"I had an open-ended commission with the Financial Times to provide photographs from financial areas of the South American cities I went to, so while my main aim was to wander around photographing exciting things I came across, I also made sure to head to the financial district and government quarters in the city of La Paz, which is where this was taken."
"When I took the picture, I wasn't entirely sure what was happening This was the year Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada was elected president of Bolivia, and my visit coincided with his campaign. As the election loomed, there was a real sense of apprehension in the city. There were loads of soldiers and police around; there were rumours that any unregistered land would be sequestered by the new government, and I think that's why the people in this picture were queueing with their papers."
"My camera was quite loud and you can see one of the people looking right at me. People's bemusement at being photographed while they're just going about their lives is something I've encountered a lot. This wasn't a wedding picture or a happy occasion: I gather that the claims had to be filed before a deadline which was probably quite close. But I wasn't entirely sure when I took the picture what was happening, only that it was important to these people."
A 1993 photography prize provided money, a camera and a return ticket to anywhere, prompting travel to Chile and onward into Bolivia. The camera won was sold and a preference for compact 35mm equipment is stated. A Financial Times commission required images from financial districts, leading to visits in La Paz during an election year. The 1993 election of Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada created fear, heavy military and police presence, and rumours of land sequestration. Citizens queued with papers to file claims before a likely deadline amid palpable tension. The photographer's loud camera drew notice, and plainclothes police later detained him.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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