Ijen
trials and tribulations
Series of images shot in Ijen, Indonesia on the miners and their lives and livelihood that can easily be one of the toughest jobs on the planet. Located on the western Gunung Merapi (meaning mountain of fire) volcanic range, Ijen is the hub of sulfur mining
Rows of tourists flock towards the beginning of the crater early in the morning with their headlamps and flashlights.
Ijen is famous for its blue flames that emits out of cracks and crevices. Only visible during dark hours, these blue flames are sulfuric gas on fire.
One of the miner walks down the crater to ferry the loads of sulfur that is being mined.
Cuban Reception Crisis
Like any other traveller trying to connect with the rest of the world, i got in line for about 30 minutes at the government office that issues $1 internet scratch cards that lasts for 1 hour each. I couldn't talk to my wife that day because i started to shoot people completely mesmerised and attached to their phones. How can you not document this modern day phenomenon.
I call this series 'Cuban Reception Crisis'.
Right at the centre of the Vinales town is this small beautiful church. The hub for everyone to come and connect their devices.
The town square really is a place to be when you are in Vinales. There is music at the background, smell of liquor and cigars, the atmosphere is alive. Except most of the time people don't talk to each other. It's like being back home, the only difference is we don't have to make much of an effort for mobile internet.
$ 1 internet cards are issued at government offices around Cuba. You need to have a passport to get it.
Aviv's Birth
Hands down one the most challenging projects i have worked on. To document the birth of my son. I was called off from a work trip to attend to my wife and hospitalise her due an unforeseen complication. Aviv had to be delivered 1.5 months before his planned arrival. This series is an account of a husband, soon to be father and a photographer.
Yogita had an itchy palm, her quick research on the internet indicated a bigger problem. Her pregnancy was challenging from the beginning. I was at work in Nepal and had to quickly fly back to hospitalise her on doctor's direction.
We found out that the fluid inside her womb was quickly drying and she needed to have the baby delivered, 45 days before the due date. She was kept overnight at the hospital and operation was scheduled for the next day.
The thoughts that go through your head (and heart) cannot be put into words. I struggled to be a husband, a soon to be father and a photographer at the same time. The emotions that ran through was overwhelming.