Let Me Shoot You

Smith

2016-02-10T21:26:00.002-08:00

11 February 2016, Collingwood, Australia. A man begs for money on Smith St

Summer

2016-01-13T13:58:00.002-08:00

Recently while on assignment for Getty Images / The Age, I was sent to cover bushfires in the Lorne Anglesea area. On Christmas day, fires at Wye River and Separation Creek burnt out of control, subsequently devastating the local nearby hamlet towns. Over 100 properties were lost, and the tourist town of Lorne was placed under direct threat. Fortunately, however, the wind changed and the town suffered a near miss. There were no casualties.

25 December 2015, Lorne, Victoria, Australia. Fires rip through the Angahook - Lorne state forest, threatening the nearby towns of Lorne, Wye River, and Separation Creek.

25 December 2015, Lorne, Victoria, Australia. Tourists and locals escape the summer heat as bushfires threaten the seaside tourist town of Lorne.

25 December 2015, Lorne, Victoria, Australia. Firefighting aircraft dump flame retardant nearby the town of Lorne.

Summer

2015-12-20T15:47:00.004-08:00

As things get hot, people head to the beach to get cool.

People escape an early start to Melbourne's summer at Half Moon Bay, Black Rock. © Getty Images / Fairfax

Maha Navami

2015-10-23T00:35:00.002-07:00

One of the longest and most anticipated festivals in the Nepalese calendar, Dashain is a 15 day Hindu festival which celebrates the victory of good over evil. The ninth day of Dashain, called 'Maha Navami' is the pinnacle of the festival and is punctuated with the ritualistic sacrifice of buffalos, goats, and fowl. It is a time for Nepalese to gather with family, worship at temples, and feast.
Thousands of Nepalese flock to Taleju Temple in Durbar Square, Kathmandu to pay respect to the goddess. It is the only day each year in which the temple is open to the general public.

Goat blood mixed with rice and red pigment at a small temple in Freak St, Kathmandu

A goat is blessed before being sacrificed at the Durbar Square police buildings

Blood from a slain goat covers the floor of the Durbar Square Police Headquarters

Durbar Square Police Headquarters

A freshly sacrificed buffalo's body is ritualistically dragged around its head at the Durbar Square Police Headquarters

Durbar Square Police Headquarters

A buffalo calf's body is haphazardly attached to a bicycle. The freshly slaughtered animals are butchered and eaten. Note the man's t-shirt "Do fries come with the shake?"

The living goddess Kumari, a prepubescent girl, makes a rare public appearance in Durbar Square

A dog, seemingly unbothered by the days events, lies surrounded by hundreds of pigeons

A buffalo is butchered by a temple in Durbar square.

In the late afternoon, young children and adults take to the street to fight with kites. The string used to fly the kites is impregnated with glass, while the objective of the game is to sever the string of ones opponent.

Young men fly kites on the rubble of Maju Deval, a 17th century temple that was destroyed by the April earthquakes

Worshipers light fires by the side of a temple.

Light The Dark

2015-09-08T04:37:00.000-07:00

07 Sep 2015, Melbourne, Australia. A young boy places a candle at a makeshift memorial as part of the 'Light The Dark' vigil at the Treasury gardens. Candlelight vigils were held across the nation in honour of Aylan Kurdi, the Syrian toddler found drowned on a Turkish beach.

Reclaim Australia

2015-07-18T20:54:00.002-07:00

A right wing protest dubbed 'Reclaim Australia' marched through capital cities to mark Eid al-Fitr aiming to 'reclaim Australia from the traitorous Left and the Islamisation of Australia' leading to counter-protests and clashes with police.

Left wing protestors assemble to block 'Reclaim Australia' protestors from assembling at Parliament House.

A Reclaim Australia protestor confronts the police cordon.

Antifa left wing protestors searched by police.

The 'Reclaim Australia' protestor who was photographed with swastikas tattooed on the back of his head.

Far right Evangelist pastor and politician Danny Nalliah addresses the 'Reclaim Australia' protestors

Clashes between protestors and the police

Capsicum spray

A young woman affected by capsicum spray staggers back from the police line.

Protestors use milk to reduce the effects of the capsicum spray.

Nationalist and antifa protestors clash in Little Bourke St, near the corner of Spring Street.

Antifa protestors set up barricades on Little Bourke Street.

Police use capsicum spray to disperse protestors on the corner of Little Bourke St and Spring St.

Antiracism protestors burn a 'Reclaim Australia' sign.

Anti-Racism protestors heckle departing Reclaim Australia protestors.

Fathers Grief

2015-07-16T01:41:00.002-07:00

16 July 2015, Melton, Australia. Damien Sheehy stands at the site where his 18 year old son Daniel was killed in a 2012 house fire. Following a coronial enquiry which ruled an absence of foul play, Damien has petitioned for the case to be re-opened, alleging that Daniel was murdered by a drug gang in which he was involved. Australia suffers one of the highest rates of crystal methamphetamine use in the world. Photo for the Star Weekly.

Soi 31

2015-04-13T22:14:00.003-07:00

03 Apr 2015, Bangkok, Thailand. A dog begs for street food.

Rufino Soliano

2015-03-28T04:55:00.000-07:00

82 year old Rufino Soliano, formally the head of the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation Orchestra, reflects on his life as an influential musician in Singapore's cabaret scene.

West End

2015-02-27T16:09:00.001-08:00

27 Feb 2015, Brisbane, Australia. Hens night meets busker.

Reminiscing

2015-01-05T00:39:00.001-08:00

With the year but a few days old, I've decided to crack down and actually start working on my website. While this sounds like a simple task, I've decided to torture myself by reworking and reedit all my past folios. Here are some pics from the night sky.

21 October 2009, Melbourne, Victoria. Seagulls fly in spotlights above the city.

8 December 2009, Mildura, Australia. After working all day shooting film stills in the blistering sun, my friend Joe and I were head back to our accommodation. Joe was driving the car and kindly pulled up on a quiet desert road. We cracked up some Bob Dylan on the stereo and lay on the hot tarmac for half an hour while mosquitos buzzed about. As we discussed everything and nothing, the camera's shutter caught the Milky Way trail above us.

07 December 2009, Mildura, Australia. Termites fly in an outback barn

Burmese Days

2014-12-10T21:11:00.003-08:00

Firstly, my greatest apologies for not posting in a while. I've returned to Melbourne, Australia to work on personal stuff, as well as to work on my website.

Secondly, here is a photo I bought from a street side antique dealer in Yangon, Myanmar (Rangoon, Burma).

Occupy Central With Peace And Love

2014-09-29T21:07:00.003-07:00

The normally bustling streets of Hong Kong are more commonly known to be a thriving hub of activity for different reasons. Last Sunday (28 Sep 2014) peaceful protestors demanding the resignation of Hong Kong Chief Executive C.Y. Leung and for free and fair elections were met with riot police and tear gas. Last night, three times as many protestors turned up in solidarity.

Protestors use the torches on their phones to illuminate the streets while chanting for CY Leung (pictured in a cardboard cut out with fangs), Hong Kong's Chief Executive to step down.

After Sunday's barrage with tear gas, protestors have taken to protecting themselves with cling wrap, goggles and surgical masks.

Protestors sleep on the streets en masse.

In Summary

2014-08-23T22:03:00.001-07:00

Okay, so it is quite difficult to condense a couple of weeks shooting into one or two posts. Especially when those posts contain fairly strong imagery. I guess the best way to do this is to post the images and let the captions do the talking. Those who follow me on Facebook, I apologise for some of the repeats.

28 July 2014, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. Patients queue at the front of the Baimuru health centre where a Youth With A Mission Medical Ships Australia (YWAM MSA) clinic offers medical care. Baimuru is located in the remote Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea where quality health care can be sparse.

28 July 2014, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. Final year medical student Erin Nicole performs a check up on Koike, approximately 3 years old, at the Baimuru health centre where Youth With A Mission Medical Ships Australia operates a medical clinic. Koike's mother passed away when Koike was one year old, leaving his grandmother Vaipie to take care of the young child. Doctors suspect that Koike suffered from suspected TB meningitis at a younger age resulting in intellectual and physical disability. Baimuru is located in the remote Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea where quality health care can be sparse.

28 July 2014, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. Final year medical student Erin Nicole removes a splinter from the foot of three year old Koike at the Baimuru health centre where Youth With A Mission Medical Ships Australia operates a medical clinic. Koike's mother passed away when Koike was one year old, leaving his grandmother Vaipie to take care of the young child. Doctors suspect that Koike suffered from suspected TB meningitis at a younger age resulting in intellectual and physical disability. Baimuru is located in the remote Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea where quality health care can be sparse.

29 July 2014, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. A patient waits for treatment at the rundown Baimuru health centre as curious young children stare through the remains of mosquito meshing. Baimuru is located in the remote Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea where quality health care can be sparse.

28 July 2014, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. A young boy waits at the entrance to the Baimuru medical centre.

29 July 2014, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. Local community health workers gather to watch Chief medical coordinator for Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Ships Australia Hannah Peart insert and Implanon contraceptive implant into the arm of a young woman at the Baimuru Health Centre. Baimuru is located in the remote Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea where quality health care can be sparse.

30 July 2014, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea.A young boy from Korovake Village poses with a spear. Villagers continue to use spears and other weapons to hunt wild boar and crocodiles.

30 July 2014, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. Patients sit next to drying clothes at theTB ward at Kapuna Hospital. 15000 new cases of TB are recorded annually in PNG with one quarter proving fatal.

01 August 2014, Akoma Village, Papua New Guinea. Kuime Ipai, 50, is surrounded by family at a remote clinic run by Youth With A Mission. Kuime, who has suffered from TB before, was carried into the clinic after a relapse. Severely dehydrated, Kuime was placed on IV fluids, given antibiotics and sent to Kapuna Hospital for further testing and treatment. 15000 new cases of TB are recorded annually in PNG with one quarter proving fatal.

Keep your eyes peeled. When I get more time, I'll upload more images from this journey!

Mirimailau

2014-08-09T19:52:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last few weeks run off my feet. I've been working with Youth With A Mission Medical Ships Australia - A non-denominational Christian organisation which provides health care to rural Papua New Guinea. Over the past fortnight volunteers from around the world helped treat patients in rural PNG; some who had never seen doctors or dentists in their lives.

I'm currently busy editing and my internet in PNG is a little slow, so I will be updating more pics once I get to Singapore.

07 August 2014, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. A young child from Mirimailau village rests on the remnants of a mosquito net after receiving immunisations from Youth With A Mission volunteers. Mirimailau is located in the remote Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea where quality health care can be sparse.

Correction 11 August 2014. This was originally posted with the village name Kivaumai No 1 Village. Kivaumai No 1 is located nearby to Mirimailau, Gulf Province - Mat

Have you ever? Ever felt like this?

2014-07-05T18:28:00.002-07:00

Couldn't sleep this morning so I drove to the Split Point lighthouse near Aireys Inlet.

Exhibition!

2014-06-30T23:52:00.001-07:00

Do it.

Russel St / Bourke St

2014-06-29T18:04:00.001-07:00

Its been a crazy few weeks. I'm currently in Melbourne and have been fairly busy with non photography stuff. Here is a photo from a few days ago.

27 Jun 2014, Melbourne, Australia. Corner of Russel Street / Bourke Street.

Martial Law Day 1

2014-05-20T02:42:00.000-07:00

In the wake of a six months of violent protests and a tense political standoff, the Royal Thai Military has declared a 'State of Emergency' and a instituted martial law. The order without government permission in the early hours of this morning. Media outlets were closed and guarded by armed soldiers. The political situation is somewhat tense, however, a different story follows on the streets. Passers by have taken the opportunity to stop and pose for 'selfies' with soldiers while the stand off continues. More to follow...

Soldiers stand guard outside Thailand's 11 NBT TV station.

A police officer looks on as Thai soldiers set up position on Ratchadamri Rd. A calendar with HRH Bhumibol Adulyadej sits on the wall of the office.

Soldiers take position out the front of Royal Thai Police Headquarters, near Siam

Tourists pose for photos in a Royal Thai Army helmet.

A Royal Thai Army Master Sergeant sleeps in his Humvee

Visa Run

2014-05-16T01:15:00.000-07:00

15 May 2014, Yangon, Myanmar. Restaurants prepare food before the Bogyoke Markets open.

The calm before the storm.

2014-05-10T08:25:00.002-07:00

09 May 2014, Government House, Bangkok, Thailand. People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban addresses a gathering of antigovernment protestors as part of his 'Final Battle' against the Thaksin Regime.

More from Thingyan

2014-04-25T23:38:00.002-07:00

Young people dance while being sprayed with water. Town Hall, Yangon.

Myanmar Disney T

I love the fact the kid is the only one fighting back.

This. This is what destroyed my baby doll Effy (my camera).

She was really cute and would walk over to me and dump that bucket of water on to me. Adorable.. until the ice water came out and she found my shrieks hilarious.

3 year old Burmese Sid Vicious

This young guy was posing for a photo before his brother came and dumped a bucket of water on his head.

This guy kept slamming me with water.

All aboard the ear as reins express!

Burmese Hug

2014-04-18T23:39:00.001-07:00

"Burma gave you a hug.. it just hugged a little too hard" smiled Lauren as she sat with Andre at a cafe in Yangon. The two had come primarily to use the wifi. The fact the small upstair's coffee shop served food was a bonus.

My last few hours in the colonial era city were punctuated by bouts of coughing and sniffles. I felt although it was a relatively minor chest infection, there was little point in sitting idol in a hotel room blowing my nose and feeling sorry for myself. I decided yesterday to head back to Bangkok to get my camera gear serviced, some film developed, to pick up real meds (something which can be quiet elusive in Myanmar) and to assess how the protests between the UDD and PDRC had developed.

Thingyan is the most important day in the Burmese calendar and what most likely made me ill. If it wasn't ingesting water, it was the temperature changes between cold water, hot air, and then air con in our hotels. The festival celebrates the passing of the sun from Pisces to Airies and is seen as the New Year for Theravada Buddhist countries in SE Asia. Thousands flock to the streets and engage in combat. Water pistols and buckets being the weapon of choice. For those who have a little more foresight (and often money), firehoses trump squirt guns often with devastating effect. At one stage, I had managed to drown both my camera bodies. One was resurrected with a hair dryer, the other is for now one of the many cameras which fell to the festival. On the final day of festivities, thousands flock to pagodas around the country. The oldest and most well known, Schwe Dagon in Yangon is filled with thousands of devout buddhists worshipers from sunrise to evening.

The festival itself was brilliant. Adults, children, and young punks alike danced in the rain. Strangers offered me alcohol which was generally followed in adorably broken English 'Are you happy? ITS THINGYAN!'. My face hurt from smiling for 12 hours a day.

Revellers party out the front of town hall. The ancient Sule pagoda can be seen in the background. More pics to follow in the coming days.

Ermahgerd

2014-04-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

14 Apr 2014, Yangon, Myanmar. A man sleeps out the front of his store at 1 am. I love this place.

Timor

2014-04-08T22:20:00.000-07:00

Going through old pics. Found this one.

08 May 2011, Beto Tasi Timor. Fishermen cast nets at sunset.