Back on his Feet

Taking pictures during an official visit has never been my favorite activities in photography. The usual same handshaking, the same discussion, the same attitudes and the same problems to manage (remain discrete, try to fit as many VIP as possible in the frame, avoid people looking at me, etc...). Not unpleasant, but usually not the most exciting neither. Except when side moments give you some interesting opportunities...

22 November 2014: A young patient at the ICRC orthocenter in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan

For my first weekend in months without setting a foot in my office, it actually feels weird, but nice, to end up processing two big batches of pictures again.

Humans of Afghanistan

Driving about 20km to visit an old city and listening to a guy speaking about the challenges faced when renovating the local mosque is rarely a weekend highlight. But when it happens in Afghanistan, visiting Balkh city and the Masjid Sabz (Green Mosque) becomes a fantastic adventure. Another reminder that, without the war, Afghanistan could be a great place for tourism and trekking.

16 August 2014: Young Afghan in Balkh city, Northern Afghanistan

P.S: And yes, I'm the happy (so far) owner of a Fuji x-t1 with a 23mm 1.4. Let's see what I can do with it...

New website

First of all, I finally spent some time to improve and rearrange my website. I now officially have my domain name olivierchassot.com and it should be a bit easier to follow my work. Moreover, although I like zenfolio, I started to be seriously annoyed to have their banner squatting my website. So hopefully everything should be fine now. If not, please let me know.Then, Perpignan'side effects are still affecting me and I feel more motivated than ever to take photographs, push my limits and to hopefully capture something different to present for my Master's. Once again, I miss a bookstore to spend some time looking for inspiration.13 September 2011: Abu Shouk Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.[Click on the picture to enlarge it].And finally, after a bit more than two weeks with my new Macbook Air 11 inches, I can confirm that it is a great laptop, especially for people frequently traveling and who need a light, small but still powerful and ergonomically usable computer (once you've started working with a Macbook Pro or a Magic mouse, it is impossible to return to a Netbook's touchpad). Of course, a Macbook Pro 15 inches is way more confortable to write documents or process pictures. But you can not have everything and, compare to a MBA, a MBP becomes VERY bulky and heavy. So my MBA will spend some time in my bag while my MBP will enjoy a bit more my desk(s).15 September 2011: Slaughterhouse, Abu Shouk Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Happy streets

2 February 2011: A chinese boy plays with fireworks during Chinese New Year’s Eve, in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China. Streets are crowded by people celebrating, transforming the city in a happy war zone, with explosions and detonations all night long. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].03 February 2011: On 3rd of February 2011 starts the Year of the Rabbit, according the the Chinese (lunar) calendar. For shops, it is a huge opportunity to sell different declination of items, all related to rabbit. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Chinese New Year

I'm not sure that my eyes were really different that night. I don't remember having seen so many fireworks and heard so many explosions per minute. Moreover, when your stomach is full of Sichuan food... it's quite difficult to be picky and not to enjoy the moment.2 February 2011: A chinese boy enjoys fireworks with his father during Chinese New Year's Eve, in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China. Streets are crowded by people celebrating, transforming the city in a happy war zone, with explosions and detonations all night long. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].