Alan Wieder’s photographs from Nepal are part of three recent photographic excursions to the Indian subcontinent.
He worked in Cochin and rural Kerala before returning to Nepal in 2025.
He had the privilege of photographing in Kathmandu and its surroundings, Pokhara and nearby villages, as well as during a journey to the foothills of the Himalayas. The photographs were taken in the streets, markets, schools, temples, and mosques.
Wieder photographed exclusively with a Leica Q3 43, producing both street portraits and street scenes. For this particular photo essay for Dodho Magazine, he has chosen to include street portraits. Most Nepalese people enjoyed having their photographs taken, and Wieder always asked whether he could take a portrait—sometimes verbally and at other times simply by showing individuals his camera.
In most of the portraits, he found that people’s eyes told a story. This, of course, is no different from the images he has taken throughout the world. Several photographs in the series stand out to him, but his favorite is the image of a girl in a classroom at a rural school near the Himalayas. He spent more than two hours around her, and her expression never changed—strong and tough. Wieder took many photographs of her, as he did of other individuals he encountered throughout Nepal.
In fact, Nepalese photographer Nabine Shresta, who photographed in the same locations, wrote:
At the age of 76, the eyes of this American photographer still shine with the same spark of life and passion. The camera in his hands doesn’t just capture scenes—it preserves moments, emotions, and the essence of experience itself. The sweetness in his smile, lighting up his entire face, is no ordinary expression—it’s the reflection of joy, fulfillment, and decades of dedication. For him, photography is not merely a profession; it’s the language of the soul. Where others might lose enthusiasm with age, he discovers new stories with every click. The vibrant glow in his laughter perhaps holds within it the stories of thousands of photographs—each one a testament to how he sees the world through the eyes of love. The camera he holds is not just a tool; it’s a companion—one that has walked beside him through countless years. Every photograph mirrors a part of his spirit, and his smile speaks in the colors of life itself. Photography has not only taken him in search of visual beauty but has also taught him to understand the deeper emotions of the human heart. Today, as he looks through his camera’s viewfinder, he witnesses perhaps the most beautiful scene of all—the love of life itself.
About Alan Wieder
Alan Wieder is a photographer and former academic oral historian whose work includes biographies of South African freedom fighters, such as Ruth First and Joe Slovo in the War Against Apartheid. His most recent book, We Will Not Be Removed: The People of King School Park, is a photographic study of Black residents who refused to give up their park in Portland, Oregon, despite gentrification forcing many of them to move far from their neighborhood. For Wieder, it was a privilege to begin as an outsider in a place where he was gradually accepted as part of the community. His photographs evolved from portraits taken with explicit permission to more spontaneous images captured as his relationship with the group deepened. Over time, he truly became part of the community.
Although Wieder began photographing people on the streets in 1975, he renewed his passion for photography in 2016 after completing a book on Studs Terkel, author of Working and numerous other oral histories. Since returning his focus to photography, Wieder has participated in workshops with Bruce Gilden, Peter Turnley, Costa Manos, David Alan Harvey, and Harvey Stein. Each has been an important mentor, and he continues to work with Stein today.
Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Wieder recently completed a photographic project at the annual Hillbilly Jam in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. He currently photographs a weekly Drum Circle in Asheville and has several projects scheduled around Appalachian events, including the Cherokee Rodeo in the autumn of 2026.
Wieder’s work encompasses both street portraiture and street scenes. His portraits often focus on the eyes and expressions of individuals, while his street photography frequently emphasizes gesture, movement, and the relationship between people and space. [Official Website]
