Bangladesh, Oct. 23 -- Before dawn breaks over Dhaka, the paths beside Gulshan-Banani Lake remain quiet. While most people look forward to a little extra sleep on Fridays, a man stands beside the damp earth with a sapling in his hand. He digs a small hole, plants the tree and waters its roots.

Once the task is done, he lifts his camera onto his shoulder. In a few hours, he may be rushing to the scene of an important event or an accident.

The man is SM Ariful Amin Plabon, a photojournalist whose energy seems far greater than his small frame suggests.

Photojournalism is his profession, but it does not define his entire life. Away from his camera, he works as a volunteer, environmental activist, tree enthusiast and animal welfare support...