A series of environmental working portraits shot on commission at a variety of locations around India, in January 2018.
Fishermen, Chennai
Pilgrim, Mahabalipuram
Stonecarver, Pattipulam
Fishermen, Adyar River, Chennai
Auto Rickshaw Driver, Chennai
Fishermen, Chennai Strand
Onion Seller, Chennai
Fishermen, Chennai Strand
Cathedral Cleaner, Santhome Cathedral, Mylapore
Sleeping Coolie, Chennai
Line Fishermen, Chennai Strand
Herb Seller, Kolkata
Fishermen, Chennai Strand
Garlic Seller, Ootacamund
Daydreaming Pilgrim, Chennai Central Train Station
Coolie, Kolkata
Houseworking Mother with Children, Chennai
Garlic Seller, Coonoor.
Lamb Butcher, Coonoor
Beef Butchers, Coonoor
Concierge, Ootacamund
Grocer, Coonoor
Beef Butchers, Coonoor
Anglican Priest, St Stephen’s Church, Ootacamund
Grocer, Coonoor
Tea Picker, Coonoor
Banana seller, Coonoor
Motocycle Courier, Coonoor
Garlic seller, Ootacamund
Tea Packer, Coonoor
Hotel Manager, Coonoor
Tea Wallah, Ooty
Tea Picker, Coonoor
Tea Factory Supervisor, Coonoor
Tea Sorter, Coonoor
Tea Factory Machine Operative, Coonoor
Chicken Butcher, Kolkata
Tea Packer, Coonoor.
Treefall Eucalyptus Leaf Gatherer, Coonoor
Eucalyptus Leaf Harvester, Coonoor
Eucalyptus Leaf Harvester, Coonoor
Eucalyptus Essential Oil Distiller, Coonoor
Tea Picker, Coonoor
Schoolchild, Coonoor
Charcoal Burner, Coonoor
Pre-school child, Coonoor
Charcoal Burner, Coonoor
Betel Leaf Seller, Kolkata
Fishmonger, Coonoor
Firewood merchant, Coonoor
Driver, Ooty.
Tailor, Coonoor
Rice sorter, Kolkata
Garland Maker, Kolkata
Fishermen, Chennai Strand (shot on Leica M6 & film)
Scarf Weaver, Darjeeling
Garland Maker, Kolkata
Corn Seller (shot on Leica M6 & film), Chennai Strand
Buddhist Monk, Darjeeling
Florist, Kolkata
Reed Merchant, Kolkata
Florist, Kolkata
Dried Fish Seller, Coonoor
Flower Merchants, Kolkata
Charcoal Burner, (shot on Leica M6 & film), Conoor.
Spice Paste Grinder, Kolkata
Soup Seller and Family, Kolkata
Jewellers, Kolkata (shot on Leica M6 & film)
Bathing Pilgirm, Hooghly River, Kolkata
Bike Mechanic, Kolkata
Sculpture Salesman, Kolkata
Guide, Kolkata
Fishmonger, Kolkata
Chai Tea Seller, Kolkata
Nature Reserve Guide, Himalayan Foothills (Kanchenjunga in background)
Worker on a break, Kolkata
Sculptor, Kolkata
Clothes Merchant, Kolkata
Religious Decoration Painter, Kolkata
Sculptor, Kolkata
Sculpture craftsman, Kolkata
Tobacco Cutter, Kolkata
Sculpture Painter, Kolkata
Wool Spinner, Darjeeling
Sculpture Painter, Kolkata
Baker, Kolkata (shot on Leica M6 & film)
Sculpture Painter, Kolkata
Spice Merchant (shot on Leica M6 & film), Coonoor
Cemetery Warden, South Park Street Cemetery, Kolkata
Sculpture Designer, Kolkata
Sculptor, Kolkata
Temple Decorator, Kolkata
Sculptor, Kolkata
Temple Guardian and descendant of Naba, Kolkata
Banana Wallah, Chennai (shot on Leica M6 & film)
Carpenter, Darjeeling
Barber, Kolkata
Soldier, Kolkata
Builders, Kolkata
Egg sellers, Coonoor (shot on Leica M6 & film)
Card players, Kolkata
Scaffolder, Kolkata
Hindu Temple Guardian, North Kolkata
Ironing Wallah, Kolkata
Hindu Priest, Kolkata
Steam Train Engineer, Himalayan Mountain Railway, Ghum.
Rug Maker, Darjeeling
Carpenters, Darjeeling
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.
