Anne Fichter

MA 2007

This collection of photographs represents highlights from some of my travels the last few years. I took every opportunity from my Embassy post in Zagreb to get out and see as much as I could, traveling to places far (Cambodia, Thailand & Laos) and near (Hvar, Dubrovnik) in an exploration of different places and cultures.

I was particularly impressed by Cambodia, knowing of their difficult history in recent years. Despite this, I witnessed their simple life and apparent resilience of those living on Tonle Sap, whose entire existence takes place on the lake, in which open-house designs revealed simple interiors. They even managed to get electricity – on the lake – through generators and many homes had televisions. As the boat I was in glided across the waters, life was unfolding on every side: There were women cooking and cleaning, men repairing boats, uniformed girls reciting lessons in school and children playing in the water. One boy was using an empty barrel as a boat and deftly maneuvered around with an oar – all the while with a huge, playful grin on his face.

I have found that looking at the world through the lens of a camera serves to focus and highlight a subject while inspiring me to really see it – whether it is a particular expression on someone’s face or a beautiful landscape. In so doing, I have found beauty not only in the postcard views of a place, but also in the small details of the people, their lifestyle, their architecture or glimpses into history, such as can be seen in the elaborate carvings of Angkor Wat.