I am a tirelessly curious world wanderer and a travel/documentary photographer. My main passion lies in capturing disappearing ancient cultures and the human condition in unique, challenging situations.

My range of subjects is fairly broad, but whether I am photographing nomadic shepherds in India, life in the last traditional villages of Eastern Europe or sulfur miners working in a volcanic crater, my common aim is always the same - to capture the human element.

I freelance and shoot documentary photo stories on the above mentioned topics. Much of my travel/documentary photography is represented by Getty Images, while my cultural portraits, both colour and black and white are in the private collections of photo lovers and collectors worldwide.

This website should provide a general idea of what I do. For a more extensive collection of my images - check out my ARCHIVES ON PBASE.

Once or twice a year I will be running photography workshops in some of the most photogenic locations around the world. Click the ‘LEARN’ button for more information or keep yourself updated on what I’m up to in general on my ‘BLOG’.

Prints of my work can be purchased through the ‘PRINTS’ section.
email: mitchell@mitchellkphotos.com
mobile: +612403038684
 

 

 

 

 
Kusti is India’s traditional wrestling on red soil. This ancient sport used to hold great importance in Indian societies of the past, its popularity over the recent years however, has dwindled tremendously.

At present Kusti is only practiced in a handful of pockets around India. Even in these places the future of the sport is uncertain. The government constantly pressures traditional Kusti schools to abandon ways of the past, embrace international wrestling standards and win medals at the Olympics.

Kolhapur is one city where Kusti seems to be thriving. The sport is as popular as ever in the villages that surround the city. When matches are held, as many as 20,000 spectators attend.

It is common for rural families to send boys to Kolhapur’s Thalims or Akharas - traditional wrestling schools. There the young men dedicate themselves entirely to the sport.

Grueling daily training, strict diet and celibacy for the duration of their careers are necessary if they hope to ever achieve their dream – to become a champion ‘pailwan’ (wrestler), which in these parts of India still means – glory, respect and power.