Farmers in Zhuji, China start work before sunrise and continue to work till sunset. I was invited home by this elderly farmer to meet her family and join her for a cup of tea after the day’s work was done.
This floating lamp seller is over 90 years old, and has been selling lamps since she was a child on the banks of the river Thu Bồn in Vietnam. Today, competition from younger sellers is threatening her very livelihood. In order to achieve this mood and feel, I took this photograph from afar, with her face lit by the lamps she was selling.
When she is not swapping caps, Zi is a researcher and activist working on gender and human rights.
Every able male from this village fought against the Japanese in the Second Sino-Japanese war. Seated together in the courtyard of their ancestral home in Zhuji, these 5 brothers are the last survivors of their family lineage. Their ancestors as well as their descendants have all passed away.
I visited an ancient and traditional rice wine manufacturer in a small village in Zhuji. The wine here has been made in aged clay vats, as new vats don’t produce the same quality of wine. Thanks to this custodian, vats that are centuries old are carefully cared for, mended and protected. The clay dust seen here in the light rays settles in this room and is collected and reused to mend micro cracks that appear in the vats.
I regularly use this photo in my workshops to explain the four-point lighting system, as well as the controlled placement of shadows.
Here, Smriti and the background are lit with clean-beam Dedolights with precision aspherical optics.
Visit Smriti’s website.
Visit the Dedolight website.
This podi hamaduru (apprentice monk) assisted the film crew of the documentary that I was shooting at Lovamahapaya. All that remains at this cultural site are the 1600 stone pillars.
Opened in 1903, the 2.4km-long bridge was at the time the longest in Asia and one of the most impressive of its kind.
Visit the Long Biên bridge on Google Maps.
Visit Smriti’s website.
I use this image in my photography workshops to describe how a single light placed close to the face, can make a significant difference in portraiture photography.
Dayani is a teacher and a dancer, and has helped me on many photo and video projects.
This picture backlit by streetlights was taken on the cobblestone streets of old Alfama in Lisbon at night.
The formation of the Sri Lankan rock band Cancer is credited to this legendary songwriter and musician. I took this picture of Prasanna at the Ratwatte bungalow in Balangoda.
Listen to Cancer - Case History on SoundCloud.
Hotels, dressmakers, jewelers, makeup artists, and wedding planners came together on a documentary that I shot to promote Sri Lanka as a wedding destination.
This model was photographed at the Galle Face hotel during the video shoot.
Visit the Galle Face Hotel website.
This bizarre rock is found at Shark Point along the coastal walk to Bondi Beach. My friend Charu Menon is looking out over the Pacific Ocean.
Cecil is a fellow photographer and friend. We traveled together on the Zhuji expedition.
Checkout Cecil’s photos on Flickr.
Red-oxide floors are a common feature in houses built between 1940 and 1970 in Sri Lanka. I photographed this pair of friends doing the twist on this distinctive floor at a post-wedding celebration in Colombo.
This third-generation bespoke jewellery maker has been creating unique designs of jewellery by utilising the highest standards of craftsmanship.
This Chinese teen in traditional festive garments is waiting at the entrance to the Bifeng Study - a family school adjoining the Thousand Pillar House (Qianzhuwu) in Zhuji. The house as well as the school were built in 1798
ActNow Theatre is a South Australian theatre company who tailor socially conscious performance projects. They work with professional artists to engage diverse communities in conversations around challenging and contemporary issues. Their projects have been critically acclaimed, commended in South Australian Parliament, and highly praised by audiences, participants and community organisations.
Developed in partnership with Reconciliation SA, Like Me, Like You is an interactive performance introducing children in years 1-4 to the idea of diversity.
Visit Like Me, Like You Web page
Visit ActNow Theatre Website
Bella Vita presents itself as a smart-fashion label. By constantly creating new designs at affordable prices, and making them accessible to the masses through their city outlet, Bella Vita keeps their customers trendy and fashionable.
This anonymous blogger wanted her picture taken. When published, she wanted to be recognized only by the people who know her well.
Fashion apparel made from the traditional Sri Lankan village textile 'Cheetha' is now part of international catwalks.
DENETH, known as the Flower Power Designer is the brainchild behind these designs that adorn the ramps of Paris, Milan, Madrid, California, New Delhi & Colombo.
Visit the DENETH brand page on Facebook
