A series of environmental working portraits shot on commission at a variety of locations around India, in January 2018.
Wool Spinner, Darjeeling
Tea Picker, Coonoor
Onion Seller, Chennai
Builders, Kolkata
Hindu Priest, Kolkata
Scarf Weaver, Darjeeling
Buddhist Monk, Darjeeling
Temple Decorator, Kolkata
Garlic Seller, Ootacamund
Daydreaming Pilgrim, Chennai Central Train Station
Fishermen, Chennai Strand
Tea Packer, Coonoor
Line Fishermen, Chennai Strand
Chai Tea Seller, Kolkata
Bathing Pilgirm, Hooghly River, Kolkata
Jewellers, Kolkata (shot on Leica M6 & film)
Sleeping Coolie, Chennai
Beef Butchers, Coonoor
Chicken Butcher, Kolkata
Guide, Kolkata
Beef Butchers, Coonoor
Sculpture Painter, Kolkata
Concierge, Ootacamund
Steam Train Engineer, Himalayan Mountain Railway, Ghum.
Fishermen, Chennai
Tea Packer, Coonoor.
Sculpture Salesman, Kolkata
Pilgrim, Mahabalipuram
Fishermen, Chennai Strand
Houseworking Mother with Children, Chennai
Tea Picker, Coonoor
Charcoal Burner, Coonoor
Temple Guardian and descendant of Naba, Kolkata
Sculptor, Kolkata
Coolie, Kolkata
Barber, Kolkata
Cemetery Warden, South Park Street Cemetery, Kolkata
Cathedral Cleaner, Santhome Cathedral, Mylapore
Fishermen, Adyar River, Chennai
Treefall Eucalyptus Leaf Gatherer, Coonoor
Eucalyptus Leaf Harvester, Coonoor
Eucalyptus Leaf Harvester, Coonoor
Eucalyptus Essential Oil Distiller, Coonoor
Soldier, Kolkata
Tobacco Cutter, Kolkata
Soup Seller and Family, Kolkata
Tea Factory Supervisor, Coonoor
Fishmonger, Coonoor
Reed Merchant, Kolkata
Florist, Kolkata
Fishmonger, Kolkata
Tea Picker, Coonoor
Tea Sorter, Coonoor
Firewood merchant, Coonoor
Herb Seller, Kolkata
Fishermen, Chennai Strand
Garlic Seller, Coonoor.
Grocer, Coonoor
Spice Merchant (shot on Leica M6 & film), Coonoor
Clothes Merchant, Kolkata
Anglican Priest, St Stephen’s Church, Ootacamund
Sculpture Painter, Kolkata
Grocer, Coonoor
Stonecarver, Pattipulam
Charcoal Burner, (shot on Leica M6 & film), Conoor.
Corn Seller (shot on Leica M6 & film), Chennai Strand
Banana seller, Coonoor
Garlic seller, Ootacamund
Hotel Manager, Coonoor
Rug Maker, Darjeeling
Tea Wallah, Ooty
Tea Factory Machine Operative, Coonoor
Schoolchild, Coonoor
Lamb Butcher, Coonoor
Pre-school child, Coonoor
Charcoal Burner, Coonoor
Fishermen, Chennai Strand (shot on Leica M6 & film)
Carpenters, Darjeeling
Egg sellers, Coonoor (shot on Leica M6 & film)
Betel Leaf Seller, Kolkata
Motocycle Courier, Coonoor
Driver, Ooty.
Tailor, Coonoor
Auto Rickshaw Driver, Chennai
Rice sorter, Kolkata
Garland Maker, Kolkata
Garland Maker, Kolkata
Florist, Kolkata
Dried Fish Seller, Coonoor
Flower Merchants, Kolkata
Spice Paste Grinder, Kolkata
Bike Mechanic, Kolkata
Nature Reserve Guide, Himalayan Foothills (Kanchenjunga in background)
Worker on a break, Kolkata
Sculptor, Kolkata
Religious Decoration Painter, Kolkata
Sculpture craftsman, Kolkata
Sculpture Painter, Kolkata
Baker, Kolkata (shot on Leica M6 & film)
Sculpture Designer, Kolkata
Sculptor, Kolkata
Sculptor, Kolkata
Banana Wallah, Chennai (shot on Leica M6 & film)
Carpenter, Darjeeling
Card players, Kolkata
Scaffolder, Kolkata
Hindu Temple Guardian, North Kolkata
Ironing Wallah, Kolkata
Steam Train Engineer, Himalayan Mountain Railway, Ghum.
Rug Trimmer, Darjeeling.
Mounted Police, Chennai Strand (shot on Leica M6 & film)
Wool Spinner, Darjeeling
Market Stall Holders, Fruit & Veg Market, Ooty.
Pipe Seller, Kolkata (shot on Leica M6 & film)
A series of environmental working portraits shot on commission at a variety of locations around India, in January 2018.
After a few days in India, I was finding it difficult to shoot candid portraits without being noticed – and thus taking lots of photos of people smiling and giving victory signs. Nice in the moment, perhaps, but not adding up to much.
So, I decided to give myself a brief: take a series of portraits focused on people at work, aiming to reveal something about their profession, but also about the environments in which they work. Consequently, if I wasn’t spotted, I was able to shoot candid portraits, but if I was – and I most often was! – I could use the universal sign language for ‘please carry on with what you’re doing, or show me your work.’
Thus, grinning, to-camera shots became a more formal portraits, and helped marry with candid images, to give the project an internal cohesion.
One of the most striking aspects of India for me on this first ever visit, was the fervour and intensity of working life. Everywhere you go, everyone is working, all the time, at something.
While we were visiting, a programme to launch 75 satellites in 5 years was announced, alongside reports of the planned construction of the second largest supercomputer in the world, and though I didn’t get shoot in to a high tech lab – at least not on this trip – it seemed like the drive and ambition of the country at an international level, is matched by the industriousness of its citizens across regions, classes and professions.
I’d love to go back and carry on documenting workers of all sorts, but for now, I hope this set reflects something of the dignity, humour, determination and character of the working people we met on this trip.
