Issue1 TasteBound compressed - Flipbook - Page 14
IN FOCUS
To reach Chukchi, in
north-eastern Siberia,
you fly eight hours east
from Moscow — to the nearest
landmass in Alaska. Here, two
nomadic brigades of around
30 people each herd thousands
of reindeer across a territory the
size of France. It’s one of the
most remote places on earth.
This portrait of a mother and
daughter was taken inside their
Yaranga [traditional tent],
at –40°C and with little light.
I carefully staged the set-up
using a torch and reflectors.
Once ready, I called out and
someone opened the tent door
just long enough to let in a sliver
of daylight. That willingness to
let warmth escape, even briefly,
speaks to the generosity and
shared focus in that moment.
‘Someone opened
the tent door, just
long enough to let in
a sliver of daylight’
This image was shot
on a handheld analogue
camera in Oman. It’s a
reportage shot – a bridge in the
narrative. These women serve
in the military, but here, they’re
dressed in traditional clothing,
not uniform. I was invited to
meet them – a rare privilege. In
many parts of the Middle East
it’s uncommon to see women in
public, let alone photograph
them, especially as a Western
man. But occasionally, doors
open. Not to break rules, but
rather to share culture, beauty
and pride – and to challenge
narrow perceptions.
This image was taken
in Chad among the
Wodaabe, a nomadic
subgroup of the Fulani people.
Their traditions reveal a striking
androgyny. Once a year, during
a beauty pageant, women are
free to choose a new partner
– for one night only – and the
men compete for their
attention. They spend months
preparing: whitening their eyes,
polishing their teeth and
perfecting their dances. I have
deep empathy for the aesthetic
of men in touch with their
femininity. The irony is that
these are some of the bravest,
most resilient warriors you’ll
ever meet — yet they’re
unafraid to connect with
something beautiful.
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TA S T E B O U N D
