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An Australian photo-journalist who had taken interest in human rights abuses as well as changing view of Western culture. Photo_journ is also a DJ who had played on major tours with some famous DJ's. Meet photo_journ here.
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1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a photo-journalist? Being a photo-journalist means being able to combine the skills of writing with the ability to capture the moment in photographs, thereby accurately depicting the scene in both text and images.
This allows me to wrap the whole "story" up into a complete package, rather than having to rely on someone else fitting text to the images or vice-a-versa.
It also requires on-the-spot presence, so it means I don't spend so much time in the office. I like this as in the field is where the news happens, not in the office.
It also means I get to experience the news more fully as I have to not only take photo's, but also investigate, interview and delve into what the situation is in order to provide authoritative text.
Over the years I've experienced first-hand things such as the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, the 1995 ebola outbreak in Zaire, the 1997 coupe d’etat in Cambodia, the 1999 Indonesian withdrawal from East Timor, the 2004 Asian Tsunami and many other significant events.
These are experiences most other journalists haven't had.
It's also a role that can at times have considerable frustration and challenges. Most of the time I am working well away from an office having to deal with local bureaucrats and officials without the close (or any) support of an organisation.
There are still a lot of people who believe in single skilling. This can result in some taking a view that a photographer shouldn't be asking questions at a press conference or a journalist shouldn't be in a photographer’s area. As a photo-journalist you need to be skilled in both aspects of the profession and staying up-to-date requires considerable effort if you are to do the job professionally.
2. Please describe your ideal vacation? I don't really take vacations - just short breaks from work. Somewhere hot and by the ocean anywhere in Asia where there is a good night clubbing scene - and a nearby international airport so I can get to where the next big story is breaking quickly if necessary
3. What specific country in Asia are you most interested of and why?
Indonesia and the Philippines because of the size of each countries population and the continuing battles with corruption as they grow and emerge.
Timor Leste because I witnessed the birth of the new country and my lingering doubts that the people there are prepared for democracy or know what it truly means. Also because of the huge number of inaccurate stories that have been written about the country by mostly Australian journalists, many with vested interests, over the years.
Malaysia because of the increasing Islamic conservatism, increasing racial tensions, corruption and the favoritism and special benefits provided to bumiputra's at the expense of other races. Also the country's appalling human rights record when it comes to the way it treats foreign workers.
China because of the size of its land mass and population and the manner in which it quietly increases its influence on the west in everything from agriculture to high technology manufacturing, while at the same time maintaining a political system that many in the west would like to dismantle.
Cambodia because it has basically come back from zero after the west stood idly by while Pol Pott and the Khmer Rouge to laid waste to the country and it's people and the manner in which every western country in the world has interfered since the Vietnamese liberated the country.
Thailand because of the ingrained respect the people still have for the monarchy and the orderly manner in which they tend to mount their coups.
Myanmar because of the continuing democracy struggle there and the way the west sits by and allows the junta to rule.
Vietnam because of the resilience of its people and the way the country has taken positive steps to overcome corruption and re-attract foreign investors after they were initially driven out due to corruption. Again, while maintaining a political system the west would prefer to see dismantled.
4. Besides being a photo journalist, what are your other interests?
Keeping up to date with events in Asia and Africa occupies a very large portion of my time.
When I'm not doing that I'm a DJ. I play tribal, house, trance, psychedelic trance and hard dance genres of music.
I've played on a couple of major tours with some big-name DJ's and I played regularly in Lombok and Bali as a special guest DJ during the eight years I was based there.
As a result I spend a lot of time searching for new music on the Internet and putting together comps for my next performance.
I also take a considerable interest in human rights abuses, abuse of children and exploitation of all people, as well as in the changing view of western culture.
Particularly in regard to how many in the west still don't understand Asian cultures and values and the way the west gets it wrong almost every time it interferes in a non-Anglo-Saxon, Christian country.
The increasing conservatism and insularisation in the west, along with the manipulation, and dumbing down of whole populations via the media and the rising levels of Islamaphobia are also of interest.
5. Why do you use Asia Observer? It's a great aggregate site for keeping up with what's happening in Asia. The links to the news sources are convenient for jumping to countries of interest and seeing what are the issues of the day, while the forums are a useful source of information.
I feel the forums could be better used however. An employment forum might be useful, as to could be a forum where journalists in the region looking for help on articles they are preparing could post questions.
The forums could also serve as a useful source of information.
For example; how many people in the region access the Internet from home as opposed to an Internet cafe? A comparison of costs and charges for goods and services across the region, a more complete listing of each country's media and NGO's - and contact details, and perhaps a forum for journalists to gather and mingle more with residents of the region.
  One Taken In Kikwit, Zaire in 1994. Sitting on the street in Hong Kong last year. One taken in East Timor in 1999. |
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