It’s always been the “street people” that have intrigued me the most. Regardless really of where in the world I’ve had the privilege to encounter and interact with them, if ever so briefly. Why do I feel a stronger affinity to everyday people than to those well-to-do? Not sure. Perhaps it’s how they don’t try to obfuscate the often brutal reality of their everyday struggle. Without exception, I approach folks I want to capture on the street as humbly as possible, without coming off as patronizing or sanctimonious and casually expecting them to provide me with their time or attention.

Among both professional and enthusiastic photographers, the genre “Street Photography” is widely popular. Essentially, this kind of photography is focused on recording everyday life in a public space. Hardcore street photographers live by the “rule” that subjects should have no knowledge of being photographed. All in accordance with the Godfather of the genre, Henri Cartier-Bresson, the French photographer and filmmaker known as a pioneer of street photography. I for one can both abide by and easily disobey that rule when needed.

I’ve photographed folks on the streets of Asia every time I’ve had the opportunity to visit the continent since 1988. Generally speaking, people in Asia, especially South East Asia (but also in Taiwan and Japan) are less uptight and above all, seem genuinely generous when asked politely to be visually eternalized.