shutter to think

Banda Aceh - A new veranda

On Dec. 26, 2004, water rushed into the city of Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Many thought the looming grey background was the overcast sky until the series of several large waves engulfed the city as high as four stories.

My photo essay on life in Banda Aceh post-tsunami was featured on NPR's the Picture Show recently:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2009/12/banda_aceh.html

and my work was also highlighted on photographer Ed Kashi's blog, who mentored me a few years ago and has seen my work develop. Ed's constant reminder to follow stories that I care about has resonated with me for many years, especially through the tough times when I was not progressing visually.  His incredible work on  photojournalism and storytelling on the effects of politics, whether through health care or natural resources can all be seen on his website and stories throughout National Geographic.

http://www.edkashi.com/blog/

The people of Banda Aceh never knew what a "normal" life was previous to the 2004 tsunami, which killed about 160,000 people in the Aceh Province of Indonesia. They lived with 30 years of war in a politically unstable region. With the help of hundreds of international aid organizations, the entire city and surrounding villages were rebuilt, leaving residents to continue on without them with the daily buzz of motorbikes and the call to prayer. And without political strife due to the signing of the 2005 Helsinki peace accords between the Indonesian military and the rebel army of the Free Aceh Movement.

 

 

 

unwinding with bollywood

A recent assignment for the SF Chronicle's fitness column led to bollywood dancing in a ballet studio on Black Friday, a day in which I survived the surge of people shopping at Best Buy when I was out of a battery. But Dr. Selina Shah was so patient yet had so much energy when she twirled and danced on the chilly studio floor. Here's a clip and an outtake, which is actually one of my favorite photos from this assignment.

 

praying for rain

At a buddhist temple near the waterfront of Phnom Penh, a monk leads a chant to encourage rain to come for agriculture in front of an alter of grains and fruit.

and then the rain came...

sausage links in phnom penh

food is everywhere in phnom penh and it smells so good. during the water festival the street venders were out, of course, selling food all night long to the millions that flocked to the capital for the largest celebration next to new years.

Expecting parents

It was such perfect timing to photograph an old high school classmate and her partner before I left for my se asia trip as she was due only weeks after. Through facebook, I found out the Jenny was expecting, so I quickly contacted her to see if she would be interested in some family portraits in exchange for a sign model release that i can use for my stock collection. She and her partner participate in Burning Man every year so I wanted to photograph them wearing something that reflect their bohemian lifestyle.