PICTORIAL STORY WHISPERS On Mother’s Day, Regina Melo's story asks us to pause. To remember. To feel. It honors the profound, often quiet sacrifices that mothers make, and the invisible threads that bind us to them. May 11, 2025 PICTORIAL STORY photography and story REGINA MELO introduction KAREN GHOSTLAW POMARICO SHARE Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Born and raised in Brazil and living in Connecticut with her husband since 1995, Regina Melo is an autodidact photographer who works primarily with natural light. Her journey with the camera began with food and crafts, captured in a personal blog she maintained from 2011 to 2014. But over time, photography became something more — a way to hold on, to make sense of memory, emotion, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. In a world filled with noise and contradiction, the act of taking a photograph became her way of listening closely — to herself, to the world, to the stories that often go untold. Caring for a loved one, especially in their later years, can be all-consuming and emotionally overwhelming. For Regina, the challenge was intensified by distance — living far from her mother meant she could only offer care during short visits, witnessing from afar the quiet changes that signaled the passing of time. Her mother had slowly begun to retreat from the daily rhythms that once brought her joy. And yet, in those visits, there were still moments of closeness, of deep connection that spoke louder than words. By what felt like grace — or perhaps the invisible thread that so often binds mothers and daughters—Regina happened to be there, holding her mother’s hands, at the exact moment she took her last breath. Her mother passed away from a heart attack, gently and unexpectedly, at the age of 98. That final moment, filled with silence and presence, left Regina with profound sadness, but also with a sense of spiritual closeness — a quiet knowing that, somehow, they had been exactly where they needed to be. It was a goodbye, but also a deep, sacred recognition of love’s enduring presence. Whispers – A Love Letter to My Mother is Regina’s way of navigating that loss — of honoring her mother’s life and presence through image and memory. Created in the quiet aftermath of grief, this project offers an intimate window into the final chapters of a mother-daughter bond. It is tender, unguarded, and deeply personal. It is also, in many ways, universal. Before the quarantine of 2020, Regina offered her photographic skills as a volunteer for nonprofits, using her lens in service of others. But Whispers marks a return inward — toward family, toward home, toward the spaces where love and longing live side by side. Through each image, Regina captures not only what was lost, but also what remains: gestures, textures, light. The way love lingers, even after the physical form is gone. On Mother’s Day, this story asks us to pause. To remember. To feel. It honors the profound, often quiet sacrifices that mothers make, and the invisible threads that bind us to them — across time, across distance, even across silence. Whispers is a tribute, a farewell, and a thank you. A love letter written not in words, but in light. A Love Letter to My Mother On the evening of November 14th, 2022, holding my hands, my mother unexpectedly passed away. She was 98 years old. I say she died unexpectedly because she was not sick, she was at home. She was sleeping and woke up not feeling well. She had a heart attack. For the last few years before her death, every time I went back to Brazil, I started noticing changes in her daily routine. She stopped cooking, crocheting, knitting, and tending to her plants, all things she loved to do, and she started repeating stories over and over. She would sit alone, lost in her thoughts, looking fragile, lonely and vulnerable. That's when I started taking pictures of her, hoping to capture those moments to preserve and not forget them. Whispers - a Love Letter to My Mother, is an immersive introspection into the world of my mother, fragments of her final years; it's a personal project, yet I believe it speaks of universal subjects — unconditional love, the slow passing of time, the abiding feeling of loneliness that comes with the finitude of late old age. It was intimidating to capture the essence of someone I love in a photograph. However, it helped me to become very conscious of her vulnerability at those moments in her life. They were intimate and meaningful moments, yet emotionally exhausting and heartbreaking. I would be by her side for hours, listening to her stories, caring for her, sleeping with her, immersing myself in her world. For the first time since my mother passed away, I went back to her house last February. It was overwhelming and painful to be back there. Grief is weird; like everything else, it's different for everyone. For me, it hasn't been one long period of mourning, but rather many little things - missing calling her every Sunday, the lovely way she looked at me, her teaching me how to make everything neat and beautiful. She threw nothing away; instead, she always found a clever way to reuse it. Listening to her stories about growing up in a small village where most inhabitants were her relatives, or my father's. Her coffee, ah, her coffee, how I miss it! Every time I visited her, she would be waiting for me at the front door, no sooner had I arrived she would say, “This time you are going to stay longer, aren't you?” I miss returning home; that's what she was to me - home. My heart breaks when I think of her, and at the same time, I feel overwhelmed with joy when I see and hear the first signs of Spring, when I buy myself flowers, and have a cup of coffee on a silent misty morning; or when the warmth of the sun hits my face after a long winter, and my husband and I go for a walk in nature, or simply dance alone in the house. Joy and sorrow - maybe that's the only way to fully experience life. © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo © Regina Melo Whispers – A Love Letter to My Mother is more than a photographic project; it is Regina’s way of holding on. Each image is a fragment of memory, a way of preserving presence in the face of absence. Through her portraits of her mother and visual narrative, she offers a meditation on love, grief, and the enduring tenderness of the mother-daughter bond. For Regina, photography became a way to stay close — to see clearly, to listen deeply, to honor the small and sacred details of her mother’s final years. In capturing these moments, she wasn’t just documenting change; she was bearing witness to a life. To the silences. To the rituals. To the everyday grace that still lived in the corners of her mother’s world. And though her mother is no longer here, Regina continues to feel her presence — in the scent of morning coffee, in the way sunlight fills a quiet room, in the tender ache of memory stirred by the seasons. Love, she has learned, does not vanish. It shifts. It settles into new shapes. It lives in gestures, in stories, in the spaces we return to when we long for home. This project is both deeply personal and quietly universal. On Mother’s Day, Whispers invites us to pause and reflect on the women who raised us, shaped us, and loved us — often in ways that went unnoticed. It is a moment to remember, to honor, and perhaps, to see our mothers with new eyes. Whispers is a tribute, a farewell, and a gentle reminder that even in loss, a mother’s love continues to speak — softly, steadily, like a whisper. Throughout the years, Regina has expanded her photographic perspective and refined her craft through numerous workshops and participation in online photo salons. She has sought guidance from distinguished photographers such as Teresa Freitas, Dara Scully, and Oliver Mayhall at Domestika, Alec Soth and Joel Meyerowitz at Magnum Photos, as well as other renowned instructors like Laura Valenti, Leah Zawadzki, Roxanne Bryant, Deb Schwedhelm, Anita Perminova, and Jen Bilodeau. She has also worked with Aran Goyoaga in Portugal and Béa Peltre in England. These experiences have enriched her artistic vision and deepened her understanding of the power of photography as a medium for storytelling. Regina has also used her photographic skills in volunteer work for non-profit organizations, which has further connected her craft to meaningful causes. Her work has been featured in notable publications, including a 2024 creative collaboration with Docu Magazine and Blurb Books, and as a selected contributor in C2H Photography Magazine in 2022 and 2021. She was also featured in Visual Voices Magazine in 2022, where her photo essays were highlighted alongside the work of twelve other photographers. Additionally, her photographs appeared in Fine Gardening Magazine in 2020, showcasing a wildlife-friendly garden in Connecticut. Her dedication and talent have been recognized with accolades, including Second Place for the Whispers Project in 2022’s Book of the Month and Third Place for 5 Blocks from Home in the 2020 James Maher Photography online competition. Regina’s work continues to evolve as she captures the complexities of life through her lens, offering both intimate and universal perspectives on the world around her. As Whispers comes to a close, the silence it leaves behind lingers — soft, familiar, and full of memory. In honoring her mother, Regina found herself returning to a deeper question that lives quietly within so many of us: “What is home? Is it a place, a person, a moment in time — or something we carry inside, shaped by love, loss, and the passage of time?” For a further look into Regina’s world of visual storytelling, follow the link and engage more of her inspirational photography. Learn more about her process and her approach to creating photography. view Regina's portfolio Website >>> Instagram >>> Buy book >>> The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author/s, and are not necessarily shared by The Pictorial List and the team. read more stories >>> VISIONS OF ICELAND FROM ABOVE Massimo Lupidi takes flight above Iceland — capturing nature’s abstract brushstrokes where land, water, and sky blur into poetic visions beyond the ordinary eye. UNDER THE CLOUDS Giordano Simoncini presents a visual ethnography of the interconnectedness of indigenous cosmology, material life, and the ecological balance within the Quechua communities of the Peruvian Andes. NYC SUBWAY RIDERS BEFORE THE INVASION OF SMARTPHONES Hiroyuki Ito’s subway photographs reveal a vanished intimacy — strangers lost in thought in a world before digital distractions took hold. THE GHOST SELF Buku Sarkar stages her refusal to vanish. Her photographs are unflinching, lyrical acts of documentation, mapping a body in flux and a mind grappling with the epistemic dissonance of chronic illness. WHISPERS On Mother’s Day, Regina Melo's story asks us to pause. To remember. To feel. It honors the profound, often quiet sacrifices that mothers make, and the invisible threads that bind us to them. BEYOND THE MASK By stepping beyond the scripted world of professional wrestling and into the raw terrain of mental health, Matteo Bergami and Fabio Giarratano challenge long-held myths about masculinity, endurance, and heroism. FRAGMENTS OF TIME Each of jfk's diptychs functions as a microcosm of the city, allowing viewers to experience urban life as constant fragmented glimpses, mirroring the unpredictable nature of human interactions. VANISHING VENICE Lorenzo Vitali’s portrayal of Venice is an almost surreal experience — where time dissolves, and the viewer is left with the sensation of stepping into a dreamscape. CLAY AND ASHES Abdulla Shinose CK explores the challenges faced by Kumhar Gram's potters, balancing tradition and adaptation in the face of modern pressures. ISLAND Enzo Crispino’s photographic series, “Nêsos,” invites viewers into an introspective journey that mirrors the artist’s rediscovery of his voice in photography after a prolonged period of creative estrangement. BEYOND THE BRICKS Amid Bangladesh’s dynamic urban growth, Anwar Ehtesham’s photography takes us beyond statistics and headlines, revealing the hidden lives of the laborers working tirelessly in the nation’s brick kilns. OAXACA In Oaxaca, Tommaso Stefanori captures Día de los Muertos, exploring the convergence of life and death, human connections, and enduring cultural rituals through evocative photographs of tradition and emotion. BEHIND THE PLANTS Wayan Barre documents Cancer Alley residents facing pollution and economic challenges, shedding light on their resilience and the impacts of environmental injustice. THE RED POPPY AND THE SUN By blending archival and contemporary images, Mei Seva creates a visual story that captures the ongoing struggles and moments of triumph for those impacted by displacement and circumstance. FIRE AND FORGE Alexandros Zilos delves deep into the harsh reality of sulfur mining, while also capturing the allure of the blue fire phenomenon created by sulfur deposits in the crater. IN-VISIBLE PAIN Through black and white self-portraiture, Isabelle Coordes brings to light the stark reality of living with chronic pain — a reality often dismissed by a world that requires physical evidence to believe in one’s suffering. CELEBRATION OF LIFE Ahsanul Haque Fahim's photography captures Holi in Bangladesh, celebrating life with vibrant colors and reflecting human emotions, diversity, and interconnectedness in Dhaka's streets. KOALA COUNTRY Sean Paris invites viewers on a transformative journey, challenging our perceptions and fostering a new appreciation for rural Australia through mesmerizing infrared photography. MOMMIE Arlene Gottfried’s poignant exploration of motherhood in “Mommie” is not just a collection of photographs but a profound tribute to the enduring bonds of family and the universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. BIFRÖST Amidst the breathtaking scenery of Norway, Romain Coudrier discovered the allure of rare light and subtle shades, immortalizing each moment in striking black and white with every click of his camera shutter. MUD Dedipya Basak's documentary project explores the struggle of an 800 year old lake against the impacts of global warming, revealing its continued relevance and urgent story in today’s changing climate. A WORLD WITHIN REACH In his Cuba project, Pedro Vidal celebrates human resilience and warmth through captivating imagery, revealing photography's profound ability to encapsulate emotions and memories. UNVEILING VULNERABILITY In a world where masculinity is often synonymous with stoicism and strength, Francesca Tiboni challenges us to reevaluate our perceptions of masculinity, inviting us to embrace the complexity of the male emotional experience. TRANSCENDENTS: SPIRIT MEDIUMS IN BURMA AND THAILAND Mariette Pathy Allen's visual narrative celebrates authenticity, spotlighting Spirit Mediums' enigmatic presence in both possession and daily life. She portrays them as essential to cultures steeped in Animism, reflecting the enduring essence of human authenticity. COALESCENCE Visual diptychs intricately depicting the intimate exchange between a mother and daughter, transcending personal narratives to explore universal themes of transition, acceptance, and the beauty of change.

PICTORIAL STORY BEHIND THE PLANTS Along the stretch known as Cancer Alley, Wayan Barre documents lives shaped by industry — where communities confront pollution, hardship, and the fight to be seen and heard. September 27, 2024 PICTORIAL STORY photography and story WAYAN BARRE introduction KAREN GHOSTLAW POMARICO SHARE Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link In a world where environmental crises, political instability, and economic fluctuations shape the landscape of our lives, the social narratives that define our communities are constantly shifting. These factors often dictate the values, relationships, and systems that either nurture or dismantle the fabric of society. In times of change, the question arises: Do we, as individuals and communities, rise to care for and support one another, fostering resilience and solidarity? Or do we, overwhelmed by our own challenges, turn away from our neighbors, leaving them to navigate an uncertain future alone? Wayan Barre is a French photographer, born in 1989, based in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a member of the Raw Society, which dedicates its platform to creating a diverse photographic community with a strong focus on street, travel and documentary photography. Wayan is deeply moved by societal changes and the impact they create. His photography serves as a powerful voice through which the struggles of marginalized communities are brought into focus. His passion for exposing the truth drives him to capture the real, often overlooked, stories of people who face social and systemic challenges. By documenting the lived experiences of these individuals, Wayan seeks to understand their journeys, their resilience, and the structural barriers they confront. His visual narratives don't just highlight the hardships — they also reflect the human dignity and strength that persist despite adversity, calling for action to create more equitable and supportive environments. One wonders what drove Wayan to create such meaningful work. What opened his mind and heart to see and embrace the importance of visual storytelling that can help create awareness and ultimately build a network and platform for change? “Ten years ago, I discovered the fascinating world of street photography. My vision was shaped by artists such as Saul Leiter, Henri Cartier Bresson, Fred Herzog, and Alex Webb. I started developing skills & techniques in the street. I then felt a need to go further and tell stories with my images, moving from single images to compelling narratives. My journey as a documentary photographer was influenced by the works of Josef Koudelka ( Gypsies ), Tish Murtha ( Youth Unemployment ), Matt Black ( American Geography ) and Chris Killip ( Seacoal ). I began a quest to understand what subject matters resonate most with me. I am continuously drawn to borders and edges of society, places where cultures come together, sometimes easily, sometimes roughly.” Wayan’s early work was pivotal in shaping his photographic career. He began by collaborating with Forum Réfugiés, a French non-profit, capturing the stories and portraits of refugees and asylum seekers, which ignited his curiosity for documenting marginalized communities. His project The Sardine Hunters saw him spending time with sardine fishermen in Western France, offering him a rare chance to engage with diverse lifestyles and viewpoints. After relocating to the U.S. in 2022, Wayan continued his pursuit of meaningful projects, embedding himself within various communities. His first major U.S. project, Pointe-au-Chien is not dead , focused on the resilience of a Native American tribe in South Louisiana. Wayan invested several months documenting the complexities of their challenges. He also journeyed along the U.S - Mexico border to create Title 8 , a series highlighting the experiences of asylum seekers in shelters. Wayan’s long-term project Behind the Plants: The Americans of Cancer Alley delves into the lives of marginalized communities living near a stretch of chemical plants along the Mississippi River. Most recently, in 2024, Wayan spent time in Kosovo, documenting the lives of Serbs living in isolated enclaves, where ongoing ethnic tensions and economic hardship persist. Wayan’s body of work reflects his commitment to telling the stories of communities often overlooked, shining a light on their struggles and resilience. Wayan has found what drives him to create meaningful work, it is a passion that will only grow, it has become his seed for change. “I will pursue this career, no matter the cost, as this gives me a unique understanding of the world surrounding me. This is also my way to raise awareness on topics worthy of attention: I feel like I can play a part.” Today, we focus on one project that has driven Wayan to devote his time and creative energies through visual storytelling: Behind the Plants: The Americans of Cancer Alley . Wayan’s project illuminates the communities suffering and struggling with the realities of what plagues their society, exposing the truths we often do not understand, or fear of simply confronting the truth. In the heartland of Louisiana, between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, a 150-mile corridor along the Mississippi River tells a tale of environmental degradation, social injustice, and economic struggle. This region, home to over 150 behemoth chemical facilities and oil refineries, is also home to a multitude of communities, predominantly low-income and marginalized. Nearly 50% of the residents are African Americans, their roots intertwined with the land for centuries, dating back to the days of slavery when they were forced to cut and process sugar cane on vast plantations that dominated the river parishes. The Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) reports a staggering 95% higher risk of cancer due to air pollution for residents in this area compared to the rest of the United States. The consequences extend beyond cancer, with prevalent cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, and developmental diseases haunting the lives of the people here. This tragedy has earned the corridor the morbid moniker, Cancer Alley , a term underscored by UN human rights experts in 2021 as a stark example of “environmental racism.” Despite numerous complaints and irrefutable research establishing the causal link between industrial activities and health issues, permits for these facilities persist, and major incidents continue to occur. Louisiana, the third-poorest state in the U.S., is witnessing a concerning regression in air quality while the rest of the nation progresses. This phenomenon gives rise to a perplexing paradox, aptly termed the Red State Paradox by sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild. Despite being a leading state in generating substantial revenues from oil, natural gas, and chemical production, Louisiana finds itself among the worst in socio-economic indicators, highlighting a disconcerting disparity. This documentary goes beyond the statistics to unveil the personal stories of individuals and families living in the shadow of industrial giants. I explore the stark contrast between the industrial landscape and the daily lives of those who call this corridor home. Over a half-century, this riverside transformed from a collection of old plantations, tin-roofed shacks and verdant cornfields into an industrial juggernaut. Though the air quality here has improved significantly since the 1980s, as it has in the rest of the nation, the recent history is less encouraging. Not only is toxic air pollution in Louisiana’s industrial belt rising in absolute terms, but the estimated air quality also relative to its peers is getting worse, an analysis by ProPublica found. In parts of Cancer Alley , ProPublica estimated lifetime cancer risk is up to 47 times what the EPA deems acceptable. And the burden is not being shared evenly. Many of the new plants planned in Louisiana’s petrochemical heart are being built in or near communities that EPA models estimate already have some of the most dangerous air in America. The problems are especially acute in predominantly black and poor communities, like St John the Baptist, St James and Ascension Parishes. On the west bank, sugarcane stalks shoot out of sprawling green fields as far as the eye can see. Small family homes and grand plantation houses that have seen centuries’ worth of births, deaths and memories are sprinkled throughout the never-ending stretches. The cultural landscape is largely intact. The east bank has been taken over by a tangle of metal, concrete and smoke. Layers of rust-colored dust coat everything, including roads, buildings and a once-green welcome sign near Atlantic Alumina Gramercy Operations . Despite the Environmental Protection Agency issuing a warning about the plant's dangers in 2016, it continues to operate just 450 feet from the Fifth Ward Elementary School. St. John the Baptist Parish, where the plant is located, held the highest cancer risk in the country for a significant part of the past decade, with the risk being approximately 50 times greater than the national average in 2014. Even today, the cancer risk in the area remains nearly seven times higher than the national average. Wilma Subra, an activist and scientist, is highly involved in the area. She raises awareness on the risks to the local residents. She is also trying to get blood samples from the cows next to Denka Performance Elastomer to prove the risk on humans. On August 25, 2023, a massive column of smoke started to erupt from Marathon Petroleum refinery, in Garyville, LA. © Wayan Barre Melvin was a boilermaker for various industries. He was working in chemical tanks, near very hazardous products. He lives on Burton Road in St James, surrounded by tanks. He is very sick. © Wayan Barre Advertising on a Shell refinery plant, Geismar, LA. © Wayan Barre A poor African American neighborhood near Marathon Petroleum Refinery, Garyville, LA. © Wayan Barre “Blue & Son” grocery store. St James, LA. This is the last grocery store in St James. The surrounding industries have bought out the others. “Everything has a price. If they want to buy it, I’ll probably sell it.” — Kenneth © Wayan Barre Road toward Donaldsonville, LA, the town with one of the biggest and most polluting refineries of the area: CF Industries. © Wayan Barre Very few full-time industry jobs are held by local residents. Yet jobs were always promised when each new plant is proposed. Donaldsonville, LA. © Wayan Barre A grain elevator situated in the middle of a neighborhood in Reserve, LA. © Wayan Barre Melvin pointing at a grain elevator. Grain elevators pose life-threatening health and safety consequences, including particulate air pollution, which can lodge deep in the lungs and cause serious health problems. Welcome, LA © Wayan Barre Atlantic Alumina is the last operating alumina refinery in the United States. On January 7th, 2024, five workers were burned by the release of a high pH caustic solution. Gramercy, LA. © Wayan Barre Wallace is a small town of about 755 people. The majority Black community is divided in half by the Mississippi River. Sugarcane plantations once lined each side of the river. A look at both sides of the river reads like a before and after snapshot. © Wayan Barre Nestled beside Denka Performance Elastomer, James and his daughter reside in a predominantly Black community enduring decades of exposure to emissions from the nearby Denka plant. This facility, owned by Denka Performance Elastomer, specializes in the production of chloroprene, a chemical utilized in neoprene manufacturing a substance, federal regulators deem likely to cause cancer. LaPlace, LA. © Wayan Barre “Do you really think there is something with the air?” — James © Wayan Barre The activist and scientist, Wilma Subra is trying to get blood samples from the cows next to Denka Performance Elastomer to prove the risk on humans. © Wayan Barre Leroy near the fence separating his house and the chemical tanks. Workers came in the 60s to build the first one. His mother started to cook for them. Then he became a sandblaster helper. St James, LA. © Wayan Barre “It was fun. We made good money. Around $12/hr. Until one of the tanks overflowed. It happened a a few times until they got caught by EPA. We had a class action suit against them. Everyone got $100.” - Leroy © Wayan Barre Football practice in Lutcher, LA. © Wayan Barre Poverty rate is 22%. There are 64.6% of African American residents. © Wayan Barre “Every morning, I take my cup of coffee and my pills. Otherwise, I get sore throat and swollen eyes.” - Ali Ali used to work in the tobacco fields. He now works at Whitney Plantation as a staff manager. © Wayan Barre A freight train leaving a facility with chemicals. Donaldsonville, LA. © Wayan Barre Sugar cane planting behind Marathon Refinery. Many African American residents are descendants of slaves. This area was once dominated by vast plantations, now replaced by plants. Sugar cane was the first ever industrial polluter. Refineries were located close to the slaves' cabins. Garyville, LA. © Wayan Barre © Wayan Barre Marathon Refinery Plant totally surrounds the Zion Travelers Cemetery. A few years ago, visitors had to ask permission to access it. Bobby Taylor, founder of the Concerned Citizens of St. John, has his whole family buried in this cemetery. “The only reason why the cemetery is still there is that you can’t buy a cemetery.” - Robert Bobby, Reserve, LA. © Wayan Barre Rise St James, a grassroots non-profit, led by the activist Sharon Lavigne fights the petrochemical industries. A few months ago, they managed to halt the construction of Formosa Plastics, a $9.4B project composed of 14 plants in St James Parish. Various active non-profits also fight in the area. © Wayan Barre The pastor has been one of the first persons to fight the industries in St James, LA, before non-profits existed. Faith-based organizations are still the cornerstone of poor communities in the US. “Government is sold out to the industries. Things can hardly change.” © Wayan Barre On August 25th, 2023, a massive column of smoke started to erupt from Marathon Petroleum refinery, in Garyville, LA. © Wayan Barre © Wayan Barre Sani is 13 years old and suffers from asthma and various respiratory issues. Me: “Why do you stay here, while the tank burns next to you?” Janae: “To go where? We ain’t nowhere to go.” Garyville, LA. © Wayan Barre Prayer before a meeting. Residents gather to talk about pollution in the area, and potential actions. Welcome United States. © Wayan Barre Like other residents, Nicolette has had stage 4 cancer. She had parts of her breast removed. “Our children have asthma; our elders have cancer.” © Wayan Barre © Wayan Barre Wayan Barre is a photographer who has been moved by these devastating social changes and has created his visual narrative to reflect and address many of these issues that marginalized communities struggle with. His passion to expose the truth has driven his visual stories to focus on the people in the communities to better understand exactly who they are, how they got there, and what obstacles they face that need to be overcome to create an environment to have a better life. As we face unprecedented challenges — ranging from climate change and global pandemics to political polarization and economic disparity — the choices we make in how we relate to others become critical. This dilemma reflects the tension between communal responsibility and individual survival, raising important questions about what kind of society we wish to create. The future, marked by the complexities of change, demands a rethinking of how we define community and what it means to truly care for one another. Will we choose to build bridges, fostering inclusive systems of support, or will we allow the forces of division and neglect to erode the foundations of our shared humanity? Wayan is particularly sensitive to social and environmental issues and the impact on the communities that survive in these areas. He has worked on various projects, documenting communities, often marginalized and left over, overlooked and most often forgotten. We thank Wayan for opening our eyes to the reality behind the plants, exposing the communities that are suffering the effects of industrial pollution, while big business continues to profit while overlooking their supporting joining communities. Take the time to enlighten yourself on other social issues that plague our communities and follow the links to see more projects and to learn more about Wayan’s compelling work. You may find yourself wanting to care more and actively participate in helping to care for our neighbors. view Wayan Barre's portfolio Website >>> Instagram >>> The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author/s, and are not necessarily shared by The Pictorial List and the team. read more stories >>> VISIONS OF ICELAND FROM ABOVE Massimo Lupidi takes flight above Iceland — capturing nature’s abstract brushstrokes where land, water, and sky blur into poetic visions beyond the ordinary eye. UNDER THE CLOUDS Giordano Simoncini presents a visual ethnography of the interconnectedness of indigenous cosmology, material life, and the ecological balance within the Quechua communities of the Peruvian Andes. NYC SUBWAY RIDERS BEFORE THE INVASION OF SMARTPHONES Hiroyuki Ito’s subway photographs reveal a vanished intimacy — strangers lost in thought in a world before digital distractions took hold. THE GHOST SELF Buku Sarkar stages her refusal to vanish. Her photographs are unflinching, lyrical acts of documentation, mapping a body in flux and a mind grappling with the epistemic dissonance of chronic illness. WHISPERS On Mother’s Day, Regina Melo's story asks us to pause. To remember. To feel. It honors the profound, often quiet sacrifices that mothers make, and the invisible threads that bind us to them. BEYOND THE MASK By stepping beyond the scripted world of professional wrestling and into the raw terrain of mental health, Matteo Bergami and Fabio Giarratano challenge long-held myths about masculinity, endurance, and heroism. FRAGMENTS OF TIME Each of jfk's diptychs functions as a microcosm of the city, allowing viewers to experience urban life as constant fragmented glimpses, mirroring the unpredictable nature of human interactions. VANISHING VENICE Lorenzo Vitali’s portrayal of Venice is an almost surreal experience — where time dissolves, and the viewer is left with the sensation of stepping into a dreamscape. CLAY AND ASHES Abdulla Shinose CK explores the challenges faced by Kumhar Gram's potters, balancing tradition and adaptation in the face of modern pressures. ISLAND Enzo Crispino’s photographic series, “Nêsos,” invites viewers into an introspective journey that mirrors the artist’s rediscovery of his voice in photography after a prolonged period of creative estrangement. BEYOND THE BRICKS Amid Bangladesh’s dynamic urban growth, Anwar Ehtesham’s photography takes us beyond statistics and headlines, revealing the hidden lives of the laborers working tirelessly in the nation’s brick kilns. OAXACA In Oaxaca, Tommaso Stefanori captures Día de los Muertos, exploring the convergence of life and death, human connections, and enduring cultural rituals through evocative photographs of tradition and emotion. BEHIND THE PLANTS Wayan Barre documents Cancer Alley residents facing pollution and economic challenges, shedding light on their resilience and the impacts of environmental injustice. THE RED POPPY AND THE SUN By blending archival and contemporary images, Mei Seva creates a visual story that captures the ongoing struggles and moments of triumph for those impacted by displacement and circumstance. FIRE AND FORGE Alexandros Zilos delves deep into the harsh reality of sulfur mining, while also capturing the allure of the blue fire phenomenon created by sulfur deposits in the crater. IN-VISIBLE PAIN Through black and white self-portraiture, Isabelle Coordes brings to light the stark reality of living with chronic pain — a reality often dismissed by a world that requires physical evidence to believe in one’s suffering. CELEBRATION OF LIFE Ahsanul Haque Fahim's photography captures Holi in Bangladesh, celebrating life with vibrant colors and reflecting human emotions, diversity, and interconnectedness in Dhaka's streets. KOALA COUNTRY Sean Paris invites viewers on a transformative journey, challenging our perceptions and fostering a new appreciation for rural Australia through mesmerizing infrared photography. MOMMIE Arlene Gottfried’s poignant exploration of motherhood in “Mommie” is not just a collection of photographs but a profound tribute to the enduring bonds of family and the universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. BIFRÖST Amidst the breathtaking scenery of Norway, Romain Coudrier discovered the allure of rare light and subtle shades, immortalizing each moment in striking black and white with every click of his camera shutter. MUD Dedipya Basak's documentary project explores the struggle of an 800 year old lake against the impacts of global warming, revealing its continued relevance and urgent story in today’s changing climate. A WORLD WITHIN REACH In his Cuba project, Pedro Vidal celebrates human resilience and warmth through captivating imagery, revealing photography's profound ability to encapsulate emotions and memories. UNVEILING VULNERABILITY In a world where masculinity is often synonymous with stoicism and strength, Francesca Tiboni challenges us to reevaluate our perceptions of masculinity, inviting us to embrace the complexity of the male emotional experience. TRANSCENDENTS: SPIRIT MEDIUMS IN BURMA AND THAILAND Mariette Pathy Allen's visual narrative celebrates authenticity, spotlighting Spirit Mediums' enigmatic presence in both possession and daily life. She portrays them as essential to cultures steeped in Animism, reflecting the enduring essence of human authenticity. COALESCENCE Visual diptychs intricately depicting the intimate exchange between a mother and daughter, transcending personal narratives to explore universal themes of transition, acceptance, and the beauty of change.

PICTORIAL STORY OAXACA Where memory meets celebration, Día de los Muertos unfolds — a dance of life and death, illuminated by Tommaso Stefanori’s vision, rich with ritual and connection. October 25, 2024 PICTORIAL STORY photography TOMMASO STEFANORI story MELANIE MEGGS SHARE Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link In the labyrinthine streets of Oaxaca, Mexico, amidst the intoxicating aroma of copal incense and the vibrant hues of Marigold flowers, Tommaso Stefanori embarked on a journey to document Dia de Los Muertos . Born in Rome, Italy, where he is currently based, Tommaso’s passion for travel led him to photography. Initially self-taught and focused on street photography, his early work captured the raw, candid moments of urban life. Seeking to deepen his photographic knowledge, Tommaso attended a photo reportage course at the Graffiti School of Photography in Rome, under the guidance of photographer and photojournalist Gianni Pinnizzotto. Here, he developed a deep interest for documentary photography, particularly of a social and travel nature, that continues to guide his work today. Tommaso’s transition from street to documentary photography reflects both his growth and a stronger understanding of storytelling. His photographs go beyond visual representation, capturing the human experiences and cultural traditions with an empathetic approach. This evolution earned him recognition in 2023 at the 7th edition of the International Award I Versi Non Scritti for his emotionally resonant work. Today, Tommaso collaborates with photojournalistic agencies ZUMA Press and NurPhoto, while continuing to pursue personal projects as a freelance photographer. His work balances professional assignments with personal exploration. His latest project, Oaxaca - In the Heart of the Day of the Dead , invites viewers into the vibrant celebration of Día de los Muertos . This festival, a vibrant amalgamation of pre-Columbian indigenous rituals and Spanish colonial influences, reflecting Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. Tommaso’s photographs reveal the festival’s intricate layers of symbolism and ceremony unfolding, offering an immersive experience. Día de los Muertos , celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd, honors the deceased in stages. November 1st, known as Día de los Angelitos , is dedicated to children, while November 2nd, Día de los Difuntos , focuses on adults. This schedule highlights the festival’s strong communal and familial connections, as families gather in cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, often maintaining a nocturnal vigil in reverence of their loved ones. Tommaso’s photography beautifully captures this interplay of life and death, the earthly and the spiritual. His images reveal not only the colorful decorations and lively parades but also the moments of introspection and connection that define the festival. Each photograph reflects the meaning of Día de los Muertos into a visual narrative that resonates with both cultural significance and personal reflection. Through Oaxaca - In the Heart of the Day of the Dead , Tommaso Stefanori invites us to explore the festival’s rich traditions and the emotional depth that accompanies the celebration of life and death. His work serves as a lens into the enduring cultural rituals and human connections at the heart of this celebration. Oaxaca, with its small size and local population, becomes a focal point for this ancient tradition. The city is transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors and emotions, where every corner pulsates with life. “ Oaxaca, in the heart of Mexico , has become the main core of the Día de los Muertos celebrations,” Tommaso notes. “For this event, a colorful and complex preparatory and decorative machine is set in motion. Flowers, candles, altars, masks, make-up, and costumes transform the streets of the barrios (districts). The atmosphere is filled with floats, parades, music, and dancing almost non-stop, especially at night. Yet, amidst the festivities, there is a pervasive feeling of respect, reverence, and profound spirituality towards the holiday and its loving meaning: remembering and celebrating the memory of one's muertos (deceased).” Tommaso captures the duality of this festival, intertwining the exuberance of life with the solemnity of death, stating, “These are two very intense days of conviviality between human and spiritual, past and present, earthly and otherworldly, between those who have been and those who still are.” The preparations for the celebrations begin days before the official start date. Tommaso’s photographs document the meticulous preparations — fields of orange Marigolds harvested and crafted into intricate decorations, in almost every corner of streets, houses, and cemeteries. “The streets are adorned with festoons and decorations — sometimes enormous —of skeletons and skulls. Local inhabitants, with skill and imagination, equip themselves with chairs and make-up kits in the street, transforming the faces, sometimes entire bodies, of locals and tourists into skulls and skeletons. The skeleton woman represents a strong icon of this tradition and takes the name of Calavera Catrina,” Tommaso explains. Over the decades, the Calavera Catrina , or Elegant Skeleton , has grown beyond her satirical origins to become a beloved symbol of the Day of the Dead . Her portrayal, often in elaborate gowns and floral headdresses, encapsulates a unique cultural perspective on mortality. Her origin is closely linked to the visionary artistry of José Guadalupe Posada, whose early 20th-century etchings gave the skeletal figure socio-political commentary. Posada's La Calavera Garbancera , adorned with an extravagant European-style hat, was a piercing critique of the Mexican elite's infatuation with European fashions, a reminder of their neglect of indigenous heritage. In contemporary artistic expression, the Calavera Catrina communicates a deep sense of continuity, identity, and cultural pride, serving as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and death, a key aspect of the Mexican worldview. “As the parades begin, rivers of masked and made-up people parade from one corner of the barrios to another. Multiple parades occur simultaneously, with music and dances intertwining to form one grand celebration.” As day turns to night, Tommaso’s images transition from the lively parades and joyous dances to the intimate and spiritual moments shared in candlelit courtyards and bustling cemeteries. Here, he captures the raw emotion and reverence as families gather to honor their deceased loved ones, highlighting the contrast between celebration and solemnity. The illuminated tombs, offerings, and quiet conversations between the living and the dead are shown through his lens, offering insight into the festival. “The emotion becomes even stronger in the cemeteries, which seem to come to life. Countless family members gather and camp around the tombs of their deceased loved ones, illuminated by the bright and warm lights of lit candles. Spending the entire night there, equipped with chairs, blankets, and a few drinks, the looks and eyes of these people convey an enormous sense of spirituality and respect. This is an intimate moment, and they don’t seem to be bothered by the presence of strangers — in fact, they sometimes invite you to join them. Around some tombs, there are numerous family members, sometimes with children, while around others, there are solitary individuals, often elderly, and some tombs remain dark and solitary.” As the sun rises, the new day begins with the first parades and musical bands moving through the streets of the barrios. Tommaso captures this scene, reflecting the idea that “it's only up to us to decide how to live the eternal game between life and death.” His photographs portray this interplay, offering a vivid portrayal of the duality that defines the Day of the Dead — a celebration where life and death coexist in a harmonious, vibrant dance. © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori © Tommaso Stefanori Tommaso Stefanori’s work reveals the layers of Día de los Muertos , a festival where the material and spiritual worlds converge, where memories are rekindled with each flicker of a candle, and where the living embrace the departed in a dance of life and death. His photographs do more than document; they invite us into a world where every face painted as a skeleton, every altar meticulously arranged, and every parade that fills the streets speaks of a culture's deep respect for its ancestors and a fearless acceptance of mortality. Through Tommaso’s eyes, we see Oaxaca not just as a place but as a living canvas of tradition, emotion, and timeless celebration. view Tommaso Stefanori's portfolio Website >>> Instagram >>> The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author/s, and are not necessarily shared by The Pictorial List and the team. read more stories >>> VISIONS OF ICELAND FROM ABOVE Massimo Lupidi takes flight above Iceland — capturing nature’s abstract brushstrokes where land, water, and sky blur into poetic visions beyond the ordinary eye. UNDER THE CLOUDS Giordano Simoncini presents a visual ethnography of the interconnectedness of indigenous cosmology, material life, and the ecological balance within the Quechua communities of the Peruvian Andes. NYC SUBWAY RIDERS BEFORE THE INVASION OF SMARTPHONES Hiroyuki Ito’s subway photographs reveal a vanished intimacy — strangers lost in thought in a world before digital distractions took hold. THE GHOST SELF Buku Sarkar stages her refusal to vanish. Her photographs are unflinching, lyrical acts of documentation, mapping a body in flux and a mind grappling with the epistemic dissonance of chronic illness. WHISPERS On Mother’s Day, Regina Melo's story asks us to pause. To remember. To feel. It honors the profound, often quiet sacrifices that mothers make, and the invisible threads that bind us to them. BEYOND THE MASK By stepping beyond the scripted world of professional wrestling and into the raw terrain of mental health, Matteo Bergami and Fabio Giarratano challenge long-held myths about masculinity, endurance, and heroism. FRAGMENTS OF TIME Each of jfk's diptychs functions as a microcosm of the city, allowing viewers to experience urban life as constant fragmented glimpses, mirroring the unpredictable nature of human interactions. VANISHING VENICE Lorenzo Vitali’s portrayal of Venice is an almost surreal experience — where time dissolves, and the viewer is left with the sensation of stepping into a dreamscape. CLAY AND ASHES Abdulla Shinose CK explores the challenges faced by Kumhar Gram's potters, balancing tradition and adaptation in the face of modern pressures. ISLAND Enzo Crispino’s photographic series, “Nêsos,” invites viewers into an introspective journey that mirrors the artist’s rediscovery of his voice in photography after a prolonged period of creative estrangement. BEYOND THE BRICKS Amid Bangladesh’s dynamic urban growth, Anwar Ehtesham’s photography takes us beyond statistics and headlines, revealing the hidden lives of the laborers working tirelessly in the nation’s brick kilns. OAXACA In Oaxaca, Tommaso Stefanori captures Día de los Muertos, exploring the convergence of life and death, human connections, and enduring cultural rituals through evocative photographs of tradition and emotion. BEHIND THE PLANTS Wayan Barre documents Cancer Alley residents facing pollution and economic challenges, shedding light on their resilience and the impacts of environmental injustice. THE RED POPPY AND THE SUN By blending archival and contemporary images, Mei Seva creates a visual story that captures the ongoing struggles and moments of triumph for those impacted by displacement and circumstance. FIRE AND FORGE Alexandros Zilos delves deep into the harsh reality of sulfur mining, while also capturing the allure of the blue fire phenomenon created by sulfur deposits in the crater. IN-VISIBLE PAIN Through black and white self-portraiture, Isabelle Coordes brings to light the stark reality of living with chronic pain — a reality often dismissed by a world that requires physical evidence to believe in one’s suffering. CELEBRATION OF LIFE Ahsanul Haque Fahim's photography captures Holi in Bangladesh, celebrating life with vibrant colors and reflecting human emotions, diversity, and interconnectedness in Dhaka's streets. KOALA COUNTRY Sean Paris invites viewers on a transformative journey, challenging our perceptions and fostering a new appreciation for rural Australia through mesmerizing infrared photography. MOMMIE Arlene Gottfried’s poignant exploration of motherhood in “Mommie” is not just a collection of photographs but a profound tribute to the enduring bonds of family and the universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. BIFRÖST Amidst the breathtaking scenery of Norway, Romain Coudrier discovered the allure of rare light and subtle shades, immortalizing each moment in striking black and white with every click of his camera shutter. MUD Dedipya Basak's documentary project explores the struggle of an 800 year old lake against the impacts of global warming, revealing its continued relevance and urgent story in today’s changing climate. A WORLD WITHIN REACH In his Cuba project, Pedro Vidal celebrates human resilience and warmth through captivating imagery, revealing photography's profound ability to encapsulate emotions and memories. UNVEILING VULNERABILITY In a world where masculinity is often synonymous with stoicism and strength, Francesca Tiboni challenges us to reevaluate our perceptions of masculinity, inviting us to embrace the complexity of the male emotional experience. TRANSCENDENTS: SPIRIT MEDIUMS IN BURMA AND THAILAND Mariette Pathy Allen's visual narrative celebrates authenticity, spotlighting Spirit Mediums' enigmatic presence in both possession and daily life. She portrays them as essential to cultures steeped in Animism, reflecting the enduring essence of human authenticity. COALESCENCE Visual diptychs intricately depicting the intimate exchange between a mother and daughter, transcending personal narratives to explore universal themes of transition, acceptance, and the beauty of change.

PICTORIAL STORY A TALE OF NATURE AND HERITAGE With words and images intertwined, Ana-Maria Alb leads us through the frosty winters of the Carpathians — where every turn reveals a story carved in mountain and mist. February 9, 2024 PICTORIAL STORY photography and story ANA-MARIA ALB introduction MELANIE MEGGS SHARE Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The land of Bukovina, located in North Romania, is a region rich in history and teeming with natural beauty. For Ana-Maria Alb, it is a place that holds a special connection to her heritage and a deep love for nature. Her journey in Bukovina is one woven with a passion for exploration and a dedication to preserving its hidden gems. After living immersed in the lively cultures of Germany and Austria for a decade, Ana-Maria’s return to her grandparents’ hometown of Gura Humorului proved to be a transformative experience. It was there, surrounded by the majestic landscapes and vibrant forests, that she made the decision to relocate and dedicate herself to discovering and promoting the wonders of Bukovina. With her certification as a tourism guide, Ana-Maria was granted the opportunity to serve as a local guide, sharing the magic of Bukovina with others. Her days were spent exploring the valleys of the Moldova and Humor rivers, carefully documenting the nuances of the local flora and fauna. The forest paths became her canvas, each step revealing the breathtaking seasonal changes of the landscape. Through her keen observations, Ana-Maria has identified an impressive 70 species of birds and 50 species of butterflies in Bukovina. Her love for the region only grew stronger, and in 2021 she poured her passion and experiences into a book that captured the spirit of Bukovina. Ana-Maria’s book not only delves into the rich history of the region but also presents its geographical wonders, maps out hiking trails, and celebrates the diverse flora and fauna that grace the area. It is a true reflection to her love and dedication for this special place. The book caught the attention of local authorities, and with their support, Ana-Maria’s collaborative efforts resulted in the creation of four hiking flyers. What had started as a personal passion for nature and outdoor walks organically evolved into a deeply satisfying profession. Today, Ana-Maria takes great pride in her role as a guide for Humor Valley’s natural wonders. She shares the region’s history, leads fellow nature enthusiasts through its breathtaking landscapes, and promotes its unique charm. This transition from a wanderer to an authorized local guide not only reflects a professional evolution but also a heartfelt commitment to preserving and celebrating the timeless beauty of Bukovina. Ana-Maria’s journey in Bukovina has not only enriched her own life but also inspired others to explore this captivating region. Through her various experiences in the Danube Delta, Transylvanian villages, and hiking through the Carpathians, she has collected countless stories and photographs that can captivate readers’ interest and serve as inspiration for them to travel to these places. Ana-Maria shares one of her many captivating stories - The Frosty Winters of the Carpathians . With her words and photographs, she invites readers to join her on a journey through the breathtaking Carpathians. Snow and freezing temperatures persist for weeks during the harsh winter in the Carpathians. I write these words thinking of all the wonderful people I met in Bukovina. They taught me how to fully appreciate as well as understand the charm of this place. Come with me on a peaceful journey to enjoy the pastoral settings of northern Romania, in the regions of Bukovina and Maramureş. (Pictures 1-3) After a week of heavy snow and blizzards, the sun lit up the entire Rodna National Park. Starting by car early in the morning from Gura Humorului, we arrived at the Prislop Mountain Pass, which ensures the connection between the historical provinces of Bukovina and Maramureș. Located at an elevation of 1416 m, the natural setting of the mountain pass takes your breath away. Majestic peaks frame the spot, the Rodna and Maramureș Mountains, the latter being the natural border of Romania with Ukraine. Our hiking trail to Gârgalău Peak is splendid; the first part is a walk on a mountain plateau, then a climb on the path made in the snow. From here followed the steeper climb, with several short breaks. Groups of hikers could be seen on the ridge, others behind us. The sun was sending its rays to our frozen faces. There is a little more and a little more. Steamy breaths could be heard with every step. (Pictures 4-6) At the top, at last! With a height of 2158 m, Gârgalău is the fourth-highest peak in the Rodna Mountains ridge. Everyone experiences joy in their own way. The wind's whispers reached even under the hood and cap that covered my head. I turned north-east, my back to the sun, and couldn't stop marveling at the magnificent setting that unfolded in front of my eyes. A warm shiver took over my whole body. Everything around me was so sublime: the ice embroidery, the shine of the snow, the white peaks of the mountain range…A stinging wind touches every inch of exposed skin. A few minutes facing the sun, a few photos, and we set off for the descent path. How lucky we were that we already had the tracks made by other hikers! Arriving at the Prislop Pass parking lot, we enjoyed a tasty meal at the restaurant. In a short time, the hot and spicy soup soothed our red faces and warmed us up. Late in the evening, I arrived home with the same joy that I have every season when I admire, from the valley and from the top, the greatness of these mountains. (Pictures 7-8) Another cold winter morning. The car was going up the road, freshly cleared of ice and snow. The trees are adorned with rime ice, and smoke rises from the chimneys of the houses towards the blue sky. In the north-western part of the Suceava county, alongside the Romanians, live the Hutsuls, an ethnic group of Slavic origin. Their history is still shrouded in mystery, remaining throughout the centuries a compact community spread over the Carpathian area of northern Romania and Ukraine. Respect for traditions, religious and community holidays, and their own lifestyle are features that make this ethnic group something distinct and unique. This Hutsul ethnic group has always had a close connection with the surrounding environment. The horse was the main form of travel in these mountainous areas where they live. Specific to the community is a small, friendly, hardy horse. Its origin is Carpathian; currently, there are several breeding centers. The use of these horses by the Austro-Hungarian imperial army enabled the Carpathian horse breed to gain widespread recognition. Their toughness was also put to the test during the two World Wars. In Romania, the Carpathian horse (hutsul pony) can be found in Suceava county, Moldova-Sulita locality. The craftsmanship with which they make and decorate household items, clothing, and household objects is representative of the Hutsuls civilization. The Hutsuls culture blends perfectly with the pastoral natural environment of the Carpathians through their wooden farms located in the valleys or on the meadows of the hilly coasts, near the forests. For centuries, the main source of existence for these mountain farmers had been provided by this small Carpathian horse. (Pictures 9-10) We leave the village, and the car goes up the country road through the forest that stretches along the border between Romania and Ukraine. We reached the village of Lupcina, at an elevation of 1000 m above the sea. Once, the forests of Lupcina were the land of wolves, hence the name of the village. At the end of the street, after the last house, right next to the forest, there is a wonderful wild meadow. A multitude of wildflowers grow here in the summer; the freshly cut hay smells divine; and colorful butterflies fly gently, giving you the feeling that you are in heaven. If you look up, you can see far away the hamlets and the vast Carpathian Forest beyond the border. Time stands still. In winter, this peace at the end of the world embraces you. The thick fog is slowly falling over the forest. The trees look like biscuits sprinkled with sugar. The wooden fences are silent, frozen in the snow that covers the whole Carpathian world. A crow makes another sound and flies away quickly. At the entrance to the forest, we stop to devour the last reserves of food. From the village, you can hear a dog barking; otherwise, there is a penetrating silence like the cold mountain air. The way back means crossing the forest and then entering a county road. How strange it is, every time, the return to civilization. (Picture 11) Between the towns of Gura Humorului and Câmpulung Moldovenesc lies the valley of the Suha River, a tributary of the Moldova River. The pastoral landscape of the Stânișoara Mountains is delightful; the villages scattered on the sloping coasts have wooden households, and the plots are marked by rustic fences. The locals are engaged in raising animals, working in the forest, and cultivating plants. Here, life is still archaic; everything is based on the peasant calendar, the change of seasons, and the difference between day and night. Suha Valley preserves the autochthonous lifestyle of the first inhabitants of this area, those who founded small communities in the middle of dense forests. The traditional houses combine wood and stone, the course of life in some villages, still follows an archaic rhythm. The gastronomic segment recalls the influences of all the ethnic groups that lived in Bukovina, the folk costume is a textile jewel or combination of textile, leather, fur and contains elements preserved from generation to generation. (Pictures 12-13) The lowest temperatures are usually recorded in January. In recent years, there have been exceptions. On a day when our resistance to the cold was tested as seriously as possible, we took a short hike in the Humor valley, not too far from my home. The river was completely frozen, and we were moving forward with difficulty through the hardened snow only on the surface. We arrived in the center of the village and met some friends. Their invitation to go for a snack in the old house they had from their great-grandmother could not be refused. The small house had a nice veranda with wooden beams. The fire lit on the old stove quickly warmed the room. For several minutes, I admired the shape of the frozen embroidery on the surface of the small window facing the street. In a short time, two plates of traditional food were placed on the table. Steaming potato slices were brought from the stove. These accompanied home-made sausages, smoked ham, onions and peppers, pickles, and cow's and sheep's cheeses. In the evening, I bravely set off for home. When closing the door, I felt a sting on my hand after touching the doorknob. A frosty night was coming. Until the city, only the eyes could be seen on our faces, everything else was covered. The snow crunched loudly with every step. (Picture 14) A special moment in the winter is when I build a snowman. It's my way of forging a spiritual bond between myself and that location. Finding the necessary materials is not difficult; leaves, branches, seeds, and what is uncovered by the snow all help to bring the character to life. Therefore, when leaving, it's also necessary to say goodbye to someone - in my case, the snowman. (Picture 15) This wooden fence has the same vitality as a deeply rooted tree, in my opinion. These fences charge themselves with solar energy, become one with the earth they stand on, absorb the sap of the plants that grow nearby, and become cleansed by raindrops. How could there not be life on this fence? It appears that winter is nature's napping season, with nothing to rouse it from. A far-off human voice is sometimes the only sign that anything is, in fact, happening, including your own breathing. This snow-covered environment has left a deep mark on me: a sense of familiarity and belonging to everything around me — a place I can definitely call home. About Bukovina and Maramureș - Spread over the territory of seven countries, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, Serbia and Romania, the Carpathian Arc is one of the treasures of this continent. Virgin forests, meadows, peaks and mountain plateau are home to a multitude of representatives of flora and fauna, diversity that must be preserved, the balance of the trophic chain being ensured by these species of mammals, birds, insects, plants, fungi. Half of the area of the Carpathians lies on the territory of Romania. Specific to these mountains are vast forested wild areas, mid-altitude peaks, and large valleys. Before 1775, Bukovina belonged to the Principality of Moldavia, after that year it was annexed to the Austrian Monarchy. The interactions between the communities, the exchange of cultures and the patrimonial wealth of each ethnic group, brought Bukovina a plus in its economic, administrative and cultural evolution. After the disintegration of the Habsburg Empire, Bukowina returned to the Romanian sphere, and after the Second World War, the territory in the northern part was taken over by the Soviets. Today, the north of Bukovina belongs to Ukraine and its south to Romania. Before the Second World War, the population of Bucovina consisted of Romanians, Ruthenians, Germans, Jews, Poles, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Lipovian Russians, and Italians. In what follows, the term for Bukovina will refer to its south, Suceava County, Romania. The neighboring county, Maramureș, has a similar past. From its status as a voivodeship, it was integrated into the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy after 1688, and from 1919, its southern part was included in the territorial unit of Romania. Its north belongs to Ukraine today, with the Tisza River being the natural border. Picture 3 © Ana-Maria Alb Picture 4 © Ana-Maria Alb Picture 5 © Ana-Maria Alb Picture 6 © Ana-Maria Alb Picture 7 © Ana-Maria Alb Picture 8 © Ana-Maria Alb Picture 10 © Ana-Maria Alb Picture 11 © Ana-Maria Alb Picture 12 © Ana-Maria Alb Picture 13 © Ana-Maria Alb Picture 14 © Ana-Maria Alb Ana-Maria Alb’s journey is a compelling example of how personal heritage and a deep appreciation for nature can evolve into meaningful cultural and environmental advocacy. Her work as a local guide, author, and documentarian reflects a sincere dedication to preserving and promoting the unique character of Bukovina. By combining storytelling, research, and lived experience, she brings this remote and richly layered region to life for others. Her efforts not only foster a greater understanding of northern Romania’s landscapes and traditions but also inspire a broader appreciation for the quiet beauty found in places where history, community, and nature converge. Take some more steps into the land of Bukovina with Ana-Maria’s photography in her portfolio and let its beauty captivate you. view Ana-Maria's portfolio Website >>> Instagram >>> Facebook >>> The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author/s, and are not necessarily shared by The Pictorial List and the team. read more stories >>> VISIONS OF ICELAND FROM ABOVE Massimo Lupidi takes flight above Iceland — capturing nature’s abstract brushstrokes where land, water, and sky blur into poetic visions beyond the ordinary eye. UNDER THE CLOUDS Giordano Simoncini presents a visual ethnography of the interconnectedness of indigenous cosmology, material life, and the ecological balance within the Quechua communities of the Peruvian Andes. NYC SUBWAY RIDERS BEFORE THE INVASION OF SMARTPHONES Hiroyuki Ito’s subway photographs reveal a vanished intimacy — strangers lost in thought in a world before digital distractions took hold. THE GHOST SELF Buku Sarkar stages her refusal to vanish. Her photographs are unflinching, lyrical acts of documentation, mapping a body in flux and a mind grappling with the epistemic dissonance of chronic illness. WHISPERS On Mother’s Day, Regina Melo's story asks us to pause. To remember. To feel. It honors the profound, often quiet sacrifices that mothers make, and the invisible threads that bind us to them. BEYOND THE MASK By stepping beyond the scripted world of professional wrestling and into the raw terrain of mental health, Matteo Bergami and Fabio Giarratano challenge long-held myths about masculinity, endurance, and heroism. FRAGMENTS OF TIME Each of jfk's diptychs functions as a microcosm of the city, allowing viewers to experience urban life as constant fragmented glimpses, mirroring the unpredictable nature of human interactions. VANISHING VENICE Lorenzo Vitali’s portrayal of Venice is an almost surreal experience — where time dissolves, and the viewer is left with the sensation of stepping into a dreamscape. CLAY AND ASHES Abdulla Shinose CK explores the challenges faced by Kumhar Gram's potters, balancing tradition and adaptation in the face of modern pressures. ISLAND Enzo Crispino’s photographic series, “Nêsos,” invites viewers into an introspective journey that mirrors the artist’s rediscovery of his voice in photography after a prolonged period of creative estrangement. BEYOND THE BRICKS Amid Bangladesh’s dynamic urban growth, Anwar Ehtesham’s photography takes us beyond statistics and headlines, revealing the hidden lives of the laborers working tirelessly in the nation’s brick kilns. OAXACA In Oaxaca, Tommaso Stefanori captures Día de los Muertos, exploring the convergence of life and death, human connections, and enduring cultural rituals through evocative photographs of tradition and emotion. BEHIND THE PLANTS Wayan Barre documents Cancer Alley residents facing pollution and economic challenges, shedding light on their resilience and the impacts of environmental injustice. THE RED POPPY AND THE SUN By blending archival and contemporary images, Mei Seva creates a visual story that captures the ongoing struggles and moments of triumph for those impacted by displacement and circumstance. FIRE AND FORGE Alexandros Zilos delves deep into the harsh reality of sulfur mining, while also capturing the allure of the blue fire phenomenon created by sulfur deposits in the crater. IN-VISIBLE PAIN Through black and white self-portraiture, Isabelle Coordes brings to light the stark reality of living with chronic pain — a reality often dismissed by a world that requires physical evidence to believe in one’s suffering. CELEBRATION OF LIFE Ahsanul Haque Fahim's photography captures Holi in Bangladesh, celebrating life with vibrant colors and reflecting human emotions, diversity, and interconnectedness in Dhaka's streets. KOALA COUNTRY Sean Paris invites viewers on a transformative journey, challenging our perceptions and fostering a new appreciation for rural Australia through mesmerizing infrared photography. MOMMIE Arlene Gottfried’s poignant exploration of motherhood in “Mommie” is not just a collection of photographs but a profound tribute to the enduring bonds of family and the universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. BIFRÖST Amidst the breathtaking scenery of Norway, Romain Coudrier discovered the allure of rare light and subtle shades, immortalizing each moment in striking black and white with every click of his camera shutter. MUD Dedipya Basak's documentary project explores the struggle of an 800 year old lake against the impacts of global warming, revealing its continued relevance and urgent story in today’s changing climate. A WORLD WITHIN REACH In his Cuba project, Pedro Vidal celebrates human resilience and warmth through captivating imagery, revealing photography's profound ability to encapsulate emotions and memories. UNVEILING VULNERABILITY In a world where masculinity is often synonymous with stoicism and strength, Francesca Tiboni challenges us to reevaluate our perceptions of masculinity, inviting us to embrace the complexity of the male emotional experience. TRANSCENDENTS: SPIRIT MEDIUMS IN BURMA AND THAILAND Mariette Pathy Allen's visual narrative celebrates authenticity, spotlighting Spirit Mediums' enigmatic presence in both possession and daily life. She portrays them as essential to cultures steeped in Animism, reflecting the enduring essence of human authenticity. COALESCENCE Visual diptychs intricately depicting the intimate exchange between a mother and daughter, transcending personal narratives to explore universal themes of transition, acceptance, and the beauty of change.

PICTORIAL STORY ON THE TRAIL OF LOVE LOST February 2, 2024 PICTORIAL STORY photography and story SASHA IVANOV introduction MELANIE MEGGS SHARE Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Sasha Ivanov is more than a photographer — he is a quiet observer of life’s unfolding stories. His images trace the subtle rhythms of human experience, capturing everyday moments that speak with quiet power. Born in Krasnodar, in southern Russia, Sasha’s relationship with photography began early. But it was only after moving to St. Petersburg and studying journalism that he discovered the form his storytelling would take, documentary photography. His path deepened through work on social projects and sharpened further at Docdocdoc’s School of Contemporary Photography , where he began to shape a personal, independent voice. Sasha’s focus rests on the human face — portraits that reveal not only the subject, but the conditions and histories that surround them. His lens lingers with care, revealing lives as they are lived, without ornament. Among these stories is that of Lydia and Nikolai. They met at a dance in 1957. Four months later, they married. By the following year, they were parents. Their life together spanned six decades — across the Soviet era, through Perestroika, and into quieter years. She was a teacher, he a military engineer. Later, they wrote: Lydia composed poems; Nikolai, humorous tales. In 2018, Lydia had a fall that left her unable to walk unaided. Nikolai became her caregiver, taking on every task with patience and resolve. For two more years, they remained side by side until her passing. Sixty-two years of shared time came to a quiet close. Now, at 88, Nikolai is learning solitude. Sasha’s photographs follow him through this transition, not with sentimentality, but with honesty and care. The series is less about loss than it is about presence — what endures, what changes, what it means to continue. Seen through Sasha Ivanov’s thoughtful perspective, the story of Lydia and Nikolai unfolds not as a grand romance, but as a lived life. I met Nikolai and his wife, in 2018. Lidochka, as her husband affectionately called her. By that time, she had already suffered a knee injury and could not move around on her own. I worked as a volunteer for a foundation that supports World War II veterans. This support is largely not material, but spiritual. Attention to these elderly people is the main value. As I got to know this elderly couple, I was inspired by their enduring love for each other and their resilience in the face of challenges. I quickly became a regular visitor to their home. I communicated with their relatives from France, helped with various tasks, and listened to their creative works. Lydia wrote poetry while Nikolai wrote prose. At that time, they had been living together for 61 years. Nikolai reverently cared for his wife. He bathed her, dressed her, did various physical exercises with her, invited friends over, and tried in every way to keep her in a good mood. It was interesting for me to watch such an elderly couple from the sidelines. At that time, I was already dating my future wife. I could not imagine that people could live together for so long, go through so many trials, see such a different country, and stay together despite the challenges. My grandmother was an invalid, and every Summer when I came to visit her, I would take care of her for several months. I would feed her, comb out her hair, and take her for a ride in her wheelchair. Perhaps the memories of my past allowed me to have a special connection to Nikolai and Lydia. I learned of Lydia’s death from Nikolai almost immediately. Unfortunately, I couldn’t come to the funeral because I was overseas. I was very sad about not being able to support my friend at that moment. When I returned to St. Petersburg, I heard his story about how he had fed her scrambled eggs on her last night. How she had been taken away in an ambulance, and he had followed her. Finding her in the hospital corridor, he confessed his love for her, but she was already unconscious, though her eyes were open. It was very hard for him at first. And I realized I just wanted to be there for him. To try to distract him from his sad thoughts. We began to read and publish his writings and go to museums, and concerts. That's when I realized I wanted to tell his story. Together, we visited places that held special memories for Nikolai and Lidochka, and I listened to stories from his youth that revealed new facets of his character. I was in awe of his determination to live life to the fullest, despite losing his beloved wife. As I reflected on my own life, I realized how easy it is to take our loved ones for granted and how important it is to cherish each moment together. Now, at 30 years old, I am happily married, and the thought of losing my spouse rarely crosses my mind. But Nikolai’s strength and perseverance have taught me the importance of living in the present and appreciating every moment with our loved ones. He may have lost his partner in life, but he has not lost his zest for life, and I am honored to tell his story. Nikolai and Lydia. © Sasha Ivanov At first, Nikolai had a very hard time accepting the new reality. He had way too much spare time that he did not know what to do about. Then, he started to digitize his short stories and put them on the internet. He follows his readers, responds to their reviews, and regularly meets new people. © Sasha Ivanov Lydia and Nikolai used to spend a lot of time writing their works. Joint creative work helped them with battling and overcoming anxious thoughts. He used to say that Lidochka was living in two dimensions. One was where the poems would come to her, and the other – where she would write them down in flesh. Now he is reading those poems to their mutual friends discovering more and more meaning in them with every next time. © Sasha Ivanov © Sasha Ivanov When at the dacha, the neighbors’ kids came to them to listen to the music records, play checkers, or organize a full-on concert with dancing and singing. It was always loud and merry; the house was full of life. In the evening, Lydia would sit down in that chair, combing her long grey hair preparing herself for sleep. Now, Nikolai loves to sit in this chair reminiscing about the good old days. © Sasha Ivanov Archival photograph of Nikolai and Lydia. © Sasha Ivanov Lydia and Nikolai. © Sasha Ivanov Nikolai is in his apartment sitting on an inflatable ball. With the help of this particular ball, Lydia and he used to do exercises that the doctor recommended to her. Up to this day, he still does those exercises on a regular basis. © Sasha Ivanov Before any official event, Nikolai would have to get shaved. All his tools are in their own places. He has many ties in his wardrobe that his wife once gave to him. She used to tie them for him before he would leave the house. © Sasha Ivanov Nikolai wears ties to official events. He has many ties in his closet that his wife once gave him. She used to tie them for him before he left the house. Now Nikolai ties them himself. © Sasha Ivanov For the last few years, they slept in separate bedrooms. Now, in his wife's bedroom, everything is in the same place it was the day Lydia died. Nikolai cleans it weekly. Looking at the order in the room and the presence of things, it seems that someone still sleeps in it every day. © Sasha Ivanov The subject of Aivazovsky's painting that Nikolai is looking at is the wreck of a ship in a storm. He compares his present life to that ship. Lydia's death has become a storm for him - worries, doubts, desires to give up the fight. He survived that storm. © Sasha Ivanov The photo was taken in Yelagin Island Park in St. Petersburg. It was in this park that they spent their younger years. They went boating, fed squirrels, and admired the Finnish bay. There is a blooming apple tree behind him in the picture. It symbolizes the arrival of summer and the beginning of something new and long expected. © Sasha Ivanov The photo was taken in Yelagin Island Park in St. Petersburg. It was in this park that they spent their younger years. They went boating, fed squirrels, and admired the Finnish bay. © Sasha Ivanov Nikolai is watching a recording of a concert Lydia took part in. In the mid-90s, Nikolai and Lydia joined the “Ostrovok” Club. It was a community of senior people, who organized amateur concerts and share their written work with the audience. At first, those were small-scale home concerts, but then they were given a facility at a local Palace of Culture. “Ostrovok” became an asylum for its participants where they could go to escape from the heavy though of that time. The club exists up to this day, and Nikolai takes an active part in its life. © Sasha Ivanov Lydia’s dress is hanging on the crossbar, the one that can be typically fixed with special hangers in the doorway. One can move the crossbar lower or higher. When Lydia was still recovering from the trauma, she would approach the crossbar in a wheelchair, grab onto it with both hands and help herself up. It was a great warm-up for both the spine and the arms. © Sasha Ivanov This was the bathroom where Nikolai had been helping his wife take a bath for the past two years. After the trauma, Lydia was not able to get into the bathtub by herself. To make it easier for her to overcome that obstacle, he installed a handrail. Later on, such handrails would also appear in the restroom and by the bed. © Sasha Ivanov Now, he is learning to live on his own. He maintains an active social and cultural life, visits concerts, museums, and exhibitions. The art helps him to get distracted from his loneliness. The scenery brings him back to his childhood days that he had spent in a small village in Siberia. The portraits flatter him with a possibility to see a whole other life with the eyes of the ones pictured. The photo was taken in the main hall of the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. The last time he had been there was over 20 years ago with his late wife. © Sasha Ivanov Military build, always in time, looking sharp with his shoulders back – these were the manners he was taught first at the Military Academy and then on duty. Nikolai was an engineer for the strategic missile forces. During his service, he had been to several cities and countries. The life of a military servant means constantly being on the move. Lydia had always been by his side. She was waiting for him to come home, raised their daughter, maintained the household wherever they had to go while her husband was in service. © Sasha Ivanov Every summer, Nicholai and his wife would ride their bicycles to the lake in the woods. There they would swim on hot summer days. These bicycles were made back in the 1980s. Now he doesn't need to keep two bikes. He is slowly taking his wife's bike apart and re-purposing the parts on his own. He uses the bike to go to the store, which is two kilometers from home. © Sasha Ivanov In this fast-paced world where love often feels fleeting, Sasha Ivanov’s photographs remind us that enduring love still exists. His portraits guide us into the quiet, unwavering bond of Lydia and Nikolai — a couple who defied the passage of time and proved that love knows no boundaries of age or circumstance. Their story echoes the resilience of human connection and the quiet strength of devotion. Sasha’s work ensures that their love continues to resonate, inviting us to pause, reflect, and cherish the ones we hold dear — just as Lydia and Nikolai did for 62 years. view Sasha's portfolio Website >>> Instagram >>> The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author/s, and are not necessarily shared by The Pictorial List and the team. read more stories >>> VISIONS OF ICELAND FROM ABOVE Massimo Lupidi takes flight above Iceland — capturing nature’s abstract brushstrokes where land, water, and sky blur into poetic visions beyond the ordinary eye. UNDER THE CLOUDS Giordano Simoncini presents a visual ethnography of the interconnectedness of indigenous cosmology, material life, and the ecological balance within the Quechua communities of the Peruvian Andes. NYC SUBWAY RIDERS BEFORE THE INVASION OF SMARTPHONES Hiroyuki Ito’s subway photographs reveal a vanished intimacy — strangers lost in thought in a world before digital distractions took hold. THE GHOST SELF Buku Sarkar stages her refusal to vanish. Her photographs are unflinching, lyrical acts of documentation, mapping a body in flux and a mind grappling with the epistemic dissonance of chronic illness. WHISPERS On Mother’s Day, Regina Melo's story asks us to pause. To remember. To feel. It honors the profound, often quiet sacrifices that mothers make, and the invisible threads that bind us to them. BEYOND THE MASK By stepping beyond the scripted world of professional wrestling and into the raw terrain of mental health, Matteo Bergami and Fabio Giarratano challenge long-held myths about masculinity, endurance, and heroism. FRAGMENTS OF TIME Each of jfk's diptychs functions as a microcosm of the city, allowing viewers to experience urban life as constant fragmented glimpses, mirroring the unpredictable nature of human interactions. VANISHING VENICE Lorenzo Vitali’s portrayal of Venice is an almost surreal experience — where time dissolves, and the viewer is left with the sensation of stepping into a dreamscape. CLAY AND ASHES Abdulla Shinose CK explores the challenges faced by Kumhar Gram's potters, balancing tradition and adaptation in the face of modern pressures. ISLAND Enzo Crispino’s photographic series, “Nêsos,” invites viewers into an introspective journey that mirrors the artist’s rediscovery of his voice in photography after a prolonged period of creative estrangement. BEYOND THE BRICKS Amid Bangladesh’s dynamic urban growth, Anwar Ehtesham’s photography takes us beyond statistics and headlines, revealing the hidden lives of the laborers working tirelessly in the nation’s brick kilns. OAXACA In Oaxaca, Tommaso Stefanori captures Día de los Muertos, exploring the convergence of life and death, human connections, and enduring cultural rituals through evocative photographs of tradition and emotion. BEHIND THE PLANTS Wayan Barre documents Cancer Alley residents facing pollution and economic challenges, shedding light on their resilience and the impacts of environmental injustice. THE RED POPPY AND THE SUN By blending archival and contemporary images, Mei Seva creates a visual story that captures the ongoing struggles and moments of triumph for those impacted by displacement and circumstance. FIRE AND FORGE Alexandros Zilos delves deep into the harsh reality of sulfur mining, while also capturing the allure of the blue fire phenomenon created by sulfur deposits in the crater. IN-VISIBLE PAIN Through black and white self-portraiture, Isabelle Coordes brings to light the stark reality of living with chronic pain — a reality often dismissed by a world that requires physical evidence to believe in one’s suffering. CELEBRATION OF LIFE Ahsanul Haque Fahim's photography captures Holi in Bangladesh, celebrating life with vibrant colors and reflecting human emotions, diversity, and interconnectedness in Dhaka's streets. KOALA COUNTRY Sean Paris invites viewers on a transformative journey, challenging our perceptions and fostering a new appreciation for rural Australia through mesmerizing infrared photography. MOMMIE Arlene Gottfried’s poignant exploration of motherhood in “Mommie” is not just a collection of photographs but a profound tribute to the enduring bonds of family and the universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. BIFRÖST Amidst the breathtaking scenery of Norway, Romain Coudrier discovered the allure of rare light and subtle shades, immortalizing each moment in striking black and white with every click of his camera shutter. MUD Dedipya Basak's documentary project explores the struggle of an 800 year old lake against the impacts of global warming, revealing its continued relevance and urgent story in today’s changing climate. A WORLD WITHIN REACH In his Cuba project, Pedro Vidal celebrates human resilience and warmth through captivating imagery, revealing photography's profound ability to encapsulate emotions and memories. UNVEILING VULNERABILITY In a world where masculinity is often synonymous with stoicism and strength, Francesca Tiboni challenges us to reevaluate our perceptions of masculinity, inviting us to embrace the complexity of the male emotional experience. TRANSCENDENTS: SPIRIT MEDIUMS IN BURMA AND THAILAND Mariette Pathy Allen's visual narrative celebrates authenticity, spotlighting Spirit Mediums' enigmatic presence in both possession and daily life. She portrays them as essential to cultures steeped in Animism, reflecting the enduring essence of human authenticity. COALESCENCE Visual diptychs intricately depicting the intimate exchange between a mother and daughter, transcending personal narratives to explore universal themes of transition, acceptance, and the beauty of change.

PICTORIAL STORY THE FRANKINCENSE BOY January 19, 2024 PICTORIAL STORY photography and story FRANCE LECLERC introduction KAREN GHOSTLAW POMARICO SHARE Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Originally from Quebec, Canada, France Leclerc is a photographer who has developed a sincere passion for visual storytelling. Being Canadian is an integral part of who France is; she embraces her French heritage, language, and culture. France spent much of her adult life in Montreal until attending graduate school at Cornell University receiving her PhD in management. After receiving her degree, France became part of the faculty at MIT School of Management, as well the University of Chicago Business School, where she was a professor of global marketing. While residing in Chicago it became apparent to France that the path of academia was not the right direction for her, she lacked the passion and commitment that her colleagues who were fully devoted to their work. She decided to change her direction and took a series of classes in a small photography school in Chicago. France found comfort in her steps forward on her new path, continuing to take workshops to feed her new passion, and inspire new ways of critical thinking through the use of her camera. Taking time off gave France a new start, a chance to rediscover the world in new ways. She started traveling to remote areas in Ethiopia, Tibet, Myanmar, each time returning from her excursions with a fever to tell her stories. This is when life changed for France, she had found her passion. Her love for traveling to other places around the world has provided ample opportunity for her to immerse herself in many different cultures. France finds authentic connections in the communities she engages, giving her a clear voice that speaks for the people she photographs. “As a child, being part of the French minority in English Canada, I learned that one may have to fight to preserve a culture. Maybe this is where my interest in cultures originated, I don’t know. I have always been fascinated by the 'world' and curious about its diversity, challenges, and the resilience of human beings, particularly women. I have spent time in over 100 countries, and I have visited many of them multiple times.” Now residing in Chicago, France has spent many years traveling while searching for clues and answers to better understand human behavior, why people behave the way they do. This search has fueled France’s curiosity throughout the years, inspiring what she has defined as 'Life Photography'. Her focus has allowed her to capture the beauty in the moment, making visual and emotional connections inherent to different cultures in society. “I am interested in portraying the way people live, play, eat, dress, interact, celebrate, pray and love. My interest in photography is closely related to my interest in storytelling. Coming back from a trip, I have so many stories to tell, and what better way to tell them than with images.” France’s documentary exploration often brings her to obscure out of the way places around the world, where she embraces the community finding captivating stories for her visual translations. Recently she has turned the focus of her camera to streets, where contemporary life and issues inspire her frames. “I aim to document what I see and share it with the world. When I return from a trip, I write stories around my images and post them on my website. I have over 100 of them now. I hope that the more people know about other cultures and ways of life, the less threatened they will feel by them, and who knows, maybe they will get inspired by them as I often do. It is probably a naïve view, but I feel so privileged when I learn something new I have to assume others, at least some, feel the same way.” France has shared one of her captivating short stories with us, it is a beautiful example of exploring with open eyes and with a clear mind discovering endearing connections to community, respectfully sharing their stories with genuine interest and care for her subjects. This intriguing story takes place in the village of Poshina, Gujarat. I met Sahib in Poshina, a village in the northern state of Gujarat, close to the border with Rajasthan. At dawn, I started walking in the town. I first noticed that a few people were sleeping on the streets, some on a platform in front of an array of small shops. A young boy was awake among them, standing next to a pile of blankets. I waved at him, took a quick photo, and continued to explore further. A couple of hours later, as I retraced my steps to return for what I felt was a well-deserved breakfast, I saw this young boy again. He was sitting on what I assume was his mother’s lap, next to an older boy and a much older lady. The older boy was Sahib, ten years old, looking serious and responsible. I sat with them for a while and learned that the younger boy was his little brother, and the older lady was his grandmother. His father meandered toward us at a later point. Sahib is not from Poshina; he is a wanderer or an itinerant. His family does not have a home. To earn a little money for the family, he burns frankincense in the top tier of a three-tier vessel. Sahib goes around the village, stopping at houses and shops to offer them the smoke and smell of his frankincense that he shares using a small piece of cardboard as a fan in exchange for a few coins. This is his life: he does not go to school; he walks around offering to “purify” people’s lives through a little sniff of his frankincense. After chatting briefly, Sahib announced that it was time for him to start his round, and I decided to follow along. And so, Sahib spent the next few hours in the streets of this small village, chatting with the shop owners, knocking at doors of family homes in narrow streets, and meeting people, some of whom he knew but also new ones. All are welcoming Sahib and his frankincense. At the end of his route, Sahib announced that he was done and was now going to another village for the afternoon. I asked him whether his family would sleep at the same place as last night and if I could return to say goodbye the next day. He said yes. So, at dawn the next day, I went down to the platform where I had seen the little boy the previous morning, ready for another adventure with Sahib. Sadly, nobody was on the platform. I will never have the answers to the million questions I had come up with the previous day, and I will probably never see Sahib’s smile again except in my images of him. But I will never forget our brief time together. France Leclerc is an observer, listening with her ears and her eyes. She brings her stories to life, allowing the viewer and reader to step into the frames, helping them to make the same valuable connections to the cultures and communities she portrays. As a traveler and visitor to global remote communities, France has found a way to assimilate herself into the cultures she visits, as an observer. Her observations have given her purpose to help expose some of the constraints, misguided views, and blind assumptions made towards individuals or groups in communities globally. Photographing her subjects, France portrays them illuminated in the light of their own being, revealing intimate details through her investigations. She is humbled by her surroundings and shares a true respect and admiration for the people she engages and is mindful and has much admiration for their traditions and daily practices. France’s visual storytelling has been embraced by the photographic community and has been exhibited in numerous curated exhibitions winning prestigious awards. Most recently, her images won third place at the Miami Street Photography Festival in 2022 and third place at the Lens Culture Street Photography Award in 2023. One of her series was a gold medal winner in the Culture and Daily Life category of the Julia Margaret Cameron Award in 2023 and two of her series were included in the Curated Selection State of the World at the Prix de la Photographie, Paris, also in 2023. Her work was featured in Geo Magazine, Dodho Magazine, Lens Magazine and All About Photo. The Pictorial List is grateful for France’s commitment to humanity, and for sharing the inspiration that has provided her with the brilliant ambition to explore and understand the world through her photography. We look forward to the next chapter in France’s novel about humanity and how different cultures navigate sociological constraints as well as celebrate their freedoms. view France's portfolio Website >>> Instagram >>> Twitter >>> The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author/s, and are not necessarily shared by The Pictorial List and the team. read more stories >>>

Presenting the work of visual storytellers from around the world. VISIONS OF ICELAND FROM ABOVE Massimo Lupidi captures nature’s abstract brushstrokes where land, water, and sky blur into poetic visions. PICTORIAL STORY VISIONS OF ICELAND FROM ABOVE Massimo Lupidi takes flight above Iceland — capturing nature’s abstract brushstrokes where land, water, and sky blur into poetic visions beyond the ordinary eye. PICTORIAL STORY UNDER THE CLOUDS Giordano Simoncini presents a visual ethnography of the interconnectedness of indigenous cosmology, material life, and the ecological balance within the Quechua communities of the Peruvian Andes. PICTORIAL STORY NYC SUBWAY RIDERS BEFORE THE INVASION OF SMARTPHONES Hiroyuki Ito’s subway photographs reveal a vanished intimacy — strangers lost in thought in a world before digital distractions took hold. PICTORIAL STORY THE GHOST SELF Buku Sarkar stages her refusal to vanish. Her photographs are unflinching, lyrical acts of documentation, mapping a body in flux and a mind grappling with the epistemic dissonance of chronic illness. PICTORIAL STORY WHISPERS On Mother’s Day, Regina Melo's story asks us to pause. To remember. To feel. It honors the profound, often quiet sacrifices that mothers make, and the invisible threads that bind us to them. PICTORIAL STORY BEYOND THE MASK By stepping beyond the scripted world of professional wrestling and into the raw terrain of mental health, Matteo Bergami and Fabio Giarratano challenge long-held myths about masculinity, endurance, and heroism. PICTORIAL STORY FRAGMENTS OF TIME Each of jfk's diptychs functions as a microcosm of the city, allowing viewers to experience urban life as constant fragmented glimpses, mirroring the unpredictable nature of human interactions. PICTORIAL STORY VANISHING VENICE Lorenzo Vitali’s portrayal of Venice is an almost surreal experience — where time dissolves, and the viewer is left with the sensation of stepping into a dreamscape. PICTORIAL STORY CLAY AND ASHES Abdulla Shinose CK explores the challenges faced by Kumhar Gram's potters, balancing tradition and adaptation in the face of modern pressures. PICTORIAL STORY ISLAND Enzo Crispino’s photographic series, “Nêsos,” invites viewers into an introspective journey that mirrors the artist’s rediscovery of his voice in photography after a prolonged period of creative estrangement. PICTORIAL STORY BEYOND THE BRICKS Amid Bangladesh’s dynamic urban growth, Anwar Ehtesham’s photography takes us beyond statistics and headlines, revealing the hidden lives of the laborers working tirelessly in the nation’s brick kilns. PICTORIAL STORY OAXACA In Oaxaca, Tommaso Stefanori captures Día de los Muertos, exploring the convergence of life and death, human connections, and enduring cultural rituals through evocative photographs of tradition and emotion. PICTORIAL STORY BEHIND THE PLANTS Wayan Barre documents Cancer Alley residents facing pollution and economic challenges, shedding light on their resilience and the impacts of environmental injustice. PICTORIAL STORY THE RED POPPY AND THE SUN By blending archival and contemporary images, Mei Seva creates a visual story that captures the ongoing struggles and moments of triumph for those impacted by displacement and circumstance. PICTORIAL STORY FIRE AND FORGE Alexandros Zilos delves deep into the harsh reality of sulfur mining, while also capturing the allure of the blue fire phenomenon created by sulfur deposits in the crater. PICTORIAL STORY IN-VISIBLE PAIN Through black and white self-portraiture, Isabelle Coordes brings to light the stark reality of living with chronic pain — a reality often dismissed by a world that requires physical evidence to believe in one’s suffering. PICTORIAL STORY CELEBRATION OF LIFE Ahsanul Haque Fahim's photography captures Holi in Bangladesh, celebrating life with vibrant colors and reflecting human emotions, diversity, and interconnectedness in Dhaka's streets. PICTORIAL STORY KOALA COUNTRY Sean Paris invites viewers on a transformative journey, challenging our perceptions and fostering a new appreciation for rural Australia through mesmerizing infrared photography. PICTORIAL STORY MOMMIE Arlene Gottfried’s poignant exploration of motherhood in “Mommie” is not just a collection of photographs but a profound tribute to the enduring bonds of family and the universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. PICTORIAL STORY BIFRÖST Amidst the breathtaking scenery of Norway, Romain Coudrier discovered the allure of rare light and subtle shades, immortalizing each moment in striking black and white with every click of his camera shutter. PICTORIAL STORY MUD Dedipya Basak's documentary project explores the struggle of an 800 year old lake against the impacts of global warming, revealing its continued relevance and urgent story in today’s changing climate. PICTORIAL STORY A WORLD WITHIN REACH In his Cuba project, Pedro Vidal celebrates human resilience and warmth through captivating imagery, revealing photography's profound ability to encapsulate emotions and memories. PICTORIAL STORY UNVEILING VULNERABILITY In a world where masculinity is often synonymous with stoicism and strength, Francesca Tiboni challenges us to reevaluate our perceptions of masculinity, inviting us to embrace the complexity of the male emotional experience. PICTORIAL STORY TRANSCENDENTS: SPIRIT MEDIUMS IN BURMA AND THAILAND Mariette Pathy Allen's visual narrative celebrates authenticity, spotlighting Spirit Mediums' enigmatic presence in both possession and daily life. She portrays them as essential to cultures steeped in Animism, reflecting the enduring essence of human authenticity. PICTORIAL STORY COALESCENCE Visual diptychs intricately depicting the intimate exchange between a mother and daughter, transcending personal narratives to explore universal themes of transition, acceptance, and the beauty of change.

PICTORIAL STORY VISIONS OF ICELAND FROM ABOVE Massimo Lupidi takes flight above Iceland — capturing nature’s abstract brushstrokes where land, water, and sky blur into poetic visions beyond the ordinary eye. July 20, 2025 PICTORIAL STORY photography MASSIMO LUPIDI story JOHN ARKELIAN introduction MELANIE MEGGS SHARE Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Massimo Lupidi’s book Iceland: Visions of Earth is a photographic study in transformation. From above, the landscape ceases to be familiar — shifting instead into something more fluid, more primal. What once seemed solid reveals itself as movement held still for a moment in time, dissolving into pigment and abstraction. There is no horizon to anchor the eye, no clear division between the literal and the imagined. Instead, the viewer is drawn into a space where scale unravels, and where geography gives way to energy. From above, Massimo traces Iceland’s raw complexity — its textures, its patterns, its moments of convergence between land, water, and sky. Each photograph reveals a quiet inquiry into how land reshapes itself over time, through light, movement, and the slow force of nature. An independent photographer based in Italy, Massimo has spent more than three decades deepening a practice that blends environmental awareness with an artist’s eye for composition. With expertise across fine art, landscape, and aerial photography, he works from instinct as much as craft — favoring unusual perspectives from ultralight aircraft, helicopter, and paraglider to reveal the hidden geometries of nature. His images are shaped not only by what he sees, but by how he processes and interprets it, pushing the boundaries of photographic perception. Recognized at the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit for his work on environmental themes, Massimo continues to explore photography as a way of expanding human vision and translating the elemental power of place. In the story that follows, John Arkelian reflects on Iceland: Visions of Earth with clarity and care. He draws out the deeper resonances in Massimo Lupidi’s photographs — how they challenge our understanding of place, and how they open up space for reflection on the beauty and volatility of the natural world. “An aerial photo, an immediate feeling of naturalness, of amazing experience. Seeing from a bird’s perspective is not consistent with seeing from the ground. It took you quite some time to be able to condense information from such a large scale of vision and when you fly and take photographs, shadows lift objects from the ground, allowing the viewer to be drawn into the photograph as if going beyond the real to the more real. I got in touch with a pilot in Iceland that I worked with very closely and I mainly used an ultralight aircraft, so I could fly much slower and lower allowing me to take my pictures without the orientation of the horizon. When I arrived, the pilot told me we were about to fly over a peculiar area in Iceland. I’d been travelling and taking pictures in Iceland for several years, but I’d never seen anything like it in my life and just kept photographing the event.” — Massimo Lupidi Iceland is an elemental place, a primordial world on the morning of Creation, a place where the very bones of the earth are manifest. Raw, starkly beautiful, otherworldly, yet also unmistakably terrestrial, it’s a dizzying, breathtaking escape into an earth untouched by man. In the introduction to his hardcover book, Iceland: Visions of Earth (Sassi, 2017), Italy’s Massimo Lupidi says, “Suddenly what was far away becomes close, what was impossible becomes possible, what was a dream becomes reality.” And his glorious photographs make those words palpable, startling…revelatory. Some impressionistic images (as on the book’s cover) with a swirl of soil and water are interesting; but the lion’s share of the book is devoted to landscapes — and they are glorious, achingly so. Lupidi’s images quicken the soul, just as Iceland does. His book has short bits of poetry by Sigurbjorg Thrastardóttir. One of them captures the wild spirit of this place, where the imagination becomes tangible: “…and the cliffs from his bones / and the rocks from / his teeth, the trees from / his hair and the sea from his blood…” (from “Homemade,” or “The Creation of the World from the Body of Ýmir”). This captivating book makes us yearn to return to Iceland, a place, as Lupidi says, which is “fabulously beyond our wildest imaginings: a natural wonder forged by fire and tempered by ice.” The photographic imagination is also filtered through painting and its creative processes. Terms such as fields, spatiality, bird’s-eye view, aerial view, geometric perspective, colour blends, shades, shadows, colour ratio, evocative, abstract art, all take on meaning. If we look down on Iceland from on high, we can relish the natural masterpieces crafted by the Greatest Artist. By literally changing our point of view, we also change the scope of our understanding and our perception of the environment around us – of this living land, of this world apart. From the ground, the eternal interplay of colour and light of this ever-changing remote land provides an inexhaustible source of artistic creation. Looking down from above, we see unnatural colours, shimmering waterways, jagged coastlines and abstract patterns. The great washes of colour created by Nature herself. The sublime and the imaginary – we are moved to new emotions by the extraordinary event that Mother Nature is allowing to unfold before our eyes. The scenery is transformed. From above, the exploring eye turns dreams into creative photographs. These images explore the relationship of the land with the ocean surrounding it, the life that thrives on it and the water that makes it habitable, as a way of opening our eyes to a new way of seeing the familiar. © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi © Massimo Lupidi Iceland: Visions of Earth is not only a journey across terrain, but a deepening of how we see. Massimo Lupidi’s photographs shift our understanding of Iceland from geography to experience. Through his eyes, we learn to see with greater sensitivity, to feel the contours of the Earth as if they were part of our own internal geography. By changing the vantage point, he alters the narrative: what once seemed remote becomes intimate, what appeared immutable becomes fluid. These are not just images of Iceland; they are invitations to perceive the world anew — to observe the quiet power of nature and the poetry of form, and the delicate balance between observation and wonder. We thank Massimo for generously sharing these photographs and the story behind them with The Pictorial List community — reminding us, once again, of photography’s power to transform the way we encounter the world. view Massimo's Lupidi's portfolio Website Instagram Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author/s and are not necessarily shared by The Pictorial List. read more stories >>> VISIONS OF ICELAND FROM ABOVE Massimo Lupidi takes flight above Iceland — capturing nature’s abstract brushstrokes where land, water, and sky blur into poetic visions beyond the ordinary eye. UNDER THE CLOUDS Giordano Simoncini presents a visual ethnography of the interconnectedness of indigenous cosmology, material life, and the ecological balance within the Quechua communities of the Peruvian Andes. NYC SUBWAY RIDERS BEFORE THE INVASION OF SMARTPHONES Hiroyuki Ito’s subway photographs reveal a vanished intimacy — strangers lost in thought in a world before digital distractions took hold. THE GHOST SELF Buku Sarkar stages her refusal to vanish. Her photographs are unflinching, lyrical acts of documentation, mapping a body in flux and a mind grappling with the epistemic dissonance of chronic illness. WHISPERS On Mother’s Day, Regina Melo's story asks us to pause. To remember. To feel. It honors the profound, often quiet sacrifices that mothers make, and the invisible threads that bind us to them. BEYOND THE MASK By stepping beyond the scripted world of professional wrestling and into the raw terrain of mental health, Matteo Bergami and Fabio Giarratano challenge long-held myths about masculinity, endurance, and heroism. FRAGMENTS OF TIME Each of jfk's diptychs functions as a microcosm of the city, allowing viewers to experience urban life as constant fragmented glimpses, mirroring the unpredictable nature of human interactions. VANISHING VENICE Lorenzo Vitali’s portrayal of Venice is an almost surreal experience — where time dissolves, and the viewer is left with the sensation of stepping into a dreamscape. CLAY AND ASHES Abdulla Shinose CK explores the challenges faced by Kumhar Gram's potters, balancing tradition and adaptation in the face of modern pressures. ISLAND Enzo Crispino’s photographic series, “Nêsos,” invites viewers into an introspective journey that mirrors the artist’s rediscovery of his voice in photography after a prolonged period of creative estrangement. BEYOND THE BRICKS Amid Bangladesh’s dynamic urban growth, Anwar Ehtesham’s photography takes us beyond statistics and headlines, revealing the hidden lives of the laborers working tirelessly in the nation’s brick kilns. OAXACA In Oaxaca, Tommaso Stefanori captures Día de los Muertos, exploring the convergence of life and death, human connections, and enduring cultural rituals through evocative photographs of tradition and emotion. BEHIND THE PLANTS Wayan Barre documents Cancer Alley residents facing pollution and economic challenges, shedding light on their resilience and the impacts of environmental injustice. THE RED POPPY AND THE SUN By blending archival and contemporary images, Mei Seva creates a visual story that captures the ongoing struggles and moments of triumph for those impacted by displacement and circumstance. FIRE AND FORGE Alexandros Zilos delves deep into the harsh reality of sulfur mining, while also capturing the allure of the blue fire phenomenon created by sulfur deposits in the crater. IN-VISIBLE PAIN Through black and white self-portraiture, Isabelle Coordes brings to light the stark reality of living with chronic pain — a reality often dismissed by a world that requires physical evidence to believe in one’s suffering. CELEBRATION OF LIFE Ahsanul Haque Fahim's photography captures Holi in Bangladesh, celebrating life with vibrant colors and reflecting human emotions, diversity, and interconnectedness in Dhaka's streets. KOALA COUNTRY Sean Paris invites viewers on a transformative journey, challenging our perceptions and fostering a new appreciation for rural Australia through mesmerizing infrared photography. MOMMIE Arlene Gottfried’s poignant exploration of motherhood in “Mommie” is not just a collection of photographs but a profound tribute to the enduring bonds of family and the universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. BIFRÖST Amidst the breathtaking scenery of Norway, Romain Coudrier discovered the allure of rare light and subtle shades, immortalizing each moment in striking black and white with every click of his camera shutter. MUD Dedipya Basak's documentary project explores the struggle of an 800 year old lake against the impacts of global warming, revealing its continued relevance and urgent story in today’s changing climate. A WORLD WITHIN REACH In his Cuba project, Pedro Vidal celebrates human resilience and warmth through captivating imagery, revealing photography's profound ability to encapsulate emotions and memories. UNVEILING VULNERABILITY In a world where masculinity is often synonymous with stoicism and strength, Francesca Tiboni challenges us to reevaluate our perceptions of masculinity, inviting us to embrace the complexity of the male emotional experience. TRANSCENDENTS: SPIRIT MEDIUMS IN BURMA AND THAILAND Mariette Pathy Allen's visual narrative celebrates authenticity, spotlighting Spirit Mediums' enigmatic presence in both possession and daily life. She portrays them as essential to cultures steeped in Animism, reflecting the enduring essence of human authenticity. COALESCENCE Visual diptychs intricately depicting the intimate exchange between a mother and daughter, transcending personal narratives to explore universal themes of transition, acceptance, and the beauty of change.

PICTORIAL STORY COALESCENCE Through visual diptychs, the intimate exchange between a mother and daughter unfolds, navigating womanhood through intimate dialogue and revealing a deeper reflection on identity, connection, and time. March 8, 2024 PICTORIAL STORY photography and project VIN SHARMA & SHIVANI TIMON story KAREN GHOSTLAW POMARICO SHARE Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Today on International Women's Day, we are delighted to showcase a collaborative project between a mother and daughter, both navigating pivotal stages in their lives. Vin Sharma, a Brooklyn-based photographer of Indian immigrant descent, was raised in Canada. Her strong cultural family connections inspire Vin to capture a kaleidoscope of emotions we are confronted with on a regular basis. Her work illustrates our impact on one another and the world around us. Vin’s body of work speaks a universal language of shared human experiences, drawing viewers into intimate dialogues. As a mother, the bond she shares with her daughter Shivani is a driving force in her creative approach. Shivani was born in Brooklyn, and it is her home sweet home. She was named after a powerful Goddess of Hindu mythology and serves as muse, as well as a welcome companion. These are the forces Shivani brings to Vin’s life and the enthusiasm she had working with her mother to create this project. Their exploration together gave them time to observe each other in new but familiar ways, allowing their relationship to grow in new directions. Together, Vin and Shivani embark on a photographic adventure that offers them fresh perspectives on each other, nurturing their relationship to evolve in unforeseen ways. Their collaboration prompts contemplation: when do we, as children, grasp the intricacies of adulthood? Conversely, as adults, when do we rediscover the liberation of embracing the innocence of childhood anew? In the context of photography, art often serves as a mirror reflecting the complexities of human experiences. Coalescence is a striking example of this, a series of visual diptychs delicately woven to portray the intimate dialogue between a mother and her daughter. Yet, beyond the familial bond, this project transcends personal narratives to touch upon universal themes of transition, acceptance, and the beauty inherent in change. At its core, Coalescence embodies the very essence of its namesake: the joining or merging of elements to form one mass or whole. Here, the elements in question are not just the individuals captured within the frames but also the myriad emotions, memories, and societal constructs surrounding womanhood. The mother, nearing the end of her menstrual cycle, stands in juxtaposition to her daughter, teetering on the precipice of adolescence. Forty years span between them; a lifetime of experiences and lessons encapsulated within each glance exchanged across the diptychs. Vin shares her driving inspiration for the project. “My daughter pivots on the cusp of adolescence, while I am nearing the end of this cycle. 40 years divide us. As the tenderness of childhood slips away, we bracket each other's natural rhythms. In between, rests a delicate balance of our demands and desires. The cycle of life’s balance persists. The youthful desires that once held my attention make way for the gift of time, while my daughter’s zest for life unravels as a charged birth of emotion. We seek to tread gently through these rites of passage, as we emerge through our inevitable coalescence. We weave our stories together with a gentle acceptance of age.” As viewers immerse themselves in this visual narrative, they witness the ebb and flow of life’s rhythms mirrored in the subtle nuances of expression and gestural posture. The tender vulnerability of childhood yields to the charged intensity of adolescence, while the mother embodies a sense of quiet wisdom born from the passage of time. It is a testament to the cyclical nature of existence, where beginnings and endings intertwine in a perpetual dance of renewal. What sets Coalescence apart is its unapologetic embrace of the natural processes often relegated to the shadows of societal discourse: menstruation and menopause. These pivotal stages in a woman’s life are not merely biological phenomena but transformative experiences that shape one’s identity and perception of self. By way of the diptychs, the artists invite us to confront these topics with grace and dignity, challenging us to shed the stigma and shame surrounding them. Moreover, Coalescence serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of generations. As mother and daughter stand side by side, their shared experiences reverberate through the images, bridging the gap between past, present, and future. It is a celebration of lineage, of the wisdom passed down through whispered words and silent gestures, weaving a tapestry of resilience and strength. Yet, amidst the weight of tradition and expectation, there exists a profound sense of liberation within Coalescence . It is a call to arms, urging us to honor our individual journeys and embrace change as a catalyst for growth and self-discovery. In a world that often seeks to confine and define us, these diptychs offer a sanctuary of acceptance and love, inviting us to chart our own course through the ever-shifting currents of womanhood. Coalescence is more than just a collection of photographs; it is a powerful reminder of art’s ability to illuminate the human experience. Through its intimate portrayal of mother-daughter dynamics and its unflinching exploration of womanhood, this project nurtures hope and a passionate visual story for solidarity for women of all ages. As we navigate the tumultuous waters of life, may we find solace in the knowledge that we are never truly alone — that in our coalescence, we find strength. Together, Vin Sharma and her daughter Shivani, Coalescence presents a mesmerizing dialogue between generations, encapsulating the timeless journey from childhood to adulthood. With each carefully crafted diptych, the project delves deep into the intertwining threads of womanhood, celebrating the natural processes of menstruation and menopause with grace and dignity. Beyond the mere documentation of familial ties, Coalescence serves as a beacon of empowerment, challenging societal norms and inviting viewers to embrace their individual paths with courage and authenticity. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, reminding us of the strength found within our interconnectedness and the transformative power of self-discovery. As we immerse ourselves in the evocative imagery, may we find inspiration in the shared journey of its creators. May we honor the wisdom passed down through generations and embrace change as a catalyst for growth and renewal. In our collective coalescence, may we discover the beauty of our own unique narratives, and find solace in the knowledge that we are united in our shared human experience. © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani © Vin Sharma and Shivani We conclude with a quote from Shivani about her personal experience on this journey. “I think this project displays the confusion, strength, and resilience of young (and old I guess) girls throughout a journey. It serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting and celebrating women throughout their lives.” When Vin asked Shivani if she thought this project brought them closer, she told her mother, “Nope, we are close enough.” Perhaps it is not closeness they learned about, but strength in independence, as a strong sensitive aware young woman. The Pictorial List would like to thank Vin and her daughter for sharing their wonderful work together, allowing us an intimate view on their emotional journey together, providing inspiration for other women transitioning in life. Women everywhere can embrace what you have created together during these challenging times. It illuminates the negatives, once clearly seen they become the positives. Vin leaves us with. “Through these diptychs, we encourage you, whoever you are, regardless of age, to honor your personal journeys and celebrate change as a catalyst for acceptance and love.” view Vin's portfolio Read an interview with Vin >>> View Vin's project Domestic Wasteland >>> Website >>> Instagram >>> The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author/s, and are not necessarily shared by The Pictorial List and the team. read more stories >>> VISIONS OF ICELAND FROM ABOVE Massimo Lupidi takes flight above Iceland — capturing nature’s abstract brushstrokes where land, water, and sky blur into poetic visions beyond the ordinary eye. UNDER THE CLOUDS Giordano Simoncini presents a visual ethnography of the interconnectedness of indigenous cosmology, material life, and the ecological balance within the Quechua communities of the Peruvian Andes. NYC SUBWAY RIDERS BEFORE THE INVASION OF SMARTPHONES Hiroyuki Ito’s subway photographs reveal a vanished intimacy — strangers lost in thought in a world before digital distractions took hold. THE GHOST SELF Buku Sarkar stages her refusal to vanish. Her photographs are unflinching, lyrical acts of documentation, mapping a body in flux and a mind grappling with the epistemic dissonance of chronic illness. WHISPERS On Mother’s Day, Regina Melo's story asks us to pause. To remember. To feel. It honors the profound, often quiet sacrifices that mothers make, and the invisible threads that bind us to them. BEYOND THE MASK By stepping beyond the scripted world of professional wrestling and into the raw terrain of mental health, Matteo Bergami and Fabio Giarratano challenge long-held myths about masculinity, endurance, and heroism. FRAGMENTS OF TIME Each of jfk's diptychs functions as a microcosm of the city, allowing viewers to experience urban life as constant fragmented glimpses, mirroring the unpredictable nature of human interactions. VANISHING VENICE Lorenzo Vitali’s portrayal of Venice is an almost surreal experience — where time dissolves, and the viewer is left with the sensation of stepping into a dreamscape. CLAY AND ASHES Abdulla Shinose CK explores the challenges faced by Kumhar Gram's potters, balancing tradition and adaptation in the face of modern pressures. ISLAND Enzo Crispino’s photographic series, “Nêsos,” invites viewers into an introspective journey that mirrors the artist’s rediscovery of his voice in photography after a prolonged period of creative estrangement. BEYOND THE BRICKS Amid Bangladesh’s dynamic urban growth, Anwar Ehtesham’s photography takes us beyond statistics and headlines, revealing the hidden lives of the laborers working tirelessly in the nation’s brick kilns. OAXACA In Oaxaca, Tommaso Stefanori captures Día de los Muertos, exploring the convergence of life and death, human connections, and enduring cultural rituals through evocative photographs of tradition and emotion. BEHIND THE PLANTS Wayan Barre documents Cancer Alley residents facing pollution and economic challenges, shedding light on their resilience and the impacts of environmental injustice. THE RED POPPY AND THE SUN By blending archival and contemporary images, Mei Seva creates a visual story that captures the ongoing struggles and moments of triumph for those impacted by displacement and circumstance. FIRE AND FORGE Alexandros Zilos delves deep into the harsh reality of sulfur mining, while also capturing the allure of the blue fire phenomenon created by sulfur deposits in the crater. IN-VISIBLE PAIN Through black and white self-portraiture, Isabelle Coordes brings to light the stark reality of living with chronic pain — a reality often dismissed by a world that requires physical evidence to believe in one’s suffering. CELEBRATION OF LIFE Ahsanul Haque Fahim's photography captures Holi in Bangladesh, celebrating life with vibrant colors and reflecting human emotions, diversity, and interconnectedness in Dhaka's streets. KOALA COUNTRY Sean Paris invites viewers on a transformative journey, challenging our perceptions and fostering a new appreciation for rural Australia through mesmerizing infrared photography. MOMMIE Arlene Gottfried’s poignant exploration of motherhood in “Mommie” is not just a collection of photographs but a profound tribute to the enduring bonds of family and the universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. BIFRÖST Amidst the breathtaking scenery of Norway, Romain Coudrier discovered the allure of rare light and subtle shades, immortalizing each moment in striking black and white with every click of his camera shutter. MUD Dedipya Basak's documentary project explores the struggle of an 800 year old lake against the impacts of global warming, revealing its continued relevance and urgent story in today’s changing climate. A WORLD WITHIN REACH In his Cuba project, Pedro Vidal celebrates human resilience and warmth through captivating imagery, revealing photography's profound ability to encapsulate emotions and memories. UNVEILING VULNERABILITY In a world where masculinity is often synonymous with stoicism and strength, Francesca Tiboni challenges us to reevaluate our perceptions of masculinity, inviting us to embrace the complexity of the male emotional experience. TRANSCENDENTS: SPIRIT MEDIUMS IN BURMA AND THAILAND Mariette Pathy Allen's visual narrative celebrates authenticity, spotlighting Spirit Mediums' enigmatic presence in both possession and daily life. She portrays them as essential to cultures steeped in Animism, reflecting the enduring essence of human authenticity. COALESCENCE Visual diptychs intricately depicting the intimate exchange between a mother and daughter, transcending personal narratives to explore universal themes of transition, acceptance, and the beauty of change.

PICTORIAL STORY PARALLEL REALITIES February 23, 2024 PICTORIAL STORY photography and story by Catia Montagna Introduction by Melanie Meggs SHARE Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Catia Montagna is a photographer with a unique perspective on the world around her. With a Ph.D. in Economics and a chair of Economics at the University of Aberdeen, Catia’s background as a social scientist has carved out a distinct place for herself in the world of photography. From the simple act of holding a camera to framing and clicking, each step of the process allows Catia to see and understand the world in a different light. With her camera, Catia explores the impact of socioeconomic factors and social norms on our daily lives, revealing in her photos the subtle poetry of small, insignificant moments that capture the human condition. Born in Italy, Catia splits her time between the United Kingdom and her home country. From a young age, Catia has been drawn to the art of photography. Armed with an old camera and no film, Catia fondly recalls she would wander through the world, capturing moments in her imagination. This passion for photography was mostly a personal pursuit for Catia, and it did not go beyond sharing her photographs with friends and family. However, in the early 2000s, she took a short darkroom course at the Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre, and this opened up new opportunities for her. It not only brought her into contact with other photographers but also gave her the chance to exhibit some of her work in Scotland. This experience later encouraged Catia to share her work on social media and interact more with others who shared her passion for photography, leading to collaborations with other artists and featured in magazines. Catia generously shares with us her ongoing project, comprised of photographs taken at different times and in various locations around the world. This collection does not have a specific documentary purpose but rather serves as a visual reflection of her personal growth and artistic evolution. As we engage with her story and the accompanying photographs, we are invited to witness Catia’s perspective, one that captures the complexity of the world and the lived experiences of humanity with all its complexities and beauties. “I consider consumerism as a form of fascism worse than the classical one...A form of fascism capable of homogenising societies by depriving of reality the different lifestyles.” - Pier Paolo Pasolini _ The street is alive and speaks of our existence. When I photograph the street, I like to capture simple moments of everyday life probably immediately forgotten by those who lived them. I am drawn to gestures, expressions, and atmospheres that, in movement or in stillness, reflect nuances of life that reveal existential tensions and what is universal about the human condition. Wandering around our cities, in the western world and beyond, one cannot fail to perceive, through the filters of the specificities of time and place, how the consumeristic nature of our societies commodifies our daily experiences and acts as a force towards the homogenisation of our needs and of the lifestyles we strive to achieve. Pasolini called it the ‘destructive homologation’ of consumerism. This homologation hinges on a dichotomy between two parallel worlds: the ‘real’ one of ‘normal’ people going about their lives and the artificial one that the images and messages we are bombarded with everyday are designed to draw us into. By offering the alluring suggestion of a comforting escape from our ‘normal’, these images generate ever increasing material needs. But crucially, they also propose unattainable role models – particularly, but not exclusively, for women. Palpable is then the contrast between our real lives and the idealised lives of this glossy other world we are invited to crave for and that has the power to make our normality, and our humanity look so imperfect. © Catia Montagna © Catia Montagna © Catia Montagna © Catia Montagna © Catia Montagna © Catia Montagna © Catia Montagna © Catia Montagna © Catia Montagna © Catia Montagna © Catia Montagna As we come to the end of our journey through Catia Montagna’s work, we are reminded of how photography captures the essence of our existence in all its complexities. Catia invites us to reflect on the impact of societal norms and consumerism on our daily lives, while also celebrating the beauty and poetry found in small, seemingly insignificant moments. As we continue to navigate through a world full of contradictions, Catia’s unique perspective reminds us to pause and appreciate the simple yet profound moments that make us human. With her ongoing projects and collaborations, Catia continues to inspire us to see the world from a different perspective and embrace the imperfections that make us who we are. She is currently working with award-winning poet Andy Jackson on a photo-poetry book based on her photographs. Have a look at her portfolio and follow her links for the next chapter in Catia's journey and the unique perspectives she will undoubtedly capture. view Catia's portfolio Website >>> Instagram >>> The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author/s, and are not necessarily shared by The Pictorial List and the team. read more stories >>> VISIONS OF ICELAND FROM ABOVE Massimo Lupidi takes flight above Iceland — capturing nature’s abstract brushstrokes where land, water, and sky blur into poetic visions beyond the ordinary eye. UNDER THE CLOUDS Giordano Simoncini presents a visual ethnography of the interconnectedness of indigenous cosmology, material life, and the ecological balance within the Quechua communities of the Peruvian Andes. NYC SUBWAY RIDERS BEFORE THE INVASION OF SMARTPHONES Hiroyuki Ito’s subway photographs reveal a vanished intimacy — strangers lost in thought in a world before digital distractions took hold. THE GHOST SELF Buku Sarkar stages her refusal to vanish. Her photographs are unflinching, lyrical acts of documentation, mapping a body in flux and a mind grappling with the epistemic dissonance of chronic illness. WHISPERS On Mother’s Day, Regina Melo's story asks us to pause. To remember. To feel. It honors the profound, often quiet sacrifices that mothers make, and the invisible threads that bind us to them. BEYOND THE MASK By stepping beyond the scripted world of professional wrestling and into the raw terrain of mental health, Matteo Bergami and Fabio Giarratano challenge long-held myths about masculinity, endurance, and heroism. FRAGMENTS OF TIME Each of jfk's diptychs functions as a microcosm of the city, allowing viewers to experience urban life as constant fragmented glimpses, mirroring the unpredictable nature of human interactions. VANISHING VENICE Lorenzo Vitali’s portrayal of Venice is an almost surreal experience — where time dissolves, and the viewer is left with the sensation of stepping into a dreamscape. CLAY AND ASHES Abdulla Shinose CK explores the challenges faced by Kumhar Gram's potters, balancing tradition and adaptation in the face of modern pressures. ISLAND Enzo Crispino’s photographic series, “Nêsos,” invites viewers into an introspective journey that mirrors the artist’s rediscovery of his voice in photography after a prolonged period of creative estrangement. BEYOND THE BRICKS Amid Bangladesh’s dynamic urban growth, Anwar Ehtesham’s photography takes us beyond statistics and headlines, revealing the hidden lives of the laborers working tirelessly in the nation’s brick kilns. OAXACA In Oaxaca, Tommaso Stefanori captures Día de los Muertos, exploring the convergence of life and death, human connections, and enduring cultural rituals through evocative photographs of tradition and emotion. BEHIND THE PLANTS Wayan Barre documents Cancer Alley residents facing pollution and economic challenges, shedding light on their resilience and the impacts of environmental injustice. THE RED POPPY AND THE SUN By blending archival and contemporary images, Mei Seva creates a visual story that captures the ongoing struggles and moments of triumph for those impacted by displacement and circumstance. FIRE AND FORGE Alexandros Zilos delves deep into the harsh reality of sulfur mining, while also capturing the allure of the blue fire phenomenon created by sulfur deposits in the crater. IN-VISIBLE PAIN Through black and white self-portraiture, Isabelle Coordes brings to light the stark reality of living with chronic pain — a reality often dismissed by a world that requires physical evidence to believe in one’s suffering. CELEBRATION OF LIFE Ahsanul Haque Fahim's photography captures Holi in Bangladesh, celebrating life with vibrant colors and reflecting human emotions, diversity, and interconnectedness in Dhaka's streets. KOALA COUNTRY Sean Paris invites viewers on a transformative journey, challenging our perceptions and fostering a new appreciation for rural Australia through mesmerizing infrared photography. MOMMIE Arlene Gottfried’s poignant exploration of motherhood in “Mommie” is not just a collection of photographs but a profound tribute to the enduring bonds of family and the universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. BIFRÖST Amidst the breathtaking scenery of Norway, Romain Coudrier discovered the allure of rare light and subtle shades, immortalizing each moment in striking black and white with every click of his camera shutter. MUD Dedipya Basak's documentary project explores the struggle of an 800 year old lake against the impacts of global warming, revealing its continued relevance and urgent story in today’s changing climate. A WORLD WITHIN REACH In his Cuba project, Pedro Vidal celebrates human resilience and warmth through captivating imagery, revealing photography's profound ability to encapsulate emotions and memories. UNVEILING VULNERABILITY In a world where masculinity is often synonymous with stoicism and strength, Francesca Tiboni challenges us to reevaluate our perceptions of masculinity, inviting us to embrace the complexity of the male emotional experience. TRANSCENDENTS: SPIRIT MEDIUMS IN BURMA AND THAILAND Mariette Pathy Allen's visual narrative celebrates authenticity, spotlighting Spirit Mediums' enigmatic presence in both possession and daily life. She portrays them as essential to cultures steeped in Animism, reflecting the enduring essence of human authenticity. COALESCENCE Visual diptychs intricately depicting the intimate exchange between a mother and daughter, transcending personal narratives to explore universal themes of transition, acceptance, and the beauty of change.

PICTORIAL STORY TRANSCENDENTS Mariette Pathy Allen’s visual narrative celebrates authenticity, spotlighting Spirit Mediums’ enigmatic presence in both possession and daily life. March 15, 2024 PICTORIAL STORY photography and words MARIETTE PATHY ALLEN introduction KAREN GHOSTLAW POMARICO SHARE Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Mariette Pathy Allen stands as a leading figure in contemporary photography, recognized for her profound exploration of human diversity and the fluidity of identity with depth and sensitivity. With a career spanning over five decades, Mariette has established herself as a visionary documentarian, shedding light and advocating for marginalized communities within society. Mariette’s journey as a photographer began in the 1970s, a time marked by social upheaval and a burgeoning awareness of gender and sexual identities. It was during this period that she embarked on a mission to explore the intricate spectrum of gender expression, particularly within the transgender community — an endeavor that would become her life's work. Mariette is a photographer of transgender, genderfluid, and gender variant communities, as well as other continuous series such as Birth and Families , The Face of New Jersey , People with Art , Flowers and Fantasy, Texas, and Scapes . In 1978, on the last day of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Mariette met a trans woman named Vicky West (although, using the language of that time, she identified as a crossdresser). Vicky befriended Mariette and invited her to Fantasia Fair , a transgender conference where Mariette would serve as the official photographer. She traveled across the United States to many other transgender conferences, participated in political activism, and worked for the Transgender Tapestry Magazine . She continues to pursue the work of photographing, interviewing, and advocating on behalf of gender-nonconforming people. Mariette captures moments of raw authenticity, inviting viewers into the intimate lives of her subjects with empathy and respect. Her photographs serve as powerful testimonials to the resilience and beauty found in the face of societal norms and expectations. Whether documenting the joy of self-discovery, the struggles of discrimination, or the triumph of self-acceptance, Mariette’s images resonate with a universal message of humanity and belonging. Mariette shares herself with us, her voice. “I first encountered transgender people at Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 1978. I met Vicky West and was mesmerized. I felt that I wasn't looking into the eyes of a man or a woman but at the essence of a human being. This encounter led to experiences that I could never have imagined. As a photographer, writer, speaker, activist, and ally, I could participate in the evolution of a vital movement to bring understanding and justice to nonconforming people. Early on, anything beyond heteronormativity was considered freakish or immoral. What I saw was different and my intention became clear — to present gender-nonconforming individuals in the daylight of everyday life, alone or in relationships with friends, family, and children. I continue to photograph this ever-changing world. My hope is that during this time of ignorance and violence, my work will move people to reconsider the prejudices that negate what is natural in a world that includes gender-expansive people.” We asked Mariette to share one of her insightful projects with us. “Most people in Burma and Thailand are Buddhists, but there are areas in both countries where Spirit Mediums continue to perform the ancient, animist traditions and rituals that pre-date Buddhism. Although there are differences in the traditions practiced by Spirit Mediums in Myanmar and Thailand, I have combined the images here, as my focus is on the visual mystery of Spirit Mediums when they are possessed, and when going about their daily lives. I am looking at them as human beings who have been part of their cultures for as long as Animism has existed. In the past, most Spirit Mediums were women, but over time, more men have felt called as Spirit Mediums. Those who live as men, dress as women in colorful, flowing garments, wear make-up, headdresses, and ornate jewelry before, during, and after possession. They must adorn themselves as women for the Spirits. Others live as women full-time. They would be identified as transgender in the West. When Mediums are possessed by a particular Spirit, they fall into a trance, and dance for many hours, drinking, smoking, accepting money from the crowd of onlookers who may join in the dance. During festivals when not dancing, Mediums sit in their beautifully decorated tents with altars covered with offerings that may include fruit, flowers, cans of beer, soda, cash, small toys, and statues. People come into the tent to get advice from the Spirit that the Medium channels.” © Mariette Pathy Allen © Mariette Pathy Allen © Mariette Pathy Allen © Mariette Pathy Allen © Mariette Pathy Allen © Mariette Pathy Allen © Mariette Pathy Allen © Mariette Pathy Allen © Mariette Pathy Allen © Mariette Pathy Allen © Mariette Pathy Allen Mariette Pathy Allen continues to inspire generations of artists and activists alike. Her dedication to capturing the essence of human experience, in all its complexity and diversity, reflects the profound power of art and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Through her visual storytelling, she reminds us that true beauty lies in the courage to embrace our authentic selves, unapologetically and without reservation. In addition to her artistic contributions, Mariette has been a vocal advocate for transgender rights and visibility, using her platform to challenge stereotypes and foster understanding. Mariette is the author of four books that have brought visibility to transgender communities across the world including Transformations: Crossdressers and Those Who Love Them (1989), The Gender Frontier (2004), TransCuba (2014), and Transcendents: Spirit Mediums in Burma and Thailand (2017). She has made dozens of slide presentations to a variety of groups, participated in radio and television programs, and been a consultant and still photographer for films. Mariette’s work is included in numerous collections, both public and private, and has been exhibited internationally. Her work is being archived by Duke University's Rare Book and Manuscripts Library and the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's Studies. Mariette is based in New York City and is represented by CLAMP . Mariette also shares with us a portfolio of images, spanning the globe that represents the artist's dedication to showcasing the lives of gender-nonconforming individuals that transcend the boundaries of mere representation. By conscientiously capturing these individuals in their everyday environments, the artist's goal is to illuminate the human essence that exists within each person, regardless of gender identity. She seeks to challenge existing prejudices and inspire a reevaluation of societal norms, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic world for all gender-expansive individuals. The Pictorial List is incredibly thankful to Mariette Pathy Allen for sharing her inspirational photography, it shines a spotlight on her groundbreaking and exceptional work, showcasing the lives of gender-nonconforming individuals. Through her photography, Mariette captures the raw authenticity and resilience of these communities, inviting viewers into the intimate lives of her subjects with empathy and respect. Her dedication to documenting and advocating for marginalized communities, including the transgender community and gender-nonconforming individuals, has been truly impactful. Moreover, Mariette's work challenges existing prejudices and inspires a reevaluation of societal norms, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic world for all individuals. We are honored to be able to share her insightful project, Transcendents: Spirit Mediums in Burma and Thailand and her remarkable contributions to art and advocacy with our audience. view Mariette's portfolio Website >>> Instagram >>> The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author/s, and are not necessarily shared by The Pictorial List and the team. read more stories >>> VISIONS OF ICELAND FROM ABOVE Massimo Lupidi takes flight above Iceland — capturing nature’s abstract brushstrokes where land, water, and sky blur into poetic visions beyond the ordinary eye. UNDER THE CLOUDS Giordano Simoncini presents a visual ethnography of the interconnectedness of indigenous cosmology, material life, and the ecological balance within the Quechua communities of the Peruvian Andes. NYC SUBWAY RIDERS BEFORE THE INVASION OF SMARTPHONES Hiroyuki Ito’s subway photographs reveal a vanished intimacy — strangers lost in thought in a world before digital distractions took hold. THE GHOST SELF Buku Sarkar stages her refusal to vanish. Her photographs are unflinching, lyrical acts of documentation, mapping a body in flux and a mind grappling with the epistemic dissonance of chronic illness. WHISPERS On Mother’s Day, Regina Melo's story asks us to pause. To remember. To feel. It honors the profound, often quiet sacrifices that mothers make, and the invisible threads that bind us to them. BEYOND THE MASK By stepping beyond the scripted world of professional wrestling and into the raw terrain of mental health, Matteo Bergami and Fabio Giarratano challenge long-held myths about masculinity, endurance, and heroism. FRAGMENTS OF TIME Each of jfk's diptychs functions as a microcosm of the city, allowing viewers to experience urban life as constant fragmented glimpses, mirroring the unpredictable nature of human interactions. VANISHING VENICE Lorenzo Vitali’s portrayal of Venice is an almost surreal experience — where time dissolves, and the viewer is left with the sensation of stepping into a dreamscape. CLAY AND ASHES Abdulla Shinose CK explores the challenges faced by Kumhar Gram's potters, balancing tradition and adaptation in the face of modern pressures. ISLAND Enzo Crispino’s photographic series, “Nêsos,” invites viewers into an introspective journey that mirrors the artist’s rediscovery of his voice in photography after a prolonged period of creative estrangement. BEYOND THE BRICKS Amid Bangladesh’s dynamic urban growth, Anwar Ehtesham’s photography takes us beyond statistics and headlines, revealing the hidden lives of the laborers working tirelessly in the nation’s brick kilns. OAXACA In Oaxaca, Tommaso Stefanori captures Día de los Muertos, exploring the convergence of life and death, human connections, and enduring cultural rituals through evocative photographs of tradition and emotion. BEHIND THE PLANTS Wayan Barre documents Cancer Alley residents facing pollution and economic challenges, shedding light on their resilience and the impacts of environmental injustice. THE RED POPPY AND THE SUN By blending archival and contemporary images, Mei Seva creates a visual story that captures the ongoing struggles and moments of triumph for those impacted by displacement and circumstance. FIRE AND FORGE Alexandros Zilos delves deep into the harsh reality of sulfur mining, while also capturing the allure of the blue fire phenomenon created by sulfur deposits in the crater. IN-VISIBLE PAIN Through black and white self-portraiture, Isabelle Coordes brings to light the stark reality of living with chronic pain — a reality often dismissed by a world that requires physical evidence to believe in one’s suffering. CELEBRATION OF LIFE Ahsanul Haque Fahim's photography captures Holi in Bangladesh, celebrating life with vibrant colors and reflecting human emotions, diversity, and interconnectedness in Dhaka's streets. KOALA COUNTRY Sean Paris invites viewers on a transformative journey, challenging our perceptions and fostering a new appreciation for rural Australia through mesmerizing infrared photography. MOMMIE Arlene Gottfried’s poignant exploration of motherhood in “Mommie” is not just a collection of photographs but a profound tribute to the enduring bonds of family and the universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. BIFRÖST Amidst the breathtaking scenery of Norway, Romain Coudrier discovered the allure of rare light and subtle shades, immortalizing each moment in striking black and white with every click of his camera shutter. MUD Dedipya Basak's documentary project explores the struggle of an 800 year old lake against the impacts of global warming, revealing its continued relevance and urgent story in today’s changing climate. A WORLD WITHIN REACH In his Cuba project, Pedro Vidal celebrates human resilience and warmth through captivating imagery, revealing photography's profound ability to encapsulate emotions and memories. UNVEILING VULNERABILITY In a world where masculinity is often synonymous with stoicism and strength, Francesca Tiboni challenges us to reevaluate our perceptions of masculinity, inviting us to embrace the complexity of the male emotional experience. TRANSCENDENTS: SPIRIT MEDIUMS IN BURMA AND THAILAND Mariette Pathy Allen's visual narrative celebrates authenticity, spotlighting Spirit Mediums' enigmatic presence in both possession and daily life. She portrays them as essential to cultures steeped in Animism, reflecting the enduring essence of human authenticity. COALESCENCE Visual diptychs intricately depicting the intimate exchange between a mother and daughter, transcending personal narratives to explore universal themes of transition, acceptance, and the beauty of change.

PICTORIAL STORY IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ANSEL ADAMS A BLACK AND WHITE LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT March 2, 2024 PICTORIAL STORY photography and story KARIN SVADLENAK introduction MELANIE MEGGS SHARE Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link In following the footsteps of the masterful Ansel Adams, Karin Svadlenak not only paid homage to his timeless work but also embarked on a transformative journey. Her project in the Dolomites stands as a testament to the enduring power of black and white photography and the emotional depth it can convey. Through her endeavours, Karin has not only deepened her own understanding of the craft but also offered a contemporary homage that resonates with the timeless beauty Ansel Adams captured. A public relations manager for a university department in Vienna, Austria, a world traveller, and passionate magazine editor and blogger, Karin combines an insatiable curiosity for art, culture, and photography with a love for storytelling. Karin’s photography project serves as a compelling reminder that the art of photography is not merely in the act of capturing an image, but in the meticulous process of creating a visual narrative that speaks to the soul. Just as Ansel Adams believed, a photograph is indeed made, not taken. Karin’s journey reminds us all to look beyond the surface, to study the play of light and shadow, and to find inspiration in the legacy left by the masters of our past. Through her photography and writing, Karin continues to be inspired by Ansel Adams and his legacy. She, like many others, recognises him as the Master of Landscape Photography and is grateful for the opportunity to honour his work through her own. “You don't take a photograph, you make it.” - Ansel Adams I started landscape photography at a young age. At that time, I was shooting with a Minolta XG 2, a high school graduation gift, and on trips I would look for deserted landscapes for my compositions. One day, I came across a book of Ansel Adams’ photographs in a bookstore and was deeply impressed by his dramatic black and white images. Ansel Adams is considered one of the most important photographers of the 20th century. His landscape photographs of the American West, beginning with his photos of Yosemite National Park in the 1930s, are world famous. Adams used the elements of composition, such as lines, shapes, light and shadow, for his high-contrast black and white photography. These were not snapshots; he went out with a large format camera on a tripod and would wait patiently for the right light and compose his images very carefully. He also developed his ‘Zone System’, a photographic technique used to achieve optimal exposure and development in black and white photography. It’s essentially a system for understanding and controlling the tonal range of your image. The system divides the tonal range of an image into eleven zones, numbered 0 to 10. Zone 0 represents pure black, zone 5 represents middle gray, and zone 10 represents pure white. The system was developed for film photography, where exposure has to be handled a little differently from digital photography (exposing for the shadows rather than the highlights for the most part). But some of it was also done in post processing. The development process further affects the final tonal range. When one is not familiar with film photography, one might think that analog photographers did not have a lot of editing possibilities. This is true if you have your photos printed in a lab. But if you develop your own negatives and prints, you could actually do quite a lot. By adjusting the development time for both, you can influence the contrast and density of your negatives, you can highlight certain areas of an image and darken others, further refining the tonal relationships within your image. Knowing this, I did not feel apprehensive about using dodge and burn on my digital images to achieve the desired effect, even when I digitalise analog photographs. For my “homage” project, I had the opportunity to photograph (with an Olympus EM10 Mark III) the beautiful mountain landscape in the Dolomites. The Alpine landscape that I photographed was particularly suited to black and white images, because I was also primarily interested in the dramatic shapes and lighting conditions that I found there. The atmospheric conditions that day were perfect, lots of fog and clouds, but also later blue skies and a lot of good light for contrasty images. Although I originally shot the images in colour, for this homage to Ansel Adams I tried to edit them in his style: high contrast, with a lot of dodging and burning (in my case digitally), and of course in black and white. Ansel preferred black and white even when colour photography became popular. The contrasts between light and shadow underline the drama and intensity of his images. I undertook this project for a final exam presentation at the Prager Photo School for Artistic and Applied Photography in Linz, Austria. I completed a two-year training program there in December 2023. One of the elective modules was Landscape Photography, so this was it. This project was a great learning experience for me. While I was familiar with Ansel’s photography, for this project I looked at many photographs more closely and learned a lot about his photography style. I am very happy with the results of this project, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have it highlighted. © Karin Svadlenak Gomez © Karin Svadlenak Gomez © Karin Svadlenak Gomez © Karin Svadlenak Gomez © Karin Svadlenak Gomez © Karin Svadlenak Gomez © Karin Svadlenak Gomez © Karin Svadlenak Gomez © Karin Svadlenak Gomez © Karin Svadlenak Gomez © Karin Svadlenak Gomez © Karin Svadlenak Gomez © Karin Svadlenak Gomez As we reflect on Karin’s beautiful photographs, we are reminded of the profound impact a single photographer can have on generations to come. The ability to see beyond colour, to manipulate light and shadow, and to harness the raw beauty of nature in a frame, is a skill that Adams mastered, and Karin has respectfully emulated. Her work encourages us all to explore the world with fresh eyes and to appreciate the intricate balance between technique and vision. In the spirit of Adams’ wise words, Karin Svadlenak has not merely taken photographs; she has made art. May her dedication inspire others to pick up their cameras, to study the Masters, and to create with passion. For in the dance of light across the film — or the pixels on a sensor — we are all bound in the pursuit of capturing the sublime, and in doing so, honouring the Masters upon whose shoulders we stand. view Karin's portfolio Read an interview with Karin >>> Read Karin's exhibition review "City of Images" >>> Website >>> Viennacultgram >>> Spectaculum Magazine >>> Instagram >>> The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author/s, and are not necessarily shared by The Pictorial List and the team. read more stories >>> VISIONS OF ICELAND FROM ABOVE Massimo Lupidi takes flight above Iceland — capturing nature’s abstract brushstrokes where land, water, and sky blur into poetic visions beyond the ordinary eye. UNDER THE CLOUDS Giordano Simoncini presents a visual ethnography of the interconnectedness of indigenous cosmology, material life, and the ecological balance within the Quechua communities of the Peruvian Andes. NYC SUBWAY RIDERS BEFORE THE INVASION OF SMARTPHONES Hiroyuki Ito’s subway photographs reveal a vanished intimacy — strangers lost in thought in a world before digital distractions took hold. THE GHOST SELF Buku Sarkar stages her refusal to vanish. Her photographs are unflinching, lyrical acts of documentation, mapping a body in flux and a mind grappling with the epistemic dissonance of chronic illness. WHISPERS On Mother’s Day, Regina Melo's story asks us to pause. To remember. To feel. It honors the profound, often quiet sacrifices that mothers make, and the invisible threads that bind us to them. BEYOND THE MASK By stepping beyond the scripted world of professional wrestling and into the raw terrain of mental health, Matteo Bergami and Fabio Giarratano challenge long-held myths about masculinity, endurance, and heroism. FRAGMENTS OF TIME Each of jfk's diptychs functions as a microcosm of the city, allowing viewers to experience urban life as constant fragmented glimpses, mirroring the unpredictable nature of human interactions. VANISHING VENICE Lorenzo Vitali’s portrayal of Venice is an almost surreal experience — where time dissolves, and the viewer is left with the sensation of stepping into a dreamscape. CLAY AND ASHES Abdulla Shinose CK explores the challenges faced by Kumhar Gram's potters, balancing tradition and adaptation in the face of modern pressures. ISLAND Enzo Crispino’s photographic series, “Nêsos,” invites viewers into an introspective journey that mirrors the artist’s rediscovery of his voice in photography after a prolonged period of creative estrangement. BEYOND THE BRICKS Amid Bangladesh’s dynamic urban growth, Anwar Ehtesham’s photography takes us beyond statistics and headlines, revealing the hidden lives of the laborers working tirelessly in the nation’s brick kilns. OAXACA In Oaxaca, Tommaso Stefanori captures Día de los Muertos, exploring the convergence of life and death, human connections, and enduring cultural rituals through evocative photographs of tradition and emotion. BEHIND THE PLANTS Wayan Barre documents Cancer Alley residents facing pollution and economic challenges, shedding light on their resilience and the impacts of environmental injustice. THE RED POPPY AND THE SUN By blending archival and contemporary images, Mei Seva creates a visual story that captures the ongoing struggles and moments of triumph for those impacted by displacement and circumstance. FIRE AND FORGE Alexandros Zilos delves deep into the harsh reality of sulfur mining, while also capturing the allure of the blue fire phenomenon created by sulfur deposits in the crater. IN-VISIBLE PAIN Through black and white self-portraiture, Isabelle Coordes brings to light the stark reality of living with chronic pain — a reality often dismissed by a world that requires physical evidence to believe in one’s suffering. CELEBRATION OF LIFE Ahsanul Haque Fahim's photography captures Holi in Bangladesh, celebrating life with vibrant colors and reflecting human emotions, diversity, and interconnectedness in Dhaka's streets. KOALA COUNTRY Sean Paris invites viewers on a transformative journey, challenging our perceptions and fostering a new appreciation for rural Australia through mesmerizing infrared photography. MOMMIE Arlene Gottfried’s poignant exploration of motherhood in “Mommie” is not just a collection of photographs but a profound tribute to the enduring bonds of family and the universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. BIFRÖST Amidst the breathtaking scenery of Norway, Romain Coudrier discovered the allure of rare light and subtle shades, immortalizing each moment in striking black and white with every click of his camera shutter. MUD Dedipya Basak's documentary project explores the struggle of an 800 year old lake against the impacts of global warming, revealing its continued relevance and urgent story in today’s changing climate. A WORLD WITHIN REACH In his Cuba project, Pedro Vidal celebrates human resilience and warmth through captivating imagery, revealing photography's profound ability to encapsulate emotions and memories. UNVEILING VULNERABILITY In a world where masculinity is often synonymous with stoicism and strength, Francesca Tiboni challenges us to reevaluate our perceptions of masculinity, inviting us to embrace the complexity of the male emotional experience. TRANSCENDENTS: SPIRIT MEDIUMS IN BURMA AND THAILAND Mariette Pathy Allen's visual narrative celebrates authenticity, spotlighting Spirit Mediums' enigmatic presence in both possession and daily life. She portrays them as essential to cultures steeped in Animism, reflecting the enduring essence of human authenticity. COALESCENCE Visual diptychs intricately depicting the intimate exchange between a mother and daughter, transcending personal narratives to explore universal themes of transition, acceptance, and the beauty of change.