Maputo Diary by Ditte Haarløv Johnsen (May 18, 2010) 
(10 votes, average: 3.90 out of 5)
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Introduction by Recommending Viewer
In her introduction statement for the Lodz Photo Festival, Ditte explains that Maputo Diary is a personal document of her journeys back to the country where she grew up, Mozambique. She also writes that it is a collection of intimate portraits of friends, family, places of meaning and the moments in between. It’s about growing up as a white kid in black Africa, living in the periphery and the constant quest for belonging, says Ditte. Wanting to belong is what ties all these strong portraits strongly together. It is never explicit, instead this feeling flows like an undercurrent through these photographs. Flowing from the heart to her left hand and then back up to the hearts of those viewing this vibrant body of work, I hope. Ditte Haarløv Johnsen was recommended to us by Alen Aligrudić, who is currently preparing his Funen Art Academy graduation exhibition. Curator statement by Bite!
Next / The Optimism Of My Own Teenage Mythology / Previous / The Next Day I Followed A Campesino Home /
Our poll "A photo essay always needs a great written story" closed. 267 people voted, 28% agrees, 72% disagrees. 233 people answered our follow-up question "Are you a photographer?" 82% indicated they are, 18% said no. Initially, negative answers to question #1 were almost 100% as was the pecentage of photographers among respondants. Then, when the level of non-photographers started to rise, the percentage of people indicating good text is always essential started to rise too. This seems to indicate that non-photographers think that adding good text to your photo essays is essential. In my opinion: if you want non-photographers to dig your work, you know what to do...
I grew up in Mozambique. These are images from the times I’ve been back – of friends, family and the moments in between.
Maputo and surrounds. 2000-2009.
When I was a child, I always had this strong feeling, of a line going from the heart to my left hand.
Recently, when I’ve been in a good flow of photographing or filming, I’ve had that feeling again.
It’s about being moved. It’s about a childhood in Mozambique and being vulnerable and stubborn.
It’s about challenging myself – and about growing as a human being.
It’s about the search – because in meeting people I get closer to a meaning.
And sometimes I come close to the feeling of being part of something bigger than myself.
I believe in the human being and in the line that goes from the heart to my left hand.
Ditte Haarløv Johnsen (1977) lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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