Stunning pictures of armed tribe take award
Jatenipat Ketpradit has been fascinated with tribal peoples, their legends and histories for years, reading and watching documentaries to feed his passion. For the past decade, the Thai photographer has travelled to some of the more remote places on Earth to photograph people in their own environments.
His efforts have landed him this year’s International Portrait Photographer of the Year overall winner, receiving US$3000 ($4809) plus a feature place in a book published alongside the competition.
“I always stay with the tribal people at least one week per tribe. Spend the first two-three days to find the location and the direction of sunlight. Then choose the subject by their character, outfits and their story,” says Ketpradit.
“Some tribes, I return to visit them every year, we are just like a family. That’s why they can be relaxed and be themselves while I’m shooting a photo.”
A member of the Suri tribe of Ethiopia is perhaps the most powerful image from Ketpradit’s portfolio.
“The Suri tribe is one of the hardest to reach in Ethiopia. They live on a high mountain that is difficult to approach from the outside world. They take immense pleasure in their scars and traditions,” he said.
“Throughout the journey, the visual of tribal warriors wielding a pair of guns became familiar to me. Whether it’s an AK-47, a Carnaco, or an SKS rifle, they’ve all been chosen to fight to protect the hamlet’s life and property.
“The introduction of firearms has generated a slew of issues for tribes. They had gone through the confusion of traditional life and the changing time throughout the past 20 years, since weapons are cutting-edge technology that opposes their culture and customs. A weapon may be utilised to solve any problem. It can occasionally deteriorate into clan wars and guerrilla warfare.
“I took this shoot to represent the conflict of their lifestyle. Gun and flowers, New technology and old tradition, The killer or the guardian.”
Ketpradit’s portfolio was a standout in a competition littered with topflight images in 618 entries.
Awards director Peter Eastaway said: “The main aim of our award is to be selected in the Top 101 portrait photographs of the year and be published in our annual book.
“As judges and successful entrants know, being a prize winner is partly opinion and partly luck. That’s why we put more emphasis on being in the Top 101 as there is plenty of room for a variety of tastes, approaches and styles. And any of the Top 101 photographs could be a prize winner on the day.”
To see the winners or purchase the book, go to internationalportrait photographer.com