Passed The Second Thailand Trip Covid PCR Test

I guess suffering while wearing the best quality N95 mask at work for 12 hour shifts 5 nights in a row (was training a guard) and wearing the N95 mask from Edmonton to Bangkok paid off! Have to take one more test on my 5th day here in Bangkok. If I pass that I am FREE FREE FREE!

They got the results from this test in about 8 hours. A drive through PCR test on the way from the airport at a private hospital, then I wake up the next day and the results are in (negative). You got to love Thais for their efficiency and hard work. This was much faster and much cheaper than anything I could get done in Edmonton!

In THAILAND!!

Made it to the "Land Of Smiles", exhausted. There was much paper work, much much much. Had a drive through PCR test, now in a 24 hour quarantine at my Bangkok hotel. Great food on the last 6 hour flight from Tokyo to Bangkok. Lots of room on the 2 Pacific planes. The Covid paper work was checked in Edmonton, Vancouver, Tokyo and the Bangkok Airport, plus my hotel in Bangkok. I had 3 airplane seats each plane between Vancouver and Tokyo, Tokyo and Bangkok. I managed to sleep well and was quite comfortable. Made some friends on the plane. Now I need a long nap!

The Plane From Vancouver To Tokyo

The plane from Vancouver was only about 30% full. I had 2 empty seats beside me and slept 6-7 hours of the 9 hour flight. Feel a lot better. Also got 1 hours sleep at the Vancouver airport gate.

The plane was maybe 20% full maybe less. Had 3 seats to recline and sleep on, RATHER NICE!

Got To Love Japanese Toilets!

Tokyo!! Heated toilets with privacy sound effects. Got to love the Japanese! Am in Tokyo at Narita Airport. The whole heated toilet and squirting water thingy is rather surreal in a weirdly Japanese way.

Were Off To Thailand, In The Covid Age!

 We’re off!!! Should be in Thailand in about 26 hours!! Worked a full 12 hour nightshift before I left and am went straight to work, so  left work at 515am, departed Edmonton on the first of 3 planes at 8am!

Leaving Edmonton on the first plane. Feeling very tired and rather Zanny!

Working On Ambrotos Kanata This Spring/Summer/Fall

Looking forward to next years ambrotype making. I feel like the technique is improving and I should be able to complete smaller plates in the field this year. Have 2 trips to Banff, 1 to Jasper, 1 to Saskatchewan and 1 to Southern Alberta planned already!! Cannot wait to get back on the road making photos for the AMBROTOS KANATA PROJECT. It all starts in May, soon after my return from Thailand and Winnipeg (Flash Photographic Festival).

Photo is of the motor home, darkroom trailer used for the project.

 

AMBROTOS KANATA motor home and wet plate darkroom.

 

Photo Story: Dom Preforming

This photo is form the UNDER THE FREEWAY series mostly made in 2019. Dom would sometimes act and dance under the freeway. He would just go into gyrations of singing and making faces. I think it was partly him and partly acting up for the camera.

Dom was in bad shape, he was very thin, missing teeth and one arm was damaged, muscled shrivelled up, he was unable to move it. I worry that he will not be around this trip, it has been almost 3 years. In 2019 he was 52 but looked closer to 72. I will look for him soon when I return to Bangkok and the slum.

Dom 52, acting and dancing under the freeway, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey slum Bangkok, 2019.

 

Dom 52, Dancing and Singing under the freeway, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand, 2019

Facebook Speel On The Donation Process, Transporting The Goods To The Dump

Not sure what the current situation in the dump is. Hope I can get access to help and photograph. Have $850 CAD to spend on goods (food, headlamps, rubber boots, medicine, toys, candy etc). to help the families, also there is some more money coming via E-transfer from a co worker tomorrow, not sure how much.

I travel to the dump on a motorbike that I rent. What you quickly find out is that transferring goods via motorbike, in a rural Thailand, on garbage dump roads, ain't that easy! I and the motorbike will be loaded down with boots, headlamps, rice, donated clothes etc. (tied to handle bars in plastic bags). Plus of course all the camera gear, at least 2 bodies and lens, plus film and digital things. I also carry a snapshot camera, a small photo album, water, headlamp, sunscreen (if shooting days), sunglasses, notebooks, big camera bag, free pics to hand out from previous trips. The list goes on and on. 

 

Ain't getting any younger, so every year it is a harder to do. You say and think all of that, then you see a barefoot child in the dump, or an old lady working the garbage and you realize your just being a cry baby, and need to toughen up. You need to stop being such a A--hole. You got it good boy!! Stop your whining and do your best!

 

The captures are from a 2018 video of a night time trip to the dump. Handed out mama noodles and lollipops to the kids, then later boots and headlamps to others. Usually carried 3 or 4 sets of boots, and about 8-10 headlamps plus rice (heavy as hell) sometimes along with other foods. Also hand out donated toys etc. Only so much room in a camera bag to carry all of that!

 

My Rented Motorbike Beast!!

Another Money Donation For THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP

Just got a message that there will be a e-transfer of funds for a donation for THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP. The donation is from a manager at the plant where I have worked security for 26 years. So kind of him and his family. Am not sure of the amount. That money will be added to the $850 already raised. 

I worry about getting access to the dump in this Covid world, there might be more military and police around. Even getting to Mae Sot might be limited. If I can not use the money this trip, will save it in a separate account (where it is located now) for the next Thai trip. The next trip will potentially occur sometime in 2023, possibly after I retire, allowing for more photo time. Would like to go to Thailand for 3 or 4 months, to really do some good work.

Note* The donated money is used to by headlamps, boots, food, medicine, toys, candy etc for the families. I purchase the goods in town, then take the items out to the dump where I hand them out for free. See attached link. You can only carry a little at a time on a motorbike (also carry camera gear) so multiple dump trips are required to distribute everything.

Video of arriving in the dump, distributing mama noodles and lolliops, later boots and headlamps

Arriving at night via motorbike, at the dump, 2018

Facebook, Frames Magazine, Photo Story

Heading back to Thailand soon to continue the work on this series an the series at the dump. The photographs will be exhibited at the University of New Brunswick Art Centre starting October 28, 2022

Just learned yesterday that FAMILIES OF THE DUMP will also be exhibited at the FLASH PHOTOGRAPHIC FESTIVAL in Winnipeg, sometime in April/2022.

 

This photo has a special memory for me. About 30 seconds before I made it, I stepped on a nail in the dump. I saw him find the puppet toy in the garbage and pick up, I ran over to get the shot. The nail went through my boot and grazed the left side of my left little toe. After that days shooting (bloody torn sock/foot washed down with limited supply of drinking water), I spent 3 hours (eleven steps to get the shot) in the public hospital waiting for my tetanus shot. Often children in the dump go barefoot. In fact I photographed this same boy, Lay-Auh, 4 years later barefoot one morning at 6am as he walked through the garbage in 2019. There is also sometimes hospital waste in the dump, dirty needles etc.

 

Note* Taking safety boots this trip

 

http://gerryyaum.blogspot.com/

 

Win family boy with found puppet, THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP, Mae Sot, Thailand 2015

Another Exhibition A Go

The Winnipeg FLASH PHOTOGRAPHIC FESTIVAL exhibition is a go. Talk also in April 2022. THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP will be exhibited.. Artist fee is $500, will donate as much of that as I can back to the families in the dump. The exhibition will include a talk, which is nice, something I love doing. Will have to fly in from Edmonton, for 3 days or so, never been to Winnipeg!!  

Note* Am not sure of the venue yet, not sure of the presentation of the prints but there will be no frames. Not sure how it will look, hope OK.  If I can get some money for the families thou, give a nice talk, that's enough for me. They will be exhibiting the same pics as the Penticton Art Gallery Exhibition. I still have those prints packed in a shipping box, will just forward it to the new guys.

Winnipeg

Accepted To Another Photography Festival Exhibition

Not sure what a FEATURED EXHIBITION is, trying to find more. The FLASH FESTIVAL is in Winnipeg. The quote is from the email they sent me.

“We have announced five Featured Exhibitions for FLASH 2022.

Tim Smith, Gerry Yaum and Colin Corneau have been chosen to have Featured Exhibitions, “

New Donations For THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP

Received another donation from a coworker tonight.  A money donation of $300, children clothes, children jewelry and stuffed animal toys.. I was told I could spend the $300 to help those in need as  I choose. Thank you so much!

 The new donation money total has reached $850.

Note* For those that do not know the money will be used to buy goods for THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP. headlamps for night work, boots, toys, food, medicines, candy etc.

Quote: Alex Kilbee (The Photographic Eye: YouTube)

 "....it is the photographer not that camera that is the instrument, that if you are careful with people that they will offer you part of themselves, and that is the big secret to photography."

Dump Dog 2015

The dogs in the dump are hard to photograph, they run away when you get to close. I got in the habit of taking my left overs to the dump to feed them every morning. Eventually they would trust me a bit and come closer.

Dump dog, THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP, Mae Sot Thailand, 2015

Young Girl Photo From The Dump

I remember her eyes staring at me while everyone ignored me worked and waited for the next garbage truck. I think it was around 11pm, the dump stank all around us.

 

Young girl in the dump with her family, THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP, Mae Sot Thailand, 2018

$50 Donation! Plus Hats And Small Toys

$50 Donation! Plus Hats And Small Toys

One of my co workers gave $50 to help THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP along with a bag of hats and old toys.

I now have $550 in donation money to use as well as the hats and toys. Things are looking good donation wise for this trip. I hope I can get to the dump! Hope Covid does not stop me.

Thanks so much Kip P :)

Note* I have hats now from 4 different people, toys from 1. There might be more donations coming before I leave for Thailand, 2 more co workers have told me they are interested in helping.

Note** Bought SAFETY rubber boots yesterday from Walmart. The boots should protect me from the nails at the dump. Several years back managed to step on one of those drawing blood!

Note*** The money is used to buy headlamps, boots, food, medicine, candy etc. for the people/children who live and work at the Mae Sot Dump in Thailand.

New family on the garbage dump 2018

Hats toys and money from my friend Kip

Bought Me A Projection Lens, A Vintage Charles Beseler Company 14" E.F. Series III Camera Lens Magnifier NJ USA

Kurt M from Italy, an online friend who does amazing ULF wet plate work recommended this lens to me. I bought it for a very cheap $22 USD, the shipping actually cost more than the lens $26 USD.

Been hearing a variety of things about these type lens. Thought it was worth a gamble, especially with the great portrait work Kurt does with one. And for $60 odd dollars Canadian, Ido not have much to lose. If it preforms well I will look for longer and shorter versions, this one is 14 inches, Kurt uses a 18 inch lens  I believe, that lens covers a 20x24 camera. I am hoping my 14 incher will cover 16x20, we shall see. Making wet plate photos with it, should be fun.

Here is a well written article about the good and bad points of this glass.

https://charles.hollemeersch.net/2016/11/11/projection-optics-company-18-lens-review/ 

 Charles Beseler 14" E.F. Series III Camera Lens

Trying To Get Back To Thai!

  Running out of time, trying to rebook ticket and jump through all the necessary hoops to travel to Thailand..

Steps, things I need to do, to get there. There are other steps to come back!

- Air Ticket, paperwork.

- PCR Test Canada, negative test paperwork. Book appointment (spoke to them today).

- Hotel paper work, booking proof in Bangkok for day 1 and day 5.

That price includes, hotel room, pickup at airport, food for 3 days and PCR test on day one, and hotel room and PCR test on day 5. On days 2-3-4 I can wander Bangkok making photos.

- Covid health insurance paperwork, at least $50 000 USD coverage.

- Vaccine paperwork. Proof of 2 - 3 Vaccines taken in Canada (Vaccine Passport).

- Tourist Visa for 60 days in Thailand.

- "Thailand Test and Go" paperwork. Need some kind of number to show immigration.

I think that's it! Oh yeah money for the trip

Am trying to arrange all of this by mid next week. The hardest part will be getting the right air ticket. I might have to ask for more nights off at work. So much to think about.

This will all be worth it thou, if I can make some important photos, tell some stories over the 6-7 week trip. I hope to create more work for the 2 exhibitions of THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP and THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY being held Oct 28th at the University of New Brunswick. The other big reason is that I have $500 CAD plus in donation money to buy goods for the families. Might also do some donation stuff under the freeway, and with the dog shelter for Bangkok Strays we helped before. Will see how it all pans out. HOPE THIS WORKS!

Am worried about the test before I leave, what if I fail it?

Attached the UNB ART CENTER advert burb. Need to make more photos for this! Have enough but more is always better!

UNB advertisement for the shows.

https://www.unb.ca/cel/enrichment/art-centre/upcoming-exhibits.html

Facebook Post On Van Gogh's "Potato Eaters"

Reading a fascinating book ov Van Goh tonight. It is part of a series of 5 books on Van Gogh letters. I first saw this series of very expensive books at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam (one of the best days of my life). When I came back to Canada I found a slightly cheaper online source for a used set. Bought the books and LOVE THEM. The book set is filled with all the original letters, translations, drawings and paintings. You get such a sense of who the man was and how he strove to create. The man is so so human, so beautiful in his writing and his work. You just got to love the guy.

from the blog...

From a letter to his brother Theo, talking about his painting "The Potato Eaters"

"The Potato Eaters" 1885 Vincent Van Goh

"At the point where I now am, though, I see a chance of giving a felt impression of what I see. Not always literally exactly-rather never exactly-for one sees nature through one's own temperament."

Volume 3 of 5 books on Van Gogh's letters

Quote: Vincent Van Gogh

 From a letter to his brother Theo, talking about his painting "The Potato Eaters"

"The Potato Eaters" 1885 Vincent Van Goh

"At the point where I now am, though, I see a chance of giving a felt impression of what I see. Not always literally exactly-rather  never exactly-for one sees nature through one's own temperament."

Video Link: Daguerreotypes And Douglas

 Found this short video on Frederick Douglas Daguerreotypes fascinating!

"Almost all Daguerreotypes we looked at has or had biological life living on it, small fungi that were living on the surface and that were in fact metabolizing some of the metals." WOW!!

Frederick Douglass Daguerreotype Returns to Rochester

Cool little video on Daguerreotypes and Douglas

Studying Oskar Kokoschka

Studying the life and work of Oskar Kokoschka . Library book coming, and picked up his book of letters. Trying to buy some of his books, but they are expensive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_Kokoschka

Bought Me, 100 More Pounds Of Sodium Thiosulfate

 Bought 2 more of these 50lb pails of Sodium Thiosulfate. I tested my previous pail of the the stuff and it worked fine. The only problem is I had to filter it after mixing a 40% 2000ml solution (2000 ml hot water and 400grams POOL CHLORINE REDUCER SODIUM THIOSULFATE. An extra step but if it saves money to use this stuff, then I am all for it. I am not sure why there are white particles after mixing. A lower grade of chemical? Other reasons? Cost $380 CAD including shipping to my front door!

Note* 150lbs of fix should carry me for a while. Next year? 2 Years? When I start doing the 35x35 plates, I will require a ton of fixer.

Doll Before And After On Ambrotype

Before and after, part of the learn. I find today's 8x10 easier after yesterdays attempts at 16x20. You can see how the UV light b/w differs from the color image.

Color Iphone 2022 tech, b/w ambrotype 1851 tech.

8x10 Plates MUCH MUCH Easier Than 16x20

 

Boy does 8x10 Ambrotypes seem easy after doing 16x20s! Maybe some day 16x20s will seem easy after doing 35x35. Those super big plates are a long way away thou. 

 

Here is some of today's doll stuff, think I am getting the exposure down a bit, closed the brass lens way down to its smallest aperture, with the same amount of flash. One of the easier parts of working in a studio is that you can control the light. In the field light is constantly evolving. 

 

Note* Need to find creepier looking dolls.

 

2 on the right overexposed, will not keep, the one on the left better exposure.

Doll 8x10 Clear Glass Ambrotype

Video Link: 8x10 Ambrotype Plate Clean

One of the advantages of glass Ambrotypes is you can clean off the collodion emulsion and reuse it, if the plate sucks. When I have added an albumen coating to the glass this part of the process (cleaning and reusing plates), gets way more difficult. I find that the G Collodion with no added ether is tender and susceptible to damage but it is also easy to clean when you screw up (which I do a lot of). When you add the albumen glass cover to a G Collodion plate it is much firmer. When I use a ether added collodion like QQC and albumen it is SUPER DUPER STICKY. that is great but the problem is cleaning the plate becomes more difficult.

Anyway, its all part of the learning process. I am trying to figure what will work best for the eventual 35x35 inch stuff. My guess is a ether added collodion, but will see, love the G stuff. Going to stick with G until I cannot.

 

The video is of a 8x10 plate with G Collodion with no Albumen coating on the glass.

 

8x10 Ambrotype Plate Clean 

Twitter Promo For “Analog Forever Magazine” Story

 Just found this old Twitter advert for THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP in Analog Forever Magazine.

Bought Me Some Dolls To Make Ambrotypes Of

Got a bag of dolls from Value Village, $40. Maybe can donate them to the children at the dump after I finish photographing them. They would b hard to carry all the way to Mae Sot but I think the kids would love them.

 

Here is a 20x24 set up but hope to do 8x10 Ambrotypes today. Will save the next large ULF pics for my next week off work. This is a good way to practise. I can do it on my own, take my time, no pressure from making people wait and their expectations. I can screw up, think why, learn, do it better next time. Great stuff!

 

Plus dolls are sort of creepy and fun to photograph.

 

 

20x24 Doll camera set up.