Travel and portrait photographer Terrence Mendoza has embarked on a crucial mission to document remote tribal traditions before they disappear under the relentless pressure of globalization. Armed with his Nikon Z6 and Z7 II cameras, Mendoza ventures into some of the world's most isolated communities, capturing intimate portraits and environmental scenes that showcase the beauty, diversity, and resilience of indigenous cultures.
Mendoza's photographic journey has taken him to small villages across Kenya, Angola, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and India, often requiring him to travel along barely used tracks and dry riverbeds to reach communities rarely seen by the outside world. His equipment of choice includes wide-angle lenses for ceremonial and tribal scenes, while he relies on his trusted 70-200mm lens for creating fine-art portraits that reveal the dignity and character of his subjects.
"Photography has the power to protect remote cultures, and I'm on a mission to use it," Mendoza explains. "Modernization, such as the building of roads to formerly inaccessible areas, is influencing tribal dress and customs – and not in a good way. I set out to highlight the diversity of these tribes, in the hope that raising awareness of this often-overlooked issue may help to protect their cultures."
The photographer's approach to his subjects is deeply respectful and methodical. He initiates each visit without his camera, taking time to get to know his subjects first. Once a connection is established, he finds it easier to introduce the camera into the interaction. While he travels with an interpreter, Mendoza discovered that for portrait work, it's often more effective to make a personal connection without this added layer of communication.
"Without a common language, portraiture was often challenging," Mendoza reflects. "However, I found such interactions to be rewarding, often emotionally moving. Showing the subjects their image on the back of the camera invariably created a positive reaction." This immediate feedback creates a bridge between photographer and subject, fostering trust and collaboration in the creative process.
Mendoza's technical approach is carefully tailored to different types of photography within his cultural documentation project. For tribal dancing or ceremonies, he uses 24mm or wider lenses, which allow him to keep the horizon low, get close to the action, and let the subject dominate the frame. Environmental portraits also benefit from this close-up approach with low horizons, creating dramatic and immersive images.
For his signature fine-art portraits, Mendoza relies on his 70-200mm lens at the long end, typically stopped down to f/4.0. He shoots during the golden hours of early morning or late in the day when the low sun provides warm, flattering light. He positions his subjects with the background far enough away to create pleasing bokeh effects. When forced to work under harsh overhead sun, he seeks out shaded areas to maintain the quality of light he desires.
The Nikon Z7 II, with its 45.7MP full-frame sensor, serves as Mendoza's powerhouse camera, designed to compete with high-end models like Canon's R5 and Sony's A7R IV. This camera choice reflects his commitment to capturing the finest details and highest quality images possible for his cultural preservation project.
"I love using my Nikon mirrorless kit," Mendoza says. "With tribal dancing or ceremonies, I use 24mm or wider, which allows me to keep the horizon low, get close to the action and let the subject dominate the frame. Environmental portraits also benefit from getting close and keeping the horizon low."
Beyond the technical aspects, Mendoza's work serves a deeper purpose in cultural preservation and awareness. Through his images, he aims to share the emotional connections he formed with these communities, highlighting their beauty, dignity, hospitality, and friendliness. His photographs serve as both artistic expressions and historical documents, preserving moments and traditions that may soon be lost to the forces of modernization.
"With my images, I want to share the emotional connection I had with these people, their beauty and dignity, their hospitality and friendliness," Mendoza explains. "I feel privileged to have spent time getting to know them all, and my enduring impression is how cheerful and welcoming they are."
Mendoza's camping expeditions in remote regions often involve challenging logistics and extreme conditions, but he views these hardships as necessary investments in his cultural preservation mission. His work represents a race against time, as globalization continues to influence and sometimes erode traditional ways of life in even the most remote corners of the world.
The photographer's dedication to this project extends beyond mere documentation. By raising awareness through his striking imagery, Mendoza hopes to contribute to the protection and appreciation of these diverse cultures. His work serves as a testament to the power of photography not just as an art form, but as a tool for cultural advocacy and preservation in an increasingly connected but homogenizing world.
