Do the Vietnamese feel any animosities towards Americans?

Vietnamese are surpisingly friendly toward Americans. That is especially true of south Vietnamese, because many of them fought with Americans during the Vietnam War. I think because Vietnam has been in so many violent conflicts during its history, the war with America is not as significant to Vietnamese as Americans might think. Even though significant parts of Vietnam's land, people and infrastructure were destroyed during the war, the violence may have been more damaging to the American national psyche.

Do you feel it is safe to travel to these areas for the average American tourist?

Traveling to these places feels safer than I thought it might. Most of the places I have visited are well touristed and cater to travelers. There are fewer Americans traveling in Asia compared to Europeans or Australians, and people are generally excited to meet an American. I think that the most dangerous thing about traveling to developing countries is surviving the chaotic traffic patterns and lack of rules on the road.

Who is suffering more in these areas? Children or adults? How much are other countries helping?

I would say that children are probably suffering more than adults, because adults often take advantage of the children to meet their own needs. Cambodia receives millions of dollars in aid every year from the international community. There are also thousands of non-governmental organizations [NGOs] based in Cambodia that try to help the country get back on its feet.

Have you had the opportunity to interview or speak to any children directly impacted by the tsunami? Are there homeless children?

I spoke to a few children who were living in tent camps that were set up for the displaced after the tsunami. Their spririts were as good as could be expected. There are thousands of homeless families and children as a result of the tsunami.

What captures your attention the most when selecting subjects to be photographed? What inspires you?

I like to photograph people, moments, and things with interesting shapes or interesting light.

Is there any artwork available on the effects of the tsunami other than photos?

I think there is a DVD of footage from the tsunami that is available. There may have been some songs written about it for charity concerts. No notable paintings or sculptures that I have seen.

Do you approach people in order to take their photographs or do you use a telephoto lens to capture the moment?

I try to get as close as possible without intruding. Photos taken from far away usually feel less intimate.

Are there any restrictions on the photos you can take?

In some countries there are restrictions against photographing government buildings, government employees or anything that has to do with the military. Many museums do not allow photography.

Do you need to use translators when you do interviews?

If someoone does not speak any English then I need a translator for the interview. Sometimes it is possible to find someone who speaks enough English to help out during an interview without having to hire a professional translator.

Is it hard to be away from your family for a long period of time?

It is difficult to be away sometimes, but I know that I will be coming back in a few months and because of telephone and the Internet I am able to have relatively frequent contact with my family and friends. I am also fortunate not to be traveling alone.

Is it painful to write about such tragic events?

It can be depressing to witness tragic events. But these events often make the best stories and are the ones that most need to be told.

What is it like being a photojournalist?

Being a photojournalist is a really fun job because ideally you get paid to travel and take pictures. Like most journalism jobs, it varies depending on what you are assigned to cover and whether you are a staff photographer/writer or a freelancer. People who work on staff for newspapers or magazines have more stability in terms of salaries and assignments, and freelancers (which I am right now) have more freedom and more responsibility to generate their own story ideas or projects.

How long are your visits to places of the world?

We are visiting most countries for approximately three weeks. The schedule is flexible, however. We ended up spending five weeks in India and a month in Vietnam and will only spend about a week in Singapore.

Before this trip, where has your job taken you?

I've traveled as a journalist to South Africa, Russia, Ukraine and Atlantic City, New Jersey.

What kind of camera do you have?

I shoot with a Canon EOS 300D. It is also known as the Digital Rebel.