Indra Exhibition - Now Showing

I am very happy to present my latest exhibition of street/travel images. 'Indra' is a collection of photographs from a trip to India in 2009. Highlighing the wonderful people and presenting a unique vision of the fascinating country.

ilios gallery

The Gallery is located within Wilbur’s Cafe/Bar

Hackett Shops, Canberra, ACT Australia.

Open Tuesday to Saturday
8 am – 9 pm and Sunday 8 am – 4 pm.



An online gallery can be viewed at:
http://www.iliosgallery.com/

or on my site here:
http://www.mjhoodphoto.com

Workers of India

These images (also from my India 2009 collection) focus on local people at work. I like to capture candid moments when people are engrossed in a task, too busy to worry about my presence. The authentic raw reality of the unplanned moment usually makes a much more interesting photograph that a stiff pose. I feel that capturing this spontaneity is the best use of a camera and what makes photography so unique. It is also a lot more surprising and refreshing to never quite know what is going to happen next... 

Mindfulness of Sweeping, Sarnath

Street Butcher, Dharamsala

Needlework, Norbulingka Institute

Track worker, India

Travels in the Land of Smiles :)

I am currently going through the many pictures I took while in Thailand last year. I put this off for a while as the task of going through them all was painful. Looking back now in reflection, it is clear that this was a truly amazing trip. The experience has taught me a few things that is for sure (most importantly, not to trust Tuk Tuk drivers and to avoid the massage with happy ending). Having a camera with you everywhere you go is certainly valuable. I think it lets you become more aware of opportunities and certainly means that you don't loose a shot. It gives you a great excuse to meet people that you would otherwise pass by. After a while it you get really good at finding the best ways to use the camera that your using. You learn all it's quirks and explore it's capabilities. Your camera becomes a partner on the journey!

Here, a resident of Bangkok's China Town, enjoys a meal at a popular noodle vendor.

A traditional puppet show on the streets of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand.

Thailand is a fascinating place to visit and photograph. It is a bit of a cliche but everyone was really welcoming and warm. It is the people and this hospitality that stays with me and I hope to show this in my work. The exotic locations, ancient sites and spicy food are memorable but theses all become irrelevant compared to chatting to a monk about global politics, learning how to control an elephant from a Mahout or simply seeing that friendly Thai smile.

I hope to exhibit these pictures very soon and will post more information here. You can see some more from a series called Photography Synthesis by clicking this link.