Stories

Stories of our World

Photography was always about telling stories, about bringing our words to life and helping those who listen to them see the world as we did. Some of the stories here attempt to do just that - hope you enjoy them.

(click on the images to read the full story)

The Huaorani of southern Ecuador

The Huaorani of Bameno, in southern Ecuador have come up with a novel and interesting way of safeguarding their way of life: bring tourism in, on their terms, an show the world why their culture needs to survive! It's something other tribes can learn from and a model for eco tourism.

On Traditional Calligraphy Ink

Kobaien are probably the oldest manufacturer of sumi ink sticks in the world, still manufacturing extremely high quality ink using methods going back almost 300 years. The process itself is absolutely mesmerising, sometimes almost mystical and always visually stunning.

Presenting Sensei Okada-san

Japan and the samurai are, to the imagination, almost synonymous. Mysticism, honour, martial arts and, of course, the katana, the focus point of the samurai power and soul. To the photographer photographing a real samurai is a unicorn: something we are dying to do and something impossible.

A photo Guide to the Ivory Coast

The tribal smorgasbord that is the Ivory Coast is, justifiably, too great a temptation for a photographer. And while the country and its people are truly fascinating, there are a ton of things a photographer needs to know before planning a successful and productive trip there.

Tribes of the Ivory Coast

There are dozens of tribes across the whole breadth of this amazing country - from the relatively normal to the truly mystical and remote. To properly experience the country you need to plan and in order to plan you need information.

Dancing in the Kibera Slum

Millions of words have been written in an attempt to express and describe dance and the ethereal motion of dancers. But inspirational dancing, when discovered in the most difficult conditions, like an east African slum, is not something anyone would expect.

Stories of the Shuar and Cofan

As two of the most populous and integrated tribes in the Ecuador Amazonia region, the Shuar and Cofan represent, better than most, the critical juncture indigenous tribes face all over the world. Being very integrated into modern society without letting go of their heritage.

The Aryans of Ladakh

They are know by different names: the Aryan people or the Brokpa and, depending who you ask, their origins go back 2500 years or more or less. One thing is for sure: the moment you cross the “border” and head into the Aryan valley in northern Ladakh, you are no longer in India.

The Chouara Fez Tanneries

The Chouara tanneries in Fes are world famous. Millions of tourists flock to the many balconies and cafes with clear view of the tanneries every year and most of them come away with stories about the smell, the colours and the sights they were able to witness, luckily from a safe distance…

The Himba of northern Namibia

You cannot read about Namibia without coming across a mention of the Himba tribes of the north. Brief - usually - mentions of their nakedness, their very distinctive hair styles and decorations can usually be found amidst articles on the Etosha National Park, the Skeleton Coast and, of course, the Namib desert.

Zanzibar seaweed farming

Seaweed farming is big business in Zanzibar. Actually, it’s huge business, with Zanzibar exporting up to 12,000 tons of seaweed a year, contributing over $5 million to the local economy. But in a structured and, in many ways, strict, Muslim society, it is the only chance for women to be independent.

The brick factories of Bangladesh

Coming from a distance all you can see is a forest of smokestacks, all identical, all belching exactly the same smoke in an almost cartoon-like fashion. In many ways, this looks like a child’s idea of what a “factory” should look like but - minus the smog. The reality of the brick factories is more real than everything most of us, have seen in our lifetimes.

Incense-making in Vietnam

We’ve all seen them and smelled them - from yoga parlours to out-of-the-way parties and, regardless of whether you like them or not, there’s no doubting both the significance they play in buddhist and hindu ceremonies and how important they are for billions of people.

Tsukiji fish market and tuna auction

Once branded as the most important seafood auction in the world, the morning tuna auction at Tsukiji market at the Tokyo docks was, until recently, absolutely amazing - a true cultural wonder. This short story attempts to capture some of that glory which is now gone.

The stilt fishermen of Sri Lanka

It is very difficult to explain just what an amazing tradition stilt fishing in Sri Lanka is. To be honest, I cannot think that any amount of scepticism can ever truly detract from the reality of it all for those few stalwarts remaining faithful fishermen and traders.

The Birthplace of Voodoo

It's extremely rare for a foreigner to be allowed access to some of the most mystical and forbidden aspects of voodoo. After more than 6 months of negotiations, I was blessed to be permitted to document some of them and share them with the world.

Tribes of the Ivory Coast

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