Benji Porosoff won 1st prize in this year’s “Young Shoots” photography contest.
His colorful “Radish Roots” image showcased one of the many wonders of the weekly Westport Farmers’ Market.
“Radish Roots” (Benji Porosoff)
But Benji ranged a bit further than the Imperial Avenue parking lot this summer.
The just-turned-17-year-old spent 3 weeks in Namibia, with National Geographic Student Travel.
Benji Porosoff
He explored the African country. At Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary he saw the rescue and rehabilitation of injured animals, along with alternative “non-lethal” solutions to human-wildlife conflict.
Namib-Naukluft National Park was filled with sand dunes. Swakopmund is a small, beautiful town with desert wildlife like snakes and chameleons. At Walvis Bay he kayaked with sea lions.
At Etosha and Okonjima he got a very close look at rhinos, lions, elephants and leopards.
Everywhere, he had his camera.
He’s loved photography since age 9, when he discovered a darkroom at sleepaway camp. Back in Westport, he began shooting with his mother’s phone.
He heard about the Young Shoots contest. In 2015 and ’16 he placed second, with photos of a flower and string beans respectively.
He earned gold in 2018 with an image of a clam. He did not enter again until this year, when he took first again.
During that first Young Shoots summer, he took a Westport Library tech session on photo editing. That — plus YouTube videos, reading tutorials and trial and error — were the extent of his formal photography education.
Then — while Googling things to do during summer — Benji found the National Geographic program. It seemed perfect: a photography workshop, a chance to see wildlife, and a way to meet interesting people.
The group changed campsites every couple of days. He surprised himself by how much he enjoyed camping (his sleeping bag was cozy during nights that dipped as low as 18 degrees).
The spectacularly clear night skies were another pleasant surprise.
But the best part was the animals. Giraffes and elephants; cheetahs running up and down sand dunes; a bush walk with rhinos — every day was a new adventure.
And every day Benji learned something new. Sometimes it was owe to optimize the advanced settings on his camera. Other times, it was about the wildlife itself, conservation or Namibian culture.
Now Benji is back for his junior year, at Hopkins School. He’s co-captain of Science Bowl; active in the math team, Science Olympiad, robotics and the Diversity Board. He is a member of the cross country, ski and track teams.
In his spare time he’s a 4-year apprentice at the Eli Whitney Museum in Hamden. And he’s a talented glassblower, who has sold works to raise money for a non-profit.
Benji Porosoff’s glassworks.
Benji looks forward to continuing photography — nature, as well as sports. He hopes to upgrade to a camera with a faster focus and higher shutter speed.
His images are already quite impressive. With that new camera, the sky is — literally — the limit.
“Milky Way” (Benji Porosoff)
(Photos/Benji Porosoff)
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