Vincent Karcher

A portrait triptych of young Gambian men posing against a backdrop of devastating flames. A smoky sky and pastel ambiance prevail, with a cloud of smog lingering on the horizon over West Africa for weeks.

Farmers burn their crop from the last harvest to enrich the soil with fertilizing matter and facilitate the clearing of bushes. This technique also aids in the expansion of new farmlands. It is part of a traditional agricultural cycle, where smoky days constitute a season in themselves, lasting for months. This method has been observed and practiced worldwide for centuries.

Here, a short series comprises environmental portraits of the young men, known as Bush Burners, engaged in these demanding agricultural cycles.