Jonas Bendiksen

I don't know how I haven't stumbled across this photographer before, but thankfully I finally have (courtesy of a footnote in Geoff Dyer's engaging but quirky book 'Zona', about Tarkovsky's masterpiece, 'Stalker'). Anyway - Jonas Bendiksen - Magnum photographer.

Born in 1977, Bendiksen originates from Norway. His first book, 'Satellites', was published in 2006, focusing on the fringes of the former Soviet Union in a series of photo essays.

I find this image remarkable. Apparently, when rocket debris re-enters the earth's atmosphere it frequently smashes to the ground in Kazakhstan. Rumours abound of toxic rocket fuel polluting crops and killing cattle. Local farmers scavenge from the debris. Here, what looks like ash or snow billowing around the scene turns out to be a cloud of butterflies. Astonishing.

His work really is remarkable. If anyone wants to buy me a copy of the now out-of-print and thus massively expensive book, I wouldn't say no...