Lachlan Gardiner

My photo scholarship 2010 entry

Cambodia | Monday, August 23, 2010 | flickr photos

The photo series I have chosen to submit was taken on a trip to Cambodia in January of this year. Myself and 24 other photojournalism students traveled to Cambodia for two weeks to work with NGO’s. Currently I am in my second year of a Bachelor of Photography at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia.

The first three images were taken during my time with The Trailblazer Foundation that operates out of Siem Reap. The Trailblazer Foundation primarily works to provide fresh water to rural villages. I spent two days helping deliver water filters to several villages and a primary school. The final two images are shot when I went out with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). JRS provides assistance, wheelchairs and prosthetics to landmine victims, primarily in poor and rural areas.

I feel I had a different experience of Cambodia to most travelers and hopefully my images tell that story. The principal direction I hope to take my photography is working in poor and developing countries. Aside from documentary, I love travel, street, landscape and nature photography. I feel being a great photographer is a something that takes a lifetime to achieve, a journey I am only just beginning.

Having mentors and teachers is important to me, the gift of passed down knowledge and experience is invaluable. I would really love the opportunity to travel to Bhutan to work with, and learn from, someone as experienced as Jason. I believe photography is a powerful medium for education and can influence social change. One day I hope to play my part in creating images that make people stand up and take notice.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my entry.

Kind regards,
Lachlan Gardiner.