Michael A. Nyffeler » I’m Doing

Backstage Nerves

Michael Nyffeler — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 22:02:31 +0000

For a while now I have been shooting part time for a local newspaper which takes me all over the place (mostly locally) to shoot various stories. I really enjoy the freedom being out of the ‘office’ and challenges that come with the variety that is inherent in this type of work. I will attempt to post a some images here every couple of days to keep things up to date and also to showcase my work as a work in progress. Constructive criticism welcome! Thanks and stay tuned….

A high school theature student studies his lines one last time behind the curtains before returning back on stage. 4-14-10

Color

Michael Nyffeler — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:38:28 +0000

On assignment in January I took a walk through the woods on a frosty morning. Everything seemed to be slowed down by the winter freeze, thus giving us time to reflect. These are a few of the experiments in color to combat my S.A.D.

Images of 2009

Michael Nyffeler — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 02:01:36 +0000

As yet another year inevitably comes and goes its a good time to take a few moments to reflect on the experiences of the previous 12 months. I felt very fortunate to be able to travel and see many new places throughout the year – including working at the X Games in Aspen, CO, shooting my first wedding in May, traveling to France and the Congo in July, and most recently working the Dew Tour in Breckenridge, CO. But the thing I will probably remember the most from 2009 will most likely be the many inspiring people I had the privilege to meet. One in particular is a man named Deolo from the Democratic Rep. of Congo in Central Africa. Nathaniel Miles and I got the chance to meet and interview him for a project for the orphan sponsorship program and quickly felt impacted by his presence. Ten members of his family (6 brothers, 2 sisters, and both parents) have fallen from AIDS and as the last remaining member, his job now is to fight against the spread of the virus with a divine purpose. It’s hard to imagine a harder job as to work against the spread of AIDS in Africa – but after meeting Deolo, I can see his passion for the people of Africa and I am inspired that the drive and determination of one man can make a difference. Here are a few images of the people Ill never forget and the amazing places that I may never see again.

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Images of 2009

When Things Come Full Circle

Michael Nyffeler — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:08:03 +0000

It’s hard sometimes in the media business when you are doing project after project to keep up with how progress is coming for your past clients and to really see just how much what you did is having it’s impact in the long run. It’s always encouraging to hear that your work is being appreciated or has had the desired outcome …or better yet has led something bigger and better as the result.

My very first independent video project out of college was for a small group of people in central Nebraska wanting to celebrate and memorialize the firefighters of Nebraska as well as a venue to teach children fire safety and prevention. The video was to be sent out to every district in Nebraska in order to build funds for a Nebraska Firefighters Memorial and Museum. That was four years ago and this summer it finally happened – it finally opened!

So it was very cool to go to the grand opening ceremony and see what had become of the little rough around the edges video from four years ago to a great building that means so much to many Nebraskans. Here are a few images: *note: the image below was published in the Jan/Feb issue of Nebraska Life Magazine*

Congo Rover

Michael Nyffeler — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:49:53 +0000

Not much time (or battery power) to write much at this point. We are now in Tandala about 75 K from Gemena. I can share some images from the past week though. Enjoy!

Hot & Humid with a chance of Malaria

Michael Nyffeler — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:50:02 +0000

Sleeping with a mosquito net really isn’t that bad…after a while you kind of get used to it. I like to think of it as the iron curtain between the elements and me – even though there are holes in it the size of a fist. Yesterday a bat (presumably a fruit bat) just flew into our room while the door was open. After a few aerial laps around our heads it decided to jet back out the open door again. I’m loving this kind of wild!

We have been here for just about long enough to adjust to the heat and humidity (which is also, strangely, something I don’t mind) and walking around at night in darkness. Also it’s always a challenge adjusting to the language barrier – but I’m learning something everyday – aka learning how to say the same 5 words over and over to try to get your meaning across. My French is terrible (terreeebley) …and my Lingala is worse but the beauty of having a camera is that sometimes words aren’t necessary when a smile and a bonjour is more than enough to make a friend – I’m finding that the Congolese people are extremely gracious, fun, and all around happy people surrounded by hardships we Americans find hard to even imagine. A good lesson in in being content!

Im also learning about what all the programs that take care of the less fortunate people in one of the most unfortunate countries. We here to cover the GlobalFingerprints and TouchGlobal programs as well as the Elikya Village Project and are busy getting still and video images to take back to the U.S. We have been getting some great footage to eventually put together some really great and hopefully powerful material. From meeting the sponsored orphans and hearing them tell their stories, to touring the busy Elikya site and seeing the foundations for an amazing future – this is absolutely inspiring. Its the Congolese people enabling and creating opportunity for other Congolese people that really is great about these ministries.

Crossing the Congo

Michael Nyffeler — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:17:04 +0000

Same window, Same continent, Two very different worlds – Sahara Dessert/Congo Rain forest

There may not be as many days longer than the first day we crossed the boarder into Congo yesterday. This was the day to traverse across the center of Africa by land and by water from Bangui in the Central African Republic south 125 miles to Gemena, Democratic Republic of Congo would take 16 hours.

It started with an early morning in Bangui, had what is starting to become the morning ritual 3 pots of coffee, then piling cautiously yet happily into two dugout canoes skimming along the Ubangui River that runs as the boarder between the two countries and officially started our journey across the Congo. All of the 10 of our team with our hand luggage (the larger luggage pieces went in earlier canoes) made the trip across the open water to the other side to meet our trucks for the next (and many times more challenging) land portion of the trip.

We landed on the beach and walked up to the Congolese immigration ’shack’ and checked in our passports. We had our first meal of goat and rice and we hit the road. The older gentlemen and ladies grouped into the Land Cruiser – Nate and I jumped gleefully (and willingly) into the 5 ton 10 wheeled massively huge Tonka truck with all the luggage, and around 8 other Congolese men and two women who were coming to a pastor’s conference in Gemena with us. It was really great to join these men and women on this journey and to really felt like we were holding our own ….for the first 5 hours ….but the next five hours, is a different story.

If you have ever wondered what holding onto a steal re-bar for 10 hours feels like, try rubbing your hands with sand paper while trying not to be flung 15 feet to the ground off of a 5 ton bull. What a welcome to Africa! ha. After 5 hours we stopped in a village called Bao for some food and rest- just long enough for our hands to stop burning and our heads to stop bouncing. The food was a good mix of meats, fruits and veges (2nd meal of goat, bananas, rice and spinach) and we were off on the bumpy road again – but first we added a few more people to the back to join us – just to make it comphy.

Then nightfall came and there was nothing to look at other than what could be seen from our single headlight. No one really talked – in English or Lingala – and we were alone to our thoughts. I wondered what they were

thinkin

g about – if they were having the same thoughts I was having (good Lord, when will we get there??) …or if they have done this trip so many times that it’s second nature for them. The problem was we couldn’t talk with the language barrier and even if we could the engine of the giant truck would drowned it out. So I guess it was a good time for all of us to ponder about the past, think about the present and wonder about the future – whatever nationality we where.

We finally rolled into the compound around 12:30a.m. from a journey that began at 8:30 that morning – if this is how this trip will begin, Im excited to see whats next!

Dont drive in Paris at night! ….ok, do it!

Michael Nyffeler — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:11:10 +0000

On our way to Africa we got the chance to spend a few days in Paris (…I know, a rough layover right?) A great place to relax if you can find a seat (amongst all the tourists) and an absolutely amazing place to photograph (if you can get away from the tourists) We met up with my friend Faouza’s brother and sister who are the most welcoming hosts we could have asked for. We had multiple personal tour guides who showed Nate, Dave, and I around one of the most beautiful cities. With such a great and romantic history I was excited to walk the same streets of Nepoleon and the famous beheaded Marie Antoinette.

What really shocked me was the enormous size of the buildings. I didnt know you needed a building the size of a 17th century Pentagon to house some artwork – but if you are housing some of the most beloved artwork of all time…whose to say you cant. And that is the French way really, they will just because they can. For now, I think I will too…

I did get the exciting chance to drive around downtown for a night out seeing the Eiffel Tour lit up. I love driving in new cities for the excitement. Im sure it was just as enjoyable for the other people in the car! …and lets just say we made it home alive! Haha.

But for the last few days we were nothing more than tourists so here are a few goodies….



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Staind

Michael Nyffeler — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:33:56 +0000

All week I have been shooting video the Buckle this week during their national manager’s meetings. Clothing brand Affliction sponsored the main event – a private show by the band Staind. Affliciton managed to snag them fresh off a European tour and they seemed pretty exhausted but put on a pretty decent show (or at least the light show was pretty decent) for the 500 or so guests, managers, and Buckle staff. Check more shots here: www.mikenyff.com/photography/event/on-stage/

Bonnaroo Or Bust

Michael Nyffeler — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:50:25 +0000

After a 9hr drive, a few days of set up in the dust – the official kickoff of Bonnaroo ‘09 is now on! A New Orleans style parade with circus twist marked the start of the weekend. It took all day to get the 80,000(ish) fans into the festival grounds and the bands hit the stages. Portugal. The Man (from Alaska), Chairlift and MURS were a few acts of note. All very different in musical style which is one thing I like about this festival. I like being surprised by seeing/hearing a good band I wasn’t expecting!

Day one is in the books and it will go down as a very wet and soggy one. Even around 11:30pm there were tornado warnings for the camping city of tents near Manchester, Tennessee. An exciting first day to say the least. Cant wait to see what today might bring… UPDATE: Check out all the photos from all four days here: http://www.mikenyff.com/photography/event/bonnaroo/