West Success - Into The Nari

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Worldwide | Friday, October 8, 2010 | flickr photos

This is a photo essay I shot when I visited a part of Osaka, Japan known as Nishinari which has a reputation as the poorest and most dangerous part of the country. Nishinari is widely controlled by the Yakuza and homelessness is rampant. It is unfortunate that these people live in such poverty in such a rich country. The meaning of Nishinari is "West Success" which is an irony that I am sure is not lost on its inhabitants. I took a week to photograph the living conditions of some of the people who call this part of Japan home.

Having lived and traveled in Asia I have been fascinated by its various cultures and peoples. Through my photography I seek to highlight the diversity of the human condition and the environment in which we live. While traveling I have developed my landscape, documentary and street photography as I not only celebrate the beauty of nature but the complexity of life within it.

I am a good candidate for the World Nomads Travel Photography Scholorship because I am passionate about photography and value the experience of learning about different cultures. I am confident that this once in a lifetime experience will help me grow as a photographer and as an individual.