IAN MORTON
Ian Morton can trace his roots back to the misty glens of the Scottish highlands. Educated in Europe, Asia and Africa he first became interested in photography after being given a camera for his 14th birthday.
"It was a little Kodak box camera and I shot off all twelve frames in about five minutes, convinced that I was to be the next Robert Cappa" he recalls. He admits that during his high school years he probably spent more time in a darkroom than a classroom!
After school he set out looking for a life of adventure. Over the following years Ian travelled through every country in Southern, Central and East Africa: spent months alone in vast wilderness areas, climbed mountails and explored some of Africas great rivers.
"It was a wonderful time, and I witnessed some wonderful things" he states. Ian was one of the first to re-enter the 'Mountains of the Moon' after Uganda opened up, and he was exploring some of the National Parks of Angola - even before the civil war came to an end!
Ian, by his own confession, arrived in Vietnam for a short visit, never expecting to have his heart stolen: "This place took my breath away, from the very first day." He claims that Vietnam "has it all!" Wonderful landscapes, golden beaches, misty mountains, ancient pagodas, modern cities, fantastic food, life, culture, color... everything.
"The best thing of course is the people, so friendly, helpful, kind and thoughtful."
After over 10 years in Vietnam there are very few places that Ian has not yet visited (and photographed), but he claims "there's always something new".
In 2008 Ian left the photo agency he had been working for, and started his own business; VinaPix.
"It's a bit of a gamble, but it's giving me the opportunity to explore and capture the aspects of this land which get forgotten in the packaged one week, see-it-all tours which are so popular these days."
He spends about half each year shooting general stock images or commercial advertising material for clients . "Nothing is more enjoyable, however, than just walking around a rural village in the early morning (with a camera), sharing a word or even a coffee with the local folk... and knowing that you are a witness to the way people really live out their lives."
At present Ian is working on his first large publication; a photographic book about his extensive travels in Vietnam. The Book is to be called Three Rivers. Ian hopes to have collected enough material to publish by Autumn 2010.
In addition to photography, Ian is an accomplished chef and a recognized authority on Vietnamese cusine, frequently appearing on Vietnamese TV and in local publications.
And while he admits to "mellowing somewhat" these days he still enjoys walking on the "wild side of life." His freetime activities include karate, climbing, spearfishing, skydiving and big game hunting.
Ian Morton is 44, single and lives in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
"It was a little Kodak box camera and I shot off all twelve frames in about five minutes, convinced that I was to be the next Robert Cappa" he recalls. He admits that during his high school years he probably spent more time in a darkroom than a classroom!
After school he set out looking for a life of adventure. Over the following years Ian travelled through every country in Southern, Central and East Africa: spent months alone in vast wilderness areas, climbed mountails and explored some of Africas great rivers.
"It was a wonderful time, and I witnessed some wonderful things" he states. Ian was one of the first to re-enter the 'Mountains of the Moon' after Uganda opened up, and he was exploring some of the National Parks of Angola - even before the civil war came to an end!
Ian, by his own confession, arrived in Vietnam for a short visit, never expecting to have his heart stolen: "This place took my breath away, from the very first day." He claims that Vietnam "has it all!" Wonderful landscapes, golden beaches, misty mountains, ancient pagodas, modern cities, fantastic food, life, culture, color... everything.
"The best thing of course is the people, so friendly, helpful, kind and thoughtful."
After over 10 years in Vietnam there are very few places that Ian has not yet visited (and photographed), but he claims "there's always something new".
In 2008 Ian left the photo agency he had been working for, and started his own business; VinaPix.
"It's a bit of a gamble, but it's giving me the opportunity to explore and capture the aspects of this land which get forgotten in the packaged one week, see-it-all tours which are so popular these days."
He spends about half each year shooting general stock images or commercial advertising material for clients . "Nothing is more enjoyable, however, than just walking around a rural village in the early morning (with a camera), sharing a word or even a coffee with the local folk... and knowing that you are a witness to the way people really live out their lives."
At present Ian is working on his first large publication; a photographic book about his extensive travels in Vietnam. The Book is to be called Three Rivers. Ian hopes to have collected enough material to publish by Autumn 2010.
In addition to photography, Ian is an accomplished chef and a recognized authority on Vietnamese cusine, frequently appearing on Vietnamese TV and in local publications.
And while he admits to "mellowing somewhat" these days he still enjoys walking on the "wild side of life." His freetime activities include karate, climbing, spearfishing, skydiving and big game hunting.
Ian Morton is 44, single and lives in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.