience is part of the life you are living and I know that through these experiences you have (and will continue) to grow. Gosh, I sound like a mother or something…

Just to have those experiences makes you a better person. Allowing yourself to be open to a culture that you’ve had (and been given) preconceived notions of, creates a better understanding of life and the world. Furthermore, being able to capture those experiences with your beautiful pictures allows you to show others what you saw and help them understand.

As to the “why Africa?” you know I’ve posed to myself the same question. Perhaps there will never be a straightforward answer; things aren’t always black and white. Some things are too difficult to explain in words, so just cherish each and every experience. It’s part of YOUR life now.

Comment on It is about by saleem

saleem — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:37:54 +0000

you may not want to be back in this “life”, but always remember the question you asked, “are we really that different?” our cultures, societies, skin color, and countries may all be different, but we are all people. you have documented your africa, and i have documented my india. now we can share our stories, photos, and thoughts with others and truly show how people are really not that different around the world. kids in africa ask for a picture and a five second glance at your lcd screen, the same way the village kids in india wanted. you mentioned viwe’s flat screen tv, and i can tell you about a man that was fishing with only an old umbrella.

good luck with your semester,
saleem

Comment on A few nights in Nelspruit by Ileen

Ileen — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:16:04 +0000

I am so glad this has been an amazing trip for you.
The photos show so much and the words even more.

Comment on A few nights in Nelspruit by M

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:27:49 +0000

These pictures really capture something special, Kev. They go beyond the usual depictions of Africa and African culture. They capture the truth. I know you worry about where you can use them and possibly get them published, but I have faith that those answers will come in time (with a bit of research and patience). I hope your butt isn’t too sore from sitting so long on buses. Haha! Enjoy your last week in South Africa! And have a safe trip back to the states.

Comment on A few nights in Nelspruit by Paul

Paul — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:42:29 +0000

Kevin,
It is amazing that you have taken this great adventure on your own with no real plan. What a fantastic way to learn about a place as far away and different than where you come from. I envy you. It looks like you were taking polaroids and giving them to the people in the pictures. That is a very nice gesture. 18 hours and 20 hours on a bus? I do not envy that. Hope you enjoy your last week in Africa and have a good trip home. Thanks again for sharing your trip.

Comment on Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa by Ileen

Ileen — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:17:34 +0000

It is nice to see that you are having an experience (or experiences) that shed light on your life and will help shape who you are and who you continue to be in life.
I am an American and proud of it, but I don’t feel I am an ignorant American, by any means. I try to practice and teach my students that we are all, throughout the world, human beings. And it is that simple, isn’t it?
The photos continue to be amazing and tell stories from your point of view or allow the viewer to use his or her own imagination.
Thanks, I am proud of you.