Catching the sunrise
Photographer: Nick Bennett
Nick Bennett is a passionate communicator in international development and global health, with a deep commitment to storytelling as a tool for change. As Senior Communications Manager at Conciliation Resources, he leads strategic content creation that amplifies the voices of peacebuilders and partners worldwide.
His background spans global health advocacy, criminal justice, and environmental communications. A seasoned collaborator with agencies and creatives, Nick brings clarity and heart to complex issues. Outside work, he’s an avid traveller, musician, and photographer with a keen eye for human stories. This image was taken during a 15-month solo travel trip around the world, honing his skills of self-reliance and wonder.
Catching the sunrise : Limited edition of 10 prints
£150 - A3 giclée print
£200 - Framed and mounted
If you wish to place and order (UK only) , please email john@illume.eco
This image was taken during my travels in Myanmar well before the military coup that has since caused untold suffering and death in the country. Inle Lake is a large body of water in the eastern half of Myanmar. It is home to the Intha people, many of whom live in stilt villages at the water’s edge. They rely on the lake for fishing and farming.
Before the coup, the area was a popular tourist destination, providing additional revenue for local people. However, increases in tourist visits also created additional pressure on this sensitive ecosystem and its people.
In 2015, it became Myanmar's first designated site in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Today the lake's environment is under serious pressure due to pollution, overfishing and introduced species, including the highly invasive water hyacinth.
One of the most iconic sights on the lake is provided by the Intha fishermen, whose novel approach to catching fish has attracted widespread interest. Balancing on the stern of their canoes, they use their legs to row while holding a large cage aloft before plunging it down over the fish below. Fish caught from the lake have been a staple of the local diet.
The Inle carp has historically been the most abundant, but today it is seriously threatened due to overfishing and pollution.
At sunrise I took part in a small tour to explore the lake and nearby villages and learn about the Intha culture. As the sun rose over the mountains, we set off in a small boat. As our local guide introduced us to the lake, a fisherman quietly rowed over in his distinctive style.
He began striking the pose that has come to represent Inle Lake and, with the sun slowly rising he seemed to have caught the new day in his net. I quickly grabbed my camera, finding just the right angle to place the sun in his grasp. We tipped him for his presence, and he quietly moved on to continue fishing.
The image raises some questions around the impact of tourism on communities. Where does opportunity end and exploitation begin? That morning on Inle Lake, I saw a man making the most of the opportunities tourism can provide. For those who have ventured to Myanmar, they bring back stories of a kind and welcoming people.
Some have said that Myanmar reminds them of Thailand 30 years ago. I wonder how sustainable this will be if the country finds peace and stability once again.
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