Two women try to make a livelihood by catching oil polluted shells in the Niger delta. That is all they can offer their starving children. The two women and all the rest of the people living in this area has lost basically all their natural environment they used to harvest and make a living of due to oil spill caused by Shell – the Dutch oil giant.
For the complete story and more pictures, please look up Untold Stories.
In Flow with Otto 
I don’t buy their fuel. For years now.
We should all do the same. Unfortunately Shell is not necessarily worse than all the others…
A beautiful photograph, Otto. An awful story.
Yes, it is a really sad story.
An interesting story. Unfortunately a dramatic story. It is worth to remember it, to think about.
Thanks Otto for posting.
robert
If only we could all keep this in mind when we buy gas next time.
A tragic story…
Yes, indeed.
I am so intrigued by the power of the camera to reveal issues of human injustice. Thank you for so powerfully telling this story.
I am glad my camera can bring out those important stories.
Ja du Otto, vad kan jag säga och vad kan jag göra…jag känner mig maktlös och samtidigt känner jag stor respekt inför din och din kollegas engagemang. Jag hoppas att ni har fått era reportage insålda till många tidningar världen över, då många, för att inte säga alla borde få ta del av verkligheten. En verklighet som vi ser varje dag som stora skrämselrubriker i tabloidtidningar…och vi orkar inte se, vi orkar inte ta del.
Men, här ser vi något annat…vi ser verkligheten i Nigeria och lite i Sydafrika och när man får se det vackra, det naturliga och vardagliga livet bakom allt elände…ja, då tar man det till hjärtat och ser återigen att livet inte bara är svart eller vitt…det består av tusen och åter tusen nyanser av regnbågen:)
Alltid lika intressant att besöka dig och få ta del av dina/era upplevelser…tack!
Det er alltid en fare når en presenterer denne type saker – at vi ender opp med å bli maktesløse. Men om noen, så har vel nettopp Mandela vist at det finnes måter å bli hørt på og å arbeide for forandringer i verden. Som du sier, er livet ikke svart eller hvitt.
An important story.
Paule
http://www.paulepictures.com
http://www.paulepictures.com/blog
Thank you, Paule, I think it is.
How ironic that they are collecting shells polluted by Shell. Great shot. Glad you are highlighting this blight.
And I am glad you are reading it and taking a stand.
That is heartbreaking!
It is indeed a very sad story.
What an awful reality for these women, their families and friends. Once again, a beautifully inspiring photograph!
Hopefully the story may help bring about a change.
Wonderful image Otto. Shocking attitude, not just the Oil company but the Nigerian government who are in their pockets.
Well, big money and corruption has never shown much empathy or compassion.
Another sad reality of the effect of our methods of oil production and transportation. Great picture though, as always.
Unfortunately this is only one of many similar stories.
Amazing picture Otto. Such a sad story.
Thank you, Phillip, and, yes, it is a very sad story.
Picture that tells life story. Very nice!
Thank you.
Another heartbreaking story combined with your still of life on the delta.
Hopefully a story like this being published will help bring about some changes…
if only there was a quick solution to help and shame on those companies and their own government to allow this to continue.
Unfortunately I don’t think there is any quick solutions. The thing we can do, though, is be consciously aware and make a stand.
yes! so glad you are breaking out the news to all…great work! thanks!
She has such grim determination in her posture. And strength.
You need to be strong in this environment in order to survive.
Powerful photo, Otto. Did not know Shell is a Dutch company. Could they be any worse than Chevron?
Unfortunately I believe most oil companies are equally bad.
So sickening…
A great post Otto.
Sickening indeed.
It really sickens me how so many of us priviledged westerners have criticized U2’s Bono for earnestly reaching out to our politicians and dignitaries in a bold effort to generate humanitarian support for impoverished people throughout Africa.
Anything that may help the situation is worth our respect. I believe.
Beautiful photo, ugly story…and it sad that it is a story that can be told a thousand times over. Big business and politics are simply a bad mix.
It is indeed a bad mix.
The composition, the colours, the lighting and the intense expressions. This one has all the ingredients of a powerful image. A strong expression of the everyday struggle of the working class.
Thank you, Uday.
A beautifully captured image, Otto. What a pity that there’s that reality behind it.
It’s a dilemma for any photograph, isn’t. How should we make interesting pictures of the ugly reality?!
That is a very powerful and dynamic image, many compliments!
Thank you for the nice words, Martina.
Great picture!!! Reminds me of the fisher on Lake Malawi: http://docugraphy.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/fischer-auf-dem-malawi-see-fishermen-on-lake-malawi-malawi/
http://docugraphy.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/der-junge-mann-und-der-see-the-young-man-and-the-lake-near-nkhotakota-malawi/
http://docugraphy.wordpress.com/2013/11/25/leben-mit-dem-see-life-with-the-lake-nkhata-bay-malawi/
http://docugraphy.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/fisch-fish-chizumulu-island-malawi/
http://docugraphy.wordpress.com/2013/11/01/ins-nichts-into-nothing-lake-malawi-malawi/