Its Feels Good to be Back Now!

 

My Meal with Kevin Eugene Smith

Tonight in Bangkok I had the privilege of sharing a meal with Kevin Eugene Smith. The son of the legendary LIFE Photographer W. Eugene Smith. Smith is an idol of mine who helped lead me into social documentary photography. His photograph "TOMOKO AND MOTHER IN HER BATH" I consider to be the greatest photograph ever made. It has inspired me, my entire life.

It was a fun evening and Kevin even paid for the meal, very generous and decent of him. Later I helped him a bit with some shopping. We will probably meet again at some point.

Kevin is a very interesting, exceptional and intelligent man in his own right and of course when he spoke of his dad and his dad’s work, I just ate that all up with eager ears. Every now and again a name like Johnny Depp (starred as W. Eugene Smith in the recent film Minamata), Nick Ut (famous photographer) and James Nachtwey (famous photographer) was dropped into the conversation to spice things up. 

A truly fun and memorable evening.

Reading Thai is Important!!

Sign at a Thai Motorcycle Taxi shop, near the apartment. 10 baht = 42 cents CAD. I can read the sign a bit. To go to Bering Skytrain station it costs 15 baht. To go to Bang Na station it is 20 baht.

Melting In Bangkok!!

Might have to turn on the apartment rooms air conditioning. Trying to be more Thai and do without air to save money but the sweat is just streaming off me and dripping on the floor. Sorta like living in a steam room here. 

Will try to tough it out, figjt through it. One of the benefits of open windows is I can hear all the local birds chirping away, it is rather wonderful. There is even  a nearby rooster who introduced himself with 10 minutes of crowing!

From MELTING IN BANGKOK!! 

My Cameras in Thai this Trip

My cameras in Thai. Will start shooting tomorrow. Canon 5D Mark 4 with 11-24mm zoom. 2 Hasselblad X1Ds with 45mm and 21 mm lens.

Rooster Outside my Windows!!

 

My New Apartment in Bangkok

  My apartment in Bangkok, 9500 baht ($395 CAD) plus water and power. I will give no A/C a try to save on the power bill. Probably will need to start it up but I thought I would try. I like to be as Thai as I can manage.

Have pretty much everything here. The room includes free tv and wifi. I will need to buy a towel, shampoo etc.

Staying here 1 month. After the month is I will probably travel to Mae Sot to keep my donation promises there. 

The plan of course to also make pictures at the dump in Mae Sot and under the freeway in Khlong Toei slum here in Bangkok. My two Thai photo series are THE FAMILES OF THE DUMP and THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY. Will start that tomorrow.

A Strange Dream

 

First Thai Meal in 3 Years

Must be doing ok with the Thai language. Even the Thais who speak English continue to speak to me in Thai when we talk. 

Ordered my first Thai meal, papaya salad, pork with garlic, rice and a sprite. The cost was $320 baht ($13.26 CAD). . It was yum yum delicious!!! Spicy but GOOD spicy. It has been 3 years since i ate Thai food.

Enough of this 7/11 ham sandwich stuff, lots of Thai food ahead!! 

Tomorrow am having a much nicer Thai meal with my FaceBook friend Kevin Eugene Smith!

A Bit About Khlong Toei

This is where THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY photo series is made, Bangkok’s . Khlong Toei Slum. The people are wonderful!!!

Sweat Sweat Go Away!

 

Quick Look Under the Freeway!

Took a took a quick look under the freeway today in Khlong Toei slum. I spoke to Khun Dao, he cut his hair and I went to Khun Bia’s  home but he was not there. The shack I photographed Jack in has been knocked down.

Not Hot, Only 35c

 

Got an Apartment!!

Got an apartment today for 9500 baht a month plus water and power. The total should be around $660 CAD. It is a bit outa the way, in a 99% Thai area of Bangkok but I should be able to manage. They had 2 rooms left. I chose the one with the nicer view. Will stay a month then figure out what’s next. The trip is 3 months 5 days long.

Language So Important!!’

 

In Bangkok!!!

 

Framed?

People find interesting ways to make money. For $712 USD. I can get the B&W magazine article and prints, made into a fancy dancy wall frame.

I will pass. I would rather donate that money or an equal amount in goods, to the families at the dump or the people under the freeway.

Booked Amy Bangkok Hotel

 

Time for Some Real Life!!

 

Gone in an Instant!

Just learned that "Bruce McCurdy" the wonderful, fun and very knowledgeable host of the Cult of hockey has passed. After yesterdays Oiler game he was suddenly gone. So shocking and sad. Rest in peace Bruce and condolences to all who loved you, I will miss listening to you. Your podcast got me through many a lonely security nightshift.

Make the most of the time you have folks, it can all be gone in an instant. Now the retirement and trip to Thai seems more right than ever. Chase your dreams as long as you can people.

 

Bruce McCurdy on the "Cult of Hockey" podcast. 

Lots of Preparation!!

 

Pictures for the Woo Family

Mr Woo passed away several years back. I will give his wife and children his pictures if they are still at the dump when I return soon. From THE FAMILIES IF THE DUMP, Mae Sot, Thailand. He was a kind and sensitive soul.

Mr. Woo through the years.

Quote: Walt Whitman

 

This Years AFA Art Buy Ambrotypes

Here are this years submissions to the Alberta Foundation for the Arts buy.

14x14 Inch Clear Glass Ambrotype, Tree Abstract, Elk Island National Park, Alberta, 2024

14x14 Inch Clear Glass Ambrotype, Keyera Alberta Envirofuels Petrochemical Plant, Edmonton, Alberta,  August 2024

11x14 Inch Clear Glass Ambrotype #2, Keyera Alberta Envirofuels, Edmonton, Alberta, 2024

14x14 Inch Clear Glass Ambrotype, Calgary Cityscape, Calgary, Alberta 2024

11x14 Inch Clear Glass Ambrotype, Boilers Keyera Alberta Envirofuels Petrochemiical Plant, Edmonton,  Alberta, 2024