Gallery

Myanmar, October 2014
Discovering an old monastery on the way to Inle Lake. I saw the golden sheen of the walls with blue pieces of glass used as a decoration. The light was beautiful and there was this young monk with a sorry face. I guess Monday arrived earlier than expected.

Antarctica, December 2008
We stopped on the island of Sough Georgia on the way to Antartica. The island is known for its sad whaling history and from adventures of Shekhelton who is also buried there. Apart of incredible history, the island is also known for its large King Penguin colonies. Kings are smaller than Emperas but way more colourful and way easier accessible. The rule for us was to keep 5-meter distance from all wildlife… however, penguins had missed this memo and  found us fascinating enough to come for upclose and personal inspection.

Antarctica, December 2008
This picture was taken Falkland islands. King penguins are not meant to be there but perhaps this couple looked for more privacy away from the crowded South Georgia. I sat quietly witnessing their love dance with a hint of jealousy.

Himalayas, February 2011
Nepali Himalayas, on the way to Everest Base Camp. This yak herders camp is at approximately 4200 above sea level and unoccupied during the winter month. Ignorantly i purposely chose to hike up there during a winter month as i wanted to not have any people around. It was the first serious hike of my life and it was certainly a case of jumping in the deep end. My body isn't very good at altitudes and every step for me was a torture at these altitudes. This picture represents for me the hardship i put myself through, i look at it with a hint of satisfaction, pride and more confidence… i made it :)

Caucasus Mountains, Georgia, August 2014.
Another tough hike. The moment we started moving, sky opened above us. for 48 hours we had rain pouring on us in just above freezing temperatures. Everything we had on us was wet including sleeping bags and tents. The fist night camping, I got lost in the fog. It was incredibly tough hike but once the sky cleared up, part of me was disappointed to lose these moody skies …

Antarctica, December 2008.
Discovering an enormous iceberg in antarctic waters is always a thrill. This is the place to see the true forces of nature, place where you feel your size and place in this universe… and in the big picture this is probably something like we see a grain of sand. Antarctica was a life changing experience for me and I do hope that this place remains as is… remote… clean… untouched

Bangladesh, February 2016.
Young boy in his thought in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, February 2016.
I love places, animals, nature, physical challenge. But more than anything i like meeting people. This Bangladeshi man was curious about me and rather happily allowed me to take few snaps of him.

Bangladesh, February 2016.
Meet the princess of her village, people told us that she is the most beautiful of young girls. the confidence in her eyes tells that she knew that.

Bangladesh, February 2016.
Somewhere in the countryside of Bangladesh. Quite typical in this region is for women to smoke either pipe or a cigar.

Myanmar, October 2014.
Chin region of Myanmar, at the border of Bangladesh, is known for ladies with tattooed faces. Legend said that this tradition started to protect women from being stolen. at the age of 13, the tattoo was applied with the prickle of a local tree and a hammer. As this process was painful, most girls didn't allow tattoo on their neck, only the toughest have the complete pattern on them. This tradition was outlawed in 1950es. However, as the region is so remote, the message took another 30 odd years to reach. Some ladies in their 30s still have tattooed face. This tradition will die with this generation... Should we be grateful to see young girls not having to suffer or should we morn the loss of tradition?

Ethiopia, October 2015.
Simien Mountains in Northern Ethiopia is possibly my favourite hike of all times. The beauty of this place can not be described. It is however incredibly tough environment and the few people that live in this region, don't have an easy life. This young man was there with his horse to assist us with our luggage.

Ethiopia, October 2015.
We met some kids during the hike. Their clothes were improvised and they cleary had aged more in very early in their life. But just look at this innocence and beauty this boy carries in his eyes.

Bhutan, October 2012.
Bhutan, the last Shangri-La, the land of happiness. I hiked the happiness for 10 days to find out where it really comes from. I returned a different person. The land of Dragon and Thunder carries happiness in its soul.

India, November 2015.
Varanasi, India. I walked the busy streets of Varanasi, there were people everywhere, dirt and cows. But what hit me most was the noise, there was no escaping from it and I felt it driving me into a state of madness, I was craving for a moment of silence. Then I noticed this lady in her beautiful sari sitting perfectly still with this blue wall at the back of her. There was something very sad in her face as she stared into emptiness. I stopped and the world went silent around me… there was just her… and me… and my camera that i slightly lifted as if to ask her permission to record this moment. She blinked her eyes that I chose to read as a permission to shoot. I took few pictures and went up to her to share what I had recorded. I wanted her to see how beautiful she was. She looked at the picture and I saw her lip curving by just 2 millimetres, she gave me a glance and there was a hint of hope and pride sparking in her eye. We shared a moment that stuck with me and I like to think I made a difference to her this day.

India, November 2015.
Varanasi, India. This lady lived across the river Ganges from the madness of Varanasi, much quieter place. This was my first visit to India. The depth I saw in people there… the purity of their hearts really hit me, i fell in love with this place and its people.

Iran, April 2015.
Persepolis, Iran. I was warned not to go there… something about troubles in this country and it is not being safe. I found myself sad that I had to leave so soon. One lady came to me in Persepolis and asked in rather broken English if I liked her civilization. I replied that it is all rather amazing. She the proceeded to ask if I believed that they were not terrorists and if i would go back home and tell that to everyone. When i nodded in acceptance she politely thanked me and walked off. Iranians are known for their hospitality and they go our their way to make you feel welcome, i do hope to be back there soon.

Japan, March 2015.
Tokyo. Shinto wedding. Bride is dressed up in a white kimono, a wig and a hat that is meant to cover her horns. I think she has done a good job with that

Mozambique, August 2011.
IBO island in Mozambique used to be a capital of the region. It was a flourishing city, governed by Portuguese until in 1974 they were given 24 hours to leave the place. Walking the streets of IBO, you can still see the former glory in collapsed houses with trees growing on top of them. It all has the quality of a movie set. The average age of the Islanders is 14 years, and life expectancy is 47 years. Most local families live in their traditional mud huts, but few have moved to houses. As I walked the streets, I noticed this little girl crying at the door; a second later door was shut again… One lucky shot to grab this sad moment of this girl's life.

Vietnam, December 2014.
I often watch people as they deeply concentrate in what they are doing, completely unaware of the reality around them. These moments are as real as the life gets.

Vietnam, December 2014.
It was a stormy day in Hoi An. It was raining non stop but as I couldn’t do anything about it, these were the cards given to me… I went on exploring. This lady was selling whistles to few crazy tourists walking around in this storm. I didn’t buy one and she wasn’t impressed with me taking a picture of her.

Sri Lanka, August 2015.
I went to the Beach in Galle to see sunset. I noticed this girl full off life and happiness. I asked a permission to photograph and she turned into a model, so happy to receive my attention. I was happy too… It was a beautiful moment with a perfect stranger.

Sri Lanka, August 2015.
As I wondered in Galle, I noticed few boys following me with their eyes through a bus window that had parked on the roadside. I lifted my camera that got the excitement level high. Not before long I felt crowds gathering behind me, the whole bus full of people was exited to come and witness me taking photos. Of course, the group shots then followed.

Ulgii, Mongolia, October 2015.
I stayed with a family in most picturesque spot in a valley where a river flew. There were two Gers in this valley – grandparents had the bigger and more luxury one and the son with his family lived in another. Little girl was in sync with this environment, following her mother for daily chores. She wasn’t very sure about me but we made friends at the end.

Ulgii, Mongolia, October 2015.
This is the grandfather. He is well-respected eagle hunter that also travels abroad to compete on international level. The bond he had with his eagle was unmistakable. I watched him feed the bird, once done she almost snuggled up to him to get some attention. It is rare to witness something like that.

Ulgii, Mongolia, October 2015.
Portrait of a grandmother.

Mongolia, October 2015.
Another family we stayed with, another great hunter.

Mongolia, October 2015.
Life in Mongolia follows the same principles as everywhere else. When it got dark, the grandmother came out to take the child to bed. I managed to get a couple of shots.

Mongolia, October 2015.
A man in his house. There is something very calm and reassuring about the people of Mongolia. When they smile, they smile with their hearts and eyes and every other cell of their bodies.

Mongolia, October 2015.
Ulgii Eagle Festival. Out of nowhere this man appeared and asked me in a mix of languages if I would permit him to sing for me. I happily obliged at this almost romantic gesture. He was very sweet.

Mongolia, October 2015.
Mongolian horses are not as majestic and proud as what I am used to see. However, they are strong and beautiful and play very important role.

Mongolia, October 2015.
Mongolian faces.

Mongolia, October 2015.
Mongolian faces.

Mongolia, October 2015.
Milking yaks is a job of a lady. Yaks are their livelihood, so the animals are highly prized.

Mongolia, October 2015.
Milk gets filtered through old scarf to get any debris out of the precious liquid.

Mongolia, October 2015.
This young boy was eager to have me photograph him, following me around and pulling my sleeve impatiently. However, when I turned the camera he would stand up cramped into a tin soldier with his arms clued to his sides and shoulders lifted. Nearby I saw a young goat… so, I asked him to pick it up for a picture… everybody happy with the outcome.

Mongolia, October 2016.
Windy day in the steppe.

India, November 2015.
Varanasi, India. So many characters… I wonder about the life of these people.