Category

Documentary

Location

Virunga National Park, DRC

Gear

Canon EOS 5DMk2 with Canon 24-70mm F2.8 Lens

Description

Taken during a trip to film Mountain Gorillas in DRC's mountainous Virunga National Park. One of the most unexpected and amazing things about my trip was not the wildlife, but meeting the rangers. Women and men alike, often younger than me, they put their names forward for one of the most dangerous jobs imaginable because they believe in their countries ability to better itself and they understand that change starts locally. Technology is playing a huge part in the development of the area, with mobile communications now commonplace and opening parts of the country that used to be isolated and giving people access to banking and the internet. I loved the juxtaposition of this photo - the female rangers in particular were a joy to work with. Feminine and fierce; make up and machine guns; putting their lives on the line to provide for their families and breaking age old colonial stereotypes, it was an honour to work alongside them.

Photographer

Ryan Atkinson

Social Media

Instagram: ryanatkinsoncam

Twitter: ryanatkinsoncam

Website: www.ryanatkinson.tv

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