Nakuru, through Ben Omwaka's lens
A flock of flamingos at Lake Elementatita.
“Pictures seize a moment and allow us to live in times that have passed. The nostalgia we experience when we revisit the past through photos is magical,” says Ben Omwaka.
Mr Omwaka is an award-winning photographer and many know him for the mesmerizing photos he has taken to showcase Nakuru to the world.
We sat down with Mr Omwaka and this is what he had to say.
Ben Omwaka, a professional photographer, showcasing Nakuru through photos.
I was born and raised in Lanet. I studied photography in Egerton University where I pursued a degree in Communication and Media.
Telling stories about my hometown through photos is something I have been doing since 2015.
Menengai caldera in Nakuru city.
James Wakibia, an environmental activist, who has been documenting environmental pollution in Nakuru city inspired me to start this form of photography.
I document the good and the bad and I allow people to judge the art.
Section 58 interchange taken from hyrax hill.
In July 2018 I visited Hyrax Hill and from there I could see the serenity of Nakuru from the top. I thought to myself, “why not seize this moment?”
That particular photo was a series of many photos of section 58 I take each year, but that one fascinated many people.
Some people think it’s an aerial shot. However, it is a long shot taken from the top of Hyrax Hill. I had been taking shots of '58' since 2016 as the road was being constructed.
Mount Longonot.
My desire is to share the beauty of Nakuru with the world. Talk of the wild, beautiful bird species in this town like flamingos at Lake Elementaita or even the amazing views you would catch in different places from different spots in Nakuru.
I travel a lot around Nakuru and in the process, I take photos. My social pages are a true reflection of untold stories of Nakuru and the great transformation the city has undergone.
Some of the trees planted outside Nyayo gardens in Nakuru CBD.
My plan is to have an art exhibition to showcase photos I have taken over the years, together with other photographers and visual artists here.
Some of the challenges I have faced is access to shooting points, where some places have beautiful shots but I am denied access. People using my photos without crediting the work to me is also a big challenge.