In the midst of an unexpectedly crazy-hectic fall, I never had the chance to finish doing post-production and sorting my images from my trip to China. I went to Northern China in October with my good friends over at LiNK to document their work over there.
It was a truly stretching experience both as a person and as a photographer. It was really challenging attempting (and often failing) to get quality, moving photos in situations where I’m not supposed to appear that I have a camera, that I’m white, or that I’m, more specifically, American.
Many of the photos I took I’m not really at liberty to share due to the sensitive nature of the work that LiNK does helping North Koreans get safe passage to countries where they can start to rebuild lives for themselves.
In general I found the people of China to be kind, but serious, perhaps even hardened by their history and by the kind of life that living in a massive communist country provides. The situation in North Korea is tragic and desperate, and I was honored to meet many of the brave people who have either escaped, or are helping others escape to freedom. Below are a sampling of images that the good people at LiNK approved for me to use.
For more information about the situation in North Korea, and to see what you can do to help, please visit LiNK’s website here.
There is so much more I could share but I’ll let the photos speak from here.
First morning out the window.
First night.
Our fearless guide (can't show his face).
We spent a good chunk of our time in China either on the train, in a van, or waiting in-between.
The morning after our long train ride in a sleeper car. It was literally freezing in our car. I could see my breath while wrapped in blankets in my bunk.
Chinese soldiers.
Because I look Swedish and not... well... Korean OR Chinese, I wore a mask a lot. I think it made me look more conspicuous...
Heading off to a shelter under cover of darkness.
The long drive into the mountains.
Three North Koreans in hiding offer us oranges for a snack.
A North Korean woman (and me in the mirror).
Shelter.
I can't remember this man's story. I believe he was trying to get money to purchase safe passage for family?
Without aid and money, North Koreans living illegally in China are forced to live in hiding and in poverty.
Justin up to no good.
Driving to a shelter.
The Tumen or Tuman River (Tumannaya) is a 521 km-long river that serves as part of the boundary between China and North Korea. So yeah, that's North Korea. And yes, those are North Korean soldiers walking out to the middle. I walked to the line on the middle of the bridge and tapped my foot over the line (much to the chagrin of an onlooking Chinese soldier who was quick to scold me and nearly confiscated my camera).
While standing on the boundary line separating China from North Korea, a group of NK soldiers began walking towards us. That's Justin staring them down. It was creepy, but they seemed to be taking snapshots of together at the border of China... like tourists.
Hiking up the hills overlooking North Korea.
Left bank: China. Right bank: North Korea.
Looking down over North Korea.
North Korea.
Many North Koreans are captured trying to cross this river to freedom. Many are simply shot and killed. This particular stretch seemed relatively safe with men fishing along the bank. We stopped, chatted with some of the fisherman, dipped our feet in the cold water, and I grabbed a stone from the river that I now keep at my desk.
This is a series of 3 photos taken while standing on the bank of the River staring across to North Korea.
This photo chills me to the bone. I don't why. These are farmers going to work in the fields. We waved. They didn't wave back. Maybe that's because there was a group of North Korea soldiers with guns standing on the hills up above...
"Coffee shop"
Had 30 hours back in Beijing. This is the Olympic Stadium. Look at the sky-- haziest city I've ever been in.
2 Chinese women being photographed in front of a government building. I think this image is really telling of the relationship it seems Chinese citizens have with Mother China.
Tiananmen Square
simply gorgeous shots adam. inspiring
Love these images Adam! Really moving! You did a phenomenal job, especially knowing the circumstances you were under.
These images are so wonderful. Thanks for sharing the experience.
Beautiful work Adam. Thanks a million and a million times over. Hope you kept your mask for the next trip!
… very moving… we take so much for granted… i have a friend whose son works near the DMV teaching ESL/EFL… he has some hair-raising stories … have you ever read “Life and Death in Shanhai” by Nien Cheng… i think you’d find it fascinating… about a prisoner in China (Christian Chinese woman) after the cultural revolution… she just died in November… I read her story back in 88 or 89… and it made a lasting impression on me…