Duncan Willetts: One of Africa’s most creative photographers

Duncan does not need any introduction. He’s one of Africa’s - and indeed, Europe’s - major creative photographers.

After moving to Africa from the UK in 1974, he partnered with the legendary Mohamed Amin, and together they combed Africa for stories using their lenses and authored over 50 photography books during their 22-year friendship.

Now he co-owns a production company called IQ, whose clients include some of the biggest corporations, advertising firms and magazines. His office in Lavington, where we meet, is as fabled as the stories he tells.

That picture (of a topless woman on a motorbike), where is that woman right this moment as we speak?

(Laughs) She must be a grandmother now. That picture was taken in a studio in London. I took nude pictures for the better part of my 20s; it wasn’t an unusual art with most photographers during that time. We were like gynaecologists.

Did that shape how you view the female body in your adulthood?

It certainly did. It makes you respect the female form more.

They say that now any fool with a digital camera can take a decent picture. What has the digital camera done to photography?

I have a knife, why do I need a surgeon? I have a paintbrush but does that make me Picasso? But what has happened is that it has made photography available.

A picture will look good on your digital camera until you upload it on your computer. There are people who appreciate quality and others who don’t understand it.

However, this digital age has certainly made photography easier and better in terms of modern equipment and techniques. You are less anxious as a photographer with these modern equipment.

In all your years travelling and taking pictures, what is your single most memorable experience?

Gosh, they are numerous! (Pause). Taking a picture of a Tiger in India. That was sheer raw beauty. Then wrestling with a lowland Gorilla in Cameroon.

Swimming with a whale shark off Watamu. Travelling the Tana River….. true magic. Hearing a laugh from Kibera kids, that is special. I once took a picture of a woman in Nepal, baby strapped on her back, sheets of rain falling on her. That was a moment well observed.

You met Idi Amin, the Uganda despot, what kind of chap was he up-close?

I met him thrice. Sadly, he had a massive presence, was hugely entertaining and always packed a gun on his hip. His speeches were full of rants and laughter and brutality that could start wars.

One time during an AU conference, I knelt near him taking pictures and he pointed at me and growled, “ Yes Englishman, kneel before me, I’m the conqueror of the English emperor!” I said, “Yes, of course!” (Laughs).

What do you miss most about those days?

The uncertainty of not knowing what would happen. Who would do what to whom? The free spirit of life and its sheer stupidity.

We – Mohammed Amin and Saif Awan - once drove at night in an old Datsun 120, to Uganda after Museveni had just taken over the government in a coup.

We learnt at that time that when a coup happens, you always interview the side that has won, not lost. The borders were impenetrable during that time and so we sneaked in through a bush border in Tororo, drove 26 hours and got to Museveni, took his picture as the new leader and – by sheer luck- got a ride back in a chartered plane that was coming back after dropping medicine supplies.

Our picture was the first ever picture to be published of Museveni as the new president.

Looking back, what are your regrets in life?

Being a photographer! (Roars with laughter). No really. I have none. But if I had stayed in England, I would have made more money but I would have had regrets.

How do you chill? You know, kick back.

I scuba dive in Watamu. I got Michael Joseph, a good friend, to scuba dive too. He loves it now.

You are a photographer, you must drink.

Not in the office! (Laughs) I drunk lots of beer in my younger days. Fridays meant a heavy night out drinking and getting laid, every young man should do that. (Chuckle). But now I have developed a taste for good wine and whisky.

You have travelled extensively, the one place you would love to visit?

The arctic. It’s totally different and not many people are there. I’d love to see the polar bear.

Your greatest influences?

My wife? (Pause) I don’t know. (Thinks). Anybody who is honest. I like the underdogs too. I’ve never wanted to be the big, stupid and arrogant boss. I’m currently doing some work in Kibera. I love working with guys with zero chance at life, guys who start with nothing.

Your greatest possession on earth?

My wife. She will love that, won’t she? (Cheeky grin). No, I’m serious, my wife is. She is a great person, an environmentalist. She proposed to me. Put a note on my pillow saying, “will you marry me?” If not, she said she would go to Australia. We have been married 20 years.

What in your own opinion has been your greatest achievement?

Staying alive. A lot of people I worked with were killed while on duty taking pictures. John Maathai - a video editor – blown in an explosion in Ethiopia. Mo Amin…. Many friends killed out there, but I survived, so that’s my achievement.

What keeps you up at night with fear?

(Long pause). I don’t know. What is your fear?

Poor health and poverty. In that order.

Good one. Health. I had prostate cancer a couple of years ago. Every man should go for a check-up for that. A lot of people have it. But I’m well now; I do tests every three months. As long as you have good health, all is fine.

You are 63 and no children, why?

I can barely feed myself. Goodness, how will I feed my children? We decided not to have any, a mutual agreement.

What do you believe in?

I’m not spiritual but I believe in the 10 commandments. It’s a philosophy. Do whatever you like as long as it doesn’t screw someone up. I also believe that I would shoot everyone and anyone involved in the poaching of rhinos and elephants. I really would.