Two women weld a solar cooker in Rajasthan, India

One of the greatest things I love about travelling is that I get to witness and experience things that are very different to my daily life.  Like what it’s like to live with no electricity.  Or limited water supply. Or observe women in traditional Indian clothing welding a solar cooker.

I had travelled 350km from Delhi to reach this location by road, which took about 7 hours.

In temperatures way above 30 degrees C the Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan use large solar reflectors designed to cook food by concentrating the power of the sun into a small area (important in a place where electricity is a rare commodity).

The construction and maintenance of these cookers is carried out by a group of women empowered by the college to learn skills traditionally assigned to men.

For me, this shot is interesting due to the way it jumbles up my own conventional thinking.  Men vs Women.  Delicate dresses vs Tough work clothes.  Maybe I’ve just been brainwashed by years of marketing to think that metal work is carried out by men in overalls wearing large masks.