These galleries showcase photographs that are primarily of historical interest. The collection documents the Figan Follow (June 30 – August 18, 1974), with all images captured by Curt Busse. These photographs can be freely downloaded and used in accordance with the license terms at the bottom of this page.
At the start of the Figan Follow, Curt’s father Bill sent him an Olympus 35RC camera and a dozen rolls of Kodak film, which were kindly delivered by incoming student Hanne Smith. The camera is a compact 35mm rangefinder with a 42mm lens and manual controls. It proved indispensible in documenting some of the key events of the Figan Follow.
Prior to 1974, the vast majority of photos taken at Gombe were from in and around the Feeding Station (aka Chimp Camp). The beauty of this small Olympus camera is that it could be carried in one’s pocket without sacrificing mobility in dense underbrush. By carrying the camera while following Figan far from the Feeding Station, Curt captured some of the first ever photos of chimpanzees displaying at a waterfall and patrolling their territorial boundaries.
Three of the photos appeared in the May, 1979 issue of National Geographic accompanying an article about Dr. Jane’s latest discoveries. Dr. Jane used several of Curt’s photos in her scientific treatise, “The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior,” published in 1986, and in her book“Through a Window: My Thirty Years with the Chimpanzees of Gombe,” published in 1990 .
Image Downloading
A “Download” icon 
can be found near each image’s caption. Images are in JPG format and are encapsulated in a ZIP file to preserve their resolution, typically 6000 x 4000 pixels. The original color slides and B&W film negatives were scanned with a PrimeFilm XE 35mm Film & Slide Scanner and edited on an Ubuntu system using the GIMP.
For instructions on extracting the ZIP file, simply ask Google or your favorite AI assistant.
Image License Agreement
Copyright © 2002 Curt Busse
Permission is granted to use, copy, modify, publish, and/or distribute these images in any medium subject to the following conditions:
1. The images are accompanied by a statement that reads “Photo by Curt Busse.”
2. Use of images on web sites or social media should include a link or reference to figanfollow.com
These conditions apply to the original images and to any modified versions thereof.
THESE IMAGES ARE PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER “AS IS” WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES. THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY CONSEQUENCES RESULTING FROM THE USE, MODIFICATION, OR REDISTRIBUTION OF THESE IMAGES.