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

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

Guide, Kolkata

Beef Butchers, Coonoor

Sculpture Painter, Kolkata

Concierge, Ootacamund

Steam Train Engineer, Himalayan Mountain Railway, Ghum.

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

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

Worker on a break, Kolkata

Religious Decoration Painter, 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.

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.