Not being a huge sports fan, this assignment was a challenge I’m glad I accepted. My brief was to document the social side of the 2019 Magical Kenya Open, and where possible, capture some golfing action.

I was at Karen Country Club for three days – Friday to Sunday – and out of more than 3,500 images shot, these were my favourite. I’ll explain why for some of them.

I had two camera bodies. The Sony A7iii and Canon 6D. For glass, I was armed with a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 for the Sony, Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L, and Sigma EF 150-600mm f/5-6.3 OS Sports. I also had the Sigma MC-11 to adapt my Canon-mount lenses to the Sony.

The images I shot had to be shared as quickly as possible for social media sharing. So my workflow involved loading the best photos I’d taken to my phone from the cameras, editing using Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile, and sending to the client on email and WhatsApp for immediate posting to Kenya Open Golf channels and sharing with Media Houses.

Friday.

The rulebook when photographing golf is for there to be complete silence when a player is about to tee off. There are even marshals carrying signs written ‘No Photography’. But I was able to capture this shot by lying on the ground on my tummy, and shooting at the max 10fps with the Sony A7iii on silent shooting.

I got my favourite shot of the tournament within two hours of starting my assignment. I had problems focussing on the player as the Sigma lens and adapter didn’t seem to be communicating well on the Sony. I kept hunting for focus and it was achieved only a few seconds before this shot.

I had to show food was available at The Village. It took a lot of positioning adjustments to get the angle of the chicken, the grill mesh and the prongs right.

No one got to drive away with this Mercedes.

This shot communicated two things : end of the day in the sunset, and preparation for the following day with the watering of the green.

Motown in Nairobi had a concert at The Village on Friday evening. I’d seen many of the musicians perform individually but not as a unit. And what a crowd pleaser they were!

Before the concert started, I found out that laser lights would be used in the show. To protect my investments from the damage laser lights can cause to cameras, I packed away the Sony A7iii and shot exclusively on the Canon 6D.

I picked this shot because of the composition, where the guys are towards the left of the image, and the blue lights ‘fill’ the dark space to the right of the image. It also has a good Motown Boy Band vibe to it.

It appears as if the glory of the Lord is shining down on Noel Nderitu here.

Motown Band vibe again in this photo with June Gachui on lead.

The dancers’ expression made this one of my favourites from the concert. This was the first time I was seeing Kendi Nkonge perform and she had an outstanding set.

Phones have really transformed how we consume live performances. I think they’re reducing audience’s quality of the concert experience as they Instagram Live what an amazing time they’re having, yet not having such an amazing time as they ‘heart’ and respond to comments instead of having uninterrupted enjoyment of what the artists have worked long hard to put together.

I find it important to capture members of the audience during a concert. It helps communicate the mood.

The Motown in Nairobi Concert ended around midnight bringing the curtain down on what was a fantastic Friday.

Saturday

My day started at around 10am, capturing action on the green.

This shot was important in communicating the crowds that had come to watch top golfers play at the Magical Kenya Open, as well as show the nature of the course.

Kenya’s Simon Ngige was the leading Kenyan at the tournament. I followed him for a while and it was great seeing how he kept his composure despite the hundreds of fans tagging along from hole to hole. The photo above showed the relationship between Simon and his caddy. He seems concerned about the shot he’s about to take but his caddy has an almost thumbs up sign reassuring him he is more than capable to ace it.

Simon’s fans react to one of his shots on the 16th hole.

Back at The Village, hundreds were already gathered in readiness for the H_ART the Band and Mafikizolo Concert.

And on the green, preparations for the final round on Sunday were already in place.

Taking this shot of H_ART just after they got on stage made me decide to move closer to the stage. Yes it did show them and the audience but it wasn’t dramatic enough.

So I switched to the 16-35mm f/2.8L and got right up to them for the following images.

I’d accidentally dropped my 16-35mm f/2.8L earlier in the day and auto focus was now working when it wanted to. I’m grateful that I still managed to nail some bangers.

Mafikizolo then came on stage and the drill continued.

This shot right here was important for me to capture because it not only showed the audience’s reaction to Mafikizolo, it also went against the #BoycottMafikizolo campaign that was on social media.

Sunday

The final day of the Magical Kenya Open started at about 10am for me, capturing a little bit of action on the course and fans in attendance.

Security was tight on all days, and extra tight on Sunday as Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was coming to officiate the closing ceremony.

As per tradition when the President arrives at a venue, there is a line of government and event officials lined up to shake his hand and welcome him. I had been briefed to capture this.

And as is tradition, photographers are jostling for space to capture the best shot while being pushed back by the President’s security detail.

After capturing a few shots of the hand shaking, I decided to move behind the Police Band who were at hand to play the National Anthem.

And that is how I managed to get this shot.

This one I call ‘All the President’s Men’ and is of the President following the play of the overall winner on the 18th hole.

Thanks to IMG Kenya for the opportunity to capture the 2019 Magical Kenya Open.