KATSUMA (HIMBA TRIBE). Epupa, Namibia. One afternoon I was relaxing on a hilltop, watching the water fall over Epupa falls as the sun set over the adjacent Angolan hills. Katsuma had lost his flock of sheep because he had spent the afternoon socialising with friends and abandoned his duties. He had come to the top of the hill to get a better view to see where his flock had strayed to. He spotted his flock in a neighbouring valley, but, because they were still a fair distance away he asked me if I could give him a lift. Light was fading fast and he needed to round up his flock and head home. I agreed to give him a lift to his sheep on condition he would quickly pose for me for an image. He agreed. We then sped off in order for him to round up his sheep.

ZEBRA FLIGHT. Etosha National Park, Namibia. During the middle of winter large concentrations of zebras amass in the middle of the day for a drink at all of Etosha’s waterholes. Hundreds of zebras will come in to drink at once and, in order to get to the freshest and cleanest water, the zebras have to wade out into the undisturbed water. As bodies continually push forward the zebras’ tensions heighten, so when a small jackal appeared at the waterhole’s edge, a shock wave of fear spread, causing them to bolt out into the open plains. This image was shot at the height of that initial shock.

TOSHISUMI. Kyoto, Japan. Toshisumi is a maiko (apprentice geisha). Because she is not yet a fully fledged geisha or geiko as they are known in Kyoto, she needs to perform her duties a little differently than fully fledged professionals. Toshisumi had just finished an afternoon appointment, but because she is only an apprentice she is required to leave her guests in the communal bar once she has finished her allotted appointment. Here Toshisumi replaces her getas as she leaves a teahouse after escorting her guests to the communal bar. Pictures courtesy of benmcraephotography.com

MR ALI. Wadi Rum, Jordan. I was in Jordan to photograph the few remaining nomadic Bedouins that still roam the deserts of southern Jordan. I had been travelling for a few days and had not met too many Bedouins still living in the area. I was told in a nearby town that there was one Bedouin tent tucked away in a hidden valley. I set out early one morning and, as we spotted the tent, we could see an old Bedouin man waving us in. He was jumping for joy, not because of our arrival, but because his only camel had just given birth. Mr Ali was glowing with pride as he invited us into his tent for a cup of tea. We sat for a few hours and we talked about the contrasts in our two lives and how different our two paths were. Ali was all alone in his tent and was happy to have company. While we were talking Mr Ali took a relaxed pose and smoked a number of cigarettes. When it was time to leave I asked Mr Ali if I could take his picture. He agreed and assumed the same relaxed pose.

HIMBA HAIR SALON, Epupa, Namibia. The Himba women spend their whole lives tending to their looks. The women’s hair is usually coated in a thick butterfat and ochre concoction. Once this is applied it gives the women a look of having thick dreadlocks. At the end of the lengths of covered hair is a soft bushy tuft of hair. Obtaining this traditional look takes a lot of time and needs to be replaced on a monthly basis. This whole process usually takes two days for the dried, cracked ochre to be stripped and reapplied. This image of Twakara (sitting) and Tjimewemo (lying) shows the latter stages of the first day’s sitting during the removal of the hair’s casing. The women become very restless during this period and close attention needs to be taken during this stage to ensure that no hair is pulled out of place as the ochre is removed from the hair. Each woman in the village will play their part in this process. Each one specialises in one specific task to ensure that all of the women’s hair in the village is looking its best at all times.

TJIMEWEMO. Epupa, Namibia. Once all of the ochre is removed from the woman's hair, it is time to make sure that the womans hair is strong and healthy before a new coat of ochre can be applied. each woman in the village will gather around and each woman will tend to one strand of hair, they will rearrange the hair and ensure it is all tied up properly before a new fresh coat of ochre can be applied. Tjimewemo sits patiently and pays attention to the camera during this process.

TJIMEWEMO'S BATH. Epupa, Namibia. The traditional area where the Himba live is a dry and arid area with very little water. As this resource is in short supply the women bathe without water, The women will collect a number of fragrant herbs. The women will then light a small fire in the centre of their hut. The herbs are then added to the fire and as soon as smoke begins to bellow, the women will wrap themselves in a thick blanket. They will remove their dress and allow the smoke to cleanse themselves. The women do this on a daily basis and this process usually last for about 15 minutes. The women do not usually allow men into the hut during this process.

NDEBELE SMILE. Pilgrims Rest, South Africa. I had stopped for supplies in Pilgrims Rest in South Africa whilst en route to Botwana. As I stopped I saw two Ndebele women sitting in front of a shop waiting for a lift. As I entered the store they asked me if I was heading north and if so could I give them a lift. As I was heading in that direction I could give them a lift. As the women heard this news a huge smile broke out across one woman's face. Immediately I wanted to take her picture. I quickly set up my equipment around the side of the store and organised an impromptu shoot in favour for the lift back to their colourful village.

NACHIBO TOKO. Mago National Park, Ethiopia. I had been staying in a Mursi village for a number of days. During my stay I was constantly shadowed by this young girl, Nachibo. She was curious as to who I was and what I was doing in her village. One afternoon I decided to take a number of portraits. Nachibo who had been my shadow was naturally my first subject. Her curious looks and intrigue that was etched on her face during my visit flowed brilliantly into this portrait.

NATAATA MURTAT AND SON. Mago National Park, Ethiopia. Nataata was the head wife in the Mursi village I was staying in. She was a warm and welcoming woman who cared deeply for her children. All I ever experienced from her was a soft, caring side, but all the men said she was a fierce woman not to mess with. She was revered within the valley and when I asked to take her picture during an afternoon portrait session she agreed, but only if she could put in her large lip ring. I was happy to oblige!