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Former weekly deputy editor completes first photography book

Blanc et NoirA former weekly deputy editor now living in Thailand has completed his first book of photographs showing the dark side of Bangkok.

Mark Hughes has collaborated with fellow English poet John Gartland to produce Blanc et Noir: Masters of Noir 2.

Mark, who was deputy editor of South Hams Newspapers, in Devon, between 2007 and 2009, is currently foreign editor at the Bangkok Post.

Most of Mark’s photos featured in the book were taken in Bangkok, although one was captured on his former patch in Kingsbridge.

Said Mark: “It’s paradoxical that I have been paid to write and edit for 35 years all over the world, hearing and telling fascinating stories yet my first book features my photos.

“As the title indicates, they are all in black and white because that ties in with the clear, often unforgiving poems that John writes.

“Bangkok’s expat community, which is huge, has created what has become known as a ‘noir’ scene among the many creative types here, from the worlds of words, photos, paintings, music, video and design.

“It’s very dynamic, tends to centre around a particular English-style pub and involves all ages and both sexes. I couldn’t hope for a more vibrant community and subject matter.”

Mark’s career has taken him across the world working for various national and international media companies.

He began his career on the Gravesend and Dartford Reporter in 1982, spending two years there before working for the Oxford Mail and Times between 1984 and 1986.

Prior to taking the South Hams job, he spent three years as an assistant editor at the Western Morning News between 2003 and 2006.