Portraits from Asia

 By Zach Murphy

From the ultra modern skyline of Kuala Lumpur, to the colorful streets of India; from the white washed beaches of Thailand, to the majestic mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Asia is a hard continent to sum up in a few photos, and with over 4.4 billion people, it is impossible to sum up over half the worlds population in a few portraits. A vast array of cultures and unique traditions call Asia home, but beneath all the cultural clothing or customary hats, there is a faint resemblance of a long ago ancestry. Long before flights transported people around the world in a few hours, and well before ships traveled from port to port in a few months, the vast continent of Asia was traversed by brave travellers that took to the land by foot on many year long journeys of trade and discovery. Through this ancient exchange, we still see remnants of religion, food, clothing, architecture, and culture that whisper history’s secrets. It’s through these people that the heart of the culture continues to beat and it’s through their eyes that Asia’s soul pours out. As I travel, it is this aspect of culture that intrigues me more than anything else. The people create the culture and the culture creates the places. From place to place, all over Asia, and all over the world, we see so many differences, but it’s in the people that I see the common humanity we all share.

Ani, Turkey

Bangalore, India

Beijing, China

Datong, China

Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Kathmandu, Nepal

Mai Ai, Thailand

Phan Tiet, Vietnam

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Sindapulchuk, Nepal

Turkistan, Kazakhstan

Turpan, China

Wu Tai Shan, China

Follow Zach on Instagram or visit his website here.