I am excited about 2017. A new year, full of possibilities.
The blue flames of sulphur burning in the crater of Mount Ijen, Java, Indonesia September 2016. ©Laurence Gibson
2016 was a wonderful year of travel, I visited many different countries, which have provided me with a fresh outlook on my own. The image above was taken in East Java, Indonesia. This is one of the places which had the most impact in the last year. Here men work in toxic gases to collect solid sulphur to sell and make a living. When not mining they are farming; in both of these trades through necessity they life large weights across difficult terrain. But in spite of all this hardship. it is striking to witness their positive outlook. As Mount Ijen is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist attraction, the miners have now a new form of income, as one of the villagers has developed a home stay and tour business see here contracting the villagers to host tourists. Through this they have been able to lobby the government to get a metalled road into the village. It is amazing how the impact of one individual can impact a whole community.
I am now excited about 2017 with new opportunities to collaborate with individuals and organisations. My aim to continue to produce projects which shine light on the misunderstood and misrepresented.
To contact me about a project or for more information about my work drop me a line on email or social media