Vicariously Owen

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Worldwide | Saturday, November 5, 2011 | 5 photos

I am a passionate adventure traveler. I daydream of adventures, photographing around the earth. If my world wasn't limited by my economic condition I would be one of the worlds greatest explorer photographers.
I have had an interesting life that has only fueled my passion. Born and raised in the heart of the Easter Highlands Province in Papua New Guinea I quickly discovered my thirst for adventure. I climbed Mt. Wilhelm and trekked deep into the jungle looking for WWII wrecks. My passion for adventure quickly engulfed my life.
My father was a photographer for a mission school and following his talents I slipped into the world of photography and clambered around to teach myself the art. Time passed and I earned a college degree in Adventure Sports Programming and Planning Management and continue to seek a Recreation degree. The yearn to be a travel photographer still exists withing and I use any opportunity I get to travel and take pictures to tell the story of my travels. I had the opportunity to take a trip back to Papua New Guinea and I dove right into it. An hours flight from civilization by bush plane and two days hike through the mountainous jungle of New Guinea is far enough to be immersed in a whole new world, a world of clouds and remote experiences. A village of smoke sits nestled just below the ridge of the mountain, and here is where I found myself, barefoot, camera in hand, and a few weeks to explore. The photos I have selected are a few of my favorite from the trip that depict the people and their way of life. Smoke is a huge part of their lives. They smoke their own 'grass'. Families cooking are easy to spot as there is a cloud of smoke hovering over their huts. Experience the village of smoke vicariously through my camera.
~Owen Palmer