Jeff Fuchs

Jeff Fuchs

"We are fortunate to have groups, tribes, and individuals that still are very much in communion with themselves and their geography. Whether in struggle or joy, it is with these men, women and children that I find so much motivation. Their features belie time and their day to day lives are a journey in themselves. An image can only hint at the lives of the people and of the environment. Smells and senses are held up, and the eyes have to suggest what might be. My photographs document traditions and some of the simple nobility that rests in these rich cultural grounds as it exists. An attempt is made to see what is used and relied upon in their daily life, often items which have not changed for generations. The primary concern is to document, with as little interruption as possible, the lives and lands of these people, and rather than take something away, simply record."

Bio:

Having lived in Asia for the last four years, Fuchs' work reflects the relationship between people and the environment. His vibrant photographs and stories have appeared in World Geographic where he is a regular contributor, in The China Post newspaper, as well as The Earth magazine. Known for spending long periods of time in each story region, Fuchs is particularly recognized for his portraits of people. Having worked and lived in three continents, he believes that "…it is the people and their relationship with their surroundings that stir the heart and mind".

Jeff's photo stories have included life in the India's Thar Desert, Rajasthan's magnificent Lake Palace Hotel, Canada's Arctic, Laos, and Europe. He has just finished up shooting an ad campaign for Wang de Chuan teas in Taiwan which document the history and processing of Oolong teas.

Tzen Jing Bao, editor of New Idea magazine said of his work on Ladakh in the Himalayas, "...he is able to go right to the core of the people's traditions, and reveal multi facets of their culture".

Joe Lee, Editor-in-Chief of World Geographic writes, "There is understated vibrancy and genuine human emotion in his work."

Most work of Fuch's recent has centered on indigenous tribes and their ceremonies. Several projects have centered on tribes in Taiwan that trace their roots to Polynesia. Having recently traveled to Yunnan and Sichuan, Fuchs has documented minority groups living there. He explains, "You cannot race through an environment with its people and history and simply know it. Its magic and hardships ebb into you only after you've watched, and learned to let time give to you".

Upcoming work includes a book of old Chinese recipes on the brink of 'extinction', where his work will include eating and occasionally photographing. A sponsored three month trek through Yunnan, Tibet and Nepal is scheduled for 2006. Currently the teas of Asia are providing Jeff with an obsession and joy during his sitting hours.

Stories:

Twelve Dawns in Trinyi  - There was a soft tinkling and a slight shuffling. Everything was a blue black, the color of cold dawn, and I denied that it was time to move out of my warmth. The huge wooden doors to the prayer room opened and let in more dark air and cold mountain wind that plunged into the room. Ma muttered softly in Tibetan as she did every morning when all was dark..." [Listen to Author's Audio Introduction]

An Oolong Quest in Taiwan  - "The mists cleared long enough for me to glimpse terraces of green black tea fields. Then just as quickly the mists enveloped everything. Landscape had long since disappeared, mists and fogs played peek-a-boo. My little car rumbled up further into the hills, further into the dark. At over 2000 meters all was gray and wet on this volcanic island of Taiwan." [Visit this Feature]

Contact:

Contact Jeff Fuchs at