Philip Lee Harvey

Philip Lee Harvey Photography

George Rodger

The images awarded silver place in the series category were taken by Philip Lee Harvey during a project retracing the footsteps of British photojournalist George Rodger 60 years ago. Land Rover contacted Philip with a commission to commemorate the brand's own 60th anniversary. When asked to suggest ideas which reflected 1948, the Magnum co-founder Rodger's journey into Africa immediately sprung to mind. "I suppose there's an aspect of school-boy adventure to it all," says Philip, "and Rodger is a photographer I've known about since I was a boy. He lived in the area where I grew up, and I was always aware of that, even though he was a very quiet man."

Philip retraced Rodger's journey through the Maasai Mara, the mountains of Uganda and the Sudan, revisiting the three main tribes which he saw on his 1948 journey.

"It was fascinating to see how the past 60 years have altered the tribes' way of life," says Philip. "The Maasai, for instance, have managed to hold on to their traditional culture in the face of tourism, whereas the Batwan pygmies' culture has altered almost beyond recognition, because of government pressure and effects of deforestation. They are now seen as second class citizens and rely on kindness and handouts. They were self-sufficient up until 30 years ago when they still maintained their nomadic life in the forest." Philip describes how the village elder, on seeing some of Rodger's original images of his tribe, became tearful as he saw the difference between the previous generation and his own. There were plenty of light moments, though: Philip describes offering one of the Batwan pygmies his shirt as a gift. The man put it on and it reached easily to his knees.

The images were all shot in medium format on a Hasselblad H2 with phase one plus digital back. "Because we were shooting on digital, we could shoot as much as we wanted, of course," says Philip. "It was striking to consider the differences in equipment from that which Rodgers would have used in 1948."

Philip met Rodger's wife, Jinx, who still lives in the house they shared near Philip's childhood home in Kent. "Not only did she give our trip her blessing, she wanted to come with us!" Philip laughs. "But at 82 it was decided that wasn't really possible. It was fascinating to meet her and hear her reminisce about Rodger's adventures. He led a very photographic life and always aimed to bring positive exposure to a world that many wouldn't have known about, yet leave it intact."

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