I ordered 50 more boxes of 100 foot bulk 35mm Tri-x last night. With Kodak's uncertain future I decided to be cautious and and get as much Tri-x frozen as I can, if I can build up a 20-25 year supply I am pretty much covered for the rest of my life.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
The Art Of Photography By Ted Forbes
I have become a fan of Ted Forbes his vids are well worth
a veiwing. Lots of great photo talk and great teaching. Some of the stuff he covers is a bit basic but I still have learned very much,
Thanks Ted. I recommend this site to all photographers and lovers of art.
http://theartofphotography.tv/episodes/digital-printing-vs-analog/
http://www.youtube.com/user/theartofphotography
I found this vid right on the mark:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXxU6cvpnEU
http://theartofphotography.tv/episodes/digital-printing-vs-analog/
http://www.youtube.com/user/theartofphotography
I found this vid right on the mark:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXxU6cvpnEU
Inspired
I was just looking at a Christie photography auction catalog and was
inspired by a photograph I saw. The pic was made in 1958 by Dorthea
Lange and is called Korean Child. The photograph made me want to do a
series of very close face shots (just the face I would not even show the
ears in the composition), of the Burmese children at the Mae Sot dump. I could do a series of these type photographs with the eyes opened and
closed. I could highlight the innocence and beauty of the children and
show the Thanaka paste they wear (partly for beauty and partly as a
sunscreen). Another in a long line of photo series to consider doing.
 |
| Korean Child, 1958 Dorthea Lange |
African Sex Worker Photo Idea
Today as I got ready to come to work and was washing my hair I got
thinking about a photo portrait idea (yes I even think about photography
when I wash my hair!). I spent a lot of time looking at the portrait of
Pagoda yesterday morning and I thought this type of shot might work
with a series I was thinking of on the African sex workers in Bangkok (I
mentioned then in a earlier blog). I wanted to do simple headshots of
these women, to emphasize there humanity, I want to make the photos less
sexual, no nudity, no shortime rooms, no hint at sex, just show them
face to face, eye to eye with the viewer to demonstrate that regardless
on how they make money they are no different than us. I want to make
simple portraits that communicate a straight forward human message, a
message that we are all connected and should care and watch out for each
other.
My idea in the bath tub was to shoot the faces the same as the Pagoda portrait but possibly with flash and maybe a reflector. The flash would be harsh straight on light and the reflector would be on the left. I might also just try to shoot it in available light thou I do not know if this is possible based on the woman's working hours (11pm or later). I would probably have to set up the 4x5 equipment and the flash in a short time sex hotel room in the area where they would normally take there customers (always have problem explaining to the hotel owner I want to rent the room for all night, not 1 hour!). I have no idea where this hotel is located but there has to be one (or more) somewhere close and convenient. Dealing with this type of prostitution might be dangerous, the woman are probably illegals (trafficked?)the police no doubt get some kind of kickbacks, there might be some mafia influence or pimps of some kind. When you are using people to make money, like the mafia folks and the police might be doing, when the people are illegally in the country, making pictures in those situations can upset folks, I will have to be careful.
The idea of the photography style (simple harshly lit headshots) and image composition (head and shoulders shots) is to simplify to achieve more (less is more). There should not be a language problem I have talked to 2 different African sex workers in another area of Bangkok and they were polite kind people who spoke fluent English. Thinking back to those women that I met years ago makes me want to try to tell the story of these current workers. I remember what one African lady told me about her work "I do not want to do this kind of work, no one wants to do it but I need to make money, I want to send money back home to my family". She was maybe in her mid 30s and had sad beautiful eyes.
Not sure anything will come of this, but might try to give it a 2 or 3 day try in October to see how goes, and if it goes well, try again again in 2014.
My idea in the bath tub was to shoot the faces the same as the Pagoda portrait but possibly with flash and maybe a reflector. The flash would be harsh straight on light and the reflector would be on the left. I might also just try to shoot it in available light thou I do not know if this is possible based on the woman's working hours (11pm or later). I would probably have to set up the 4x5 equipment and the flash in a short time sex hotel room in the area where they would normally take there customers (always have problem explaining to the hotel owner I want to rent the room for all night, not 1 hour!). I have no idea where this hotel is located but there has to be one (or more) somewhere close and convenient. Dealing with this type of prostitution might be dangerous, the woman are probably illegals (trafficked?)the police no doubt get some kind of kickbacks, there might be some mafia influence or pimps of some kind. When you are using people to make money, like the mafia folks and the police might be doing, when the people are illegally in the country, making pictures in those situations can upset folks, I will have to be careful.
The idea of the photography style (simple harshly lit headshots) and image composition (head and shoulders shots) is to simplify to achieve more (less is more). There should not be a language problem I have talked to 2 different African sex workers in another area of Bangkok and they were polite kind people who spoke fluent English. Thinking back to those women that I met years ago makes me want to try to tell the story of these current workers. I remember what one African lady told me about her work "I do not want to do this kind of work, no one wants to do it but I need to make money, I want to send money back home to my family". She was maybe in her mid 30s and had sad beautiful eyes.
Not sure anything will come of this, but might try to give it a 2 or 3 day try in October to see how goes, and if it goes well, try again again in 2014.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
First 4x5 Scans From Trip
Here are the first scans from the trip, the top photo I am quite happy with because initially this man did not trust me and said some warning words about me to some children. When I was able to communicate with him (learned later he spoke some Thai), I was able to become friends with him and his family, we built up a trusting relationship and became quite friendly.
I also shot a video of him as he built a little play area (hanging fabric hammock type thing) under his very small shack, he had such a look of joy in his face when he was finished, I even helped him put it together. The children of the home later giggled with delight when they were rolling around on the fabric under the home.
I will take photos of him and his family back to the dump in October. I might try submitting this portrait in next years Alberta Foundation For The Arts Acquisition program. I plan on doing mostly 4x5 work in next years submission, this year I did all 35mm. Photo taken in overcast light at 1/8 sec and around F8.5-11 with a 150mm lens.
This photo is my attempt to create something similar to Walker Evans, Fields Family portrait. I shot bot the man portrait above and this family portrait a few minutes apart on my last day at the dump, after I had build up some relationships and rapport with the people living there. This photo kinda works but am not sure if I like it (not sure about the child looking down, maybe a tighter composition). Shooting this many people at one time with a large format camera is new to me, but I think with some more time, some more effort, I can make it work. I have some more shots of this family group, think I took 4 or 5, have 2 developed so far, hopefully the others are better pictures. This picture was shot in low overcast light at 1/8 sec, F8 with a 75mm Lens.
I need to go back and continue making photos of the people living at the dump, gosh I wish I was flying out tomorrow not in 5 months time! "Ain't Photography F-ckin Grand!"
I also shot a video of him as he built a little play area (hanging fabric hammock type thing) under his very small shack, he had such a look of joy in his face when he was finished, I even helped him put it together. The children of the home later giggled with delight when they were rolling around on the fabric under the home.
I will take photos of him and his family back to the dump in October. I might try submitting this portrait in next years Alberta Foundation For The Arts Acquisition program. I plan on doing mostly 4x5 work in next years submission, this year I did all 35mm. Photo taken in overcast light at 1/8 sec and around F8.5-11 with a 150mm lens.
This photo is my attempt to create something similar to Walker Evans, Fields Family portrait. I shot bot the man portrait above and this family portrait a few minutes apart on my last day at the dump, after I had build up some relationships and rapport with the people living there. This photo kinda works but am not sure if I like it (not sure about the child looking down, maybe a tighter composition). Shooting this many people at one time with a large format camera is new to me, but I think with some more time, some more effort, I can make it work. I have some more shots of this family group, think I took 4 or 5, have 2 developed so far, hopefully the others are better pictures. This picture was shot in low overcast light at 1/8 sec, F8 with a 75mm Lens.
I need to go back and continue making photos of the people living at the dump, gosh I wish I was flying out tomorrow not in 5 months time! "Ain't Photography F-ckin Grand!"
Friday, May 24, 2013
First Negs And New 90mm
Well I developed my first film from the trip today, it took me a while with work and all but got 10 sheets of 4x5 done. The images look good wet, have to check them out under the loop but so far so good, no light leaks and the 150mm and 90mm seem to be working ok. I think I lost the initial 30 boxer shots I did at the gym but hopefully after the that I solved the 90mm lens shutter issue and all the subsequent photos made are ok.
The Japanese seller of my 90mm Nikon lens shipped it to me after 1 day, he apologized for the delay! Got to love Japan. I hope this tool will become my main lens for the 4x5. I will test it by doing a series of what I call the "Edmonton At Night" series. I plan to go out with one film, one meter, one lens (90mm Nikon) and my 5 Grafmatic backs. I want to limit myself and try to achieve more, there is an old adage, less is more, will see if that's true.
The Japanese seller of my 90mm Nikon lens shipped it to me after 1 day, he apologized for the delay! Got to love Japan. I hope this tool will become my main lens for the 4x5. I will test it by doing a series of what I call the "Edmonton At Night" series. I plan to go out with one film, one meter, one lens (90mm Nikon) and my 5 Grafmatic backs. I want to limit myself and try to achieve more, there is an old adage, less is more, will see if that's true.
People Of The Dump Thoughts
It has been over 2 weeks since I left the dump but I keep seeing the faces of the people I met. I keep thinking of their lives and what I saw and experienced. The memories continually flow through my mind, at work last night I thought of them over and over again. I need to go back there as soon as I can and continue to tell their stories.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Art Center Owner Story
Here is an online story about the owner of the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Art Center:
http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/zeitgeist-at-25/Content?oid=1905928
http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/zeitgeist-at-25/Content?oid=1905928
PhotoNOLA New Orleans Show Confirmation
Well today I got my confirmation for my first International
show, it will be held at the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Art Center in
New Orleans as part of the PhotoNOLA photography festival. I will need
to have the prints in New Orleans by the end of November and will also
need to do an upgraded version of my Blurb Sex Worker book, this time it
will be a larger hardcover book with more pages.
Link to the PhotoNOLA venue that will show the work.
Here is a part of the confirmation email I received today:
================
Gerry,
PhotoNOLA will be from Thursday, DEC 12 to Sunday, DEC 15 but the exhibit can hang the entire month of December. If the framed pieces are about 16x20 I think you could hang up to twenty prints in two rows, one row on top of the other. I apologize, I haven't had a chance to get over to Zeitgeist to measure the actual space but I will do so this week or next. But I would say plan on at least the twenty. If you would like, you can ship the prints to arrive at the end of November and I can get the show hung on DEC 1. If you had a particular layout in mind I could follow that. That way, the show is up well before the festival. I'd like to get some local press for it.
......................................
We had a PhotoNOLA planning meeting last night and it looks like gallery openings will be Saturday, DEC 14, 6 - 9pm. If you would also like to do a walk-through of the work at another time I think that would happen on Sunday. We'll have to work around some other talks/lectures but I'm sure we can figure it out.
O.K. we'll talk soon. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.
================
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
More Expenses
Spent a bunch of money today, the final payment of $1600 on 8x10 film, $300 for a box of 16x20 Ilford warmtone fiber (for the New Orleans PhotoNOLA show), and $500 on a used 90mm F4.5 Nikon SW lens.
After having trouble with my Linhof 90mm last trip I decided to cut my losses and get a reliable fast (easy focusing) lens. The Nikon SW 90mm F4.5 has a reputation for extreme sharpness, I hope it lives up to it!
Now I only have one other piece of equipment to buy, a good carbon fiber, geared center post Gitzo tripod that costs around $750. I want to get a top notch carbon fiber tripod to replace my glued together Chinese knockoff. The geared center post is also important, it is something Jock Sturges recommended to me, it will allow me to do quick height adjustments in the field when I am working with my subject.
My other major expense will be some Leica lens and body repairs, not sure how much those costs will be but anything involving Leica is expensive. I plan on shipping out the lens and the one malfunctioning (meter?) body next week, which should allow plenty of time for repairs. I want to make sure the lens get back to me before I leave for Thailand (probably in October).
I hate spending money on gear but all these costs, the tripod, the lens and the 35mm equipment are because of damage to the equipment I am currently using.
I will also probably be doing another big 35mm bulk film buy soon, maybe 50 rolls (5000 feet).
After having trouble with my Linhof 90mm last trip I decided to cut my losses and get a reliable fast (easy focusing) lens. The Nikon SW 90mm F4.5 has a reputation for extreme sharpness, I hope it lives up to it!
Now I only have one other piece of equipment to buy, a good carbon fiber, geared center post Gitzo tripod that costs around $750. I want to get a top notch carbon fiber tripod to replace my glued together Chinese knockoff. The geared center post is also important, it is something Jock Sturges recommended to me, it will allow me to do quick height adjustments in the field when I am working with my subject.
My other major expense will be some Leica lens and body repairs, not sure how much those costs will be but anything involving Leica is expensive. I plan on shipping out the lens and the one malfunctioning (meter?) body next week, which should allow plenty of time for repairs. I want to make sure the lens get back to me before I leave for Thailand (probably in October).
I hate spending money on gear but all these costs, the tripod, the lens and the 35mm equipment are because of damage to the equipment I am currently using.
I will also probably be doing another big 35mm bulk film buy soon, maybe 50 rolls (5000 feet).
Montreal Gazette Show Promo Link
Found this link today in a Google search. Not sure where
these things come from thou its probably a good thing, I am happy
to have the work promoted and hopefully seen by more people. The one
kind of weird part is the link promotes the "The Train Is Coming"
show and all those photographs were made in Klong Toey slum in Bangkok
but the photo they have on the link is of a Cambodian girl in a slum in
Poipet Cambodia (photo taken from this blog). The photo they have to
promote "The Train Is Coming" was made in a different country and is not
in the show!
http://www.montrealgazette.com/mobile/news/top-stories/Poetry+music+beer+things+this+week/8289454/story.html?&img=9
http://www.montrealgazette.com/mobile/news/top-stories/Poetry+music+beer+things+this+week/8289454/story.html?&img=9
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
What I Want To Say, The Story Of The Sex Worker
I have been thinking a lot about the coming Toot Yung show and what I want to show, what I want to say. I am the one showing my work, I should be making the decisions on what is shown with influence from Mimi. I need to put together a collection of work that tells the story I want to tell in a way that I see it.
What interest me about shooting sex workers is the variables involved in that industry and in the individual emotions of the workers. Why not create a show that says sex worker but also speaks to all the different aspects of it. Hardship/exploitation, business, sorrow/joy, sexuality, gender issues etc show the business of sex work from all its angles in one show, no customers only workers. I could draw on my library of negs dating back to 1996 and tell this story.
Show title? " Body Sellers"
What interest me about shooting sex workers is the variables involved in that industry and in the individual emotions of the workers. Why not create a show that says sex worker but also speaks to all the different aspects of it. Hardship/exploitation, business, sorrow/joy, sexuality, gender issues etc show the business of sex work from all its angles in one show, no customers only workers. I could draw on my library of negs dating back to 1996 and tell this story.
Show title? " Body Sellers"
Gerry Yaum The Last 30 Years
Am working on 2 Blurb books, one is a retrospective hardcover all out
type book "Gerry Yaum: The Last 30 Years", Photographs from 1985 to
2015. The second book will be a smaller paperback of the recent Mae Sot
dump pictures. Both books will take a long time to complete. I am also
working on fixing up and updating the gerryyaum.com website.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Down To 228lbs
Left at 234, came back at 228lbs. I need to get into better shape in the coming months, hopefully I can keep my weight around 230lbs and do lots of cycling and maybe even some swimming. I am turning into an old fart pretty fast and the better shape I can keep myself the better chance I have not to be to lazy when it comes to pushing myself photographically. The 8 days in the Mae Sot dump site were extremely exhausting, I have never been in that kind of heat, it was unbelievable at times (how do the families exist there?). I am almost 50 years old, time to stop pissing around and get into better condition.
Mumbai Where Its Cooler!
Met a Indian family this last trip who lived in Mumbai, they spent 5 or 6 days in Thailand and could not wait to get home where it was cooler!! Heck I always thought Mumbai was hell on earth heat wise but it seems Bangkok is hotter. I think its getting hotter and hotter in Thailand now, its SO SO nice to not need a/c today to stay cool, Edmonton and its 20C+ seems downright frigid! Where are my gloves and winter boots?
Toot Yung Gallery Digi Pics
Here are a few construction shots of the new Toot Yung gallery in Bangkok, hopefully I wil be showing with in the next year. The day I was there there were about 7 workers onsite maybe more, the scheduled completion is in June sometime. There is an office space on the second floor and an artist residence on the 3rd floor (think I might be living there for a while).
First Digi Scans From The Dumpsite Photos
Here are the first Burmese people digital camera photos from the Mae Sot dumpsite. I did a bunch of these up mostly to give away to the families later, some of the photos were also taken by local people using my digital camera (not sure if any of these are shot by locals, maybe so). When I return, probably sometime in October I will hand out free color and b/w white photos to as many as I can.
 |
| Family portrait shot on my last day at the dump, I did 4x5 b/w work of this subject also. |
 |
| Even the babies where Thanaka which is a traditional paste put on peoples faces. Thanaka protects the skin and adds beauty. |
 | ||||
| Doo-aye ready to go to work in the dump site. |
 |
| Groom and bride a few days after their wedding. |
 |
This boy was crying loudly until his mother stopped work and came to breast feed him. |
New Tools, Backups And Repairs
When I got back from Asia last night I had my new backup Pentax spot-meter waiting for me. I paid $200 CAD including shipping for this older used but functioning perfect meter. I wanted to get one back up for this meter just in case I had problems in the future like last time. I also need to get a 90mm SW Nikon lens in the coming months which should run me between $500-650. I had problems with my Linhof 90mm and I do not want to go down that road again, I loved the 90mm format lens for making portraits, have to see the results in prints in the coming weeks but I believe this is the way I will go in the future. I want to get a high quality 90mm F5.6 to use in the field, something very reliable like my Linhof and Leica equipment.
I will also be sending in a bunch of Leica stuff for repairs in the coming weeks. I have 1 M6 body with a malfunctioning meter, a 21mm F2.8 I want serviced and a 50mm F1.4 that is badly in need of work (dropped this lens). I might change off my 3 week August trip and 3 week October trip for a 5 week October trip (back to Mae Sot). If I cut from 2 to 1 I will have an additional $1500 (air ticket cost) to pay for the repairs etc.
Next trip to Asia I plan on taking 3 lens and 3 camera bodies, no more changing lens, I want 1 lens per body so I can shoot faster and fluidly. If I do the 5 week trip in October I will probably take 125 rolls of 35mm or so with me, maybe more.
I will probably also do a large 35mm film buy in the next year, I need to order more Tri-x bulk rolls as I am going through this stuff fast! Tomorrow I will call and pay for the last of my 8x10 film and also order another box of 16x20 warmtone fiber paper.
I am quite happy I am spending more money making pics instead of getting more and more gear, the only gear I buy now is backup and repair stuff. I will get the 90mm Nikon as a replacement for my damaged Linhof 90. For a long time I was on this never ending gear buy thingy and not spending money on the production of photographs, now it seems to have changed, I spend much more money on production and much less on buying new toys, which is as it should be.
I will also be sending in a bunch of Leica stuff for repairs in the coming weeks. I have 1 M6 body with a malfunctioning meter, a 21mm F2.8 I want serviced and a 50mm F1.4 that is badly in need of work (dropped this lens). I might change off my 3 week August trip and 3 week October trip for a 5 week October trip (back to Mae Sot). If I cut from 2 to 1 I will have an additional $1500 (air ticket cost) to pay for the repairs etc.
Next trip to Asia I plan on taking 3 lens and 3 camera bodies, no more changing lens, I want 1 lens per body so I can shoot faster and fluidly. If I do the 5 week trip in October I will probably take 125 rolls of 35mm or so with me, maybe more.
I will probably also do a large 35mm film buy in the next year, I need to order more Tri-x bulk rolls as I am going through this stuff fast! Tomorrow I will call and pay for the last of my 8x10 film and also order another box of 16x20 warmtone fiber paper.
I am quite happy I am spending more money making pics instead of getting more and more gear, the only gear I buy now is backup and repair stuff. I will get the 90mm Nikon as a replacement for my damaged Linhof 90. For a long time I was on this never ending gear buy thingy and not spending money on the production of photographs, now it seems to have changed, I spend much more money on production and much less on buying new toys, which is as it should be.
Back In Canada
Arrived safely back in quiet, coldish Canada tonight. I think I am getting used to the 3 airplane flight thingy but its still rather a drag at times, flight delays, bad food, very cramped seating etc. I had a Philippine guys elbow pushed into my arm and body for 12 hours from Taipei to Bangkok on the second leg of the flight. I am back home now, I might try to develop some 35mm film before sleeping.
Last 30 Sheets
I pushed myself to go back to the Klong Toey slum boxing gym on my last full day in Bangkok. I shot 30 pics there, not in the gym but in the surrounding area. I went back to the area where I photographed the slum children before with the 4x5 and was swamped by 20 or so children. I was even remembered by name when a girl named Pim (I photographed her last year with her dog English), came running towards me yelling Gerry where is my photo of English? I did not have any photos to give the children but no one seemed to mind to much they all jumped around and played with the camera. A big hit this time round was when I showed them my Pentax spot meter, everyone child had to have a look through it, I must have held the think up and pushed the meter LCD button 50 times (some kids asked to see through it 3 times).
Things are also very relaxed in the gym, I joke with the trainers, everyone accepts me there with no problems (almost feel part of a family). Things are looking very good for future photos, heck I might even try doing a documentary film on the gym or a boxer or trainers life, it might be fun to try something like that.
I am happy I made the extra effort to shoot these last sheets, the harder you work the better results you get. I have an appointment in 5 months to give 4 pics to Pim 12 years old, 2 that I took before of her and English and 2 that I gook this time round (tough young girl). I also have to make up photos for both the boxers and the other chidlren in the area.
Things are also very relaxed in the gym, I joke with the trainers, everyone accepts me there with no problems (almost feel part of a family). Things are looking very good for future photos, heck I might even try doing a documentary film on the gym or a boxer or trainers life, it might be fun to try something like that.
I am happy I made the extra effort to shoot these last sheets, the harder you work the better results you get. I have an appointment in 5 months to give 4 pics to Pim 12 years old, 2 that I took before of her and English and 2 that I gook this time round (tough young girl). I also have to make up photos for both the boxers and the other chidlren in the area.
The Value Of Speaking Thai
Boy was it easier to make photos at the dump site when I was working with a Burmese worker who could speak some Thai, language is so important for me when I work. I need to work hard on both my Thai and especially my Burmese before my next trip.
10 Sex Worker On White Submissions
The renewed interest from some diverse internationally based art people its given me hope. I feel that the white background 8x10 sex worker photos deserve to be seen by a wider audience. F gent or daring in thought, it is because they are limited in what they can view on a daily basis. If your plain Joe who lonely meats and potatoes its hard to understand lobster, but if you eat all the types of seafood your more open to experimenting and trying new things in new ways.
Last year at a small little show I had with some friends (Friends and Family Show) one lady who viewed the sex worker photos told me "You have to get this seen" then she repeated this statement a second time for emphasis.
I will make up a submission of 10 strong sex workers on white photographs then submit them to galleries/museums world wide.
Last year at a small little show I had with some friends (Friends and Family Show) one lady who viewed the sex worker photos told me "You have to get this seen" then she repeated this statement a second time for emphasis.
I will make up a submission of 10 strong sex workers on white photographs then submit them to galleries/museums world wide.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Toot Yung Gallery Looking Good!
I had a relapse today and spent most of the night coughing and in the bathroom but things are slowly improving again. I need to take things day by day (running out of days) but still have 38 sheets of 4x5 I would like to shoot before leaving Bangkok. Today I decided to take it easy, I slept in had a very small simple breakfast then went down to see the renovations on the Toot Yung Gallery, scheduled to open in June/July of 2013. The space is going to be wonderful, it will be a first class gallery that will be showing challenging work, is a real gift to the art scene in Bangkok.
I made a number of videos and pictures in the space which was filled with workers today rushing to make the deadline for the gallery opening, I will post the photos later in Canada when I can re size them. The gallery includes a very long wall that is lit with both artificial and daylight and a shorter well lit wall opposite, in the back outside there is a wonderfully large beautiful tree along with a patio and bar. On the 3rd floor of the gallery is a large artist residence (the floor I would be living on when the show happens).
To be connected by this gallery is very exciting, to have the work shown there and to work with a artistic director/curator like Mimi should be even more exciting. I hope this first show will lead to other shows. I want my work to evolve and develop, people like Mimi can help me see in new ways, she can help me with my creativity and vision, exciting times!
Ain't Photography Grand!
I made a number of videos and pictures in the space which was filled with workers today rushing to make the deadline for the gallery opening, I will post the photos later in Canada when I can re size them. The gallery includes a very long wall that is lit with both artificial and daylight and a shorter well lit wall opposite, in the back outside there is a wonderfully large beautiful tree along with a patio and bar. On the 3rd floor of the gallery is a large artist residence (the floor I would be living on when the show happens).
To be connected by this gallery is very exciting, to have the work shown there and to work with a artistic director/curator like Mimi should be even more exciting. I hope this first show will lead to other shows. I want my work to evolve and develop, people like Mimi can help me see in new ways, she can help me with my creativity and vision, exciting times!
Ain't Photography Grand!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Prostitution Revisted?
I keep wanting to shoot other stories but get called back into the world of prostitution. Over the last few days 2 possible stories have presented themselves.
1) Gay farang sex tourist men with their Thai boyfriends, a portrait series (suggested to me by the Toot Yung gallery). Showing the differences in age, body condition etc.
2) Femaile African sex workers (Ethiopia etc.) who sell themselves cheaply to Arab and Indian men in an area of Bangkok (learned of their existence from a Thai taxi driver). I was thinking of maybe doing a series of close up head shot portraits of these working ladies.
I also saw something at my hotel 2 days ago that got me thinking of doing more prostitution photographs in
the future. The hotel I am staying at it near Patpong in central Bangkok, Patpong is the original gogo bar sex show area of Bangkok. One road in Patpong is entirely devoted to Japanese customers, all the bars are for Japanese customers only (supposedly in the eyes of Japanese men the girls are cleaner because they do not sleep with non Japanese men). In the hotel I am currently staying at their is a preponderance of Japanese males travelling together, I think they come for a holiday and also to go to the Japanese road in Patpong.. In the hotel lobby the other day I saw a 70+year old Japanese man with a very beautiful Thai girl of maybe 19 to 23 years old. She sat quietly and obediently beside him as he talked to his friend and ignored her, I wondered what she was thinking and feeling? It made me want to go into that world again to try to capture those emotions.
1) Gay farang sex tourist men with their Thai boyfriends, a portrait series (suggested to me by the Toot Yung gallery). Showing the differences in age, body condition etc.
2) Femaile African sex workers (Ethiopia etc.) who sell themselves cheaply to Arab and Indian men in an area of Bangkok (learned of their existence from a Thai taxi driver). I was thinking of maybe doing a series of close up head shot portraits of these working ladies.
I also saw something at my hotel 2 days ago that got me thinking of doing more prostitution photographs in
the future. The hotel I am staying at it near Patpong in central Bangkok, Patpong is the original gogo bar sex show area of Bangkok. One road in Patpong is entirely devoted to Japanese customers, all the bars are for Japanese customers only (supposedly in the eyes of Japanese men the girls are cleaner because they do not sleep with non Japanese men). In the hotel I am currently staying at their is a preponderance of Japanese males travelling together, I think they come for a holiday and also to go to the Japanese road in Patpong.. In the hotel lobby the other day I saw a 70+year old Japanese man with a very beautiful Thai girl of maybe 19 to 23 years old. She sat quietly and obediently beside him as he talked to his friend and ignored her, I wondered what she was thinking and feeling? It made me want to go into that world again to try to capture those emotions.
Almost Back To Normal
I always forget how debilitating illness can be, I had all kinds of plans for the last few days but when I got sick everything fell through all I wanted to do was lay in bed and try to sleep between runs to the washroom. This short illness reminded me how important it is to get my work done before I am to old and sick to accomplish it, age and illness is rapidly approaching, I need to work harder while I can.
I am reading a fascinating biography on Beethoven, the drive the man had was incredible, he put all other concerns secondary for much of his life to devote himself to his art.
I am reading a fascinating biography on Beethoven, the drive the man had was incredible, he put all other concerns secondary for much of his life to devote himself to his art.
Mr Vomit Returns
Well I got sick again, that's 2 trips in a row but this time was not as bad as last. There was limited vomiting this time around and after a day of rest I am mostly back to normal. I ate all kinds of foods in Mae Sot in cheaper restaurants, from food stalls, I ate food at the wedding in the dump, all with no problems. Then I came to Bangkok and ate at one of the nicest buffet's in the city and I get sick! Who knew the safer food was in a garbage dump filled with flies and dirt and not in the tallest building in Bangkok at one of its premiere restaurants.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
The Life Of Doo-aye
When I left yesterday just before getting into my transport vehicle at the school two young children who I met on day 1 came to see me off. The young girl Doo-aye and her younger brother seemed a bit shy to come near the vehicle but I called them over game them 10 and 5 baht coins and said goodbye to them. I photographed Doo-aye my first day in the dump, she was scavenging for plastic off by herself. What does the future hold for her? Who will she marry? Will she marry at 15 like her sister? ( her sister is Mai from the wedding day, amazing day blog)
http://gerryyaum.blogspot.com/2013/05/amazing-day.html
When I did some portraits of Doo-aye with the 4x5 on the last day, she wore her work outfit, a pink hat, shirt, long pants, flip flops, big white bag for plastic and a iron hook tool for digging she happily posed for me, as her mother and family offered encouragement she went through 4 or 5 poses, laughing with a wonderful white tooth smile. This young girls face and spirit will haunt me, she would have so many possibilities in life if her family had money, she could be anybody, do anything, but without money, living as a illegal in Thailand what possible positive future can she have?
I can still see her sweet innocent smile with the thanaka makeup/suncream on her face (made from ab Burmese tree bark), Doo-aye likes to make a line of straight white thanaka cream from her forehead to the tip of her nose and big white circles on her cheeks.
Money Makes The Difference
Yesterday when I gave 50 ($1.62 CAD) baht to the one eyed man (Motemee 39 years old) at the dump he was so happy, it is probably 1/2 a days work for him maybe a full days work. Money makes the world go round, the only difference between the families living in the dump and the families I saw today at the all you can eat hotel breakfast was how much money they had. Both sets of parents loved their children and tried to take care of them as best they could but one group was in a fancy Thai hotel the other was digging for food beside a dog in a garbage pile.
Givers And Takers
In Mae Sot I saw many farang people being givers, volunteers for various NGOs, people like Fred Stockwell who helps so many folks at the dump, there were farang a plenty that were giving back, helping others.
Here in Pattaya I see people laying around on the beach/pool, getting serviced in various ways by the local workers, whether its massages, being served in high end restaurants or a sexual service of some kind.
I guess everyone needs some time off but when I was eating my all you can eat breakfast this morning at the hotel I kept thinking of the people in the dump, "What were they eating?" Yesterday as I was making photos an old lady in one of the shacks offered me some food, she pointed to the rice she was eating and gestured to me, asking if I had eaten? People who have nothing offering food to a stranger, rather incredible.
Here in Pattaya I see people laying around on the beach/pool, getting serviced in various ways by the local workers, whether its massages, being served in high end restaurants or a sexual service of some kind.
I guess everyone needs some time off but when I was eating my all you can eat breakfast this morning at the hotel I kept thinking of the people in the dump, "What were they eating?" Yesterday as I was making photos an old lady in one of the shacks offered me some food, she pointed to the rice she was eating and gestured to me, asking if I had eaten? People who have nothing offering food to a stranger, rather incredible.
Burnt Out
Gosh I feel so tired after 8 days in the dump making pictures and the bus rides here to Pattaya. The heat and carrying all the gear I carried wore me right down. When your in the dump shooting you are slimy with sweat, the flies, smell and the heat are overpowering, you have to communicate in foreign languages and make pictures in unknown (potentially dangerous situations) on top of that you have to try to be creative and make strong photographs. Even with all the difficulties I am glad I did it, I cannot get the people I met there out of my mind but gosh it was hard. I need to get into better shape the next time around , maybe I need to get me a HAT!
Once Again The Quiet Meal
My first day back in Pattaya and I am seeing plenty of the quiet meal syndrome. I have written about it before but every time I come here it hits on me on the head. The farang man with money (older or younger) comes and rents (the only word for it) a girl from a bar and the next day after a night of bedroom activity they have nothing to say to each other the next day during their meal together. He buys her one night and buys another woman the next night followed by another quiet meal.
There was one girl I saw later in Central shopping center, she was young and attractive, dressed very nicely. The girl was with a old man farang (Western white person) who had his hands all over her, when she turned towards me I could see the embarrassment on her face (Thais do not typically show affection in public), she must have been new to the bar world.
There was one girl I saw later in Central shopping center, she was young and attractive, dressed very nicely. The girl was with a old man farang (Western white person) who had his hands all over her, when she turned towards me I could see the embarrassment on her face (Thais do not typically show affection in public), she must have been new to the bar world.
Overheard On The Computer Next To Me
A Thai lady is doing internet video chat next to me and I can hear the falling.
"Do you miss meeee?"
"No darling I never lie to you, I cannot lie to you."
"I enjoy to see you. I be happy"
"Do you miss me tee-rauk (darling)? I miss you."
"Not forget to send money from the bank in German to the bank in Thailand"
"Bangkok bank charge 5% how much you send now?"
"Ok darling, have rain everyday here now, I horny for you to, you have a good time a nice time and good day, kiss kiss, bye bye."
Wonder what she would think if she knew I was next door taking notes? Probably smack me upside the head!
"Do you miss me tee-rauk (darling)? I miss you."
"Not forget to send money from the bank in German to the bank in Thailand"
"Bangkok bank charge 5% how much you send now?"
"Ok darling, have rain everyday here now, I horny for you to, you have a good time a nice time and good day, kiss kiss, bye bye."
Wonder what she would think if she knew I was next door taking notes? Probably smack me upside the head!
In Pattaya
After a 8 hour bus ride to Bangkok I caught another bus to Pattaya for another 2 hour bus ride. I am now in the nightlife capital of Thailand, this place is filled with normal tour groups (lots of Indian, Chinese, Russians and Koreans tourists). The other major group in Pattaya is the sex tourists and sex pats, this place is filled with bars of all kinds, massage parlors, beer bars, go go bars and free lancers.
Walking the very crowed streets here today it occurred to me that I saw more smiles and felt more comfortable in the dump yesterday. Pattaya is a huge money maker a tourist town filled to the brim with strangers, everyone here is chasing money. In the dump I was with hard working families, extremely poor but kind and friendly people. I will leave Pattaya tomorrow morning and spend my last few days in Bangkok before returning to Canada. I want to shoot the last of my film 38 sheets of 4x5 and 1 roll of 35mm at the Klong Toey boxing gym.
Walking the very crowed streets here today it occurred to me that I saw more smiles and felt more comfortable in the dump yesterday. Pattaya is a huge money maker a tourist town filled to the brim with strangers, everyone here is chasing money. In the dump I was with hard working families, extremely poor but kind and friendly people. I will leave Pattaya tomorrow morning and spend my last few days in Bangkok before returning to Canada. I want to shoot the last of my film 38 sheets of 4x5 and 1 roll of 35mm at the Klong Toey boxing gym.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Off To Bangkok
Well I am off to Bangkok in a few hours, I need to finish writing these blogs, have a quick meal then a quick shower before heading to the bus station for my 7-8 hour trip back to the capital. The rest of the trip should be pretty laid back which will be a relief after the last 8 difficult days. After reaching Bangkok I will catch a connecting bus to Pattaya for a few days of R&R.
I have 38 sheets of 4x5 film and one roll of 35mm left, I want to go to the boxing gym in Klong Toey to do a few more portraits before I leave. Another thing I would like to do is to check out the new Toot Yung gallery so I have a better idea what to expect for the coming show.
See you all in Pattaya!
I have 38 sheets of 4x5 film and one roll of 35mm left, I want to go to the boxing gym in Klong Toey to do a few more portraits before I leave. Another thing I would like to do is to check out the new Toot Yung gallery so I have a better idea what to expect for the coming show.
See you all in Pattaya!
Singing Along
Forgot to write this up yesterday so thought I would mention it today. I have noticed that Burmese people love to sing while they work, I have heard maybe a dozen different people sing here. Yesterday as everyone was digging in the garbage looking for recyclables I decided to give it a try (I never sing!). The problem was coming up with a song? What song? I did not know any songs. I remembered when I was young and would travel to the Rocky Mountains with my family my mother would sing a song from her youth, and the family would sing along with her, the song was "She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain When She Comes!"
So I thought why not, not sure I remember all the words so when there was a quiet moment I started singing this song...
"She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain When She Comes!"
"She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain When She Comes!"
"She'll Be Riding 6 White Horses When She comes!"
That was about all I could remember, I repeated this verse 3 times and added a little body shake dance thing to it. People were surprised and looked at me with a bit of amazement then smiled and laughed. Betcha mom never thought her song would be sung in that way and in that place so many years later.
So I thought why not, not sure I remember all the words so when there was a quiet moment I started singing this song...
"She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain When She Comes!"
"She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain When She Comes!"
"She'll Be Riding 6 White Horses When She comes!"
That was about all I could remember, I repeated this verse 3 times and added a little body shake dance thing to it. People were surprised and looked at me with a bit of amazement then smiled and laughed. Betcha mom never thought her song would be sung in that way and in that place so many years later.
Day 8 Saying Goodbye At The Dump
Well today I said goodbye to the people living and working at the dump site. I have sort of become a regular there (being called by my name now), especially in one section of about 6 shacks. This morning I went from shack to shack doing 4x5 group portraits, using my 75mm lens. I also did some shots with the Leica and the small color digi camera. I will return in 3 or 5 months with prints for everyone.
It was sad to say goodbye today, these people cannot go forward to other countries or back to their own homes in Burma, they are caught in a no mans land. They work in the dump site because its the only way they can make a living, the only way they can feed their families. Seeing children running barefoot through the garbage or covered in flies is heartbreaking. You feel so helpless being in a situation like that, you want to help but how? I did my normal little bit today, I gave out my 2 bags of rice and canned fish to 2 homes and also secretly handed out some money to a few families. I have been told that if you give to some and not all you can cause problems, so I try to give out equally to everyone and if I do give a bit more to one or another I try to do it quietly.
I also donated 3000 Baht ($105 CAD) to the Sky Blue School. The school has 9 teachers who do not make a salary and 90 students who will be starting their term on May 15th for 10 months. The school is facing a financial crisis this year so I am trying to raise awareness. If you would like to donate anything you can contact them through this email address which belongs to the headmaster (principal of the school).
thanhtazaw@gmail.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWle6_g-i74
It was sad to say goodbye today, these people cannot go forward to other countries or back to their own homes in Burma, they are caught in a no mans land. They work in the dump site because its the only way they can make a living, the only way they can feed their families. Seeing children running barefoot through the garbage or covered in flies is heartbreaking. You feel so helpless being in a situation like that, you want to help but how? I did my normal little bit today, I gave out my 2 bags of rice and canned fish to 2 homes and also secretly handed out some money to a few families. I have been told that if you give to some and not all you can cause problems, so I try to give out equally to everyone and if I do give a bit more to one or another I try to do it quietly.
I also donated 3000 Baht ($105 CAD) to the Sky Blue School. The school has 9 teachers who do not make a salary and 90 students who will be starting their term on May 15th for 10 months. The school is facing a financial crisis this year so I am trying to raise awareness. If you would like to donate anything you can contact them through this email address which belongs to the headmaster (principal of the school).
thanhtazaw@gmail.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWle6_g-i74
New Orleans PhotoNOLA Show A Go!
Got this email today from my contact/friend in New Orleans.
Gerry,
Hope
all is well. I have heard back from Rene at Zeitgeist and he would like
to hang your work during PhotoNOLA! I trust you are still interested.
Is it still possible for you to come to New Orleans at that time?
Look forward to hearing from you,
......
It looks like both my international shows for the sex worker pics are a go, one in New Orleans and one in Bangkok. Not sure what will be showing in Bangkok, possibly the color brothel photos from Cambodia made in 2003, possibly the white background ladyboy shots as well from 2007, 2009 and 2012. The work showing in PhotoNOLA will be the cross section of sex workers on white photographs, men, lady and ladyboy workers.
It looks like as soon as I get back to Edmonton I will be back doing some serious printing.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Western Arrogance?
I have noticed a disturbing trend over many trips to South East Asia, there is a tendency from the expat community to be arrogant and superior to the locals. There is often a "I am smarter then them" thingy.
Just because people do things differently than you, does not mean their way is wrong or your way is best. I generally have no problem with locals in whatever country I visit but when it comes to hanging with the expat community in these places, sometimes my skin crawls. The locals come from vibrant ancient cultures with grand traditions, lets give them their do and not be so superior.
Just because people do things differently than you, does not mean their way is wrong or your way is best. I generally have no problem with locals in whatever country I visit but when it comes to hanging with the expat community in these places, sometimes my skin crawls. The locals come from vibrant ancient cultures with grand traditions, lets give them their do and not be so superior.
Why No Hat?
Still getting heck from some of the ladies here about not wearing a hat, maybe I need to pick one up. For the second time I got a talking to by one of the older women about the importance of wearing a hat. In a way some of the people I have met are very motherly at times. Every morning for the last 5 days or so I have been offered food from people sitting in their homes. I arrive at the dump at 715am or so when everyone is eating their breakfast and am invariably offered something to eat. I usually say I just ate but thank you, these people have enough to worry about without feeding the fat Canadian.
Wonderful Tools
The Leicas, Linhof are working very well, you got to love first rate tools. I am happy I decided to get both the Leica and the Linhof, now I can concentrate on making photos not buying cameras, I can spend all my money on film and photo paper, not the latest toys.
Yesterday it was raining in the dump and I had no fears taking out my Leica M6, 28mm lens and shooting away.
Yesterday it was raining in the dump and I had no fears taking out my Leica M6, 28mm lens and shooting away.
Coughing More
Think I am wearing down, I am coughing more and more each day. I am not sure if its the a/c and extreme heat or if its working in the dump site but am developing a nasty cough. The dump site fumes, heat, dirt etc cannot be helping my health, I often see people coughing and in a bad way at the dump site, children and older people seem to be affected the worst.
More Burmese Language Needed!
Everyday I learn a bit of Burmese but I need to learn so much more. When I speak Thai with my subjects things work out very well, I can joke and tell them what I am doing etc. When I speak Burmese (when the subject speaks no Thai) I am down to maybe a 20 word vocabulary, not good enough!
4x5 Working In The Dump Portraits
Now that I have some relationships with the people here, I have started to ask the people I know to pose for portraits as they work. The sun can be extremely harsh and contrasty, am using a combination of my Linhof along with a 90mm, a reflector and the grafmatic backs. The reflector is allowing me to bounce some light on my subject but with the extreme contrast and the very dark skin of some of the workers, I am not sure how much detail I am holding.
I will shoot a few more of these tomorrow my (8th) last day at the dump along with at least one family portrait in front of their home (shack) which is inspired by the Fields family Walker Evans shot. Later on if these photos work out I will try to shoot more of them, my next trip here will be in 3 or 5 months.
I will shoot a few more of these tomorrow my (8th) last day at the dump along with at least one family portrait in front of their home (shack) which is inspired by the Fields family Walker Evans shot. Later on if these photos work out I will try to shoot more of them, my next trip here will be in 3 or 5 months.
Nationalism Versus Humanism
Been watching a lot of Fox TV here when I get back to my room at night, its filled with jingoism, stories about American flags and such. Nationalism divides us as human beings, it creates separation. We need to think of each other as Human Beings not Canadians, Americans, Burmese or Thais, then maybe we can look out for each other better and the worlds poor would have a more equal footing.
Today I watched a women dig through a bag in a garbage pile at the dump, the bag contained discarded food. This woman (do not know her name yet) has a family and young children, she was looking through the bag to find anything that she could use to feed her family. As the woman scavenged through the garbage food bag a dog on top of the same pile of garbage was also eating and scavenging for food. What kind of world allows this? We are not Burmese or Americans, flags and countries do not matter, what matters is that we are all human beings, the sooner we realize this the sooner we can stop digging in garbage for food.
Today I watched a women dig through a bag in a garbage pile at the dump, the bag contained discarded food. This woman (do not know her name yet) has a family and young children, she was looking through the bag to find anything that she could use to feed her family. As the woman scavenged through the garbage food bag a dog on top of the same pile of garbage was also eating and scavenging for food. What kind of world allows this? We are not Burmese or Americans, flags and countries do not matter, what matters is that we are all human beings, the sooner we realize this the sooner we can stop digging in garbage for food.
Flies? What Flies? Day 7 At The Dump
After 7 straight days of visiting the dump I find that I am less freaked out by flies! Yesterday as I was crouched down and shooting away it took me like 5 minutes to notice the flies crawling all over me, guess you can get used to anything.
The heat thou still causes me problems. Each day when I put on my 2nd and 3rd sets of sunscreen I often feel like I am doing it in the shower, there is water just streaming down my face, if I was set on fire I believe my sweat would put me out!.
The heat thou still causes me problems. Each day when I put on my 2nd and 3rd sets of sunscreen I often feel like I am doing it in the shower, there is water just streaming down my face, if I was set on fire I believe my sweat would put me out!.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Subjects Everywhere
Here at the dump site everywhere I look there are things to photograph, sometimes when your making photographs you have difficulty finding subjects here it is the opposite, I have to pick and choose what I will shoot as there are many options.
I still have not photographed a family in front of their home, maybe I can do that in the coming days. Part of my inspiration for this project was the Walker Evans photograph of the Fields family during the depression. I want to make a photographic portrait similar to this before I leave, I have shot 6 days in a row, I will try to get some family shots in the next 2 days.
I still have not photographed a family in front of their home, maybe I can do that in the coming days. Part of my inspiration for this project was the Walker Evans photograph of the Fields family during the depression. I want to make a photographic portrait similar to this before I leave, I have shot 6 days in a row, I will try to get some family shots in the next 2 days.
Boredom In The Dump
The people in the dump live a life of boredom. Today went to make photographs it was about 715am and everyone had was sitting around waiting for the first garbage truck of the day to arrive. There work comes from the garbage so all they can do is sit and wait for a public or private vehicle to come to the site. One private vehicle came to the site early in the morning and several people ran to check out what was being dumped off, I would guess private vehicles would leave better more valuable items.
This life outside of being dirty and very hard must be extremely boring and repetitive, day in day out things do not change much.
This life outside of being dirty and very hard must be extremely boring and repetitive, day in day out things do not change much.
Raining At The Dump Day 6
Today I climbed up on top of the garbage in the rain to shoot down on people who were scavenging for recyclables, there were also garbage tucks and a grader pushing a path through the garbage. I think I am getting more used to all of this as I did not hesitate to climb up the steaming 8 foot mound of waste to get a better angle for my pictures. The one thing you have to watch out for is that you feet sink deeper into the fresh garbage as its not packed down very well. The light and the rain limited what I could do with the 4x5 today, thou I might have gotten some good 35mm shots. I have around 100 sheets of 4x5 left and 14 or so rolls of 35.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
1 Or 2 More Days
My plan is to go to the dump site maybe 1 or 2 days and also to go back and donate some rice and money. Tomorrow I want to go with the 4x5 camera (shoot 60 sheets?) and do some full body and head shot portraits, I will also take 1 Leica with 10 rolls of film.
I have 130 sheets of 4x5 left and 20 rolls of 35mm Tri-x. I might take some 4x5 film back to Bangkok so that I can re shoot the boxers after having the lens problems I mentioned earlier.
I also need to telephone Fred Stockwell to try to set up a meeting, he promised to show me around.
Hopefully I can come back to the dump in August or October to continue this important series of photographs.
I have 130 sheets of 4x5 left and 20 rolls of 35mm Tri-x. I might take some 4x5 film back to Bangkok so that I can re shoot the boxers after having the lens problems I mentioned earlier.
I also need to telephone Fred Stockwell to try to set up a meeting, he promised to show me around.
Hopefully I can come back to the dump in August or October to continue this important series of photographs.
Hairpins
Saw something sweet and beautiful in the garbage dump today. There is one woman average looking with short hair and maybe 35 years old who I have seen 5 or 6 times, who never makes eye contact with me, she always looks away when I am near. This morning when I saw her with a group of children (hers I think) and said "Minga La Ba" to her she sort of just grunted a hello with distant eyes.
Later in the day I was photographing a group of workers digging through freshly dumped garbage (garbage trucks bring fresh garbage all day). This woman (got to learn her name) was working in the group of about 8 workers. She was looking away from me and not making eye contact as usual as I photographed away, one of the men, the father of the bride from yesterday found something in the garbage and tossed it to this woman. I went closer to see what it was, it was 2 hair pins with pretty plastic beads inside a small bag. The women excitedly opened the bag, she had big eyes as she did this, you could see she was happy. She then put the 2 hairpins directly into her dirty, sweaty hair and she looked quite nice, the hairpins made her a bit more feminine, a bit special in this dirty smelly place. I smiled and said something, she looked up at me and I gave here a thumbs up signal with my hand and a smile, and she smiled back shyly! It was the first time I ever saw her smile, it was a very sweet moment. Later on maybe 20 minutes later I was on top of some garbage shooting down on the group and this woman looked directly up at me, directly into my eyes and smiled, she had become a pretty woman.
There are beautiful moments here, you just have to look a bit harder to find them.
Later in the day I was photographing a group of workers digging through freshly dumped garbage (garbage trucks bring fresh garbage all day). This woman (got to learn her name) was working in the group of about 8 workers. She was looking away from me and not making eye contact as usual as I photographed away, one of the men, the father of the bride from yesterday found something in the garbage and tossed it to this woman. I went closer to see what it was, it was 2 hair pins with pretty plastic beads inside a small bag. The women excitedly opened the bag, she had big eyes as she did this, you could see she was happy. She then put the 2 hairpins directly into her dirty, sweaty hair and she looked quite nice, the hairpins made her a bit more feminine, a bit special in this dirty smelly place. I smiled and said something, she looked up at me and I gave here a thumbs up signal with my hand and a smile, and she smiled back shyly! It was the first time I ever saw her smile, it was a very sweet moment. Later on maybe 20 minutes later I was on top of some garbage shooting down on the group and this woman looked directly up at me, directly into my eyes and smiled, she had become a pretty woman.
There are beautiful moments here, you just have to look a bit harder to find them.
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