the boys came out of nowhere, approaching ben and instantly asking for their picture taken. he obliged and this is the result. a few rupee's in the top pocket and off they went, disappearing over the dunes. 

although this was a quick business transaction, similar to those that take place all over the world in impoverished areas between tourists and locals - to me it's as if those boys sold more than a holiday snap in that split second. there's something in their eyes, their expressions and the way they've posed like hollywood gangsters that speaks volumes about their lives. to me, this is their life story.

photographer: ben tucker
location: jaisalmer desert, india

i captured this while waiting to board the shinkansen in tokyo, japan. it depicts one of the cleaners about to board the train, armed with a variety of cleaning instruments. this shot speaks volumes about japanese culture in general, the use of facial masks, gloves and a visor!? for hygiene purposes. it seems a little over top where i'm from and yet when we've had various scares about impending pandemics, some people have opted for this protective approach. in japan it's not uncommon to see people walking the streets, journeying on trains or anywhere else in public donning a mask to protect others from germs, out of respect. good old japanese respect. they have it in abundance for elders, for professionals, for everybody. i especially like the fact that the sign above her head reads 'non- reserved' relating to the shinkansen carriage, but to me it says the opposite of what the picture portrays. a very reserved japanese woman. with oodles of japanese respect.