IN COLORS PROJECT  |  JOY

Life has three stages : Childhood,Youth, Oldage . Among the three, childhood is the most beautiful part of our life. Plants and grains grow badly if there is no rain in early spring. So, our Childhood should not be confined only within the boundary of education, but it must be enjoyed to the fullest to make life beautiful. 
 

Children are playing in the school at lunch time. 

In this surreal and thought-provoking image, a woman leans back against a wall with her head seamlessly replaced by a lone white cloud floating in a clear blue sky. Dressed in vibrant traditional attire, she becomes a powerful visual metaphor for escapism, imagination, and emotional freedom. The cloud, soft and dreamlike, symbolizes a state of mind disconnected from reality perhaps lost in thought, overwhelmed, or yearning for peace. This photograph blends everyday life with surreal elements to explore themes of identity, mental space, and the unseen inner world.

The image captures a moment suspended in time: a boy gazes at Amsterdam Central Station through the window of a moving train. His gaze, illuminated by the soft morning light, reflects the vastness of a world waiting to be discovered. There is an innocence there, but also a spark of discovery—as if, at that moment, all dreams were possible.
I see myself in that sunlit gaze, transported back to the past, to the time when I arrived in this city to study photography. It was here, among the canals and cobblestone streets, that I abandoned a career to devote myself to art. And now, in this fleeting scene, the memory resurfaces, intertwined with the present, like a silent reflection in the window glass.

This Photograph was made on New year's day 2017 In Cape Town South Africa. On the First Day of every year Thousands of South Africans flock to the coast to celebrate and welcome the new year. This particular image was taken at a beach called Muizenberg which was previously a "whites-only" beach under the Apartheid government. It is one Photograph that forms part of a long-term project 'Unholy Baptism' which documents people of colour enjoying spaces which were off limits during Apartheid.

The refugee camp in Mirpur, Dhaka, is severely congested. When sunlight streams through the narrow gaps between the walls, it creates a beautiful interplay of light and shadows. In a forgotten corner of the camp, joy breaks through the cracks, proving that happiness is not confined to a specific place but carried in the hearts of individuals. Here, happiness flourished, unrestrained and radiant.

When we visit Porto, in Portugal, we can't take our eyes off the children who jump from the lower deck of the Dom Luís Bridge. They leap with courage, every day during the long, hot summer days, from about 20 meters high, and the reasons why they started doing it are still uncertain. Some refer to these jumps as a rite of passage, a statement by the young people who suddenly leave their childhood behind, sinking it into the Douro as they jump into it with arms wide open.

This image captures a poetic interplay between people and mist, set against an urban park backdrop. Three individuals engage with the hazy atmosphere—one standing while two crouch down, seemingly drawn to the mystery unfolding in the air. The mist blurs the boundaries between reality and reflection, as the wet surface beneath them mirrors their silhouettes, adding a dreamlike depth to the composition. Sunlight filters through, elongating shadows and softening edges, giving the entire scene an ethereal quality. The presence of distant buildings and trees anchors the setting in the tangible world, while the mist challenges perception, inviting interpretation and wonder. 
 

These children stand with their buffaloes and play with them all day. The Iraqi buffalo is an important local breed in Iraq, where it constitutes a vital part of the livestock population. It is raised primarily in the southern regions of the country, particularly in the marshes, an ideal natural environment for buffalo breeding due to the availability of water and green spaces. 

Bo-Kaap is located on the slopes of Signal Hill above the Cape Town City Centre. The area is known for its brightly painted houses and quaint cobbled streets. Bo-Kaap is also a popular spot for photographs due to its beauty and uniqueness.

Spectrum is a community built by Black women in skateboarding. The young women are pushing borders and gaining greater recognition within skateboarding by reclaiming their right to appear in the places they skate. Safety and strength comes from a mutual, shared vulnerability in parallel with facing power relations found in public spaces. These skateboarders are declaring their rights in protest to South Africa's tumultuous history of gender-based violence.
 

Summer holiday. The children are delighted that there is so much space on the roofs of the garages and are having a great time. In addition, there was beautiful sunshine, which added interesting colours to the play scenes.

The settlers of the Azores islands brought with them religious rituals whose origins are lost in time.
One of these rituals is the Festival of the Holy Spirit, celebrated on all the islands of the archipelago. In each island, the ritual has its own character, and even within each island there are differences from place to place.
According to some researchers, it is on the island of Santa Maria that the festival remains closest to its most primitive form, having been founded by Queen Saint Isabel in Alenquer.
On the island of Santa Maria, it is customary, on the main day of the festival, to publicly feed children known as "meninos da mesa" (children of the table).
In this photograph, you can see the various participants in this ceremony. From left to right: trinchante (carver), meninas da mesa (girls of the table), empress, and master of ceremonies or "mestre-sá," in the local dialect.

Shakul (9) plays at the playground on the beach near his home. "Even though it is sad that friends don't always understand me because I'm deaf, I think it's fantastic that they are always there for me. It makes me happy."
Shortly after Shakul was born, his parents decided it would be better if he lived with his grandmother. When he was three years old, grandma learned that he was different from other children. It turned out Shakul was born with a rare genetic condition called Waardenburg Syndrome, affecting pigmentation and hearing. 
Life can present many obstacles for people with disabilities. These challenges lead to social isolation, poverty and reduced quality of life. However, amid these obstacles, Uganda is gradually transforming to become more inclusive.
As of 2020, Uganda has one of the most progressive laws for people with disabilities in the world. This states, among other things, that discrimination against people with disabilities is prohibited. Children with disabilities have the right to education and adults have the right to a job. This is very important because 80% of all people with disabilities in the world live in developing countries, such as Uganda.
While there is still much work to be done, the progress made thus far is a glimmer of hope for people with disabilities.

In the golden light of day, a group of children turn an old excavator into their kingdom of play, their laughter echoing across the barren land. Nearby, an elderly man walks slowly, returning home after a long day’s labor. His bare feet press into the same earth he once raced across as a boy, and though his body is weary, his eyes linger on the children with quiet intensity. In them, he sees more than play,he sees himself, long ago, when life was simple, full of wonder and dirt-streaked joy. In this fleeting moment, youth and age pass each other on the same worn path, connected by something wordless and enduring: the joy that never truly leaves us. 

On a lonely bench by the sea, a lady rests, her gaze lost in the endless blue. Her face, gently marked by time, shines with an expression of serene contentment. There is a lightness in her chest, as if each wave were telling her something good, sweet memories, old dreams, or simply the pleasure of being there. She does not speak, but smiles with her eyes. And in that calm smile lies a rare joy: that of someone who no longer needs much to be happy. The sea, the wind, the light, everything seems to conspire for that perfect moment. And on that worn wooden bench, there is more than just a woman sitting there. There is a whole life to be thankful for in a moment of joy.

This aerial view captures a Vietnamese woman gently cleaning vibrant water lilies, her movements blending with the serene waterscape. Each blossom reflects a moment of harmony and quiet happiness an expression of joy rooted in 
tradition and nature’s grace.

We spent a family holiday in a cottage in Podlasie, a green region of Poland. The children were already very hungry at dinner time and were very happy to hear that spaghetti would be served. In the photo, taken in 2018, my daughter is happily eating the pasta.

In this heartwarming image, a little girl from the Banjara tribe of Kutch, Gujarat, India, rests gleefully in her mother’s lap, sharing a joyful interaction with a young camel standing nearby. The girl’s radiant smile and the camel’s gentle gaze reflect a special bond nurtured in the vast desert landscape. Growing up together, their connection highlights the simple joys and companionship found in the nomadic life of the Banjaras.

It was my first time participating in an outreach program, and after experiencing the overflowing fun and love with our Aeta brothers and sisters, especially the children, of Sitio Target in Sapang Bato, Pampanga, Philippines, who were the recipients of the services our team had prepared, I believe this definitely won’t be my last. Personally witnessing and capturing in frames the joy and elation on the faces of the young members of the tribal community throughout the day—along with the warm hugs and kisses they kept bestowing upon us, the volunteers—made me realize that if everyone in this world had a genuine heart to serve and share in one way or another, and focused more on empowering human connections, this would truly be a happier world to live in, especially for every child, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or race. Returning to the community in 2019 and again in 2022, I was struck by how the vibrance and energy of every tribe member had grown even brighter. They continued to welcome our team with their contagious smiles and warmth. What’s even more heartwarming to me is that many of the kids in the frame have already grown up and yet they still remember all the fun moments we've shared from the very first time we met! And I couldn't agree with them more, because every time I look at this frame, I take a sweet and nostalgic walk down memory lane. The happy cheers ringing in my ears sound just like the very first time I heard them laugh! And until now, I can still hear them laughing! 

On the quiet banks of the Mansai River, a Sunday unfurled like a poem. A group of boys, barefoot and beaming, played with the world as their playground. With no gadgets, no grand toys—only laughter, dust, and water—they found pure joy. In an age chasing speed and spectacle, this frame holds stillness. It reminds us that happiness once needed no validation, only companionship and sunlight. These children may have little in material terms, but their joy is unfiltered—free from expectation, full of presence. This image is a tribute to that golden chapter of life we call childhood—where every puddle was an ocean and every moment, a memory in the making. We grow older each day, yet the child within us need not fade. 

From north to south, east to west, children are happy. For some, as is probably the case here, the dream of continuing to be happy is cut short: life will replace their sincere smiles with hungry stomachs. Photography should serve two purposes: to ensure that we never forget that we can be happy with little, and to remind us that we have the right to be happy with more.

“Bee Matan”, in the official language of East Timor (Tetum), means “eyes of water”. Once a year, on a day determined by the “Katuas” (the oldest and wisest men in the community), the inhabitants of a village near Maubisse gather to celebrate the rains and the resulting water storage. The celebration takes place near two small pools. The ceremony begins at sunrise inside the “uma lulik” (sacred house, which may be communal or belong to a family), where the participants dress in traditional Timorese cloths. At this point, the “Liurai” (rulers of the small kingdoms of Timor-Leste, who, despite the existence of a formal political power, continue to be elected informally and exercise their power) place the ‘Kaibauk’ (the crown symbolizing the moon and meaning time and wisdom) and the “Belak” (necklace symbolizing the sun and meaning strength and power) on their heads. During the “uma lulik,” people pray, sing, and eat rice, vegetables, and, because it is a day of celebration, chicken. The “tua sabu” (a traditional drink with a high alcohol content made from palm sap) is shared among everyone in repeated rituals. In the middle of the morning, a procession sets off towards the “bee matan” and stays there all day singing, dancing, drinking, and smoking. Although it is a community and collective celebration, there is no order to the ceremony: the “babadook” (drums) play out of time, and people dance to the rhythm imposed by the trance of the “tua sabu.” It is a ceremony in which everyone participates: children, men, women, and the elderly. And it is a happy ceremony, which contrasts sharply with the conditions in which they live. It is human nature proving that it can smile in the face of all adversity and rejoice in the most basic of goods: the water that comes with the rainy season

A fisherman casts his net to fish in Lake Bosumtwi in Ghana. In the past, it was taboo to touch the water with iron objects, so people never used conventional boats and even today they travel on the lake using the “padua,” a wooden board that requires great skill to handle.
The lake is thought to be a meteorite crater and the people who live around it are mainly engaged in agriculture and fishing.
This was an image that will remain forever in the history of my life. To get the perfect shot, I knew I would have to go into the lake, which is not usually very clean and is full of mosquitoes. I was bitten by a mosquito and contracted malaria that year. The love of photography has its consequences...

My father has Alzheimer's disease and is losing hope that he will live. However, when my wife and I adopted a girl, everything changed. Neither my father nor my child have any recent memories that would allow them to interact with each other. Together, they were growing up and playing. Both are attempting to make new memories, and love makes their lives happier. Although my father's illness had not improved, pleasure and love restored a love for life that had been lost many years prior. Love and joy transformed all physical warning signs and nearly all psychological issues in front of my eyes. 

The United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers. This photograph gives a voice to glaciers through astrophotography and storytelling—a voice that urges humanity to accelerate climate action and preserve these critical ecosystems.
The solitary explorer beneath the stars symbolizes humanity’s role as both witness to glacier loss and catalyst for change. Glaciers are more than frozen water; they are “sentinels of climate change” and vital reservoirs sustaining rivers, agriculture, and biodiversity. According to climate science, 80% of the world’s glaciers are expected to disappear by 2050. Their loss threatens ecosystems and the human communities that rely on freshwater.
ODE TO GLACIERS is more than a visual story—it is a testament to the fragility of our planet and a call for collective responsibility. The project received an international photography award from UNESCO for its innovative approach to visual storytelling, and has been published by the European Space Agency. It has been exhibited in France, Portugal, and Kazakhstan.
By combining photography, science, and advocacy, this photograph seeks to inspire action while celebrating the beauty of these essential ecosystems.

In a dense, almost cinematic atmosphere, between walls marked by time and under a warm light, a woman waits serenely for the arrival of tourists.

A boy plays by jumping into Lake Bosumtwi. In fact, the children there have no toys, so they play with the lake water. It is the only natural lake in Ghana.
Lake Bosumtwi is considered sacred by the Ashanti, an ethnic group in Ghana. The Ashanti have a strong spiritual connection to the lake. It plays an important role in their religious and cultural life. The lake is seen as a place where a deity called “Twi” lives, or as a place that is visited by the souls of the dead on their journey to eternity. It is also considered the sacred body of water of the Bosumtwi division of the matrilineal Nton system, which the Asante and other Akans believe transmits the attributes of the father to his children. In the past, it was taboo to touch the water with iron objects, so people never used conventional boats and still travel on the lake using the “padua,” a wooden board that requires great skill to handle. During the days I spent on the lake, I always woke up early. The awakening of the children surrounding the lake was simply magical, with their contagious joy. This image was taken on one of those mornings, at sunrise.

Childhood memories are always welcome to remember. A human being properly understands how precious those days of childhood are after it has gone. Time flies as the tide runs. We become old, doing things only for necessity. But when the memories come in front, it seems like it was a few years back, still fresh and alive.

Bangladesh is a place of natural beauty. Everybody will find peace or mind calmness in this country. Water lily is national flower of Bangladesh. It has certain time to blow. When it blows it shows something different. Naturally it found on ponds,  canals and many other places. In Bangladesh it can use as a vegetables. People collect those lilies for their eating and selling.  Whoever see its beauty anybody will find happiness. This boy is collecting this thing as a vegetable and his smile says it all that nobody can ignore happiness after seeing beautiful blooming water lilies.

The photograph was taken moments after the christening ceremony of a traditional fishing boat, a propitiatory ritual that takes place before the boat is launched into the water.

Young boys play with a football at Lido beach.
Once considered a no-go zone due to years of conflict, Lido Beach in Mogadishu has transformed into a thriving hub of activity, drawing crowds of locals and tourists. The beach, which stretches along the Indian Ocean, offers stunning views, soft white sands, and warm waters, making it a top destination for relaxation and recreation in the Somali capital. Over the past few years, Lido Beach has seen significant revitalization efforts. Restaurants, cafes, and beach clubs now line the coastline, turning the area into a bustling social hub. Families, young people, and tourists flock to the beach to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. 
Once symbolic of the instability in the country, Lido Beach has become a powerful representation of Mogadishu's resilience. The beach is now one of the most popular public spaces in the city, showcasing Somalia's potential for renewal and growth.

This photograph was taken on the Pera-Taksim line, one of the most important memory places in the history of Istanbul and Turkey, at the moment when the 'Nostalgic Tram', which has been a part of this memory since the Ottoman Empire, and the 'rose seller children', who gain importance with the composition they create when they are positioned,funny meet. Another detail that should be considered here from my perspective is that it says 'hanging is dangerous and forbidden' on this nostalgic tram.

On a quiet street in the city of Sandnes, between the harsh midday light and the shadows of the buildings, this image of pure spontaneity was born. The protagonist is my son, Eduardo, just 2 years old, captured during one of our “photowalks” — short photographic adventures through the streets of Norway where curiosity was our only guide.
The photograph was taken on Kodak TX400 film, developed and scanned by me, in a process that is both technical and emotional. The grainy texture and sharp contrasts of black and white highlight the fleeting moment when childhood folds in on itself: Eduardo, leaning forward with his hands in the air, in a pose that seems to defy gravity and the seriousness of the adult world.
This moment was chosen from thousands to be part of the final exhibition of an international contest whose theme was “Joy.” And perhaps there is no more honest definition of joy than this: a free, instinctive, and unpretentious gesture of a child in motion, without a script or direction—just being.
More than a photograph, this image is a portrait of childlike wonder, of the freedom to exist and the privilege of being able to capture a fragment of authentic happiness on film.

Taken at the Royal Chitwan National Park in November 2022, this photograph of a baby rhinoceros was only made possible because of a shared passion for photography between me and the man in the photo. A veterinarian at the park and a photographer himself, our encounter and shared interest allowed me to have a closer view into the lives of some of the rescued animals at the park and to witness his connection to his deep and meaningful work. He asked me to photograph him with the baby rhinoceros and it remains as a testament to the power of photography in creating connections.

When I see women who are free, in a state of purest joy, that is when I most strongly feel the power of femininity as a political act and as resistance. Resistance can also be joyful!

The work was filmed in Kamchatka, in a place where travelers look for fellow travelers on their way to the Pacific Ocean.

Bali has a defined culture that has been rooted since then, one that stands out is their traditional kite play. This picture was taken during an international kite competition in Bali, where each neighborhood usually sent a team as their representative. Each team could submit multiple kites into different categories to compete; the most anticipated category is always the large-size one. They make their kites from nothing every year, and the true challenge is whether they can make their kite dance in the sky or not. Controlling such a super big kite is not easy. It requires a lot of teamwork, communication, and skill, so it can take off from the ground without a problem, do some maneuvers safely in the air, and also land as smoothly as butter back on the ground. 

I was walking around the city where I was born: Nowy Sacz, located in southern Poland, not far from the mountains. I decided to look at the city quite differently than before, i.e. through the lens. I tried to capture its everyday life, dynamics, and energy. Among other things, I saw this very scene: a laughing driver with a cigarette having a casual conversation with another man.

As a photographer I have always been interested in documentary photography and street photography. Both have gone hand in hand since the beginning of photography and are the most democratic form of photography that exists. All you need is a camera, go out into the street and document everything that surrounds you. It is a form of photography that is usually practiced for pure pleasure.  This photograph taken in Pontevedra in 2020 follows this tradition of street photography.

A hidden secret place, in which they are for themselves playing. Nobody is watching or listening, just time to be with each other. A moment of tenderness and joy, a moment of being able to be a child secured by the warm surrounding of the buildings and the sun. Nothing can disturb the play of this children. 
For me it is a touching moment to feel into the situation, taking this scene with me as an important reminder that children deserve being children in a time full of conflicts around the globe.

Hands intertwined in the energy of water weave the first bonds of a new life.
Contemplating the golden hour in its fullness, this image exalts the nature of the female body and the importance of skin-to-skin contact as an act of respect for life and confirmed by science. It is the strengthening of the bond in the first moments.
In this planned home birth, the essence of birth is portrayed in a natural and familiar event, where joy, strength, and love are the protagonists of the story. It is a call for the future, where every woman can give birth safely, with dignity, and without impositions.

A relaxed summer editorial with Alicia Lewington at NEXT Hotel for Cosmopolitan Germany.

The joy of freedom and nature is a beautiful combination that can bring so much happiness and fulfillment to our lives. Being in nature has a way of amplifying the feeling of freedom. When we're surrounded by the beauty and majesty of the natural world, we can feel a sense of expansiveness and connection to something larger than ourselves. It releases a feeling of liberation from the constraints of daily mundane life. It enhances a deeper sense of breath and relaxation, as if the fresh air and scenery are nourishing our souls. While surrounded in nature and rural arena we feel a  sense of awe and wonder. As we live in the natural world we often wonder at the beauty and simplicity of the natural world. It gives us a feeling of belonging and connection to the land, the earth, and the universe. Nature has a way of putting things into perspective and helping us feel more grounded and free. It's a reminder that there's so much more to life than our daily worries and concerns.

On a summer morning in Kamchatka, we set out to greet the sunrise by the ocean.

Reflection of geometry and colors on architecture

It was one of my trip to hilly region of Araku Valley near south-east coast of India where I found these lively bunch of jovial little kids in a small primary school with eyes full of dreams and ecstasies. The village was so small and distant that it had only one primary school with a little facilities to match the external world. The kids there might not have ever seen a DSLR camera in their life. So when I faced them with my ultra wide angle lens from a very close range, their ecstasy to be felt someone very special in their life for the first time became vivid and did not make any mistake to freeze the moment of joy in their eyes for ever. 

An Iraqi child stands in front of his house, holding a bowl on his head and a lemon slice in his hand, smiling. Most Iraqi children suffer from deprivation and the loss of the most basic necessities of life due to the crises they have faced. Despite the poverty and crises, they remain smiling, hoping to find the perfect day they have dreamed of. 

In the heart of rural India, the scene is alive with the laughter and energy of children playing outdoors.

From north to south, east to west, children are happy. For some, as is probably the case here, the dream of continuing to be happy is cut short: life will replace their sincere smiles with hungry stomachs. Photography should serve two purposes: to ensure that we never forget that we can be happy with little, and to remind us that we have the right to be happy with more.

My daughters loved to play together. When it rained and the weather was not conducive to walks, they would come up with hours or even days of play with complicated scenarios. In this photo taken in 2016 (in Wroclaw), you can see them dressed up, running around the room and fooling around.