Nathan Hutchinson

Travel & documentary photographer based in Bangkok, Thailand. All images copyright © Nathan Hutchinson. . 

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Victory Monument, where I get off the SkyTrain and take the #538 bus to home. It's Bangkok's busiest traffic circle where most of its public transportation depart from to the outskirts of the city and neighbouring provinces. ‪#‎victorymonument‬ ‪#‎bangkok‬ ‪#‎thailand‬ ‪#‎publictransport‬

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A young girl removing stems from peppers before it is taken to the market to be sold. Not to worry, this girl goes to school. It's a Sunday and she is sitting outside near her home which is not far from the market.

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A worker is preparing a dish at the Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market in Bangkok Thailand. Though fresh fruits and vegetables are sold, eating is the main highlight for this market and caters mostly for Thais which makes up for most of its customers giving it a truly local experience.

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Thai Buddhist Monk inauguration ceremony. Young Thai men become monks for a short time usually one month, so that their parents can receive many blessings and an easier afterlife. At the end of the ceremony, they will change to saffron robes and receive their blessings as monks.

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Villagers exiting the Besakih temple after making offerings and worship in the evening. Pura Besakih is an extensive complex of 23 separate but related temples built on six levels that terrace the slopes of Mount Agung (a stratovolcano). It is the largest and holiest temples of Hindu religion in Bali with some temples dating back at least 2000 years.

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Thai Monk Ceremony. Discovering a love for photojournalism.

A young man receives blessings from a monk as part of the purification right in becoming a monk. 

Putting together the Thai Monk Ceremony photo essay was when I discovered my passion for photography. I experimented with photography for a few years but it was a general approach, and I still was not sure what genre was most suited to my personality. I worked on themes but still not on an essay. It took some time before I could discover myself in the world of photography and because of that, I did not take photographs as often as I should except for those family moments or trips. Eventually, the day came when my wife’s youngest brother was being ordained to become a monk, and that was when I discovered documentary photojournalism. 

Shaving of the hair. Family members will take turns cutting locks of hair to place in the lotus leaf and give their blessings.

By the age of twenty, most Thai Buddhist males become monks for a period so that their parents can receive many blessings and an easier afterlife. It was the first time that I would be attending such a ceremony and did not know what to expect. I had no intentions to do a photo essay and did not do any research on it either. I knew that there was not going to be any professional photographer covering the event,  so I figured that I will fill this role and do the best that I could so that this family can have a decent album to look back on of this particular occasion. 

A procession to the temple filled with music and dancing. 

The event lasted for two days starting early in the morning. The first day went straight into the night till late. It was an evening of celebration similar to the reception of a wedding. All the family members were there and everyone from the village. It was a rice farming community and a portion of land prepared with tables and chairs for dining and a large stage for a dance performance show. It was quite extensive for a poor rice farmer, but I learnt that everyone who attended, a sizable number, donated towards it. This practice is how these communities help each other, making such an event more affordable. 

After the ordination, the naga changes his robes and is now accepted as a monk by the abbot.

I followed the whole event for two days applying what I learnt from reading all of those photography books regarding technical and composition but still clueless about storytelling. It was only a few days after when I sat down during post-processing and choosing what to print that I started to see something that for me was more enjoyable than chasing landscapes or an artsy semi-abstract scene. It was a story with captivating images and the need to share it so that others can learn and appreciate this aspect of culture and community in the rural parts of Thailand. There was something else that I gained from this experience, and that was the need for research. There were some moments that I missed by a minute or a few seconds simply because I did not know what to expect. If I had know better, I would of been able to put together a more satisfying photo essay. I am still happy though because I am aware now what I love about photography. 

Sculpture of a naga. A naga is a mythical serpent that wished to be a monk and took human form to be ordained. Buddha, discovering that he was a serpent told him that only humans can be monks. The serpent asked for one favor that all newly ordained monks be called "naga" which Buddha consented

You can see more images from the Thai Monk Ceremony photo essay in my gallery. Be sure to read the captions to better understand what is taking place. Hope you enjoy it and remember to share this post. Thanks.

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Elephant Conservation

Part I: Photo Project Introduction

Knife and Bull Hook or aṅkuśa used by a mahout.

Elephant Conservation  is a personal long-term photo project about Asian elephants living in captivity. They are mostly used for profit in the tourist and entertainment industry and this often results in mistreatment and a harsh environment for living. It also leads to poaching of young elephants from the wild reducing the population and risking extinction. 

  The mahout (elephant rider & caretaker) is always in possession of the following two tools; the bull hook or aṅkuśa and a knife. The bull hook is used to train and control the elephant. It’s a sharp metal hook and the design is meant to cause pain by stabbing sensitive areas on the elephants head.

 Captive elephants used in the tourist industry for trekking or circus-type shows live in constant fear. Sometimes an elephant retaliates, and people’s lives are in danger, on such occasions, this is when the knife is needed. Something to consider if you have the opportunity to ride an elephant or look at an elephant show.

A fresh wound near the elephant’s ear and older wounds on the forehead caused by the use of a bull hook.

Captive elephants are not domesticated like other livestock animals, they are still born with their natural wild instincts and behaviors. To control and train a young elephant safely in captivity it must first be broken in to accept human control. It is a traumatising process for the young elephant having all limbs tied to restrict movement while being beaten, shouted at  and pierced by hooks and sticks till eventually their spirits are broken and will forever be fearful of the mahout. They are always chained when they are not working or performing with short lengths that restrict movement. 

A mahout fastening a chain around an elephant’s leg after a trekking tour. 

Some people and organisations are trying to bring about change; they are promoting awareness and the mindset of the industry to alternatives that are more natural and sustainable.  They are also providing a natural habitat for elephants rescued from the trade. One such person is Miguel Tenorio, a lawyer turned conservationist and founder of Conserve Natural Forest a recently formed NGO. They acquired 12 acres of abandoned farmland with a stream and have planted trees to prepare a home for rescued elephants.

 View of the 12-acre land acquired by Conserve Natural Forests.

Miguel watering saplings at the nursery on the 12 acre land. 

 Miguel meets with local elephant owners in the hopes of convincing them to give up their elephants from the trade and offer them a more free and natural way of living. It is not that easy though for most of the owners as it is their only form of income.  Miguel’s long-term goal is to create an elephant sanctuary where elephants can reproduce and be introduced back to the wild.

Miguel stops at an elephant trekking camp to look at one of the elephants.

 It is important to note that my intention is not to blame or point fingers at mahouts or business that use elephants for profit. These are traditions that are centuries old and it will take some time before things change to more sustainable means. It can be achieved if everyone does their part and work together. 

You can see more images in my gallery “Elephant Conservation”. As my work progresses it will be updated regularly with fresh images so please return or you can send a request to be placed on the mailing list by using the contact form.