|
 |
Tsunami
Right after the tsunami hit on December 26, 2004 I traveled to
Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia. The carnage in Indonesia was
unimaginable, and will stay with me forever. There were bodies
everywhere. Removal crews had an almost impossible job, and I
have unequaled admiration for them. I shot this in the center
of Banda Aceh. |
 |
Mass Graves
There were no ceremonial burials for the many tens of thousands
of victims of the tsunami. They were dumped in mass graves like
garbage. Returning in December 2005, I prayed at every mass grave
that I visited. |
 |
Red Cross
Since the earthquake in Gujarat, India in 2001 I have been shooting
the activities of the Japanese Red Cross. I donate my photos
of disasters to the Japanese Red Cross so they can use them for
campaigns. This image was used extensively by them during 2005
and also appeared in several Japanese magazines to accompany
articles about the Japanese Red Cross. |
 |
Bangkok
When I finally wrapped up my tsunami coverage by the end of January,
I got stuck in Bangkok for a few days as there were no flights
to Japan. I made good use of this by unwinding a bit. I especially
enjoyed visiting Wat Pho, or the Temple of the Declining Buddha
where I shot this image of Buddhists priests praying. |
 |
Amagasaki Train Accident
On April 25 a friend in Tokyo called me early in the morning.
"Are you watching TV?" she asked. When I turned it
on, I was deeply shocked. A train had jumped the tracks and driven
straight into a building. Just a 15 minute drive away from me.
I jumped into a cab and was able to shoot a very detailed documentary.
Here rescue workers attempt to reach passengers still trapped.
For many it was too late. More than 100 people were killed. |
 |
Street Fashion
Although I spent a lot of time away from home this year, I was
still able to continue shooting street fashion. There are so
many shots that I like that it is impossible to choose one, but
here goes anyway. I shot this in Harajuku. |
 |
Shikoku Pilgrimage
In June I walked a few days of the Shikoku pilgrimage. It was
enlightening. The nature was fantastic and the demanding walk
through the mountains cleansed my soul. The temples we visited
along the way were often small and simple, but each one had something
special. Like these lanterns at the starting temple in Tokushima. |
 |
Past and Present
A Dutch magazine asked me to write an article about women in
Japan. The accompanying photograph had to express the past and
present of Japanese women. I asked my friend and model Saiyuri
to work with me. We ended up using maiko make-up with a modern
business suit. I love the shots we took that day! |
 |
Pakistan
So many terrible disasters this year. The worst one that I witnessed
was without doubt the earthquake that struck Pakistan in October.
While driving into the disaster area we encounterd many thousands
of people fleeing the destruction and aftershocks. The expression
on this woman's face says it all. Desperation. |
 |
Pakistan
Strange enough there can be great beauty sometimes in a disaster
area. This refugee praying to Allah in the middle of a crowded
camp brought me to pause. |
 |
The Girl in the Red Dress
This must be the best image I shot in 2005. It was taken in Balakot,
Pakistan. I saw her running out of a tent, one of the lucky ones
to have shelter. She was clearly very cold and stood on top of
a pile of clothes wet from the driving rain. She looked for something
warm. Then gave up, desperation in her eyes. The scene is engraved
onto my mind. |
|
