© Julie Higelin
Why we liked it: Julie was the very first one to submit a series of pictures in the competition and she’s straight away set the bar very high! With her perfect timing she brings us back to India and to the ancient martial art of kalaripayattu.
Julie, thanks a lot for your photos, can you tell us something about yourself, travel and photography?
I have started travelling since my late teens, and as far as I remember, I’ve always needed the visual support of photos to tell my friends and family about my travel stories, once back home. Without images I was lost: how to convey my experiences in places where everything was just so different? I always felt that photos were better than long descriptions. Four years ago, I (fortunately) had my little compact camera stolen abroad and a generous friend of mine lend me his DSLR and lenses. I learned how to use them, and got more interested in photography itself. I spent a lot of time watching famous photographers’ work and started understanding the “strory-telling” potential a photo can have if you work on it! Since then I gradually left my job as a physiotherapist in France, always looking for more free time to travel and shoot… now I’m based in India and I’ve started working on how to make my photos fund the next ones! Anyone who wants to keep up with my journeys can join my Facebook page, “Julie H. photos“, or my website as well: www.juliehphotos.com for a more extensive idea of what I’ve done so far.
What motivated you to participate in this competition?
I straight away liked the concept of limiting the number of participants to 1000! It gives one more chances of being noticed. And of course the theme “All Asia” was right for me as I’ve been shooting mostly India so far and I had already missed the “All India” contest last year!
Where was this picture taken? Can you tell us something more about it?
I shot this image in Kannur district, Kerala, South India. The subjects are performing Kalaripayattu, a very ancient martial art from Kerala dating back to the 2nd century BC. Although it has been forbidden under the Brithish rule, Kalaripayattu remained strong in the Keralan culture. I found interesting to document it as an old tradition and also because I was personally surprised to find such an ancient martial art from India!
What are you trying to convey with your photography?
I’m still at the early stages of my photographer’s life, so I’d say I’m simply telling my travel experiences. I am curious and mostly after human subjects, I like the diversity of cultures and lifestyles I encounter when travelling. I like the fact that it makes me wonder, I think it opens my mind. I hope to share this through my photos!
Have you been elsewhere in Asia?
Not really! I’ve been to Cambodia once, and I’ve just spent around a year in India with my life-partner. I wasn’t shooting all the time, but I still think I gained a certain understanding of the culture there…
What is the place that inspires you the most and why?
Hard to answer only one place… but I’d say Rajasthan: it’s a classic destination for photography but it’s also a true photographers’ paradise. I just don’t wanna put my camera back in its bag when I’m there, and I feel more than anywhere else I’ve visited so far that a good shot can be just around the corner!
What is your long term goal with photography?
To keep improving! To be able to continue travelling and shooting a long time, and hopefully to gain a certain recognition at some point…
Surely Julie found some recognition here! If you’ve been inspired by her story and feel you would like to share your photos with the world take part in “All of Asia”, create a profile and submit your pictures!
