Olof Jarlbro Photography

About

Olof Jarlbro was born in 1978 in the town of Helsingborg, in the south of Sweden. At the age of 19 Olof made his compulsory military service as a Ranger in the most northern part of Sweden, Lapland. After Olof had finished his army service he directly took the plane to Nepal, to walk and climb in the Himalayas. During this trip he started to make pictures and when he returned in Sweden he had made up his mind to become a photographer. At the ageof 22, he left Sweden and went to New York to study at the International Center of Photography, and a couple of years later he moved to Prague to study at FAMU – The Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. He spends years in Nepal covering the civil war and political changes but also people’s daily life. People’s stories motivate him to photograph never the conflict itself. He has published a number of books including The Falling Kingdom, Stonefactory, Nepal & Mao, Syria: The War Within and Refuge. He currently shares his time with his wife and two daughters between the mountains of Bulgaria, the open landscapes of Scania and the vibrant Southeast Asia, working on longer photographic projects and global issues.

Olof Jarlbro Photography produce visually stories for magazines, dailies and online news portalsaround the globe. But core focus is production of books together with exhibitions and lectures that brings awareness of various global & social issues.

Work

Drilling in the dark- Myanmar’s Oil fields

Location: Magway region, Myanmar
Caption: The area is known as the “Oil pot of Myanmar” because being the biggest producer of oil and petroleum in the country.
About: Political sanctions, one of the world's longest civil war and 50-year isolation during military ministry, have hampered foreign investment and developments in the oil industry. The major oil operators are still not fully established due to infrastructure shortages, which has allowed thousands of workers still, with almost no financial resources, to drill for oil in the region. Unfortunately, the same technology used during the oil-rush in the US in the 1920s.

In the shadow of the drug war

Location: Navotas, Metro Manila
Caption: Estrella lost her son Macario 25 years old in Dutertes drug war back in 2017.
About: President Rodrigo Duterte built his campaign on being tough on drug dealers and addicts. After half a year in power 4300 people are killed, 33,830 have been arrested and 764 742 have voluntarily given up because of fear of becoming a victim of the so-called "vigilantes" murders. But President Dutertes drug campaign raises questions like why is it just poor people who suffer from police shootings, extrajudicial killings and mass arrests, when drug abuse in the Philippines is a problem widespread in all classes of society?

Diving after gold

Location: Carimas Notre, Philippines
Caption: Diving after gold. The bubbles grew larger and finally a human body emerged from the bursting water. The diver seemed disoriented when he took off his diving mask, his eyes were red and his entire whole body was shaking from the cold. The divers often spent 3-4 hours under the water before getting up for a short break.
About: The unique practice of mining gold using a hose and an air compressor, the so-called compressor mining, originates from the Philippines as far back as the mid-1990s. It started with fishermen who saw an opportunity to dive deeper and farther to catch fish. Since the divers extract ground, the holes become wider and lose their natural strength. The narrow tunnels are often located at a depth of 10-12 meters, and when a tunnel collapses, the diver risks being buried alive. But it's not just a tunnel collapse that makes this type of gold digging risky, the divers also risk that the air compressor stops working and if they don’t find their way out soon enough, it can also have a fatal outcome.

In the cloud of sulfur

Location: Kawah Ijen, East Java, Indoneisa
Caption: Miner working in clouds of sulfur.The toxic gases around the crater are concentrated sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide gases which measure 40 times higher than can be considered acceptable for humans. The miners risk irreparable damage to the lungs and the reproduction system, as a continuous exposure causes the miners' teeth to slowly dissolve.
About: Sulfur mining began in 1968 in Kawah Ijen and is still the only manually operated sulfur mine in the world. It has long been called the world's most devastating job, because many of its workers die before reaching the age of 40.

Brick Factory

Location: Kirtipur, Nepal
Caption: Toddler screaming for his mother that are stacking bricks.
About: The devastating Gorkha earthquake in Nepal increased demand for bricks and around the Kathmandu Valley are several hundreds of factories producing bricks for the region. These factories have for years received massive criticism from both media, NGOs and authorities, something that has not been unwarranted, child labor is rather a rule than exception, and the black smoke coming out of its chimneys contributes to the bad air in Kathmandu. But despite all the criticism and the government plans to ban the plants presence inside the valley, this controversial industry blooms after the earthquake.

The drug war in the Philippines

Location: Pasay city, Metro Manila, Phillipins
Caption: In Pasay city jail a prisoner are being search for contraband before being transfer to another jail.
About: President Rodrigo Duterte built his campaign on being tough on drug dealers and addicts. After half a year in power 4300 people are killed, 33,830 have been arrested and 764 742 have voluntarily given up because of fear of becoming a victim of the so-called "vigilantes" murders. But President Dutertes drug campaign raises questions like why is it just poor people who suffer from police shootings, extrajudicial killings and mass arrests, when drug abuse in the Philippines is a problem widespread in all classes of society?

The drug war in the Philippines

Location: Bagung Silan, Caloocan city, Phillipins
Caption: Funeral of Billy Joe who was a shot in a police operation in the Philippines' war on drugs. Billy Joe was never a suspect or even appeared on some so-called drug list.
About: President Rodrigo Duterte built his campaign on being tough on drug dealers and addicts. After half a year in power 4300 people are killed, 33,830 have been arrested and 764 742 have voluntarily given up because of fear of becoming a victim of the so-called

The fragile Ceasefire in Ukraine

Location: Slovyansk region, Ukraine.
Caption: Igor from special detachment patrolling in the outskirts of Slovyansk searching for pro-Russian insurgents.
About: A prolonged crisis in Ukraine began on 21 November 2013, when then-president Viktor Yanukovych suspended preparations for the implementation of an association agreement with the European Union. This decision resulted in mass protests by its proponents, known as the "Euromaidan". After months of such protests, Yanukovych was ousted by the protesters on 22 February 2014, when he fled the Ukrainian capital city of Kiev. Following his ousting, unrest enveloped the largely Russophone eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, from where he had drawn most of his support. An ensuing political crisis and Russian military intervention in the Ukrainian autonomous region of Crimea resulted in the annexation of Crimea by Russia on 18 March 2014. Subsequently, unrest in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine evolved into a war between the post-revolutionary Ukrainian government and pro-Russian insurgents, supported and often assisted by the Russian military and special forces.

The fragile Ceasefire in Ukraine

Location: Slovyansk, Donetsk region, Ukraine
Caption: Patrolling in Slovyansk, Officer Maxim from 12-battalion looking trough pro-Russian hideout.
About: A prolonged crisis in Ukraine began on 21 November 2013, when then-president Viktor Yanukovych suspended preparations for the implementation of an association agreement with the European Union. This decision resulted in mass protests by its proponents, known as the "Euromaidan". After months of such protests, Yanukovych was ousted by the protesters on 22 February 2014, when he fled the Ukrainian capital city of Kiev. Following his ousting, unrest enveloped the largely Russophone eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, from where he had drawn most of his support. An ensuing political crisis and Russian military intervention in the Ukrainian autonomous region of Crimea resulted in the annexation of Crimea by Russia on 18 March 2014. Subsequently, unrest in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine evolved into a war between the post-revolutionary Ukrainian government and pro-Russian insurgents, supported and often assisted by the Russian military and special forces.

The drug war in the Philippines

Location: Manila, Philippines
Caption: The body of an unidentified man discovered by the police in Metro Manila. The victim had several gunshot wounds and according to the police a suspect of selling drugs.
About: President Rodrigo Duterte built his election campaign to be hard against drug addicts and addicts. Ten months later, under President Dutert's regime, 9,000 people have been killed, mostly drug users and pushers. Over one million addicts have surrendered themselves to the police for fear of becoming victims of the so-called "vigilante" murder. But President Dutert's drug campaign drew great criticism of various human rights organizations.

Syrians seek refuge in Bulgaria

Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Caption: Syrian refugee waiting in limbo, refugee camp Vrajdebna.A
About: Despite the absence of war, the conditions in the camps are harsh and the future for the refugees seems not as bright as they have imagined it before crossing the borders of Europe
Book: Refuge:Photographs and text by Olof Jarlbro, Foreword by Leif Stenberg, Introduction by Antoan Bozhinov, Rough Dog Press 2015, 141pp, 67 Black and White illustrations, 17x 24cm, Tritone, Softcover, Language English.

Gadhimai festival

Location: BARIYARPUR, NEPAL
Caption: Family gather to sacrifice a goat during the festival. 2014
About: Gadhimai festival was a sacrificial ceremony that was held every 5 years at the Gadhimai Temple of Bariyarpur, in Bara District, about 100 miles (160 km) south of the capital Kathmandu in the southern Nepal, near the Indo-Nepal border, adjacent to Bihar. It was primarily celebrated by the Madheshi and Bihari people. The event involves the large scale sacrificial slaughter of animals including water buffaloes, pigs, goats, chickens, and pigeons – with the goal of pleasing Gadhimai, the goddess of power. In 2015, Nepal's temple trust on announced to cancel all future animal sacrifice at the country's Gadhimai festival.

Brick Factory

Location: Kirtipur, Nepal
Caption: Mother and child stacking bricks.
About: In Kathmandu Valley are several hundreds of factories producing bricks for the region. These factories have for years received massive criticism from both media, NGOs and authorities, something that has not been unwarranted, child labor is rather a rule than exception, and the black smoke coming out of its chimneys contributes to the bad air in Kathmandu.

Syria The War Within

Location: Old town, Aleppo, Syria
Caption: Free Syrian army fighting against regimes armed forces.
About: The Syrian Civil War grew out of the unrest of the 2011 Arab Spring and escalated to armed conflict after President Bashar al-Assad's government violently repressed a revolt.
Book: Syria The War Within:Photographs and text by Olof Jarlbro. Rough Dog Press 2013 121pp, 58 Black and White illustrations, 17x 24cm, Tritone, Hardcover, Language English.

The Falling Kingdom

Location: Janakpur, Nepal
Caption: The short railway between Nepal and India are commonly used for smuggling goods.
About: The Nepalese Civil War was an armed conflict against the Government of Nepal fought from 1996 to 2006. The rebellion was launched by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) on 13 February 1996 with the main aim of overthrowing the Nepalese monarchy and establishing a 'People's Republic'. It ended with the comprehensive Peace Accord signed on 21 November 2006.
Book: The Falling Kingdom: Photographs by Olof Jarlbro Kant 2008, 89pp. Duetone 65 Black and White illustrations 21×23.5 Hard cover, Language English, Czech.

The drug war in the Philippines

Location: Pasay city, Metro Manila, Philippines
Caption: The body of an unidentified man. On the head was a sign attached saying "wag tularan holdaper, adik ini at pusher ini (barker) dili pamarisan piste amo", which means "do not imitate addicts, muggers and pushers".
About: President Rodrigo Duterte built his campaign on being tough on drug dealers and addicts. After half a year in power 4300 people are killed, 33,830 have been arrested and 764 742 have voluntarily given up because of fear of becoming a victim of the so-called "vigilantes" murders. But President Dutertes drug campaign raises questions like why is it just poor people who suffer from police shootings, extrajudicial killings and mass arrests, when drug abuse in the Philippines is a problem widespread in all classes of society?

Syria: The War Within

Location: Aamria, Aleppo, Syria
Caption: Barrel bomb dropped by Syrian regime forces in the Battle of Aamria
About: The Syrian Civil War grew out of the unrest of the 2011 Arab Spring and escalated to armed conflict after President Bashar al-Assad's government violently repressed a revolt.
Book: Syria The War Within:Photographs and text by Olof Jarlbro. Rough Dog Press 2013 121pp, 58 Black and White illustrations, 17x 24cm, Tritone, Hardcover, Language English.

Brick Factory

Location: Kirtipur, Nepal
Caption: Factory workers stacking bricks.
About: In Kathmandu Valley are several hundreds of factories producing bricks for the region. These factories have for years received massive criticism from both media, NGOs and authorities, something that has not been unwarranted, child labor is rather a rule than exception, and the black smoke coming out of its chimneys contributes to the bad air in Kathmandu.

Greek economic crisis

LOCATION: Thessaloniki, Greece
Caption: Violent clashes between police and protesters
About: The Greek government-debt crisis is the sovereign debt crisis faced by Greece in the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2007–08. The Greek crisis started in late 2009, triggered by the turmoil of the Great Recession, structural weaknesses in the Greek economy, and revelations that previous data on government debt levels and deficits had been undercounted by the Greek government.

Syrians seek refuge in Bulgaria

Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Caption: Syrian refugees waiting in limbo, refugee camp Vrajdebna.
About: Despite the absence of war, the conditions in the camps are harsh and the future for the refugees seems not as bright as they have imagined it before crossing the borders of Europe.
Book: Refuge:Photographs and text by Olof Jarlbro, Foreword by Leif Stenberg, Introduction by Antoan Bozhinov, Rough Dog Press 2015, 141pp, 67 Black and White illustrations, 17x 24cm, Tritone, Softcover, Language English.

The drug war in the Philippines

Location: Metro Manila, Philippines
Caption: The body of an unidentified man is discovered hidden under a bush by the police in Metro Manila. Just a few meters up the road are another body. Both victims head and arms have been wrapped in duct tape.
About: President Rodrigo Duterte built his election campaign to be hard against drug addicts and addicts. Ten months later, under President Dutert's regime, 9,000 people have been killed, mostly drug users and pushers. Over one million addicts have surrendered themselves to the police for fear of becoming victims of the so-called "vigilante" murder. But President Dutert's drug campaign drew great criticism of various human rights organizations.

Nepal and Mao

Location: Chulachuli, Ilam , Nepal
Caption: PLA) People liberation army, first Division headquarters.
About: The CPN(Maoist) was formed following a split in the Communist Party of Nepal (Unity Centre), and used the name CPN (Unity Centre) until 1995. On February 13, 1996 the party launched the "Nepalese People's War", and it gained control of some rural areas throughout Nepal before a ceasefire agreement was reached. Since their formation in 1994, they were in arms for the establishment of democracy in Nepal. Unlike other communists they support democracy and Multi- party system in Nepal.
Book: Nepal & Mao: Photographs and text by Olof Jarlbro Rough dog Press, 2011. 149pp, Duetone 78 Black and White illustrations, 15x21cm,. Hardcover, Language English.

Tibetan independence movement

Location: Katmandu, Nepal
Caption: Tibetan protest outside Chinese Embassy
About: Free Tibet campaigns for an end to China's occupation of Tibet and for international recognition of Tibetans' right to freedom. They mobilise active support for the Tibetan cause, champion human rights and challenge those whose actions sustain the occupation.

Nepal and Mao

Location: Rolpa, Nepal
Caption: PLA- People liberation army morning exercise, fifth division
About: The CPN(Maoist) was formed following a split in the Communist Party of Nepal (Unity Centre), and used the name CPN (Unity Centre) until 1995. On February 13, 1996 the party launched the "Nepalese People's War", and it gained control of some rural areas throughout Nepal before a ceasefire agreement was reached. Since their formation in 1994, they were in arms for the establishment of democracy in Nepal. Unlike other communists they support democracy and Multi- party system in Nepal.
Book: Nepal & Mao: Photographs and text by Olof Jarlbro Rough dog Press, 2011. 149pp, Duetone 78 Black and White illustrations, 15x21cm,. Hardcover, Language English.

Syria: The War Within

LOCATION:: ALEPPO, SYRIA
Caption: FREE SYRIEN ARMY ( FSA) SNIPER IN THE OLD QUARTER OF ALEPPO.
About: The Syrian Civil War grew out of the unrest of the 2011 Arab Spring and escalated to armed conflict after President Bashar al-Assad's government violently repressed a revolt.
Book: Syria The War Within:Photographs and text by Olof Jarlbro. Rough Dog Press 2013 121pp, 58 Black and White illustrations, 17x 24cm, Tritone, Hardcover, Language English.

Stonefactory

Location: Jadibuti, Nepal
Caption: Stones for construction
Book: Stonefactory: Photographs and text by Olof Jarlbro. Rough dog press 2010 72 pp, Duetone, 35 Black and White illustrations. 21×23.5 Hardcover Language English, French, Czech

Syria: The War Within

Location: Aamria, Aleppo, Syria
Caption: Free Syrian army combatant are taking cover during heavy mortar bombarding by Syrian regime forces.
About: The Syrian Civil War grew out of the unrest of the 2011 Arab Spring and escalated to armed conflict after President Bashar al-Assad's government violently repressed a revolt.
Book: Syria The War Within:Photographs and text by Olof Jarlbro. Rough Dog Press 2013 121pp, 58 Black and White illustrations, 17x 24cm, Tritone, Hardcover, Language English.