Digital Camera World

Behind the Lens

Sue cunningham Photojourn­alist and environmen­tal campaigner www.tribesaliv­e.org

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Capturing the spirit of the Amazon

What was the motivation for you to start this project? We won an award from The Royal Geographic­al Society to do the River Xingu. In 2007 we took a very small boat and for six months we went along the Xingu River, which is 2,500 kilometres long. We visited 48 tribal communitie­s and every community said to us, “Please tell our story.”

What was the biggest challenge you faced?

We had to get permission from the Brazilian government, and they changed their minds every five minutes. We spent six weeks in Brazil the year before the expedition, setting it all up.

How did you choose what to photograph?

I document what I see. I never ask anyone to pose. I’m a photojourn­alist; that’s what I do. The light there is so special and the people were at ease with me, so it was a joy.

What cameras did you use for this project?

A Nikon D2X and a D700. We had two flexible solar panels on the roof of our boat so we could charge all of our equipment. How many images did you shoot during the trip?

10,000, but each image is one instant.

What was the project’s timescale?

Two years from the initial concept to finishing it. It was the continuati­on of what was already 20 years of working as a photojourn­alist in that area.

What was the biggest lesson you learnt from the trip?

We need to change our ways. [The indigenous people] have a lot to teach us that we should be listening to, but we’re too arrogant to listen.

Is there any negative to highlighti­ng the lives of indigenous people?

I hope not, because they wanted it. It’s not a ‘begging bowl’ book. It’s something that can show humanity what we’re losing.

What’s the best advice you’d give?

If you’re in any environmen­t that’s alien to you the most important thing isn’t your camera: it’s setting your preconcept­ions aside, looking with new eyes, opening your heart and taking your sense of humour with you.

What’s the most fun thing about being a photojourn­alist?

Laughing with the people you’re photograph­ing. It’s really great shooting digital, because you can show them your pictures immediatel­y.

Spirit of the Amazon

by Sue Cunningham (text by Patrick Cunningham) is published by Papadakis, RR P £40. www.papadakis.net

?? ?? TOP: After loggers have felled the valuable trees, the remaining vegetation is burned. The ashes provide limited nutrients for coarse cattle pasture but these are quickly depleted, leaving the sandy soil infertile.
TOP: After loggers have felled the valuable trees, the remaining vegetation is burned. The ashes provide limited nutrients for coarse cattle pasture but these are quickly depleted, leaving the sandy soil infertile.
?? ?? ABOVE LEFT: Tribal chiefs from North and South America came together in 1989 for the first Tribal Gathering, organised by the Kayapo to fight against the constructi­on of the Belo Monte hydroelect­ric dam. In front sit Chief Raoni Metuktire, Bepkoroti ‘Paulinho’ Payakan and Sting.
ABOVE LEFT: Tribal chiefs from North and South America came together in 1989 for the first Tribal Gathering, organised by the Kayapo to fight against the constructi­on of the Belo Monte hydroelect­ric dam. In front sit Chief Raoni Metuktire, Bepkoroti ‘Paulinho’ Payakan and Sting.
?? ?? ABOVE: Chief Jakalo Kuikuro brought a team of competitor­s to 2016’s World Indigenous Games because he wanted to show the world how strong the indigenous culture in the Xingu continues to be, despite growing pressures from agricultur­e, mineral exploitati­on and infrastruc­ture.
ABOVE: Chief Jakalo Kuikuro brought a team of competitor­s to 2016’s World Indigenous Games because he wanted to show the world how strong the indigenous culture in the Xingu continues to be, despite growing pressures from agricultur­e, mineral exploitati­on and infrastruc­ture.
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