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Sam Gellman

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Capturing Asia's Chaotic Year In Quiet Moments (PHOTOS)

Posted: 01/13/12 07:00 AM ET

During a year that saw protests, a tsunami and the death of a dictator, I tried to capture the small moments in Asia that often go undocumented. These images seemed an important way of remembering that everyday life goes on regardless of what events may grab headlines.

My travels took me to Bhutan, China, Japan and further afield and what I found were both tremendous differences and marked similarities. The sense of companionship felt by the boy I saw kissing his goat on a mountain in Nepal seemed somehow universal, as did a young girl's respectful posture as she stepped on stage to take a picture of Chinese performers.

Despite travelling through developing countries or, in the case of North Korea, non-developing countries, my objective has never been to portray hardship or poverty. Instead, I hope these photos remind people that our similarities outnumber our differences. In the East, as in the West, men grab beers on Fridays with friends, family time takes priority and people smile back at those who offer them a friendly grin.

Here is 2011 in 11 pictures:

To see more photos from my journeys, please visit my Facebook page.


 

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During a year that saw protests, a tsunami and the death of a dictator, I tried to capture the small moments in Asia that often go undocumented. These images seemed an important way of remembering tha...
During a year that saw protests, a tsunami and the death of a dictator, I tried to capture the small moments in Asia that often go undocumented. These images seemed an important way of remembering tha...
 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Xtazia
come to the dark side...we have cookies
06:43 PM on 01/13/2012
They were peaceful to watch and beautifully captured. Thanks for sharing
05:48 PM on 01/13/2012
since when did CHINA become Asia?! did u look at the map of Asia..
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
elcerritan
My bio is not micro
07:10 PM on 01/13/2012
They weren't ALL taken in China. There were photos from Nepal, Bhutan, and Japan as well.
10:08 PM on 01/18/2012
exactly that's called EAST ASIA...

Russia belongs to asia, India belongs to asia, middle east is yes part of Asia..
By the way bhutan and nepal are SOUTH ASIA ...

so who needs to go to a library !!!!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
elcerritan
My bio is not micro
07:14 PM on 01/13/2012
There were also photos from Nepal, Bhutan, Korea and Japan.
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cuoi
The obstacle is the path
05:27 PM on 01/13/2012
Yes, Virginia, there is still much beauty in the world...