The children were delighted to see themselves in such bright colours': Moe Wai's best phone picture

"As a tuk-tuk driver, Moe Wai feels that he has honed both his observational and people skills. Wai lives and works in Myin Ka Par, a village in Myanmar, and became interested in mobile photography several years ago. In this instance, he used his phone to capture this gaggle of local children as they were returning home from school. They were playing on a sandbank with their own plastic bottles, Wai recalls."

"He'd been collating props for some time; bottles and hoops he had painted in a variety of colours, including neon pink. The children were happy to let me replace theirs with my own colourful ones for the purpose of this photo. He later applied some minor edits using the Lightroom app. The three girls and five boys he photographed were thrilled to see the result, Wai says."

"Wai says their village is generally considered a relatively safe environment for children. It's a close-knit community where families tend to know one another, and outdoor play is a regular part of daily life. Despite challenges, there is a strong sense of care among residents. While he didn't play on this beach himself, Wai recalls taking part in similar improvised games in his own childhood."

Moe Wai is a tuk-tuk driver in Myin Ka Par, Myanmar, who developed an interest in mobile photography. He photographed three girls and five boys returning from school as they played on a sandbank with plastic bottles. He had collated and painted bottles and hoops in bright colours, including neon pink, and swapped the children’s bottles for his colourful props. He made minor edits in the Lightroom app. The village is relatively safe and close-knit, where outdoor play is common and residents care for one another. The children were delighted to recognise themselves in the vibrant photograph, making the connection rewarding.

Read at www.theguardian.com