People: Portrait (PROFESSIONAL) - HONORABLE MENTION
Max, 26 Republic of Congo (from the series COLD WAR)
Photo © Justin Barton
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Since the 1960’s, Russia has taken recruits from countries in Africa including Angola, Congo and Mozambique to train them to fly helicopters. Now, despite ties with western nations and the war in Syria, Saudi Arabians and South Africans are joining them. As the vast majority of Russians are Slavs, they stand out from the general population as dramatically as they do the landscape.
Transplanted to icy plains from the merciless heat of their homelands, most arrive without speaking a word of a taxing language and have to endure rigorous physical and mental challenges. For a few, the opportunities appear more attractive than at home, but many are not volunteers and the Russian environment is renowned as tough, isolated and at times hostile.
My influences include Simon Norfolk, Edmund Clarke, Charlie Crane, Roger Fenton and other large format film documentary photographers.
In 2016 I won gold in the Portrait Section of the Tokyo International Foto Awards and Silver in the Political Section and was shortlisted for the Kolga award. In 2015 I won my third International Photography Award (IPA) in 5 years and was shortlisted for the KLPA Portrait award.
In 2013 I won the Lucie Foundation Emerging Photographer Scholarship and the Still life section at the International Color Awards.
My work has been exhibited at the Singapore, Copenhagen, Belfast, Kolga and Organ Vida photo festivals.
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Since the 1960’s, Russia has taken recruits from countries in Africa including Angola, Congo and Mozambique to train them to fly helicopters. Now, despite ties with western nations and the war in Syria, Saudi Arabians and South Africans are joining them. As the vast majority of Russians are Slavs, they stand out from the general population as dramatically as they do the landscape.
Transplanted to icy plains from the merciless heat of their homelands, most arrive without speaking a word of a taxing language and have to endure rigorous physical and mental challenges. For a few, the opportunities appear more attractive than at home, but many are not volunteers and the Russian environment is renowned as tough, isolated and at times hostile.
About author:
My work focuses primarily on identity and heritage. Seeking a deeper understanding of history I examine objects and people in detail and use the reflection of today to glean unusual perspectives on the past. I use both still life and portrait genres for personal documentary work.My influences include Simon Norfolk, Edmund Clarke, Charlie Crane, Roger Fenton and other large format film documentary photographers.
In 2016 I won gold in the Portrait Section of the Tokyo International Foto Awards and Silver in the Political Section and was shortlisted for the Kolga award. In 2015 I won my third International Photography Award (IPA) in 5 years and was shortlisted for the KLPA Portrait award.
In 2013 I won the Lucie Foundation Emerging Photographer Scholarship and the Still life section at the International Color Awards.
My work has been exhibited at the Singapore, Copenhagen, Belfast, Kolga and Organ Vida photo festivals.
BACK TO GALLERY
