Angad Ray, a flower seller, balances devdar leaves on his head. Photographer Ken Hermann visited the wholesale flower market Malik Ghat in Kolkata, India, for his project "Flower Man."
Angad Ray, a flower seller, balances devdar leaves on his head. Photographer Ken Hermann visited the wholesale flower market Malik Ghat in Kolkata, India, for his project "Flower Man."
Ken Hermann
Chandan Kumar carries strands of gainda flowers on his shoulder.
Chandan Kumar carries strands of gainda flowers on his shoulder.
Ken Hermann
The flowers Sanju Joshi carries are common in India. "I really like (Joshi's) picture because (the sellers) carry the flowers like it is a dress. You should see when they walk through the flower market, it's almost like (the flowers are) all alive," Hermann said.
The flowers Sanju Joshi carries are common in India. "I really like (Joshi's) picture because (the sellers) carry the flowers like it is a dress. You should see when they walk through the flower market, it's almost like (the flowers are) all alive," Hermann said.
Ken Hermann
Sanjit Malik poses with a bouquet of gettylade flowers.
Sanjit Malik poses with a bouquet of gettylade flowers.
Ken Hermann
Hermann shot all the portraits between noon and 3 p.m., combining the hazy smog in the air, sunlight from above and studio lights of his own. Here, Rajesh Yadav holds strands of neelkanth flowers.
Hermann shot all the portraits between noon and 3 p.m., combining the hazy smog in the air, sunlight from above and studio lights of his own. Here, Rajesh Yadav holds strands of neelkanth flowers.
Ken Hermann
Flower seller Dev Kumar holds a bouquet of roses.
Flower seller Dev Kumar holds a bouquet of roses.
Ken Hermann
Hermann's photos have a surreal effect and overexposed look that make his subjects stand out. In this portrait, S.K. Bhagat pops with color as he wears a necklace of java flowers for sale around his neck.
Hermann's photos have a surreal effect and overexposed look that make his subjects stand out. In this portrait, S.K. Bhagat pops with color as he wears a necklace of java flowers for sale around his neck.
Ken Hermann
Hermann posed his subjects -- like Sudeep Manna in this portrait -- on the banks of the Hooghly River to avoid the hectic atmosphere of the market.
Hermann posed his subjects -- like Sudeep Manna in this portrait -- on the banks of the Hooghly River to avoid the hectic atmosphere of the market.
Ken Hermann
According to Hermann, the female flower sellers didn't wish to have their portraits taken, so he focused only on those who were interested in and comfortable with posing. Shankar Shah's portrait is one of Hermann's favorites, and Hermann says Shah offered to help him throughout his project.
According to Hermann, the female flower sellers didn't wish to have their portraits taken, so he focused only on those who were interested in and comfortable with posing. Shankar Shah's portrait is one of Hermann's favorites, and Hermann says Shah offered to help him throughout his project.
Ken Hermann
In some of Hermann's photos, viewers may see a dog appearing in a frame, or even birds flying in the sky and a boat floating in the water. In this portrait of Sadhu Malakar, the people in the background bring a sense of fluidity and movement to the photo.
In some of Hermann's photos, viewers may see a dog appearing in a frame, or even birds flying in the sky and a boat floating in the water. In this portrait of Sadhu Malakar, the people in the background bring a sense of fluidity and movement to the photo.
Ken Hermann
Prakash Singh stands for his portrait as birds are seen in the sky.
Prakash Singh stands for his portrait as birds are seen in the sky.
Ken Hermann
Ranjan Rai holds a lotus bloom.
Ranjan Rai holds a lotus bloom.
Ken Hermann
The abundant leaves come to life in Odhir Gayen's portrait. "These are a special kind of leaves, and many of (the sellers) carry them on their head and (on their) arms," Hermann said. "And when they walk around, it's almost like a human bush or something like that."​
The abundant leaves come to life in Odhir Gayen's portrait. "These are a special kind of leaves, and many of (the sellers) carry them on their head and (on their) arms," Hermann said. "And when they walk around, it's almost like a human bush or something like that."​
Ken Hermann