One of my pictures from South Sudan shot for Cafod has been recognised as a Nominee at the 6th Annual Photography Masters Cup. I was more than happy about this as South Sudan is one of those places that gets under your skin and you just want to revisit.

The picture shows Mercy (12) who collects water for her family every morning and evening from a borehole installed by Cafod. Fresh clean drinking water is one of the many challengers facing the Republic of South Sudan, the newest nation on earth.

Before the new borehole was placed within her community of St Cecilia, home to over 400 households or approx 3.000 people, Mercy would have spent hours walking miles to gather water , impacting her ability to attend school and her future.

The complete list of winners and nominees can be found here at http://www.thecolorawards.com/6thphotoshow/index.php

Mercy (12) a community member filling up jerry cans of fresh clean water from the Cafod borehole.

I was able to make a short trip back to Israel and Palestine in September to continue my long term project on communities divided by separation barriers. Everytime you visit this region something has changed, not usually in a positive way, and this trip was no exception. It terms of trouble and violence it was probably the quietest time I’ve experienced there.  The usual Friday protests were still happening in Ni’lin and Bil’in but with much reduced turnout and it was unusually calm yet tense on the streets, as if everyone was waiting for something to happen. Well that calmness was certainly broken with the latest confrontations in Gaza which has led to widespread unrest throughout the rest of the West Bank.

As for the Separation Barrier, it continues to be a major obstacle to the peace process, whatever remains of it, and to the day to day lives of people who are surrounded by the barrier. The aim this time was to meet a number of people who have been directly affected by the walls construction. I’ll be heading back to this region again soon and will spend more time meeting Israeli residents to hear what the wall means to them. Here are a few images from that trip and a brief synopsis behind the concept of this project.

Barriers to a Positive Peace

Walls are highly political and represent the physical manifestation of failed policies to overcome the root causes of each of these conflicts. Whilst providing short term gains in security they are inevitably ineffective as long term solutions to creating a sustainable positive peace. Whilst resolutions to the conflicts are sort, the most affected by these policies are the people who live under their shadow. Daily lives are shaped by their presence creating both deep physical and physiological challenges for residents. It may mean walking extra miles to go to the shops, the fear and indignity of passing through checkpoints that separate family and friends or even just the sheer physical presence of such structures in their back yard. However, to some communities they provide the desired protection and a reassuring knowledge that they are physically separated from ‘the other’.  Walls are a symptom of conflict, not a cause. It many cases they are the first thing to go up during times of violence. They may be the last structures to come down to enable peace.

Claire Anastas, a Palestinian Christian in Bethlehem washing up with an Israeli watchtower looking directly into the families living space. The wall was built here in 2004, two weeks before Christmas and surrounds her house on three sides. The sacred site of Rachel's' Tomb is on the other side of the wall. She said 'This affects us the most because whenever we wake in the morning we look outside and see only walls and cameras.'

Claire Anastas, a Palestinian Christian in Bethlehem who had her house surrounded on three sides by the wall. The economic impact of the wall has been extreme. Claire explains, ' We used to have an organic fruit and vegetable shop, a car mechanics workshop and souvenir shop. This road running along side my house used to be the main road between Bethlehem and Jerusalem and was very busy with markets and tourists visiting Bethlehem and Rachel's Tomb. Since the wall was built cutting us off we have lost all our business.'

Orthodox Jews wait at a bus stop after praying at Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem. Claire Anastas's house can just been seen on the other side of the wall. Claire remembers when the road was a thriving market area attracting people from all religions to shop and visit the sites, ' We used to be friends and when we used to live together we used to exchange cultures and life and know about each other more.'

The separation barrier in Bethlehem. In many areas, the wall is constructed in what used to be lively commercial districts. Many businesses now struggle to survive as demand has dramatically reduced.

Hani Amer (55) who has 6 children and lives with his wife Munira. His house in which he has lived for 39 years is surrounded by the separation barrier cutting him off from the Palestinian village of Mas'ha. Behind his house is the Israeli settlement of Elkana. The concrete section of wall in front of his house serves no security purpose and Hani says was built out of spite to spoil his view.

Hani Amer (55) unlocking the gate he and his family has to use to enter his property. The wall was built in 2003 and he had to fight to be given a key to the only gate that gives him access to the outside world.

The wall not only divides Israel from Palestine but also separates Palestinian communities resulting in many families and friends being cut off from each other. The wall here runs directly though a Palestinian community in Ar Ram close to Jerusalem.

Ali Ayyad (62) with his sister Zainab Bader at her house in Abu Dis. Ali's house can be seen just on the other side of the wall. It used to take just a few minutes to walk to each others house but since the wall was built it now takes at least 30 minutes by taxi costing $30 or 1.5 hours costing $7 by public transport. The Dome of the Rock can be seen in the background showing how close to central Jerusalem the wall has been built.

Residents of Ni'lin and supporters protest against the separation barrier that has separated them from large tracts of their valuable farming land. These protests have been held every Friday for years.

Surrounded by tear gas, a protester from Ni'lin chants through a loudspeaker towards Israeli soldiers on the other side of the wall..

A young Palestinian man uses a slingshot to aim rocks at Israeli soldiers during the weekly protests in Bil'in. The illegal Israeli settlement of Matatyaho Mezrahi can be seen under construction behind the separation wall.

Mohammad Faraj (11) works on his fathers land next to the separation barrier that surrounds the town Qalqiliya. A dead zone exists next to the wall further reducing the amount of available farming land.

The Wall Steakhouse which screens movies and sports projected onto the wall in Bethlehem.

Workers wait to be allowed into Israel from Bethlehem at checkpoint 300. It often takes hours of queuing in the metal cage before they can pass through the checkpoint.

Early morning at the Qalandia checkpoint, one of the main checkpoints into Jerusalem from Ramallah in the West Bank.

Abu Mohammad (65) with his grandsons Saed & Mohammad in his broken down truck he can no longer afford to fix in Bethany on the outskirts of Jerusalem. He used to be a driver before the wall was built 10 years ago and business was good. Now he has no access to Jerusalem and there is very little work in this area.

The Wall in Bethlehem.

The Walk as One, Connecting with our World’s Indigenous Peoples, campaign and documentary film was successfully launched in Sydney by Caritas Australia a few weeks ago.  I thought I’d write a quick ‘behind the scenes’ post about what equipment I used, what went right, what went wrong etc etc. I’ve always found reading about these things informative so hopefully someone else may be able to pick up a few ideas/tips.

There is a huge amount of information on indigenous rights on the website so if you’re interested in these issues please click here.

Walk As One from Caritas Australia on Vimeo.

This was the first assignment I’ve done where the intent from the outset was to produce a short documentary. On other assignments such as South Sudan, Uganda, Bangladesh the filming came secondary to the stills so the approach to this project was different in a number of ways in terms of planning, logistics and preparation. It was also the first time I’d be part of a team with Alex from Caritas producing and writing the final policy report travelling with me and a dedicated editor, James Bradley who did an excellent job and Cam Mackellar who created the unique soundtrack which just lifts the whole production. There were also translators, policy people, communications staff and everyone else involved with launching a big campaign.

The trip involved two 4 day visits to Beswick, a remote community about 150km south of Katherine in the Northern Territories and a two week trip to Bolivia taking in not only the project focus of the Yuracare community in the Bolivian Amazon region but also other Caritas funded projects which provided some excellent B-roll.

I’ve always been a Canon man so below is the equipment list I used:-

Canon 5D Mk 11

Canon 1D Mk 4

Canon 24-70 2.8L

Canon 70-200 Mk 11 2.8L

Canon 24mm 1.4L

Canon 50mm 1.2L

Zacuto Z-Finder Pro x3

Manfrotto 055cx3

Manfrotto 701 HDV Head

Singh Ray 77mm ND Filter

Singh Ray 77mm ND Filter Thin (for wide angles)

Zoom H4N Audio Recorder

Audio Technica AT8531 Lav Mic

Sennheiser MK400 Shotgun Mic

Sony MDR-7506 Headphones

3 x 500GB G-Drive HD

8 x 16GB CF Cards

Macbook Pro 2.8GHz I7 8GB 750GB HD

Plural eyes to synch audio

FCP 7

So what were the challengers ? In many ways filming and creating a picture essay are very similar in the sense your creating a story. However the approach is quite different. Shooting stills is a much more natural, observed way of working where you often just let things happen. With filming, you have to be much more methodical, pre visualising shots and sequences, directing the subjects at certain times with multiple takes. As a photojournalist this originally felt quite unnatural and contrived but necessary to make the film flow. Using a tripod for many shots also took some getting used to as I’d never owned a tripod before shooting video but they are absolutely necessary. I did shoot some handheld when motion was obvious like in the car but otherwise it was locked down. Audio is always a tricky one and a bit of a juggling act running a duel system but it does work well. I record all critical interviews on the Zoom and lav mic and collect as much ambient as possible. When you know that you just need a trace of ambient and the situation is moving I’ll use either the in camera mic or the shotgun mic top mounted. It would be great to have a dedicated audio person as the audio is equally if not more important than the visuals but budgets often don’t allow this.

Logistically, the biggest issue we had was the shoot in the Bolivian Amazon was cut from a proposed 5 days to just 2.5 days due to funerals, weather, logistics. That could have been a major problem but you can only get what you are given. You just have to readjust the plan and make the most of it however frustrating it may seem at the time.

Technical issues included my 5D melting in the heat and overuse half way through the Bolivia trip. The main board just fried due to the heat/humidity and wouldn’t film for more than 5 seconds. It still took stills but video was out. That meant I had to switch to the 1D which I hadn’t used for filming at all. However, having used this line of camera for years I very quickly got used to it which is partly why the transition from shooting stills to video using these cameras has been relatively smooth. You’re just so familiar with the equipment.

What would my recommendations to anyone about to start filming be…

-Prepare for the worst, back all your equipment up on every level in case something like, your camera melts..!..so you can continue in remote locations. At the time it seemed unnecessary to buy that 1D Mk4 Zacuto conversion kit for $100. However, it was probably the best money I’ve spent as it meant I could continue shooting seamlessly. Without it, it would have been a major issue trying to film by just looking at the back screen..almost impossible to do in a fluid and bright light situation..!

-Keep lots of spare batteries on you in the bag. Not back in your room where they are pretty useless..!

-Plan and prepare a script as much as possible and then prepare for it to all change. Adapt. Shoot everything you see. You can never have enough b-roll.

-Shoot from as many different angles as possible to give the editor the best chance of good cuts.

-Audio is absolutely crucial. As, if not more important than the images. Audio is still a foreign concept to me and most photographers so it’s by far the biggest challenge, not least running a duel system by yourself which is always a challenge.

-Remember to collect as much ambient sound as possible. I sometimes forget and regret not recording even just 10 seconds of ambient which can really lift the quality of the film.

-Always think about that 3 shot sequence. Wide, medium, detail to make editing easier.

-Be really careful when changing lenses. Dust on the sensor is easy to fix in stills. On video, it can be a nightmare..!

-Have lots of CF cards. Interviews and long sequences can eat up the memory no end.

-Power bars and water. When the pressure is on, it’s 38c, humid, mosquitoes, nothing is going right, your equipment fails etc etc the last thing you need to be is hungry and thirsty. Look after yourself and the team.

-Leave plenty of time. Filming takes an enormous amount of time and resources so prepare and plan for that.

I love the challenge of experimenting with new media and equipment and I’m happy with the final result. You learn by your mistakes and I’m continually looking at DSLR training sites/blogs etc for new ideas and tips to improve. Now I’m just looking forward to the next opportunity..!!

I finally made it back to Belfast last week to continue my long term project on Borders and Barriers.

My visit coincided with the annual July 12th Protestant Orange Order celebrations which see thousands of Orangemen, marching bands and supporter’s parade through Belfast commemorating the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 where the Protestant King William of Orange defeated the Catholic King James.

It’s a highly contentious time of year where some parades march through predominately Catholic areas creating friction and often violence between the two still deeply divided communities.The major flash point of Ardoyne in north Belfast once again saw rioting.

Below is just a small selection of images and I’ll be following up by building on the multimedia project having also shot some video and recorded many interviews.

Belfast was once again an intriguing place to work, full of very colourful characters with quite incredible histories who are now working towards creating a more peaceful future. There is still some way to go, however great progress has been made.

Youths rioting in Brompton Park, a Catholic area of Ardoyne in north Belfast following the annual Orangemen parade past the contested Ardoyne shops on July 12.

A much smaller group of Orangemen than usual parade past the contested Ardoyne shops in north Belfast surrounded by PSNI riot police during the annual July 12th parades.

PSNI riot police stopping Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective members from staging their own counter parade. They were eventually let through which led to brief but violent clashes.

The peace dividend has paid off in central Belfast with many new shopping centres such as Victoria Square. They serve as a shared or at least neural space generally free from sectarian divisions.

The same cannot be said for the majority of interface areas which saw most of the violence during the conflict but have received very little since the peace signing. Here the Cupar Way peace wall seen from Conway Street, Loyalist Shankill Road area, West Belfast. Behind the wall is the Catholic side of Conway Street in the Clonard area, some of the most deprived wards in Belfast. This is the longest peace wall in Belfast and one of the first to be put up separating the Protestant Shankill Road from the Catholic falls road.

An Ulster volunteer Force mural in a Loyalist area of East Belfast. Reminders of the conflict are omnipresent including the demarcation of territory through the use of flags and murals which often show allegiance to various banned paramilitary groups making life returning to normality difficult.

A bonfire in Lower Shankill, West Belfast. Huge bonfires are constructed in Loyalist Protestant communities in Belfast for burning on the Eleventh Night, the eve of the annual July 12th Orange Order celebrations.

Children fly the British flag whilst protecting their bonfire in Suffolk, a Protestant enclave in the Catholic dominated area of South Belfast.

A bonfire in Tigers Bay, north Belfast which is one of the most underdeveloped wards in Belfast. The Irish tricolour flag is often placed on top of the bonfires for burning as well as other sectarian symbols and banners which creates tensions between the two communities.

Signs of allegiance come in all forms including mobile phone covers. A Loyalist at the Sandy Row bonfire in central Belfast.

Loyalists celebrate the burning of the Sandy Row bonfire and Irish tricolour flag on the Eleventh night.

The Workman Avenue peace gates are only opened twice a year by Police to allow the contentious Protestant Orange Order Whiterock feeder parade in West Belfast to pass through them. The parade passes along the mostly Catholic nationalist Springfield Road interface and through the Workman Avenue peace gates then onto Shankill Road. Whilst violence at this parade has reduced over the years it does set back community relations.

Orangemen pass through the Workman Avenue peace gates. The Springfield Residents Action Group staged a peaceful protest under a heavy police presence.

Ambulatorio, an art based peace building initiative between the peace gates on the Flax Street interface in North Belfast. Artist Oscar Munoz has laid down panels of aerial pictures of north Belfast between the peace gates which will be opened for a short time allowing community members to cross the interface through this route for the first time. A confidence building concept, the installation invites residents to imagine walking around a north Belfast free of walls and gates.

A last minute email from the Burmese government stating I’ve been granted an official press pass even though the elections are in 5 days, a few beers with photographers in Perth that night encouraging me to go..8 hours later catching a flight to Bangkok to pick up a visa arriving in Rangoon (Yangon) 8am on Saturday. No sleep, little research and first time in Burma so challenging but not unusual for a news story.

Luckily found an english speaking driver who knew the story so headed straight to the National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, in Rangoon for some info then a crazy 3 hour drive following her energetic supporters to her chosen constituency in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon.

Had to return that night to recharge batteries etc as totally unprepared for an overnight so in hotel at 11.30pm and gone again at 2.30am. Lots of local and international press at her house to see Aung San Suu Kyi leave to meet her supporters at 7am and another frantic 4 hours as she visited polling booths around Kawhmu.

Leaving the media circus it was time to concentrate on the elections themselves visiting voting stations throughout Kawhmu and Rangoon. Media restrictions stated you could not photograph within 500 yards of a polling station but after visiting more than 20 I found two that due to local officials who either didn’t understand the law or decided it wasn’t appropriate (I hope it was the latter) let me in to document Burmese people voting in only the third election to be held in Burma in the last 50 years. Quite a moment for all which was embraced by young and old.

As far as I could see it seemed very well organised, consistent throughout each station and transparent. This was obviously only a very surface and brief view of the elections so lets hope that nothing untoward comes to light over the next few days. If the official results confirm what the NLD are stating then it has been a resounding victory for  them and Aung San Suu Kyi. The future of Burma is now in many ways as unpredictable yet optimistic as it has been for many years…….

National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi surrounded by her party aides leaves her home in Rangoon (Yangon) to travel down to Kawhmu on the eve of the by-election.

National League for Democracy (NLD) supporters travel from Rangoon (Yangon) to Kawhmu, south west of Rangoon (Yangon) where their leader Aung San Suu Kyi is standing in the by-election.

Villagers along the road show support for NLD supporters travelling from Rangoon (Yangon) to Kawhmu, south west of Rangoon (Yangon).

NLD supporters travel on a bus with a painting of Aung San Suu Kyi and her late father Aung San.

An NLD supporter welcomes Aung Sun Suu Kyi to Kawhmu.

Thousands of NLD supporters descend on Kawhmu on the eve of the by-elections.

National League for Democracy (NLD) supporters travel from Rangoon (Yangon) to Kawhmu, south west of Rangoon (Yangon) where their leader Aung San Suu Kyi is standing in the by-election.

On election day flanked by her security guards NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi visits a polling station in Kawhmu, south west of Rangoon (Yangon) where she is standing in the by-election.

A journalist falls trying to follow the Aung San Suu Kyi convoy. Despite some written restrictions the press had relative freedom to report

Aung San Suu Kyi visiting a polling station.

Voters in Natsingone High School in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) check their names are on the voting list during the by-elections.

Voters in Natsingone High School in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) check their names are on the voting list during the by-elections.

A ballot paper in Natsingone High School in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) during the by-elections.

A woman places her vote with the assistance of an official in Natsingone High School in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) during the by-elections.

A woman places her vote watched by party observers in one of the many schools used as polling stations in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) during the by-elections.

A man places his vote in one of the many schools used as polling stations in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) during the by-elections.

Officials taking out the ballot papers from the ballot boxes in Mingalar Tuang Nyunt Township in Rangoon (Yangon) following the by-elections.

A large crowd in Mingalar Tuang Nyunt Township in Rangoon (Yangon) outside the ballot counting station wait in anticipation as the results start coming in following the by-elections.

An official shows an empty ballot box to the large crowd gathered to hear the results of the by-election in Mingalar Tuang Nyunt Township in Rangoon (Yangon) following the by-elections.

A large crowd in Mingalar Tuang Nyunt Township in Rangoon (Yangon) outside the ballot counting station wait in anticipation as the results start coming in following the by-elections.

The crowd reacts as news of NLD wins come in.

Aung San Suu Kyi has claimed victory in the elections for her post on government. Time will tell how successful in changing the regime the election will have.