The astonishing images which capture the most isolated places on earth

[BalanceOfPower]

The lost world

January 10, 2014, 6:28 pm Belinda Wilkinson

Photographer Jimmy Nelson's four-year mission was to capture humanity at its finest - the results are truly astounding.
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For three years he travelled to the most isolated locations on earth, tracking down more than 30 of the world's last tribes.

Jimmy and his crew battled extreme conditions, from minus 50 degree temperatures in north eastern Siberia to the smoke and choking sulphur of one of the world's most active volcanoes, on an island near Vanuatu.

And, with the help of interpreters, he was able to ask that extraordinary question: ‘Are you aware of where you live and how isolated you are?’

“Most of them are aware that there's something else, most of them are very excited by it, most of them are very tempted by it,” said Jimmy.

“At the beginning it was this very pure basic, passion, indulgence and the love of photography, and the love of the subject matter. I had no idea what it was going to become.”

His inspirational work has become a powerful reminder of what many in the developed world have lost.

“You see this beautiful harmony of how they live and how they feel, how they see how they live with one another - many of them are far happier and balanced than we are."

Jimmy's book's also regarded as a record of history. He says natural progression means it's only a matter of time before the planet's last primitive people and their cultures, are lost forever.

“They're not necessarily aware that they're about to lose it because of their isolation they have very, very deep rooted cultural values, but they will lose it soon.

“I think what's very, very important is that with this I made them aware of what they already have.

“So say look guys, you've got something that's very valuable. Please don't make all the mistakes we've made and abandon it totally."