Library Show, Digital Photo Paper Buy

I do not have the money for this right now but made a promise to produce work for the Library show and I will follow up on that promise.

Today bought me:

- 50 sheets of MOAB ENTRADA NATURAL RAG 300, 17x25 inches.
- 125 sheets of MOAB ENTRADA NATURAL RAG 300, 5x7 (for tests and a book layout)
- 25 sheets of MOAB ENTRADA NATURAL BRIGHT RAG 300 (want to test the bright version)

Total cost including shipping and taxes was $352.91 USD.

This is a nice stick paper that I quite like. Will print the entire show with it.

Moab Entrada Natural Rag 300

Library Director Will Make Print Selection Call

I need to make 10-12 prints for the exhibition and promised the Libary director I would give her 20-25 prints to choose from. I want her to make the final selection because of the amount of children who use the library. She will take any heat-comments the photos cause so it is important to me that she make the final exhibition selection  that seems only fair. My main concern is that the "Families of he Dump" story is told, as to which images are selected, that does not matter too much to me. Their faces seen, there stories being told is all that I care about, nothing else maters.

Quote: Mahatma Gandhi

"Non-Violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon devised by the ingenuity of man."

Proving An Old Photo Club Friend, WRONG!

I think back today to a argument I had years ago with am amateur photo club member who was then a friend of sorts. He was an educated man, a professional but did not truly believe in the power and importance of photography. He would make excuses all the time of why NOT to make photograph, he would downgrade their importance etc. My point in the argument was that photography had the power to cause change, that it could impact peoples lives in a very positive way. He did not value photography in that way. He told me things like "Your photos will never have any value!!!, Never change anything!!" . I always wanted to prove him wrong, his pessimism and negativity put a burr under my saddle. With all the recent donation work and all the help taking place as a direct result of the photographs made, I feel some redemption. He was wrong I was right! :) Photos can make a positive difference, they can have a positive impact in peoples lives. 

PHOTOGRAPHY HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE LIVES,  PHOTOGRAPHY DOES MATTER!

$34 In Donations For "Families of the Dump"

Today received 2 small donations for "Families of the Dump". A total of $34 was donated to help them. Every little bit helps, so $34 is a great number to me, it will make life a tiny bit easier for people working the garbage. Thank you Albert and Edwin (both new Facebook friends).

These donations are directly connected to yesterday's publishing of the Asia Photo Review story. Thanks Hon for that!!!!


AsiaPhotoReview "Families of the Dump"

Quote: Marcus Aurelious (Roman Emperor 161-180 AD)

“Death smiles at us all; all we can do is smile back.”

"Families of the Dump" Featured On Asia Photo Review

Thank you 'Asia Photo Review', for your wonderful feature of the "Families of the Dump". Here is the linked story.

https://asiaphotoreview.com/interview-families-of-the-dum…/…

There is an interview on the site as well. Please give the photos a look and read the story. I hope the article and photographs help to raise awareness into the lives of the families, and tells their story to a larger world audience. Thank you so so much 'Asia Photo Review" and Mr. Hon Hoang for allowing the families story to be part of your wonderful photography website.

Note* There is also a donation link in the article.

WOO- WEE-KAI 6 Years In The Garbage

I have been photographing this girls family since late 2013 when they first game to the dump (my second set of trips to Mae Sot). Woo-Wee-Kai has always watched me carefully. In the 2013 photo she was a new arrival. I made the second 5x7 camera image of the entire family in 2016. In the 2019 version photograph she just came back to the dump from Burma the night before. Father and daughter slept overnight in the filthy shelter shown in the photograph, the place was filled with flies. I made a video at the same time, please see the link. In the video I speak my limited Burmese to the father, he tells me his daughters name.

Woo Wee Kai is such a wonderful little girl. I have never seen her complain or cry, she just queitly accepts the life fate has given her with strength and an inner and outer beauty. She also has a great curiousity and interest in the pictures when I make them, loving to be photographed and helping me to make her photo in the best way possible. In the 2016 5x7 view camera photo below she moved into her position and posed by her self, without me asking her to do anything, she is a natural. I worry about her future, what will happen to her in the next 10 years, what life will she have. Will she be able to go to school past 14 years of age? Will she marry?Will she have children of her own? Will she continue to live in the dump working the garbage? Go back to Burma?  Will I be photographing her children in a few years?

Please go to the linked video made this year before I took photo #4, see her sweet smile when I say her name. We need to make the world a better place, a place where little girls like Woo Wee Kai have a real home, a real chance at an education and a better life.

https://gerryyaum.blogspot.com/2019/06/video-woo-wee-kai-with-her-father-in.html

2013

2016

2019

2019

Another EAC Grant Rejection

Dear Gerry,

Thank you for your application to the Edmonton Arts Council's CIP Travel Grant at the June 1, 2019 deadline.  The peer assessment process is now complete and the Board of the Edmonton Arts Council (EAC) accepted the peer assessment committee's recommendations earlier this week.

I regret to advise you that the committee did not recommend you for a grant this round.  These decisions were made in a competitive context and unfortunately not all projects could be recommended.

......
......
......

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not sure what I got to do to get a grant, jumped through all their special extra hoops, but nothing worked.

- I took a workshop on grant writing from the EAC.
- sent in my original grant request for a critique by the EAC grant writing expert.
- changed my grant quest, following each of the points the expert suggested I change.


I did the dance the way they suggested, did what they wanted but in the end nothing mattered, it made 0% of a difference. Been rejected 7 or 8 times now, it is all very frustrating. Am struggling to get by, trying my best to do whats right. Boy I could have used that $750 the travel grant would have provided. Guess "Families of the Dump does not matter to the art experts here in Edmonton. Will try to get some OT at work.

I will stop applying for these things, all the no'a are just to depressing to deal with. Do not want to feel this way.

All My Grant Hopes And Rejections

My Bags Have Arrived From Asia

Hallelujah! The bags made it to my front door, dropped off sometime in the last 2 hours, 2 1/2 days after my return to Canada. The bags must have already been in a Edmonton somewhere during all the confusion of searching for them yesterday. Am relieved and happy. No time to open them up, am off to work for my third night shift!. My gear is safe, my gifts are safe, my exhibition artifacts from the dump have arrived (my clothes and underwear as well!).

The Samsonite bags last trip back to Canada, thanks dad

Update* I quickly opened the bags before I left, all the stuff seemed there during a fast inspection. The only down side is the cut off the lock on they smaller bag (who cares) but they broke the lock off my wonderful Samsonite bag. The bags must have been searched by someone, somewhere. The black Samsonite was a gift from my father many years ago. I used it on over 10 trips to Thailand. After hearing me speak about my first trip to Thailand in 1996, how poor my bags were (a cheapo multi set green cloth combo) dad bought me this bag. He worried about me taking future trips with such poor luggage so he took me out and we bought the Samsonite together. I had not asked to buy me a bag, he just saw his son needed one and went out and got him one. Dad did that type of thing for me my whole life, he was always there for me, always trying to help in anyway he could. The Samonsite was state of the art back then and cost $200 CAD, a lot of money in 1996. It carried all kinds of photo gear to Thailand over the years. It carried my heavy speedotron flash system for the "Thai Sex Worker" series, it carried a 4x5 Linhof camera (Klong Toey Slum and Mae Sot Dump photo), a 5x7 Linhof canera (Klong Toey and Mae Sot Dump again), a 8x10 Kodak Masterview camera (3 times to Thailand for the Sex Worker Series), a 8x10 Deardorff camera, and so much more. This looks like the bags last trip, another thing from dad gone. Will make a damage claim on the bag, might get some money back, not sure. I can use any funds to invest in another bag.

Update** Friday July 12. The wizards from Air Canada called today asking if I had gotten my 1 bag yet. Guess they did not know that I had received the bags two days ago (even thou I called and told them I had received the damaged bags on Wednesday night). They also thought I was only missing 1 bag not 2 (even thou I had told them 4 or 5 times I was missing 2 bags). You would think in the age of computers information would be better shared and service more efficient, guess not.

My Bags LOST FOREVER?

The bag adventure continues. Originally I was told on the plane from Taiwan and in Vancouver that my bags were NOT LOST but simply delayed. After filing paper work in Vancouver and a second time Edmonton with both China Airlines and Air Canada as well as filling info with customs in Vancouver, still no bags today. I called Air Canada's 1-888 number and got some fellow with an Indian accent, which I had a hard time understanding. We had to repeat things multiple times and in multiple ways, very slowly. I gave him the file number and all the same bag and flight information a third time. He told me the bags were NOT FOUND, which I interpreted as meaning being LOST. He told me later than NOT FOUND did not equal LOST. Initially he also told me that his information said I was missing only 1 bag, but I told him I was missing 2. It seems all the people, from all these different areas who DELAYED, LOST, and NOT FOUND my bags are not speaking to each other. Basically I got the run around in a polite way and am still waiting. Will have to call back again tomorrow. This is turning into a nightmare. My bags might be gone forever, lets hope not.

Note* Forgot to mention as a side benefit the guy on the call system said my first name was not on the file, even thou I had given that information 2 times. I had to spell it out for him slowly. Mass confusion on their end, people and computers not talking to each other. I just hope the bags were not stolen. The worst part of these trips is always the traveling part and all that entails, including LOST BAGS.

Update* The mass confusion continues. On my baggage missing form I got from the China Air ground person in Vancouver I saw that the agent had written down 2 different sets of bag numbers, one set starting out 028 and another starting out 026 (after he took my original bag tags from me) for my 2 MISPLACED, DELAYED, STOLEN, LOST bags. I forwarded this new info during a second call to Air Canada and a 2nd official disinterested sounding Indian accented fellow. He told me the 026 numbers were probably correct. Then I decided to try to contact China Air. There was no file number on my missing bag form so I called a phone number that was written on the form. When the phone was answered a very polite Chinese gentleman helped me. He told that the 028 were the correct numbers and also told me that my bags had been sent out yesterday to Air Canada and had left Taiwan. He gave me a file number and told me to forward it to Air Canada. I called the Air Canada 1-888 number for the 3rd time tonight and talked to a 3rd official disinterested sounding accented Indian man. I gave him the new information and also the file number. He seemed not to care, hope he wrote the number down. He then asked me to reconfirm all my missing bag information (for the 4th time? 5th time? lost count now). Then he told that the bags were still NOT FOUND and to contact them tomorrow, they would contact China airlines again.

Update** The Air Canada folks changed bag ID numbers to the 028 numbers on their online search luggage page after I sent in a written message to them, it seems their call center people did not forward that information to them. My first name was also misspelled on the online search luggage page I found. Not sure who misspelled it, or how important that is. I sent a second written message to Air Canada to make that correction.

There now seems to be some information on the bags. They are listed as leaving Taipei, Taiwan for Vancouver, Canada yesterday. After that? Not sure what happened to them. At present Air Canada does not seem to know as well. Gosh this is turning into a lot of work.

Ain't air travel fun!! Boy do I hate the paperwork of life. Just let me make photos, that is more fun.

Photo Idea: Moms Fight With Dementia

Been thinking of the best way to shoot my new used (when it arrives) Hasselblad XD1. The idea of doing a series of close up portraits of mom came to mind as she fights her dementia in the coming years. I would do a series of portraits detailing who mom is now and who she becomes later. This would be an extremely sad series for me to shoot, but it might be a good tribute to mom, a show of her individuality of spirit and how that is will eventually be lost. Could it lead to raising awareness on this terrible disease? Raising more funds for medical research? maybe!

I will start making portraits of mom as soon as the camera arrives, hopefully the end of next week. Will see where this leads. I wish I would have had the camera when dad was still with us, 4 years plus too late.

How many current photo series do I have in mind and am working on? 6? 8? 10?, LOTS!!

Quote: Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace (The Sun And Her Flowers)

"wish pure love and soft peace
upon the ones
who have been unkind to you
and keep moving forward

-this will free you both"

Photo Idea: Major New Photo Projetc Using ULTRA LARGE VIEW CAMERA In Thailand

Been thinking of a doing a major new photo project in Thailand. The current thinking is to call it "The Rhythm of Thai" (in Thai - I have the Thai word for that in my iPad, will post it later.  The photos would detail old Thailand and new Thailand. I would use new and old camera tech on the project as well. A Chaminox 16x20 camera (mostly for landscapes)and 16x20 film as well as a Hasselblad H1D 50 megapixel camera (mostly for portraits).

Lots more thoughts on his possible project. This would give 5 major photo projects in Thailand.

- "FAMILIES OF THE DUMP"
- "THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY"
- "SUKHUMVIT AT NIGHT". Sukhumvit road at night
-  "MA JON JUD" On street dogs in Thailand.

Link to my HYPER. first impressions on my 16x20 Chamonix...bought several years back when I had money, but still not used.

Chamonix 16x20 Box Opening


Here is the info thoughts I wrote up a while back when in Thai on the Large Camera project.
Dragging this huge machine around Thailand might be a bit overwhelming. Will see how it pans out.

16x20 Large Camera Photography Project Inside Thailand

-              To photograph unique landscape (only?) aspects of Thailand using the 16x20 Chamonix Camera.

-              To use dad’s 8x10 Deardorff to make portraits for the project?

-              Color 8x10 work?

-              Goal for 2020, travel the country in a car photograph various landscape subjects in the country. Using outstanding composition and lighting. Make photographs that can stand on their own.

-              Travel Thailand for 4 weeks making photos after Mae Sot dump work?

-              Only vertical photos? Or only horizontal? Or a mix?

Name?

-              Thai Yai (Big Thailand)

-              Thai Soo-Wai (Beautiful Thailand)

-              Siam-Thai

-              Pretit Thai (Thai Country)

-              Changing-evolving-adapting-turning Thailand (the Thai language word?). “Changing Thailand”

-               

Possible Subjects?

-              Buddha statues being built, and finished statues.

-              Phi Phi islands of the South (Man with the Golden Gun).

-              Unfinished ghost tower in Bangkok.

-              Abandoned airplane area Bangkok.

-              Hill Tribe Area Houses.

-              The Ocean.

-              Ayyuthaya.

-              Crazy Bangkok Traffic.

-              Klong Toey Slum.

-              Nana Plaza Go Go Bars shot form Nana Hotel? Or Soi Cowboy from above?

Gear

-              16x20 Chamonix

-              1 or possibly 2 lens

-              Large Leica Tripod

-               Strongest head (China made)

-              16x20 film changing bag (buy)

-              Filters?

-              Film type? AGFA? Or HP5? Or Tri-x?. Price out films, test films.

-              Spot Meter x 2

-              Reducing back to 11x14?

-              Brass lens for the 11x14 reducing back (buy?)

-              3 16x20 holders, at least 2.

-              Extra boxes and bags for exposed film.

-              Large Pelican type case to protect camera plus a 2^nd and maybe a 3^rd for film holders, lens, spot meters etc Tripod in a bag? My existing bag? (buy boxes-bags). Protecting gear very important, this might be a multi year project.

TEST EVERYTHING IN CANADA FIRST, AND BE FULLY COMPETENT WITH THIS NEW FORMAT SIZE AND GEAR BEFORE USING.

Maybe Bought Me A Hasselblad X1D

Starting to fall in love with digital photography. Saw some truly amazing work recently on Facebook, the photographer was using a Hasselbad H1D camera. I found one on ebay with superficial cosmetic damage (burn form an incense stick and bent battery from a drop.  The camera is in great working order with only 463 pics made. I can not afford a mint version of this camera but thought I would make a wild bid out of the blue. Found out on arriving in Canada that I had one the auction. The seller thou does not want to ship to Canada, will try to convince him to send it to me. The cost was very high for this auction win $4700 USD plus shipping and possible taxes. Wow..that is a lot of doe. I do not have those funds in my banks after my Thai trip so will have to work off the camera in the next months of security work.

Still it shoots beautiful world class images. Not sure if this a mistake or a win. Will take the camera with me next trip to Thai, if I can pay for it and if the seller will send it to Canada! The auction includes a 45mm F3.5 lens.

Update* Got the camera, just paid for it by credit card. I do not have enough money in the bank and no paychecks coming soon to pay it off, but will figure out something. The digital Blads cost was $4700 USD plus $49 for shipping. Am really pumped about using this camera over the next year, and into Asia next trip. Hope to make very large portraits with it. Have read online the cost new with 45mm lens originally (2017?) ran from $12000 to $1700 USD. It sells currently on B&H with lens USED for $6349.95 USD and NEW body only for $5750. I think the price I got for my cosmetically damaged used version is OK.

Maybe my new Blad

Here is the sellers advert info on the camera....

Hasselblad X1D-50c Medium Format Mirrorless Digital Camera with 45 mm lens.

It has a burn mark on the top of camera next to hot shoe from a incense stick falling on it. It is only cosmetic damage and the reason it being listed for cheaper than other sellers. Also one of the two batteries included was dropped and dinged as seen in the photos, but works the same. Otherwise a great and functional camera.

Whats included is the camera body, lens, strap, lens hood, lens cap, 2 batteries, and charger. Body cap and lens back cap are lost and not included as are the original packaging and instructions. 463 photos taken on this camera. Property sticker void residue will be removed before being shipped. Its just what was left behind when i removed my property stickers. 

My Ego Is Exploding, Now A Saint!

from facebook, comment on the lost luggage blog...

Andrew S wrote....

Sorry to hear of your troubles and discomfort Gerry, I hated flying and refuse to do it now. You did a lot of very good work out there, I'm sure they think of you as a saint. I hope your other stuff follows on without a hitch.

Gerry Yaum thank you Andrew...SAINT GERRY..nice ring to it :)......the flying there and back is always the worst part of the trip for me...love being in country..love being home..but flying..SUCKS! There telling me 2 days...hope it comes...worried as I have some camera gear int he bags, could not carry it all in the carry on luggage, too much stuff.

I Am Home, Bags In Taiwan!

A very painful flight home. 2 bags left in Taiwan, they missed the airplane transfer. After 2 delays, one while landing in Taiwan, one while going to the gate. Some one forgot to put my carry on bags onto the next plane.

I was squished in window seat, no walking or toilet for over 10 hours on the Taiwan to Vancouver flight. Extremely painful security re-checks in Vancouver before the Edmonton flight , took about 1 hour to get through. Lots of searching,swabbing, X-rays, real back log. Multiple old ladies getting their cosmetics searched. An old Chinese man in front of me had to open his bag of dirty laundry for a search, he was embarrassed.

Am rather exhausted, am on the last plane from Vancouver to Edmonton now delayed one hour plus There is a screaming baby in this plane, 10 rows or so back.. Oh the joys, the supreme happiness of international air travel?

Will be working a 12 hour night shift tonight! Got to eat me some pyrogies and koubasa when I get home. Too, too, too much rice this trip.
It is good to be home!

On the last plane, Vancouver to Edmonton (without my 2 check in bags)

Last Day "The People Who Live Under The Freeway"

Did a last day making pictures of "The People Who Live Under The Freeway" series. It was a good day. I was only  able to spend about 1 hour 30 minutes but photographed 5 different people in that time span, including 2 new men who were working as scavengers.

The best part of the day was that I was able to say goodbye to everyone and to tell them I would return next year. Lots of friendships and sad faces today. I have some new photos and videos I will post later as time allows. Need to spend much more time on this series next year. I feel very comfortable in the under the freeway world, so many connections now.

Was able to give Khun Bia who lives in an old shack under the freeway 300 baht. Every time it rains he gets partly wet in his shack. Last night there was a hard rain, today when I went in his shack he had buckets set up everywhere with dripping water. Bia's bed also got partly wet as did his clothing. We talked for a bit about multiple subjects. When I gave him the 300 he searched for something to give me back, he gave me a small digital camera he had. I will put it in darkroom #2 as a remembrance of him.

Will miss all my friends under the freeway. Next year will return to photograph them some more and continue to tell their stories. Hopefully I can get a show of their photographs and raise some money to help them all.

Earlier photo of. Khun Bia

Dog Shelter Vaccine Day

Today was vaccine day at the shelter. It was a major effort getting everything coordinated and to the shelter. My plan was to get everything there around 2pm but ended up getting it done at around 6pm. It was a all day work affair to make it there for 6pm.

The available light was falling fast when I arrived so making the portraits of the dogs with the Rollieflex film camera was difficult. Did my best, will see how it all turns out when I get back to Canada and my darkrooms. I also shot the digital a bit today, which was fast and easy but not sure how good those photos are either. Wanted to do some good work to so I could promote and raise money for the shelter, but am unsure if I did that today. Might have to come back next year and spend several full days at the shelter just doing doggy portraits.

Khun Chai (the husband) and Khun Jew (the wife) who run the shelter were very happy with the donations of 73 vaccine sets, needles, syringes, alcohol and 3 large bags of dog food . Thank you C, L and S for your donations.

I made pictures of all the donated stuff and also did up some videos. A couple videos are of the injections vaccine. Khune Jew and Chai did only 2 injections today because it was late in the day. Those injections were done to show all of you how the vaccines would be used. The rest of the injections will take place tomorrow, it will be an all day thing. The way it all works is that there are 2 capsules that were injected into each dog, one for 5 common diseases and separate injection for rabies. I was told than in the past the rabies vaccine was done as part of the 5 common disease bottle (all mixed together) but for some reason the rabies vaccine did not work as well in that mixture so now it is done separately. All 100 dogs at the shelter will get 2 shots, one for the 5 common diseases and 1 for rabies.

I also made a video of my arrival at the shelter, complete chaos and the continuous barking of the 40 or so dogs in the main area, plus barking from other dog areas nearby. There are a total of 100 dogs in the shelter, about 40 in a large open area the others are kept in a second large caged area of the shelter, some dogs are in individual cages for various reasons, their own protection, if they are overally aggressive, illness, recovering form abuse etc.

Each dog has its own particular story., its own former life. I have a few cute dog stories, a few sad dog stories I will be sharing in the next few days as well.

It was a good day, a day to think back on later and smile. So much more important to do a day like today, versus laying on my fat ass on a beach somewhere. A good day.

Here are some photos of the shelter and the donations. Thank you so much again to all who helped, you are the heroes.

Khun Chai, and Khun Jew n their dog shelter with donations.

Photo Idea: "Ma Jon Jud", 'A Dog By Itself, Alone'

With all the dog stuff I have been doing of late here in Thai (donations to a dog shelter - with donators help - and feeding dozens of stray dogs here in Cha-am Thailand. I have decided to start work on a new series of photographs. I will call it  "Ma Jon Jud", which is Thai for 'A dog by itself, with no one to take care of it' (a loose translation).

Here are the first street dog photos, made tonight when I went to feed 11 strays on beach road. The first one one had an eye infection of some kind and was rather aggressive to the female dog I mentioned a few days ago, biting and her and barking loudly. The second dog was a small dog by itself who was walking the street near a 7/11 looking for food. He had a rumpled up type skin, a quite beautiful little animal. Not a dog guy at all, been a cat person all my life but I am starting to love these little guys.

Will post more photos in the coming days, if I have an Internet connection. Do not have any time to continue this series, will have to start it again next year when I return to "The Land Of Smiles".

Wish I had started this series earlier but is just occurred to me 15 minutes ago after seeing some of tonight's photo made up close with the 16mm on the Canon 5D M3, shot at 10000 ASA in very very low light. There is a sad lost innocence and vulnerability to these stray street dogs that I had not seen or felt deeply before (I have been coming to Thailand since 1996). I guess that was part of the cat guy thing. Sometimes you do not see what is right in front of your face.

Note* The real benefit of making these social documentary photos might be that they raise awareness and help the dogs. Donations could lead to food, assistance at shelters, provide spaying and neutering etc. Who knows where this could lead. Maybe this series of photographs will  make some dogs lives a bit better. Will see how it goes, you never know how these things will pan out. Later today 100 dogs will get vaccines, so that is a good start!

Dog 1, "Ma Kang Tanon", Cha-am Thailand 2019

Dog 2,  "Ma Kang Tanon", Cha-am Thailand 2019

Dog Vaccine Ready!!

The 100 dog vaccines are ready (see photos). Will pick it up tomorrow (Friday) morning and then take it to the shelter for the 100 dogs in the afternoon. Will try to get some photos and videos of the, delivery, time with the dogs and inoculations etc, if I can. I am leaving Bangkok soon so am rushing to get this all done before I leave.

Note* Am also buying needles, syringes (not sure what they are called in English) and some alcohol. I expect the this extra to cost less than 500 baht, all this stuff is disposable one use. It is important that no infections are created when the vaccines are administered to the dogs.

100 dog vaccines, needles and alcohol ready for pick up tomorrow. Will pick it up tomorrow morning and then deliver it to the dog shelter in the afternoon.

Shipping case for vaccines

Extra Duties Almost Completed

Have been doing a few extra duties the last few days. I got my hair cut and dyed (now a dirty blond for the first time in my life) for $14 last night. This afternoon went to get my teeth cleaned for 800 baht ($34 CAD). Hair cutting and teeth cleaning is way cheaper here in Thai, so like to do that stuff in Thailand if possible. I would like to also get some more photographer name (business) cards printed if I can find the time.

Dirty blond boy.

Counted like 8 nurses in the small clinic I visited, the dentist (who cleaned my teeth) spoke fluent English.

Piam Suk Dog House Shelfter Info

I plan on trying to raise more money for the dog shelter on my return to Canada. I also have received direct information for people interested in helping. For those interested in donating money you can contact the clinic directly or if your worried about sending money directly, send the donation to me and I can give it to the shelter in the form of goods (dog food, vaccines etc.), when I return to Thailand in 2020.. I leave Thailand in a few days so am running out of time this year. Here is their direct contact info, with a bit of a back story written in so do English. Thanks!

Numtan is a quiet, friendly dog who likes to lick faces, desperate for attention with sad eyes. Lion is the tough looking, strong, independent alpha male leader of the shelter. He is the boss, and barked at me suspiciously but with some interest, especially when I called him by name (my accent when saying Lion must be different).

Piam Suk Dog House

Stray Dog

Been feeding stray dogs here every night on beach road here in Cha-am Thailand. Last night fed around 25 strays,  tonight another 10 or so.

This young white male was more curious than frightened by me. He was begging for food as all strays do here.

White male stray near the beach begging for food.

Nice Message From Dog Owner

Hi got a nice message today in regards to the work being done at the dog shelter. When people have a direct connection with an issue ( the love and caring for dogs for example) then they simply are more involved, more connected because  of a personal link.

When it comes to my future social documentary photography, I need to make  emotionally stronger pictures that have a deeper connection to the viewers personal lives. Only then can I make them care at a deeper level, which will lead to more help for those in need. I have to find that personal connection between my subject and the viewers heart.

Here is my Facebook conversation with the person I mentioned earlier and my response.

Black stray dog, beach road Cha-am, Thailand

Dog Vaccine Update

from Facebook....

DOG VACCINE UPDATE

Am trying to arrange the purchase of vaccines (to protect the dogs from 6 common diseases) for the dogs. The whole sale medication company in Bangkok requires 3 days notice, to prepare the vaccines. If we buy 73 units the price is 150 baht (they will not budge from that price), if we buy 100 units the prices drops dramatically to 130 baht.

I also wanted to buy some food for the dogs on my budget of $403 CAD. $150 CAD donated by C and $253. CAD donated by L. I could not figure out how to get this all done on my budget. I guess I donated too much to the Karian people yesterday. But had to help them, could not let that pass, it would have been wrong not to help.

With some effort we figured a way it will all work out still. Here is how we are going to do it (long story).

I spoke to the dog shelter about how to do things and found out they still have not spent their donated money for the 27 vaccines. They had not bought the 27 vaccine yet, they still had the cash waiting to be spent. The shelter was delaying until they could buy 100 doses at a time at the reduced rate (hoping for more donation money).

So we figured a way to do it all.

I will buy 100 doses of dog vaccine at 130 baht a dose. That works out to about $565 CAD (am short about $162 CAD). I will then take the vaccines to the shelter packed in ice. The shelter will use their 27 donated vaccine money to buy rice for the dogs. They should be able to buy about 4-5 sacks of rice (the shelter has a deal to buy rice cheap at a local factory). The shelter will then give me the rice (as part of our donation), I will give them the 27 vaccines. The shelter folks need to make a picture for the original (27) vaccine donators. They promised to buy vaccines with that donated money not rice/food for the dogs. The picture should satisfy those donators that their money was used correctly.

So by doing it this way we will get he 100 vaccines at a cheaper rate, and food for the dogs. Both sides of donators will be respected, their money was used correctly and as promised. Everyone is happy, including the dogs :).

In the end our side will be donating 4-5 sacks of rice to the dogs along with 73 vaccines (the other donator here in Thai is paying for their 27 equalling 100 total does). The total cost on our end will be $565 CAD (depending on the daily fluctuating exchange rates). I will make up the difference of $162 using my security guard money savings. The donated money for "Families of the Dump" will remain independent and protected for next years trip. I will not use any of that money.

Once again. In the end the 100 dogs will get 100 doses of vaccine and 4-5 bags of rice that will be mixed later with dog food.

Does that make sense? Think it does. Sometimes this donation thing is complicated. It all makes my head spin a bit!!

I am ordering the vaccine today, it will take 3 days to prepare, will post pics and videos of the delivery later on. The medical wholesale company wants 100% of the money up front before they will make the vaccines, I will try to pay only 50% or 70% up front. They seem like a very reputable place with government contracts etc

I have less than a week before I return to Canada, need to get this all completed before I depart. When I am back in Canada it will be good to know the dogs are happy and protected.

Photographing In Karian Village

Photograph from today taken by Khun Ghosin. Using the Rollie twin reflex with close up filters to photograph a young Karian girl.

Making A Portrait

Karian People Donations

The donations went well today with the Karian people I visited. It is always rewarding to help good people in need. The set up was more coordinated and repeatable than in the dump (they dressed up in traditional clothes and sang some songs for us etc.) but it was still all for a good and important cause. Donated all the food and other supplies pictured yesterday.

Also donated 2000 baht to the man who helped me and is helping the various groups in the area, Khun Ghosin. Mr. Ghosin works with hundreds of people in need in 10 different groups. He provides food and builds homes, washrooms. My plan is to work with him again next year. We might do some overnight camping at a more distant group location. Where the photography and donation work will continue.

Note* The donation today was with funds from a coworker who told that I could use her $300 CAD anyway I saw fit. 1500 baht went to the dog shelter, $50 CAD to "The People Who Lived Under The Freeway" All the rest went to the Karian people today and to Khun Ghosin to help people in need in the area.

Today's donation at. a small Karian village in Thailand