TITLE: A Desert Mirage

In the heart of Kaokoland, on both banks of the Kunene River, resides the Himba, the nation's last surviving nomadic pastoral tribe. This resilient tribe thrives amidst the challenges of war and drought, uniquely sustaining themselves on a diet solely consisting of meat, as they refrain from cultivating any crops.

Observed from a distance, the Himba people appear like mirages in the desert landscape. Their skin, adorned with ochre, radiates a copper hue—a protective measure against the harsh sun. In November 2021, on the Namibian side of the river, I captured a striking photo of this community. The strong winds swept sand across the dunes, creating an illusion of the Himba seemingly floating above the sandy terrain.

The sand dunes, with their distinct contrasts and shapes, bestowed an almost surreal quality upon the scene. Amidst the gusts of wind, the question lingered: was this a dream or a tangible reality?

AUTHOR: Thibault Gerbaldi (United States)

Thibault Gerbaldi is a self-taught Leica photographer and passionate traveler, known for capturing authentic, emotional stories from some of the world’s most remote and diverse regions. His award-winning work spans cultures and landscapes as varied as Greenland to India, blending documentary, travel, and portrait photography. Thibault has self-published seven photography books and earned international recognition, including first place at the Siena Awards 2025, the International Photography Awards 2025, and the International Travel Photo Awards, and second place at PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris), the MonoVision Awards, and the Fine Art Photography Awards.

In 2024, he received the Rising Talent Award from Travel Photographer of the Year, the world’s most prestigious travel photography competition. That same year, he was named one of AAP’s Emerging Talents to Watch.

In 2025, three of his photographs were selected for Around the World with Leica, a major exhibition held at the Leica headquarters in Wetzlar to celebrate the brand’s 100th anniversary. Chosen from over one million images submitted by more than 65,000 photographers worldwide, this recognition placed his work at the heart of Leica’s global centennial celebration.

His images have been published in Leica Fotografie International, All About Photo, Digital Camera, and various specialized media. Much like Thibault himself, his work travels the world—from Miami to Paris, Arles, Venice, Marrakech, Los Angeles, and Rome.

Beyond photography, Thibault is committed to supporting humanitarian causes through his work. A board member since 2019, Thibault Gerbaldi funds solidarity projects through donations linked to the dissemination of his books and photographic prints, outside of any commercial framework.