I used this recent trip through Albania as an opportunity to slow down and approach portraiture in a more observational, honest way, focusing less on scenes and more on individual presence. Working with a vintage-inspired Fujifilm X-Pro1 and a compact TTArtisan 28mm f/2.0, I chose to shoot entirely in black and white to strip away the distraction of colour and emphasise expression, texture, and atmosphere. Albania offered a rich variety of character, from quiet café moments to weathered faces in busy streets. Monochrome felt like a natural language for its raw humanity and quiet resilience. This series brings together ten portraits, each suggesting a wider story beyond the frame.

In Hanoi’s bustling streets, history waits in unexpected corners. One quiet lake holds the rusted remains of a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber shot down in 1972, its jagged metal still rising from the water as a stark reminder of the city’s turbulent past. Nearby, locals gather on low plastic stools at street-side bars, sharing cold beers and conversation amid the hum of scooters and laughter. Wandering between war relics, museums, and lively evening scenes, we found a city that carries its history openly, blending memory and modern life in a way that feels both honest and deeply human.