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In episode 20 of Exposures, David Simon-Martret speaks with Paul Geddis about the slow, deliberate process behind his and partner Blanca Galindo’s photographic work and the making of Krokodil. The conversation centers on reporting within situations marked by addiction, vulnerability, and fear, and on the ethical demands of photographing people whose lives are shaped by legal risk and social stigma.

The episode follows how a work ethic rooted in time and trust expanded into later work, moving from the specific realities of drug use toward larger questions of addiction, social systems, and ecological loss. In discussing their more recent focus on coral reefs, biodiversity and climate, David reflects on the challenge of finding a visual language for slow-moving crisis’ without relying on over-dramatization. The result is a thoughtful conversation between old friends about photographic ethics, visual form, and how documentary work can continue to make people look carefully at difficult subjects.

David Simon / Leafhopper

David Simon and Blanca Galindo ( Leafhopper) are visual artists working in photography and film based between Barcelona, Spain and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. David studied philosophy at UB and photography at IEFC. Blanca obtained her Media degree at UAB and University of California SB.Their work takes in photojournalism, art photography, fashion, music, NGO commissions and commercial projects.

In 2012 David and Blanca co-created Leafhopper, an image based project taking its name from the common cicada, and focused on concept driven long form stories that combine philosophical criteria with powerful aesthetic images creating a reflection on the human and the natural world. In their work as Leafhopper, culture, people, fauna and flora are seen as equal expressions of the natural sublime, creating a common thread across subject matter as seemingly disparate as LGBTQ communities in Malaysia, narco-iconography, coral bleaching and a global study in addiction published in 2019 titled ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.

Paul Geddis

Paul Geddis is a Barcelona-based journalist, editor, and communications professional whose work spans media, music, culture, and tech. After spending 2007–2015 at VICE Spain, including time as Editor in Chief, he went on to lead content at Sónar Festival, serve as EU Content Lead for Patreon EMEA, and later move into PR. Across those roles, his work has focused on original storytelling, cultural communication, youth audiences, emerging talent, and content-led campaigns that connect strong ideas with wider publics.

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