Ever since happiness heard your name, it has been running through the streets trying to find you.
I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in the darkness, the astonishing light of your own being.
-Hafiz
Elephant /
Sean Watson 2015
On the outskirts of Jaipur is located the so called "Elephant Village". Here handlers live with their elephants, that give tourists rides to and from the Amber Fort. Forced along during the day by metal prongs, and confined to a small stone enclosure at night the animals live in far from ideal conditions. On the other hand they provide income, food and resources to the trainers and their families in an economy that is rapidly changing. How could the elephants conditions be improved? Could and should their handlers adapt if the animals were to be taken away? These are hard questions to answer. India is a country that has long been thought of as "exotic"or "mystical" by the West. During my short time there I saw a society of unimaginable diversity confronting issues and challenges of immense complexity that defied the generalizations that we can become too comfortable with. Despite all this standing in the presence of one of these creatures the subtle flap of their ears, or twitch of their trunk conveys a sense of humanity and personality, and an uncomfortable feeling creeps in at the prospect of their exploitation.
Keep an eye out for more of the photos from this trip, which I will be posting in the coming week.
Welcome! /
I am excited to start this website. I have been taking photos as a hobby for about seven years, and a few friends have always encouraged me to do something with the images that I have created. Well this is the first step. Through thick and thin, good times and bad I have always had my passion for photography and I'm hoping that some of the people reading this will share some excitement from my work. I am just an amateur at the moment, but I am working to grow my hobby into something more. Most of my pictures will just be uploaded into albums under the projects section, but I will put a few of the ones with a good story behind them here and explain them. Stay tuned, as I'll keep this page updated with new projects and photos!
The image above was taken at La Jolla Cove, I place I often like to walk around and shoot during sunset. I used a Contax 645 with Porta 400 loaded, and I love the vivid rendition of color and texture from the film.