Capturing What Time Leaves Behind: Roberto Pazzi and Vanishing Worlds

The award-winning photographs are part of a reportage on the Mundari tribe. The Mundari are cattle herders who live in symbiosis with their Ankole-Watusi cattle, known for their strikingly large horns. They use ash from dung fires to rub on themselves and their cattle, providing protection against mosquitoes. The Mundari also massage their cattle twice a day.

The men often stand beneath streams of cow urine, which they regard as a natural antiseptic that helps prevent infections and maintain hygiene. This practice also stains their hair a vivid orange.

In the cattle camps, everyone plays a role. Children carry out much of the daily labor, collecting fresh cow dung and piling it up to be burned. The smoke helps repel the area's abundant and voracious mosquitoes.

During the day, the men lead the cattle into the fields, where the animals disperse from the banks of the White Nile into the grasses of the alluvial floodplain.

By dusk, the cattle instinctively return before sunset, when the dust raised by the herd mixes with the smoke from the fires to create an evocative, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

At night, the children, along with a few guardians, sleep among the cattle. The ash from the dung fires, as fine as talcum powder, is often used as bedding.

First of all, I chose a project I was particularly passionate about. From the entire body of work, I then selected the photographs that complemented one another and stood out for either their documentary value or their artistic significance.

For fifteen years, I built my career in the field of Information and Communication Technologies. I held a prestigious, well-compensated position, complete with numerous benefits and a clearly defined, socially recognized role. Yet despite these achievements, something essential was missing: happiness.

This profound sense of incompleteness led me to embark on an inner journey, questioning myself deeply in search of what could truly fulfill me. I wanted to discover what I wanted to do, rather than continue living a life shaped by what I felt I had to do. The answer soon became clear: travel and photography.

I am particularly drawn to travel and documentary photography. I am deeply inspired by capturing cultures, traditions, and customs, yet I always strive to share my personal vision and interpretation, both through the act of photographing and in the subsequent editing process.

I see my passion for travel and photography as a journey through the timeless richness and delicate fragility of our shared human heritage, shaped by traditions and cultures that are often at risk of fading away.

By capturing the essence of some of the world's most remote communities, I aim to pay tribute to the extraordinary beauty of human diversity. My work seeks not only to honor the resilience of these communities but also to encourage reflection on the fragility of their irreplaceable legacies.

Our shared cultural heritage—which has shaped and continues to shape the world we inhabit—faces an uncertain future. As modernity advances, ancient ways of life stand at a crossroads, suspended between preservation and transformation.

By bringing these extraordinary cultures to light, I hope my photography fosters a deeper appreciation of their significance and underscores their vulnerability. True preservation begins with knowledge and awareness, for understanding is the first step toward respect and protection.

I always use my camera in full manual mode because I like to personally interpret every shot I take. I would describe my photography as a blend of artistic expression and documentary storytelling. I am deeply drawn to capturing cultures, traditions, and customs, yet I always aim to share my personal vision and interpretation, both through the act of photographing and in the subsequent editing process.

As for my most valuable skill, I would highlight my ability to build relationships with the people I photograph. Portraying human subjects requires a refined ability to connect and engage with others—a true exercise in soft skills.

The key is to establish a bond of trust with my subjects while ensuring that the resulting images remain as natural and impactful as possible. To achieve this, I devote as much time as circumstances allow to being with the people I photograph, often immersing myself in their community.

This approach comes naturally to me, driven by an innate curiosity and a genuine interest in discovering the cultures and stories of those I encounter. Depending on the context, travel conditions, and other circumstances, I may spend anywhere from a few hours to several weeks cultivating a meaningful connection with my subjects.

I consider my passion for travel and photography a journey through the timeless richness and delicate fragility of our shared human heritage, shaped by traditions and cultures that are at risk of fading away.

In capturing the essence of some of the world's most remote communities, I strive to pay tribute to the extraordinary beauty of human diversity. My work not only honors the resilience of these communities but also invites reflection on the fragility of their irreplaceable legacies.

Our shared cultural heritage—which has shaped, and continues to shape, the world we inhabit—faces an uncertain future. As modernity advances, ancient ways of life stand at a crossroads, caught between preservation and transformation.

By bringing these extraordinary cultures to light, I hope my photography fosters a deeper appreciation of their significance and underscores their vulnerability. True preservation begins with knowledge and awareness, for understanding is the first step toward respect and protection.

Certainly, the most challenging aspect was managing the logistics over a period of more than two weeks, while also working with the changing light conditions during the earliest and latest hours of the day.

My main inspiration stems from my curiosity about the many cultures of the world, especially those that are vastly different from our own and at risk of disappearing. Meeting people from diverse backgrounds and sharing their stories and traditions through my photography is what I enjoy most.

Anthropological photography also often requires building a relationship with the subject, making it easier to interact with them. This provides a valuable opportunity to learn more about their personalities, lives, and customs, while identifying the elements that help tell their story.

As a result, every destination becomes a profound life experience, teaching me something new and meaningful each time. These experiences are unique gifts—like precious stones that I collect to enrich the mosaic of my life.

At the beginning of my career, my main influences were Sebastião Salgado and Steve McCurry. I also drew inspiration from Renaissance painters—especially Caravaggio—for their masterful use of light.

More recently, I have found inspiration in the work of many photographers, as well as in individual images I come across on social media.

I would recommend focusing on projects that you genuinely enjoy, rather than on the photographs that receive the most praise from others. Rather than seeking widespread approval, stay true to the work that best represents you and your unique style.

I advise against investing heavily in the latest technology at the outset. Instead, focus on dedicated practice. Every photographer should strive to develop a distinctive style—a true signature that uniquely defines their work.

To achieve this, one must commit to learning, preferably through self-directed study. The internet offers an abundance of resources, but nothing can replace consistent practice. Studying the portfolios of other photographers can also help cultivate a discerning eye and provide valuable inspiration.

Undertaking a long-term project can be instrumental in achieving your artistic goals. By breaking it down into manageable tasks—such as mastering techniques, building a website, refining editing skills, and engaging on social media—you can effectively chart a course toward your ultimate objective.

Finally, I encourage photographers to focus on the type of photography that genuinely resonates with them, rather than chasing trends or subjects that may offer immediate financial rewards but lack long-term fulfillment.

Post-processing plays a meaningful role, but it is certainly not the most important one. I prefer to spend as much time as possible behind the camera rather than behind a laptop.

We live in a world that is, above all, visual—a world where information is exchanged at an ever-increasing pace, favoring images over text, or at least giving them an increasingly dominant role. As technology continues to advance, both travel and photography will become more accessible to everyone.

Consequently, much like in other fields, we can expect a growing "inflation" of travel images. The challenge of the future will be to continually refine our craft in order to stand out and thrive within this beautiful and ever-evolving landscape.

As in many other sectors, AI will play an increasingly important role in the world of imagery, but it can never replace the sensitivity and eye of the photographer.

Certainly, there are still communities and traditions that I have yet to photograph. I would likely prioritize those that are at greater risk of changing or disappearing within the next decade. I also tend to give preference to destinations I have never visited before, particularly those with a strong cultural identity.

Another important factor is the opportunity to experience cultural or religious celebrations that may take place during my visit.