TITLE: Listen to the stranded souls.

Society tends to judge people who live with the negative consequences of addiction, without stopping to think about the underlying cause that led them to fall into dependence. Perhaps it's anxiety, a lack of emotional resources to overcome it, low self-esteem, loneliness or dissatisfaction with an empty life. Alcohol, tobacco (despite being legal), but also porn/sex, gambling, an obsession with materialism, beauty or hard/soft drugs. Is the lack of moderation in consumption or self-control the cause or consequence of a hidden reason that drives people to take refuge in artificial ways to escape the society we live in?

With these pictures, I would like to present a different viewpoint on the harm caused by addiction, respecting the struggles of those trapped by sparking a creative dialogue that transcends the stigmatising gaze, instead showing the consequences of dangerous habits.

AUTHOR: Axel Calvet (Australia)

My name is Axel Calvet. I am a professional photographer who has always been fascinated in the creative world of photography. Studying Image (cinema, video & photography) in Barcelona launched my commitment to photography as a career.
DO WHAT YOU LOVE!
Originally, I am from Barcelona, I lived in Dublin, Philippines, Indonesia, Canary Islands, Madrid and now reside permanently in Melbourne (Australia).

I’ve been awarded winning as Best Emerging Talent in Fashion Photography ILFORD CCP Salon 2019, an Honorable Mention by PhotoAwards 2021 Magazine, received a Commended Award by The Mono Awards 2024 and 3 Honorable Mentions in Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) in 2024 and I was a finalist in Berlin Photo Awards 2025.