Selfcontained is based on an analogue process of creation. I use analogue black and white film. I use a field camera in 4 x 5 inch format and a sturdy tripod. The equipment is transported in Africa in two backpacks, which also allows for long hikes with the camera. The films, on the other hand, are stored in an aluminium case during the journey to protect them from heat and high humidity. The procedure is to exchange the unexposed films, so-called sheet films, for exposed films in the film holders in a dark tent every evening. The exposed films are transported in their boxes and developed later in Berlin. During the journey, the films must be protected from heat, dust and high humidity, and from X-rays at airports. The exposed films are developed individually in terms of time and developer concentrate, depending on the light conditions. I scan the developed negatives with a virtual drum scanner for the digital archive. Jochen Rohner produces the analogue prints on baryta paper in his black and white laboratory in Berlin.
The photos show the field camera I use for the project, the film holder, the changing tent for the films, negatives on the light table and my work place for digitally archiving the images. The film clip by Musa Makunda shows us in South Sudan 2020 on the hike to the shooting location with the photographic equipment.
