Portfolio: Ken Hermann's striking images of Malik Ghat flower market in Calcutta
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Flowers are a hugely important part of Indian culture, used in everything from temple rituals to festivals and parties – and Malik Ghat flower market is the largest of its kind in India.
Located in Calcutta, next to the Hooghly river, it attracts more than 2,000 sellers each day, who flock to peddle their blooms amid frantic scenes.
Commercial photographer Ken Hermann first visited Calcutta three years ago, when he was shooting coal miners, one of the three or four personal projects he tries to complete every year.
On that trip, the Dane, now 35, visited the flower market, and ever since held on to the idea of returning to take portraits of the sellers, their magnificent garlands often appearing in stark contrast to their own dusty and sweat-soaked attire.
He returned two months ago, accompanied by a local interpreter, and approached various traders with a view to taking their picture.
"There were different reactions," says Hermann. "Because the market is so busy, the main concern was that they would lose customers while they posed. I paid some of them; others were happy to do it in exchange for prints; some just wanted to be a part of the project."
Although there are female sellers at the market, the women were reluctant to have their picture taken, so Hermann decided to make the project a male preserve.
His main concern, however, was what to use as a background for his subjects. The market was so chaotic, he decided to take the men down to the Hooghly, which leads into the sacred Ganges, for a more neutral setting, allowing the colour of the seller's wares to stand out all the more.
"Sometimes people think my images are almost like paintings," says Hermann. "They don't believe they're real. I like that in-between thing. I didn't go there with any big ideas; I just wanted to take some beautiful portraits."
Prints are available from Hermann's website, kenhermann.dk/limited-edition-prints
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments