𝕂𝕒𝕕𝕦𝕟𝕒'𝕤 𝕄𝕠𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 ℝ𝕦𝕤𝕙 ℍ𝕠𝕦𝕣: 𝔸 𝕡𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕌𝕣𝕓𝕒𝕟 ℝ𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖

As dawn breaks over Kaduna also know as Birnin-Kada (City of the Crocodile), the city stirs to life with a palpable sense of urgency. The streets buzz with activity as motorbikes, known as okadas, weave through the early morning traffic, maneuvering alongside buses, cars, and wooden carts. Pedestrians move with purpose, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the rising sun as they prepare to tackle the day ahead.

Kaduna’s morning rush hour paints a vivid picture of contrasts. Office workers, dressed in sharp suits and traditional attire, stride past street vendors arranging their wares tea, bread, and akara ready to serve the hurried commuters. The morning air is cool and fresh, carrying a blend of aromas: sizzling breakfast foods, the faint tang of petrol fumes, and the earthy scent of dew-soaked soil. A symphony of car horns, animated conversations, and the occasional shout fills the air, reflecting the city’s vibrant energy.

This moment captures Kaduna’s unique rhythm and spirit. The interplay of morning light on vehicles, the bright hues of clothing, and the determined movements of its people encapsulate a city in motion. Kaduna’s morning rush hour tells a compelling story of resilience, hope, and the shared drive to embrace a new day.

An iPhone X
Adobe Lightroom

I've always appreciated the hustle that comes with being a Nigerian, I mean everyday seems to be like a struggle for survival and truth is only those who strive both hard and smart tend to get a reward. I then decided on the focus of the photograph; Kaduna’s urban resilience and the bustling energy of its morning rush hour and came to the apt conclusion on what I wanted the photo to reflect i.e the story in the picture.

Next it dawned on me that the picture had to be shot at a place that portrays the city’s busiest areas during rush hour. Streets like Ahmadu Bello Way, central markets, or various bus terminals suddenly felt like the ideal locations for capturing the essence of the scene.

From my apartment to my University makes it easier for me to scout the prospective locations for the shoot since I always had to take same routes going there. On my way to school, I made various stops in advance to determine the best vantage points. Considered elevated spots like pedestrian bridges or areas with unobstructed views and made a mental note on what I expect my images to look like.

It's quite obvious that the best time to take such a shot should be in the early of the morning e.g Dawn. This is so because naturally with the break of every new day, our routine as Humans, is to wake up and get to work. So yea...

As of the moment, I made use of the only equipment I have in my possession to capture a smilingly good picture; that's the iPhone X

I got to the already picked location as early as 6:30am and positioned myself discreetly to avoid drawing attention, that allowed me to capture candid, natural interactions.

I also incorporated leading lines like roads and sidewalks to guide the viewer’s eye through the image. Contrasting elements which includes modern buildings, traditional clothing, and vibrant street activities where detrimental to the success of the success of the shot.

For my editing, I enhance the photo’s contrast, brightness, and colors to emphasize the vibrancy of the scene. I also adjusted the shadows and highlights to bring out details in both the foreground and background. The goal was to highlight Kaduna’s natural energy and spirit without distorting the reality of it all.

And yes, all this was done on both Snapseed and Adobe Lightroom.

Coming up with the title for this piece was a subtly challenging and I had to scribble different titles before I eventually settled for Kaduna's Morning Rush Hour: A portrait of Urban Resilience.