Faces in far away places (Photo Essay)
Incredible faces of incredible people!
I think the biggest challenge of a travel photographer or travel journalist is to photographically capture the heart of a country – portraits of its people. Over many years I have captured some interesting portraits of many amazing people. Here are a few of my favourite portraits. See more at my NEW BLOG
Wadi Thughra, Petra, JORDAN
I was exploring and truly admiring the rock-cut architecture and water conduit systems built during the 5th century BC in the ancient Nabataeans city now known at Petra. As much as I was intrigued but the stone carved city, I was slowly being sucked in by the surrounding desolate mountainous terrain. Before long, I was several kilometres away from Petra, hiking around Wadi Thughra where I came across several families living in caves. These people mainly live off their sheep and goats. Growing vegetables and fruits are all but impossible in this desert and mountainous area. I then came across two girls in a cave who were very friendly and with great interest paged through my Lonely Planet guidebook as if they have never ever seen a book, which could be reality. These people are so isolated.
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Goroka, Eastern Highlands, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Another incredible face from the annual Sing-Sing Festival in Goroka, Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
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U Bein’s Bridge, Amarapura, MYANMAR
The face is a lot more special than the story – in fact, there is no special story behind this lovely photo of this Burmese girl.
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Sadhus (holy man), at the Bagmati River, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Valley, NEPAL
The Sadhus of India and Nepal are truly amazing people. This man was sitting in the sun with a few of his like-minded friends when I approached him for a photo. He spoke quite good English and very kindly said that I am free to take as many photos as I want, provided I pay $2.
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Sadhus (holy man), at the Bagmati River, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Valley, NEPAL
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Along the Bengal Delta, BANGLADESH
I was sailing on the historic steamer boat from Dhaka to Barisal in southern Bangladesh when we passed a small village. Along the river were a few villagers dressed up for some special occasion. Fortunately, I have a long camera lens and as we so peacefully sailed passed them, I snapped a few photos. People in Bangladesh almost universally don’t mind their pictures being taken. In fact, most of the people enjoy it, and even ask for their photo to be taken. This lady obviously noticed my camera aimed at her and most happily smiled at me. Wish I could share this photo with her.
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Tarim, Hadramawt Valley, YEMEN
I was walking around the villages of Tarim in the desert of the Hadramawt Valley when I came across a few kids playing around the ruins. They were all too happy to pose. What a pose!
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Sveti-Tskhoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta, GEORGIA
This monk, at the same location as the monk in the photo above (the Sveti-Tskhoveli Cathedral in the village of Mtskheta, Georgia), spoke almost fluent English and eagerly accepted my request for a photo. He even asked me to take a few more than I intended and then gave me his email address to forward the photos to him, an order which I fulfilled. What an amazing man!
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Ancient Ruins of Persepolis, IRAN
I was leaving the ancient ruins of Persepolis when I saw this daddy with his little girl. I sneaked up from behind and took this photo. That’s the whole story!
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Along the backwaters of Alleppey, Kerala, INDIA
Alleppey is the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala, southwestern India. Rent a large houseboat for a few days and slowly drift on the canals along the Malabar Coast. Once in a while the boat will stop at a small village where you can get off and mingle with the friendly locals. I met up with a lovely family with a few kids. This little girl was totally mesmerised to see a foreigner and she was thrilled to pose for many photos. What a beautiful and innocent look.
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Yangon, MYANMAR
I met this friendly lady at the Insein market on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar. She was very excited to communicate with me but, sadly, we could not understand each other, so we did it through smiling and taking a few photos which she appreciated on my camera monitor.
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At Pa-Auk-Taw-Ya Monastery south of Mawlamyaing, MYANMAR
I visited a large and very prominent monastery with my Australian-born friend Greg, who has been living in Myanmar for many years. We served the many monks a lovely breakfast and then spent some time with a few monks talking…. monk-things. This allowed me a golden opportunity to get some close-up photos. Thanks guys!
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At Pa-Auk-Taw-Ya Monastery south of Mawlamyaing, MYANMAR
This is the same novice monk as in the previous photo.
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Hpa-An, MYANMAR
At sunrise I was at the rice paddies just outside the town of Hpa-An, the capital of Karen State, Myanmar. Here I met a few ladies who were smoking their thick cheroots before they started to work. They were more than thrilled to pose for me while I had such a fun-time taking photos of them puffing in all directions!
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An, MYANMAR
This lady goes with the story above 🙂 Kinda shy at first, but with a bit of convincing she posed.
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Village of Kinmun, MYANMAR
In the wee hours (03:45) I left the village of Kinmun by motorbike. Along a tiny mountain path I came across several small clusters of basic huts with very friendly people. This lady was one of the many people whom I met, and photographed. This hike turned out to be one of my most pleasant hiking / photography experiences of my life. Such friendly and fun people!
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Kinmun, MYANMAR
No, he does not eat babies, but he constantly chews on betel nuts. I met this guy on the same hike as the picture above. No story behind this picture other than to show how the chewing of betel nuts among many people in this part of the world can discolour their mouths.
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Village of Shughnan, AFGHANISTAN
This man was in the same market as the guy above. He showed no emotions. I greeted him with “as-salamu alaykum” with my usual right hand on my heart, asked for a photo, he said nothing, so I took a photo and expressed my sincere “shukran” (thank you). Seems like he had no idea what a camera is….
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Village of Shughnan, AFGHANISTAN
This man goes with the two men above. No special story, other than “I wish I can see a 30 minute documentary about his life.”
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Around Song-kul Lake, KYRGYZSTAN
I was staying in a yurt along the shores at Song-kul Lake, central Kyrgyzstan, where I met this little red-cheeked girl. She’s the daughter of the lady from whom I rented the yurt. At first the girl was quite reserved but with a few jokes she opened up and posed for me while maintaining a “no-photo attitude” 🙂 It is one of my favourite portraits.
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Kashgar, Xinjiang Province, CHINA
The animal market outside Kashgar in the far west of China (close to Kyrgyzstan to the west and Pakistan to the south) is quite famous due to its authenticity. It’s almost like you are in a different world when you see these hundreds of sheep, goats, cows, yaks, donkeys, horses, camels and other creatures, surrounded by the many buyers and sellers. These are very rugged animal farmers. This man was sitting down, resting his head in his hands. I took a few photos of him and when he raised his head I asked him if I could take a photo. The rather rudely refused, but I happily walked away with a “shukran” as I already had some special photos of him.
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Kashgar, Xinjiang Province, CHINA
This man was also at the Kashgar Sunday animal market. No special story. Just one of my favourite portraits. Wish I can get someone to do a large painting of this man! Any Leonardo Da Vinci’s or a Diego Velázquez out there?
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Kerman, IRAN
I friend of mine in Kerman, southern Iran, introduced me to his friend who then took me home and introduced me to his father, who is a leader door I was met by his very friendly wife who took us to the living room where his father was waiting. The son acted as translator while I had about an hour discussion with his father. A very friendly man, who told me all about Sufism which was indeed an interesting introduction. However, the current Iranian government does not tolerate Sufism and as such his father keeps a very low profile.
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Kha Khat Wain Kyaung, Bago, MYANMAR
No special story, other than this being a nice portrait – I think.
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Khorog, TAJIKISTAN
I was walking down the streets of Khorog (which was heavily shaken in the Oct. 26, 2015 earthquake in Afghanistan) on my way to cross the border into Afghanistan when I came across this boy and his father building a little wall. His dad spoke some English, so we exchanged a few words. Before I left I just had to take a photo of this little youngster who was so friendly. Tajiks are such nice people!
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Bukhara, UZBEKISTAN
Just after sunrise I was walking around the famous temples of Bukhara when I came across this lady who was casted blessing. Deal done and she happily posed. Her smoke came from a little contraption with coals and wet towels 🙂
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Mahan, IRAN
Outside the Aramgah-e Shah Ne’matollah Vali mausoleum in the town of Mahan, I found this man begging at the gates. He has this incredible and unforgettable face and I so much wanted to photograph him. I contributed my donation and then asked: “photo please”. He happily agreed, and that is the end of the story behind this picture. I felt truly sorry for him.
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ShweGule Maha Paduma Teaching Monastery, Bago, MYANMAR
I was visiting a nearby temple when I spotted the ShweGule Maha Paduma Teaching Monastery across the street. I walked in and then out through the backdoor where I found a pond. At one corner of the pond this monk was sitting and as I walked by, and signalled to me to sit down. We tried to communicate but it was not going too well. With a smile I asked for a photo and he happily agreed. I thanked him and left with a bigger smile.
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Kathakali dance performance, Kochi, Kerala, INDIA
The above and next two photos were taken at the Kathakali dance performance in Kochi along the west coast of Kerala State, India. I also attended the same dance performance in the town of Kumily, but performed by a different group. Both venues are intimate and the audience Its an incredibly creative show with a long history in this part of India. Truly amazing individuals! No, I don’t know why his eyes are so red. Toxic paint perhaps? 🙂
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Kathakali dance performance, Kochi, Kerala, INDIA
A Kathakali dance performer starting with the bottom layers of his very elaborate face painting.
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Kathakali dance performance, Kochi, Kerala, INDIA
Another performer started with the basic stripes first, but by the time he is done, you won’t recognize this man!
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Clown at Defence Force Festival, Okinawa Islands, JAPAN
Japan’s Okinawa Island is one of the most beautiful places on our planet. Even the people are friendly and colourful. During the annual Defence Force Festival (as well as the Chatan Festival) complete with singers, dancers, and drummers, the clowns are an essential element in the performance of the Eisa drummers and dancers. The clowns (called the “chondara“) play a clown-like role to pump up the spectators and keep the formation of the performers in order. Clowns are mostly performed by the more experienced Eisa dancers. I was sitting in the front on the grass when this guy clowned all over me!
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Chinese opera at the “Chengdu Teahouse”, Chengdu, Sichuan, CHINA
To see Chinese opera performed at the “Chengdu Teahouse” is a very special experience. In fact, the most special part is that photography is allowed.
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Chinese Opera at the “Chengdu Teahouse”, Chengdu, Sichuan, CHINA
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Teahorse Village, Tiger Leaping Gorge north of Lijiang, Yunnan, CHINA
I was hiking the crazy path along the ‘Tiger Leaping Gorge’ which goes along the Jinsha River – a primary tributary of the upper Yangtze River. At this stage the river is only about 3 Yay! What a face!
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Sera Monastery, Lhasa, TIBET
No long story here. I visited the amazing Sera Monastery (one of the ‘great three’ Tibetan monasteries) when I spotted this boy. Typical of kids in Tibet, his cheeks are still red from the past winter :). Non-typical is his nose was not running – how strange! He must be a healthy boy.
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Yakel Village on Tanna Island, VANUATU
This is an old photo from my Fiji Film vault. One of my most memorable trips was to the South Pacific Island of Vanuatu. From the main island of Efate I flew by small plane for about 60 minutes down to the island of Tanna. I came to Tanna to photograph the very active Mount Yasur volcano, to meet the people of the Prince Philip cult who revere the Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, to swim with the special dugong (a manatee), and most importantly to meet the Yakel tribe. After a long ride with a 4-wheel bush-buggy we arrived in this small village where I met these interesting people.
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Svalbard, NORWAY
The Svalbard Islands are the gateway to many North Pole expeditions. Just over a thousand kilometres north and you’re on top of the world. Svalbard in winter is bitterly cold. So cold that I threw a cup of boiling water into the air and it drifted away as snow flakes. I came here to photograph some of the many polar bears. This man was the expedition leader on my dog sledding trip. Of Polish descent, I think he will beat Bear Grylls in an Arctic survival challenge, for sure!
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Kulusuk Village, GREENLAND
At the edge of southeastern Greenland is the small settlement of Kulusuk. This Inuit man performed a song of the eagle and the polar bear. Dressed in his polar bear skin white boots, he did a great performance and got lost in his own song. Incredible!
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Blue Lagoon outside Reykjavik, ICELAND
Iceland is known for their “blue lagoon” which is the largest and most famous of their many hot springs. Located not far from Reykjavik, I met with this lovely German couple. Is is customary of bathers to apply the white clay from the pool over their faces as it apparently has invigorating powers.
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Shanghai, CHINA
I was walking around the Longhua Temple in Shanghai when I spotted this man through an open window. I leaned in and took this photo without disturbing his afternoon nap.
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Nizwa Souq, Nizwa, OMAN
At the Nizwas Souk (market) I saw a few men sitting on the steps. I walked up, greeted with a respectful “salaam a’alaykum”, smiled, and then asked for permission to photograph. He covered his face with a smile which I interpreted as an invitation to shoot a creative portrait. Both he and I smiled afterwards and he asked me “where are you from”. Nice.
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Hue, VIETNAM
Walking along the canals of Hue, these kids were quite pesky. All wanting to be photographed to then see their photo on the camera monitor. This is one of the many photos I took to make them happy – and I was happy too.
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Dhaka, BANGLADESH
No big story here. Just one of the many portraits I shot in Bangladesh where everyone who breathes wants their photograph to be taken. Yes, people would really line up to have me take their photo. Such kind souls!
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Village of Mingun, north of Mandalay, MYANMAR
I travelled by boat to Irawaddy river north of Mandalay. As I left the village I came across this funny bunch of novice monks. So I captured another red betel nut smile.
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Village market in Sacred Valley some distance from Cusco, PERU
This girl was sitting at the bustling village market in Peru’s Sacred Valley, not too far from Cusco. The market is incredibly authentic with many people dressed in their traditional clothing, and about every second young girl carrying a lamb with her like it is a Barbie Doll. Really funny to see these lambs enjoying the pampering. Not sure she even knew I took this treasured photo of her.
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Kashgar, Xinjiang Province, CHINA
I was walking down the street in Kashgar when I saw this man sitting in the front shop area of his modest home. I immediately stopped and asked if I could take a photo and a bit to my surprise he happily agreed with a smile. So glad I asked!
See my latest collection of portraits in Globerovers Magazine:
