/ 2022 / Portraiture / Culture

Portrait of a Turkana Tribeswoman

On a visit to a Turkana village in northern Kenya, I met this lovely gentle-eyed lady. We had no common language (besides nodding, smiling and hand gestures) - but she understood my wanting to photograph her. Initially self-consciousness, she soon relaxed as she sat at the entrance of her thatched mud hut. As she looked off into the distance and I captured this image, I wished I could've asked her what she was thinking of - I'm sure she had many stories to tell.

Shyamala is a doctor specialising in Public Health at the Health Promotion Board in Singapore. Photography has been a passion since she received her first camera - a gift from an uncle - when she was 14. She enjoys all genres of photography, but particularly enjoys telling stories using images - and continually learning new techniques to support this. Photography and the day job keep her happy in equal measure.

Awards IPA (1st in categories, Honourable Mention), BIFA (Silver, Honourable Mention), TIFA (Silver, Bronze, Honourable Mention), APA (Honourable Mentions), MPA Far East (Merit Awards), RISE International Photography Awards (Bronze Awards).