On the Road

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project © Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project © Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project View all images ↓
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  • Dates
    2018 - Ongoing
  • Author
  • Topics Documentary, Nature & Environment
  • Locations Lagos, Accra, Namibia, Cusco, Cape Coast
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This series, On the Road, presents the early and latter editions of a long-term project exploring the cultural and social identities of countries, channelled through the prism of the often-forgotten world residing on the road.

'On the Road' is an extensive project delving into the cultural and social fabric of nations, as observed through the prism of life on the road. Originating from the frustration of being stuck in traffic, Reuben uncovered a hidden world often overlooked, visible through the rear window. The inaugural chapter, exclusively captured from the backseat of a car in both "bumper-to-bumper" traffic and "lawless" speeds, encapsulates a distinctive and authentic portrayal of this concealed reality within the bustling industrial metropolis of Lagos, Nigeria. The second chapter shifts its focus to Accra, Ghana—a notably quieter city—mirrored in the often-calmer images captured. The most recent chapters span from documenting life on the road in Lima, Peru and most recently, the desolate but biodiverse landscape of Namibia, Southern Africa.

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(The Commute) Taken at 90 mph on the motorway, this shows a worker on her way to Victoria Island, Lagos in a danfo, which is a privately owned bus and common mode of local transport.

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(Untitled#1)On the outskirts of the central market in Lagos, Nigeria, a woman is engaged in the preparation and sale of plantains by the roadside.

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(Road Rage)Captured on the highway leading to Victoria Island, Lagos, a father and his kids in the rear seat of a taxi curiously observe a road rage episode, contributing to a traffic bottleneck.

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(Untitled#2) Captured at a speed of 90mph on the motorway, this image depicts commuters en route to Victoria Island, navigating in a danfo—a privately owned bus widely used as a common mode of transport in West Africa and specifically in Lagos, Nigeria.

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(Twitch) During rush hour near downtown Lagos, Nigeria, a teenage street vendor looks to find potential buyers amidst the standstill traffic.

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(Perspective) A woman gracefully crosses the dual carriageway, while two schoolgirls and an 'Aunty' patiently wait for a local danfo in Accra, Ghana.

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(Untitled#3) A young man, employed to attract customers for a danfo— a privately owned bus commonly utilized for transportation in West Africa—finds himself caught in traffic in the heart of Lagos, Nigeria.

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(A Woman with bread) Navigating through the traffic on the dual carriageway toward Accra, Ghana, a woman skillfully maneuvers as she seeks potential buyers for her freshly baked bread.

© Reuben - (The Horse) On the local beach of Accra, Ghana, a man rides a horse—a now uncommon mode of transport.
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(The Horse) On the local beach of Accra, Ghana, a man rides a horse—a now uncommon mode of transport.

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(Portrait of Humanity) Captured through 'The Point of No Return'—the final shoreline a slave would witness before forced transport to the 'new world.' This historical site of pain and suffering has transformed over time, now frequented by fishermen.

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(A Quiet Conversation) Captured in the heart of central Accra, Ghana, this man engages in a conversation through the curtain door of a shop.

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(Two of a kind) In Cape Coast, Ghana, a pair of sisters walk behind their mother, collectively carrying a shopping bag filled with groceries as they cross the road.

© Reuben - (Eye's of the Beholder) In the Mercado Central de San Pedro of Cusco, Peru a blind man waits patiently for the bus.
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(Eye's of the Beholder) In the Mercado Central de San Pedro of Cusco, Peru a blind man waits patiently for the bus.

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(Untitled #4) A woman sits in the opening walkway into the Mercado Central de San Pedro selling spices and other miscellaneous amenities with her young child

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(Trio) Captured hitchhiking towards the northern parts of Namibia, a trio of white Rhino temporarily blocks the road passage.

© Reuben - Image from the On the Road photography project
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(Zebra Lines) Captured from the side window whilst hitchhiking in an SUV in the national park of Etosha, a desert Zebra calmly conserves energy in the midday sun

© Reuben - (Untitled #5) A woman sells miscellaneous amenities whilst waiting for petrol in Northern Namibia.
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(Untitled #5) A woman sells miscellaneous amenities whilst waiting for petrol in Northern Namibia.

© Reuben - (On We Go) Taken a few days into hitchhiking with with a group of tourists, a man holds a stop sign.
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(On We Go) Taken a few days into hitchhiking with with a group of tourists, a man holds a stop sign.

© Reuben - (Untitled #8) Taken in Etosha, Namibia from the backseat of a car, Wildebeest congregate in the distance.
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(Untitled #8) Taken in Etosha, Namibia from the backseat of a car, Wildebeest congregate in the distance.

© Reuben - (Untitled #9) Three male Wildebeest engage in a spontaneous fight in Etosha, Namibia
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(Untitled #9) Three male Wildebeest engage in a spontaneous fight in Etosha, Namibia