Varanasi Lounger, 2005. 10” x 14”. Digital print on archival paper. Amidst the chaos of the ghats in Varanasi, with roaming cattle competing for space with postcard-touting kids, this man sat perched on his altar, keeping watch over the organized chaos unfolding in front of him. He gave off an aura of royalty and power, reminiscent of Jabba the Hut and representative of the role that men often play in Indian society.

Observing a nearby literacy class being offered to village women, this lady was silent as her sisters tasted empowerment for the first time. February 2005.

Peeping Taj, 2005. 10” x 14”. Digital print on archival paper. The Taj Mahal was pure white in the noonday sun. Birds flanked the grand minarets at each corner of the complex and there was a constant flow of tourists, toting their children and their cameras, working up a sweat trying to capture the perfect shot. This child, with youthful innocence and curiosity, had broken free from the mass of humanity and took a quiet moment to see what lay ahead beyond the gate.

Ganges Laundry, 2005. 10” x 14”. Digital print on archival paper. For centuries, the Ganges River has served as a bathtub, a swimming pool, a garbage receptacle, a highway for floating pyres and a washing machine. After a good soak, wash and rinse in the murky waters, the steps leading further up the ghats serve as a cheap albeit dirty clothes dryer.

Father, Daughter, Tractor, 2005. 10” x 14”. Digital print on archival paper. No doubt the shiniest tractor in Mirzapur District outside of Varanasi, the red, black and chrome machine was a prized commodity for local farmers and a curiosity for their children. The father, stern and protective, kept one hand on his daughter and both eyes on me.

Village Student. Near Varanasi, India. February 2005.

Stepping Lightly in Bombay, 2005. 10”x14”. Digital print on archival paper. It wasn’t a war zone and there were no bombs. Despite being situated in a posh district of Mumbai, there was no remedy in sight for this torn and tattered road. In true Indian fashion, this passage would prove to be no obstacle to daily commerce and only a passing photographer seemed to notice its troubled state.

Kids Rock, 2005. 8” x 8”. Digital print on archival paper. The children ran up the hill on all fours and slid down on their backsides. Over and over, this giant slide was the best ride in the park. To spice things up, the boys would surround unwitting tourists and seek donations by listing off the top five treasures most imparted by foreigners: money, coins, pens, candy or the sunglasses off of their head.

Horns-a-plenty, 2005. 6” x 6”. Digital print on archival paper. Mutton Street in Mumbai. A veritable treasure trove of as many useful items as useless castoffs. There’s a saying that if you’ve ever had anything lost or stolen in Mumbai, chances are you’ll be able to find it here. Antiques, tools, TVs, stereos, and, for those motorists recklessly trolling the streets without the most ubiquitous of noisemakers, there are plenty of horns to be found.

Dignified Loss, 2005. 10” x 14”. Digital print on archival paper. The 21 families of Karan Street earned their livelihood as fish processors. The community lost every house and six of their brethren to the tsunami. Masilamani’s family had lived next to the water for three generations, even though they were not fishermen. The government wanted to move them further inland. While they believe it would be safer for the children, Masilamani insists that he was born near the water and is prepared to die near the water.

Bamboo Graffiti. Perfume Pagoda, Vietnam. December 31, 2004.

Roadside community. Ho Chi Minh Trail, Vietnam. January 10, 2004. This is a young community of local tribal groups relocated by the Vietnamese government to "watch over the road." Previously nomadic, this community now lives in one location and is headed by a Communist Party cadre. This man, who lives amongst the community on land given to him by the government, is responsible for educaton and working in collaboration with the tribal chief. There is no electricity here. Only batteries.

Mosque Corridor #1, 2005. 10” x 14”. Digital print on archival paper. The Imambara Mosque is rife with right angles, curved archways and more passageways than one could count. Hidden amongst the twists and turns, there is one true path to the open-air rooftop that overlooks the ancient city of Lucknow. Perhaps this is a metaphor for the one true path to spiritual enlightenment – if one can find the way...

Reconstruction, 2005. 10” x 14”. Digital print on archival paper. Post-tsunami, many who lost their homes had one of four options: reclaim an abandoned home that had at least 3 out of four walls remaining; accept a tent from a relief agency and pray that a home will be ready before monsoon season; move into the government-sponsored barracks, complete with corrugated steel walls, little or no privacy and stifling heat during the day; support the local economy and move into a home funded by NGOs and built using local resources, such as coir rope and bamboo.

Gatekeeper. Dong Ba Gate, Hue. January 4, 2004.

Blacksmith tools. Central highlands village, Vietnam. January 12, 2004.

Controlled burn. Dalat, Vietnam. January 14, 2004.

Concrete stump stairs. Hang Nga Guesthouse, Dalat. January 15, 2004.

Nhung River Bridge. Hue, Vietnam. January 4, 2004. I had spotted a photo of this bridge in a cafe in Hue. I didn't know where it would be in the city but I knew I had to find it. I also didn't know what it really looked like as the photo was only of the underbelly. On one of my evening wanders, I crossed over one of the other two bridges in the area. After a quick stroll through the market area, I spotted some kids playing soccer with a deflated ball. Just a few steps away from their game I found what I was looking for. I was so eager to take a photo of the underbelly that I still don't know what the top of the bridge looks like. 

Lijiang Rooftops, 2002. 10” x 14”. Digital print on archival paper. The old city of Lijiang is at the same time a maze of alleyways and cigarette stalls as it is a step back in time. The town offers endless opportunities to wander and explore, with traditional guesthouses providing food, shelter and the opportunity to use the neighbourhood latrine. Despite a full-time caretaker, who’s room is settled in between the boys on the left and the girls on the right, visits to the latrine required ample smatterings of tiger balm under each nostril.

Yangshuo Streetscape, 2002. 16” x 20”. Digital print on archival paper. In an informal polling of friends and acquaintances, Yangshuo was hands down the primary destination recommended for a visit to southern China. With its limestone peaks, cheap hostels and cheaper food, Yangshuo proved to be a gathering place for Chinese and foreign backpackers alike. The streets were lively and the flat roads and rice patties offered a beautiful backdrop to a day of biking and hiking.

Moon Hill, 2002. 10” x 14”. Digital print on archival paper. With temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius, the 300-meter climb up Moon Hill proved to be a challenge. Not so for the local villagers, though. During our hike to the top, with shirts off and water bottles in each hand, a number of local touts, bundled in sports blazers and long pants, were able to keep pace and offer countless unsolicited comments on how little water we had and how wonderful it would be if we joined them for dinner at their home. That is, if we didn’t perish on our way to the summit.

Ambergris Caye. Belize. December 2011.