THE WHOLE MILE | PAUL COX PHOTOGRAPHY

THE WHOLE MILE

Masked – A2 fine art print – Photographing in a hot country such as Cambodia, I’m generally restricted to shooting either early in the mornings or late afternoon to catch the right light. On this occasion, on one of many daily walks along the train tracks, I had my first encounter with someone that genuinely intimidated me. He was acting out of sync to the general calm of the surroundings, pacing up and down, using his pink whip to lash out at things which I could not see. I tried to avoid eye contact at first, fearing this might escalate into something tricky for me. I chanced my luck and gestured to him if I could photograph him. He was far from keen, I called on him to lower the mask that was perched on his head thinking this would protect his identity. It worked, I had but a few seconds to photograph him, here he tells me to stop. I instantly listened.

Cambodia Boy – 2017

Bokor Palace Hotel – A1 fine art print – dyptych – The crowning glory of the abandoned buildings on Bokor Mountain has to be this former luxury French colonial retreat constructed in the early 1920’s. Not surprisingly, movies have been filmed here namely the very aptly one called ‘City of Ghosts’ made in 2002. Gifted with beautiful light softened by the dense fog outside, we photographed these stairwells. They would have seen much history, from extremes of colonial decadence to a civil war.

The crowning glory of the abandoned buildings on Bokor Mountain...

Bokor Hill Jesus – Cambodia 2017 – Sold A/P at Auction – A0 (120cm x 85cm) fine art print – I am usually known for photographing people and I guess photographing Jesus was no exception. The abandoned church on Bokor Hill dates back to the 1920’s. Its an incredible reminder of Cambodia’s colonial past. Whilst the church lays empty, it is visited frequently by coach loads of excited tourists. However, on this occasion and with my close friend Deborah, we were lucky to have Jesus to ourselves. The moment was surreal. We instinctively spoke in hushed tones, both of us clearly caught up in the moment. Mist and soft light entered through two large windows. Khymer graffitti on the walls reminds us of our location, two cultures meeting under one roof. I had never focussed so hard on photographing an inanimate object like this, after all, this was in reality just a plastic statue with a missing arm and a huge hole in its chest, a bunch of plastic flowers bursting from the wound. Despite this, he (Jesus), seemed completely beautiful to us. I had to convey this feeling that Deborah and I shared together with just one image. I have since heard that Jesus was removed from the church the following day, seems our time with him was meant to be.

I am usually known for photographing people and I guess...

Salt Pans – Sold at Auction (AP) -2017- and Sold 1/8. Fish Island, easily accessed from Kampot Town, is famous for its salt pans.

Apsara Hands – Phnom Penh -2017 – Sold at Auction (AP) and 1/8 Sold

Monks – Phnom Penh- 2017- Sold at Auction A/P – Taken in the famous White Building, since demolished – I would normally avoid photographing monks, its a path well trodden in the Asia/photography world. Yet this particular monk captivated me, his facial symmetry and even lack of it are to me beautiful. I nearly always ask permission to take someones photograph, purely out of respect.

I would normally avoid photographing monks, its a path well...

Apsara Glance – A2 fine art print – Lucky to have access given to us by the famous Cambodian Living Arts (CLA) group.

Cockle vendor – Artist Proof sold at auction and 1/8 Sold – A street food institution in Phnom Penh, vendors cook and prepare their food along the train tracks where I walked nearly every morning for the two weeks I spent shooting on behalf of HAGAR. Spices, herbs and lashings of MSG as standard. Typically of Cambodia, I have been welcomed by some of the most friendly people.

A street food institution in Phnom Penh, vendors cook and...

Chicken – Phnom Penh – 2017 – Sold at Auction (AP) – I think passion for something is contagious, no matter how incongruous that may be. Along the train tracks I see a man tending to his prize possessions. Each caged cockerel is in pristine condition, the feathers washed down, even the legs and comb are painted with a red food dye. I’m assuming these are for breeding and probably fighting. I see what this man sees, a truly magnificent bird of great importance to him.

I think passion for something is contagious, no matter how...

Apsara Reflections – A2 fine art print – Behind the scenes with the Cambodian Living Arts performers .