New Submissions Coming

from Facebook...

Doing up submissions. About time to have another exhibition. Trying for mid level galleries in Regina, Ottawa, Grande Prairie, Dawson City, Winnipeg and Nanaimo. All paying galleries. All have paid art talks (I think). Hopefully something will come of it. Money earned goes back to the people in the photos. The perfect circle of artistic life, photograph people in need, tell their stories-show the photos, raise money, use the money to help those same people in the photographs.
Also meeting a nice fellow (a former pro photojournalist) who works at one of the galleries tomorrow for breakfast. He wants to talk photos and see some photography so put some on my laptop for him, also going to show him some small digi prints. Here is a sample....

Young Child, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand, 2018. Young boy in the dump with an older sister watching over her. It is very common to see one young child looking after another in the garbage.

Young sister taking care of brother, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot, Thailand, 2018. This is another version of the earlier photo of the two.

Group working the garbage, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand, 2018. A group of women talking as they work the garbage. The common language amongst all the ethnic groups at the dump is Burmese. Some folks also speak a bit of Thai. The young girl in the pink hat, had a conversation in Thai with me about boots, you can see it below. She is such a intelligent young lady. The children at the dump COULD DO ANYTHING!! They just need the opportunities and chance to succeed. http://gerryyaum.blogspot.com/2017/10/video-test-video-girl-asking-for-boots.htmltag

From the 2007, 2009, 2012 Sex Worker On White photos. The pics were shot in studio with a 8x10 camera. https://slate.com/culture/2014/01/gerry-yaum-photographs-sex-workers-in-pattaya-thailand-in-his-exhibition-body-sellers-the-sex-workers-of-thailand-at-photonola.html

Win family boy with toy panda puppet, "Families of the Dump", Mae Sot Thailand, 2015. This photo comes with a story. I was photographing 100 feet away when I saw the boy find the puppet and start to play with it. Because of my keen photo instincts and blazing, amazing, stunning talent, I sensed a photo opportunity!!! Can't miss this one!! Run Gerry Run!! So I quickly jumped into action racing across the field of garbage. About 5 steps in, I STEPPED ON A NAIL!!. I felt a sharp pain and looked down to see a 2x4 board stuck to my rubber boot. Kicking off the board I went to get the shot. At that point why not, the nail damage was done, I must get the photo!! Now especially! So I went in got the shot and then retreated to check out my foot. I took off my boot and sock to see blood on my right little toe. The nail had luckily missed the main part of my foot and had just grazed the side near the toe. I washed the blood off with my precious supply of drinking water and then photographed the rest of the day. At night when the light was gone I went to the hospital and got a shot. http://gerryyaum.blogspot.com/2015/11/hospital-time.html

Kodoku #1, Kyoto Japan, 2017. Part of the "Solitude" series made in Japan. There almost always seems to be such a hard working, exhausted, solemnity to the Japanese people I meet in Japan.

Burmese man, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot, 2013. This man did not trust me at first, later we became friends of a sort.

Two boys and a man, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand 2013. I photographed the father in the photo for 5 years, he was back in Burma last trip as his wife had gotten sick. A nice man. The boy in front of him is his son.

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Book sample page...top photo from families of the dump, bottom from the Klong Toey slum series (Bangkok).

Boy eating oranges found in the garbage, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot, Thailand, 2018. This is the young Win boy who I have photographed for years eating oranges he found in the garbage. Here is a photo from 2015 of the same boy, he had just found a Panda Puppet. I accidentally stepped on a nail before making this picture. https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vum-smMYvOU/VnF4BsHR-2I/AAAAAAAAVrg/EKeECrjDx5Q/s1600/103071a_edited-2.jpg

Ying laughing, The People Who Live Under The Freeway, Bangkok, Thailand, 2013

Kodoku #2, Tokyo Japan, 2017.

"My Fathers Last Day" print in the darkroom.

Dad, "My Fathers Last Days". Edmonton, Canada, 2014. A photo series I did on my father the last year of his life. He passed away from Pancreatic Cancer on February 22, 2015. Miss you dad.

From the 2007, 2009, 2012 Sex Worker On White photos. The pics were shot in studio with a 8x10 camera. https://slate.com/culture/2014/01/gerry-yaum-photographs-sex-workers-in-pattaya-thailand-in-his-exhibition-body-sellers-the-sex-workers-of-thailand-at-photonola.html

First Photo With New 11-24mm F4 Canon Lens

Just playing around with the new lens tonight at work. Did up a self portrait. This is shot at 10000. 1/400 at F7.1 Did some sharpening for fun (original image sharp) which lead to the more noise/grain look.

The chances to make some top notch photos with this new lens seem good. Am eager to see what the 11mm focal length will yield. Here's hoping it becomes the #1 lens in my digital shooting inventory.

Self Portrait Sept 7, 2019

Art Gallery Of Grand Prairie Submission, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY

Here is the second submission to the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie.

THE PEOPLE UNDER THE FREEWAY, deals with the lives of homeless or near homeless people who live under a freeway in Bangkok's Thailand notorious Klong Toey Slum.  All photos were made in early 2019.

Here is the face book write up:

Here is THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY submission photos to the same very nice mid level Alberta based art gallery. Sending 10 or 11 of them in tomorrow, along with a artist statement write up and CIV. This series of photographs was made this last trip to Bangkok Thailand in May-June 2019. The freeway is located in Bangkok's notorious Klong Toey Slum.

My hope is to raise some money through the exhibition, through artists talks, through people seeing the photos that I can use to help the people under the freeway.

Anapon in his slum home under the freeway, The People Who Live Under The Freeway, Klong Toey Slum Bangkok 2019. 

Khun (Mr) Anapon. I have known Anapon since 2012. He is the first person I photographed UNDER THE FREEWAY.. Khun Anapon is a kind soft spoken man, he can hardly walk as one of his feet is badly broken and miss shaped. He lives in a small wooden room under the freeway next to some railway tracks and cooks his food on an open fire in front of it. Anapon is an ex Muay Thai boxer who has traveled internationally to box. He told me once in Thai., "POOYING YEEPOON SAUWAI MAK!" (Japanese women are very beautiful!). 

Bia 55, in his small home with king photos,'The People Who Live Under The Freeway', Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thiland 2019

Khune Bla is a very nice man who drives an old truck for a living. His home is made from scrap would and has a cardboard style roof that leaks in the rain. When I gave him some money for the roof he dug around and insisted on giving me a small digital camera he had found in return. He is a huge supporter of the royal family and his pictures of the current king and past kings everywhere.

Bia 55, in his small home with king photos,'The People Who Live Under The Freeway', Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thiland 2019

Another photograph of Khun Bla in his home.

Chompoo 62, 'The People Whol Live Under The Freeway, Bangkok, Thailand 2019

Chompoo sleeping under the freeway. The train tracks are sometimes active.

Khun Dom is a friendly but rather erratic man. He likes to put on a show for the camera a times but then settles and and is friendlier and softer. He has drug use in his past.

Dui 35 under the freeway, in his home, 'The People Who Live Under The Freeway', Bangkok Thailand 2019

Khun Dui lives with Ying (see other photo) in this cloth room with mattress under the freeway. People park cars all around their home. They have lived in this space for 4 years. To make money Dui scavenges metals from electronics and repairs cell phones etc.

Jack 'The People Who Live Under The Freeway', Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019

Jack is a very quiet person, he would go through sharp mood changes often just staring into the distance and not speaking for hours. This photo was made after drug use in his home under the freeway next to a very busy road. He fell asleep as I photographed him.

Jack, The People Who Live Under The Freeway', Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2019

Jack smoking ICE in his dump shack home under the freeway.

Lavah, walking without shoes under the freeway, The People Who Live Under The Freeway', Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019

Khun Lavah was very drunk the day of this photograph, the only time we met. He was wondering the streets barefoot without a shirt.

Ooh 40+, cooking her supper, 'The People Who Live Under The Freeway', Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019

Khun Ooh, is a very sweet lady. She told me she used to have a farang husband (Western) but now does not. She works everyday collecting cans and bottles and has a dog she loves deeply. Others in the area have told me she suffers from mental health issues related to her past life.. She has always been extremely kind and friendly to me. I miss her and look forward to meeting her again soon. In the photo she is starting a fire so she can cook some rice for dinner.

Oye 72, 'The People Who LIve Under The Freeway', Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019

Khun Oye was a woman I met only once, she was very surprised to see a farang man (white Westerner) under the freeway.

Vee 40, Om 58, Champoo 62, digging through garbage bags,'The People Who Live Under The Freeway', Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019

Everyone is going through collected garbage and saving what is valuable.

Ying 37, 'laughing under the freeway, The People Who Live Under The Freeway', klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2019

Khun (Miss) Ying was always laughing, her boyfriend is Dui (see earlier pic). One day when I was photographing Ying I saw some things on a stand next to a road. I asked her if she was selling them to passing people. She told me no she was not, then she gave me a green glass statue,a Hindu style serpent / She insisted I take it. I now have that statue in my darkroom in Canada, it is a fond memory of Khun Ying.

Art Gallery Of Grand Prairie Submission, FAMILIES OF THE DUMP

Did up a submission to the Art Gallery of Grand Prairie, for both FAMILIES OF THE DUMP and THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY. Their submission deadline is next Thursday, so this is just under the wire.

I sent them 11 photos along with a artist statement and my CIV. Here are the photos and the Facebook story I wrote up.

Got some positive comments from a kindly photographer (now a friend, meeting him next week) at a nice mid level Alberta art gallery recently. After that bit of encouragement I am making up a FAMILIES OF THE DUMP and a THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, submission for them. Not sure we can get into this place but hope we can. If the work does get shown then the money from the show-artist talk will be donated back to the the subjects (either the families at the dump or the homeless people who live under the freeway). Here are a few pics, will add to this post as I edit and choose what we will submit to the gallery people.

Note* We equals, the subjects, the donators and myself, this is a team effort not a me effort.

Baby in dump shack home, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand, 2019. This child was playing and jumping all around me as I spoke to 5 or 6 of his family members.

oung girl on the edge of the dump, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand, 2016. Another 5x7 view camera shot from 2016. This little girl was following me around while I was making other pics.

Dump shacks and dogs, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand, 2016. Photo made with a 5x7 Linhof camera and Tri-x. You have not lived until you have hauled around heavy view camera gear in a garbage dump. Got the photo thou, so it all worked out in the end!

Mother working the garbage, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand, 2013. This photo was made during my first trips to the dump in 2013. This woman never spoke to me or looked me in the eye for the longest time, she seemed frightened by me. Then after a little hairpin adventure she changed and stared at me with a smile. Read the story here: http://gerryyaum.blogspot.com/2013/05/hairpins.html

Nui-ooh, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand, 2015. Nui-Ooh will stare at me like this for hours. Half interest, half terror. The older she gets thou the calmer she has become, This video is from 2018, I have photographed her since she was a baby, see the other photo on the link as well: https://gerryyaum.blogspot.com/2017/11/video.html

Sisters, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand, 2015. Rolleiflex picture. Later the older sister on the left shaved her hair because of lice.

Two brothers in their dump shack, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand, 2013.

Woo Wee Kai with her father in a dump shelter, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand, 2019 . This was aroumd 530am in the morning, they had just woken up in the dump, it had rained all night and the place was filled with files. Here is a video made a few seconds before this photo was made. https://gerryyaum.blogspot.com/2019/06/video-woo-wee-kai-with-her-father-in.html

Working the garbage, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand, 2013

Young Girl With Family, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand 2018. Digital night shot made at 10000 ASA.

Win family boy barefoot in the garbage, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand, 201

Here is one photo I sent later, not really part of the submission. It is a new photo that I found 2 days ago in my computer files, from 2018.

Family group in their dump home on top of the garbage, Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand, 2018. This entire group plus 3 or 4 more people slept in this dump shack structure directly on top of the garbage. The photo is lit mostly lit from my camera position . They were actually sitting in the dark. I held up 2 flashlight headlamps to light the scene with my left hand while shooting a tripod mounted camera with my right hand.

Got My 11-24mm F4 Canon Lens

From Facebook...

Got 11-24mm F4 Canon Lens today. Tried it out on my beat up Canon 5D Mark 3. It works great. Paid $1791 USD for it plus $50 USD for shipping and $43 CAD on taxes at the post office. A very expensive lens but a bit cheaper than everything else listed on eBay. Plan to use it in Bangkok's Klong Toey slum and in the dump with the families next year. Probably could use it on the Thai stray street dog project as well. 

Would love to be able to get a Mark 4 body as well but do not have the funds for that. The Mark 4 is even better in low light than the 3. This lens is fully functioning and without any damage to the glass or body. Got to love that! When you buy 2nd hand your always a bit worried, this buy looks to be a good one. 

Hope I can make some important photos with it. If I can do a few top notch images then this expensive lens buy was well worth it.

Canon 11-24mm F4 Lens

Quote: Eddie Money (Rock Singer)

After being diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

"But you know what? I'll take every day I can get. Every day above ground is a good day."

Quote: Svetozar Gligorić (Chess Grandmaster)

"For me it was not important who the opponent was sitting across from me, it was important I play correct and active chess."

Last Trips 16mm R Leica Lens Photographs

Some of the 16mm Leica R shots from the last Thai trip. I hope the new used 11-24mm lens will continue this ultra wide angle photography.

"The People Who Live Under The Freeway, Klong Toey Slum Bangkok, 2019"

"The People Who Live Under The Freeway, Klong Toey Slum Bangkok, 2019"

"Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand 2019"

"Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand 2019"

"Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand 2019"

"Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand 2019"

Bought Me A 11-24mm F4 USM Canon EOS Lens

Bought me a used 11-24mm Canon EOS F4 lens. After the success of shooting the 16mm Leica R lens last trip I decided to get the best Canon EOS dedicated lens I could for my digital Canon system. After some research  I read great things about this ultra wide zoom so I decided to get one to use in conjuction with my future used Canon 5D Mark4 body (I currently shoot with a very beat up Mark 3). I used the 16mm for probably 75% of my digital photography last trip, so I think I will use this new Canon dedicated lens to death. It will probably be the only lens I put on my digital bodies most shooting days.

The 16mm Leica worked but was difficult to use. I could not do any type of auto focus so lost quite a few images as a result. The adapter I was using also would make the viewfinder of the camera go black which made me shoot and compost my images with blind guesses most of the time, not the best way to work.

With this new-used lens I can always compose through the view finder, I will be able to shoot as wide as 11mm and there is auto focus available. The only down side is this Canon lens is a F4 the Leica was a F2.8. The plan is to continue to use the Leica with my film R cameras and use the 11-24mm with my digital Canons.

Cost of this lens (without taxes or USPS shipping) was a reasonable $1791 USD (my max bid was $1851 USD). Most of these lens used seem to go from $1800 to $2100 USD used, so I think the price is acceptable. I just hope the lens is as promised. The lens is advertised as in SUPERB condition and was originally bought new from Adorama.

As usual I will be digging deep trying to find the money for this new gear, but I think it could lead to some very important photos, possibly the best I make in my lifetime. So need to get this baby paid for!

Here is the lens EBAY advert:

SHARP LENS. PERFECT for real estate, vlogging and astrophotography. Canon EF 11-24mm f/4 L USM Lens. Condition is Used. No original box. Comes with lens cover and mount cap. Lightly used lens in superb condition. One of THE BEST lenses you can put on your camera Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.

A truly versatile wide-angle zoom featuring an advanced optical design and constant f/4 maximum aperture, the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM Lens is a member of the esteemed L-series of lenses designed for full-frame EOS DSLRs.

Canon 11-24mm F4 USM Lens

Quote: Danny Kaye (Actor, Comedian)

"Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it."

Quote: Mahatma Gandhi

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

Cleaning Mom And Dads Laundry Room

from facebook...

Still have not finished cleaning the glass room area of the house that I intend to use for photographs matting and framing. This last week off I got distanced and was working on the laundry room area of home. Cleaning organizing and the like. Found things in the drawers dating back to when I was 10 years old. Trying to keep the important older things and get rid of the useless stuff. Mom had house gas and telephone bills dating back several decades in this room.

Still more work there to do.I set up a fish tank as in the room, that I got on the cheap for $30 CAD. Had the fish at the old house and needed to move them.

Back to my security nightshifts tonight, Need to earn some money for a new important digital lens for our next Thai trip to the families at the dump an Bangkok‘s Klong Toey Slum in 2020.

Laundry room

Cleaning Mom And Dads Glass House

from facebook...

August 4 at 8:52 PM ·

Am cleaning out an area in my mother and father’s home for photo related work. This place we called the “Glass House” . Back in the day dad used to entertain his guests here. It is a roofed over area connected to the main house via a balcony. The room is made up of 4 sliding doors so has excellent light. My plan is to clean out the room, repair what needs repairing and set up a print framing, matting and spotting work area. I will spot, mat and frame all my exhibition prints here. In the basement of this house I have darkroom #2 up an running and next to the glass house I have my computer printing work area. Everything will be close together and interconnected. It should allow for an easier work flow in the coming years.
 

Not sure what dad would think of all these renovations devoted to photo things but he would probably be OK with it. Living in his and mom's house, using it in a good way was what he always wanted after his death. Trying to do that now.

Cleaning efforts on glass house to matting, framing room

Set Up The 16x20!

Am thinking of using my new 16x20 Chamonix Camera in Thailand  next year for a cross country photo project. With that in mind I set the camera up today on a new tripod and new head combo that I bought several years back (never used before). I usually buy gear a few years in advance of my projects and then when I am ready I dive in head first.

This project idea is to do a series of pictures of both the traditional Thailand and modern Thailand using a traditional camera (view camera 16x20 film) and a modern camera (Medium format digital camera 50 MB Hasselblad X1D). Old and new type gear, old and new Thailand.

Am not sure I will be able to handle the 16x20 in Thailand. Traveling the country lugging this monster about with a large tripod, holders, lens,  hanging tent etc. Might prove to much of a challenge, especially as I will be 56 years old in April 2020. Will test it all out here in Canada first before I decide. I might have to go to my lighter-cheap 11x14 camera. I know I can do the lighter 11x14, but can I do the 16x20? The 16x20 film will also be much more expensive.

I think it would be a cool and different project for me to shoot. It is certainly a challenge and that is always a good thing. As you get older it is important to keep pushing and challenging yourself in new directions. Taking this camera set up to Thai for 7 weeks in 2020 would also help me develop things for my coming cross Canada wet plate project.

Note* The Lens is the expensive Fuji 600mm F11.5. The tripod is a wonderful geared centre column unit I got off EBay cheap. The head is the largest available from Luland in China, it seems to work well.

Note** The tripod seems to handle the weight of the camera very well. Having a centre column that you can crank up and down and then lock down is also a very useful compositional tool. I looked out when buying this thing, thought it was a lot smaller than it was when I bought it.

Hyper me unboxing the 16x20 Chamonix Camera

Large Linhof Tripod

Luland Tripod Head

Fujinon 600mm F11.5 Lens

Chamonix 16x20 camera on Linhof geared centre column tripod with Luland Head.