Survival

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Worldwide | Friday, October 15, 2010 | flickr photos

Nestled in amongst soaring Andes peaks and lush tropical jungle, Bolivia is a country teeming with tales of contrast - from high and low, rich and poor to hot and cold. The ultimate contrast however is played out daily on the raw and exquisite beauty of the Bolivian Altiplano. The saga of life and death.

This high plateau showcases some of the most arid landscapes in the world and I wanted my pictures to demonstrate these themes of life and death. Mankind's epic struggle with nature in the most in hospitable places.

I initially wanted to set the scene to show the birth of a new day, to showcase this areas rich beauty which contrasts completely with the poor living eked out by its inhabitants. The next pictures tell of life, a new birth followed by the difficult journey's that take place daily on this unforgiving landscape. Despite the daily battle that ensues the final photo focuses on death and its untimely yet unavoidable arrival.

Photography has long been utilised to exhibit raw, graphic images to a wider audience to inform, entertain and educate. It is this that I am passionate about creating through my own pictures. To provoke emotion - be that fear, love or wonder - is my ultimate goal and I believe this scholarship can aid me in doing this.

I have a thirst for tutelage on photography to build on my self-taught knowledge. My travel experience is varied with extensive trips to North America, South America, Asia and Oceania. I have an obsession with new experiences and cultures and (I believe) a responsibility to inform others of them.

People fear what they do not know and cannot see and so I hope, through my photos I can break down these barriers and create a lasting legacy for the scholarship.