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
 

 

 

 

 
It is past sunset. The recently switched on street lights are illuminating the large crowd of villagers which has gathered around the temple. Some distance away, a small group of curious onlookers surrounds a makeshift tent. Here, the final preparations for the Theyyam performance are taking place. All eyes are on the artist, who is unrecognizable from his human self. Intricate face and body paint – in shades of red, yellow and black – and an elaborate, crown-like headdress, have transformed him into the semblance of a mythical, divine character.

The artist sits on a stool, his anklet bells ringing as he stands up for costume adjustments. A team of four men, clothed in Kerala’s traditional white dhotis, adjust the headdress, wipe the sweat off his forehead and apply the last touches to his body paint. The sound of drumming from the temple acts as a signal. His eyes intensify. With a final glance in the mirror and a prayer he springs to his feet, bouncing up and down to the clinking of anklet bells and quickening pulse of the drums.

As the drumming reaches its peak the artist suddenly jumps out, wide-eyed, from behind the tent. Moving like a possessed beast he streaks through the crowd of villagers, who quickly part and form a path leading him to the temple. The audience knows the story well. The performer is conjuring an evil God. A group of children is encouraged to taunt the deity while he races around the temple; as soon as he approaches they shriek and run for cover.

Such performances are a common sight in the villages of north Kerala, India. They play an important religious role to the area’s Hindu population. It is believed that while performing, the artist is possessed by a divine spirit and becomes a God - or Theyyam in the local language. In Hinduism there are literally millions of Gods, both good and evil and The four hundred existing variations of Theyyam performances are dedicated to just some of them.