I Dedicated 12 Years Exploring Ghettos Around The World, And These 35 Pics Tell The Tale

In different parts of the world, people have varied attitudes, dreams, and financial and living situations. Some places resonate deeply with me in every aspect, like the ghettos in Jamaica and Ghana. Yet, there are commonalities, such as the significance of money, marijuana, and music in every ghetto I've visited.

I'm not often exposed to media portrayals of life in ghettos. However, there's a specific stereotype about Jamaica that I've encountered repeatedly - the belief that many Rastafarians live there. In reality, only about one or two percent of the Jamaican population are genuine Rastafarians. The majority are either posing or merely sympathize with the movement without being true Rastafarians. I find this stereotype quite misguided.

Of all the places and subcultures I've photographed, it's hard to pinpoint just one that had the most profound emotional impact on me. However, as a white guy with a camera around my neck and without a genuine protector or guide, navigating through various ghettos has been an equally intense and heartwarming experience everywhere I've been.