Wednesday, 29 February 2012
One from Saigon
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Portrait Reflections II
This is a follow-up to a portrait-based post I made back in April of last year. The things I wrote back then stand true today and there's no need to repeat them - seek them out if you will.
Some people are comfortable in front of a camera, some are not. I am not. When a lens is pointed at me I begin to quiver and gurn. It's unfortunate really but there doesn't seem to be much I can do about it. Some of my subjects quiver, thankfully none of them gurn. But my job as a photographer is to make those who don't particularly enjoy being photographed comfortable enough so that their personality, their character can shine through in the end result. I like to think I succeed most, if not all (or perhaps all) of the time. However, this post is not about any sublime human-soothing skills I may or may not have. It's not about the people who need to be calmed before they are shot. It's about the others.
Every now and again I photograph someone who makes my job ridiculously easy. Someone who is totally unfazed by the machine I'm brandishing, or who has simply made up their mind to enjoy the experience whatever it involves and however long it might take. And recently I've had the good fortune to meet several such people. To them I say - 'thank-you'. Here are three of them:
Hoang Hoi is the Head Monk at the Ky Quang Pagoda which runs counselling programmes, supported by UNICEF, for children infected by or with parents infected by HIV. Also housed in the pagoda are a natural health clinic, a shelter for physically and mentally disabled people, an acupuncture clinic, and facilities for blind people to be trained in and practice traditional massage.
Some people are comfortable in front of a camera, some are not. I am not. When a lens is pointed at me I begin to quiver and gurn. It's unfortunate really but there doesn't seem to be much I can do about it. Some of my subjects quiver, thankfully none of them gurn. But my job as a photographer is to make those who don't particularly enjoy being photographed comfortable enough so that their personality, their character can shine through in the end result. I like to think I succeed most, if not all (or perhaps all) of the time. However, this post is not about any sublime human-soothing skills I may or may not have. It's not about the people who need to be calmed before they are shot. It's about the others.
Every now and again I photograph someone who makes my job ridiculously easy. Someone who is totally unfazed by the machine I'm brandishing, or who has simply made up their mind to enjoy the experience whatever it involves and however long it might take. And recently I've had the good fortune to meet several such people. To them I say - 'thank-you'. Here are three of them:
Hoang Hoi is the Head Monk at the Ky Quang Pagoda which runs counselling programmes, supported by UNICEF, for children infected by or with parents infected by HIV. Also housed in the pagoda are a natural health clinic, a shelter for physically and mentally disabled people, an acupuncture clinic, and facilities for blind people to be trained in and practice traditional massage.
Monday, 20 February 2012
Toning Thailand
Tis February, the month of my photographic anniversary and therefore when my calendar begins. To celebrate - in a very sensible, sober way - I have been processing some photos (a few of which are from my new Canon 7D, a present to myself) from a recent trip to Thailand using some Lightroom presets that I gifted myself. In the past I think I've used presets a total of three times, preferring instead to adjust each level personally. Today I unwrapped my presents and played with my new toys. Like any good child, I played with them a bit too much and now feel exhausted yet becalmed. Here are some of the results, some processed using presets (some free, some bought), some not, randomly stitched together.
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Red
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Recent Tearsheets
Tattoos are part of Vietnamese history, but in recent times they have become taboo. They are generally classed here as a 'social evil' (a vaguely nonsensical umbrella term used to describe things ranging from crimes to things that are 'not normal'), and are traditionally seen as the domain of bad people - gangsters, convicts and pimps. But in the past couple of years I've noticed more and more tattoos peeking out from the clothes under which they've been hiding. Gradually, they are losing their tainted image and, especially amongst younger generations, becoming seen as forms of creative expression and identity.
The Hanoi Tattoo Club, run by Tran Chi Hieu, is central to this new atmosphere of acceptance, and is where the following photos were taken:
The Hanoi Tattoo Club, run by Tran Chi Hieu, is central to this new atmosphere of acceptance, and is where the following photos were taken:
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Enter (the Year of) the Dragon
Vovinam is a Vietnamese martial art, combining Vietnamese wrestling and various eastern martial arts techniques. Born in wartime out of necessity, it continues these days as a popular pastime. In a courtyard under dim tungsten lights I visited a group of students practising this form of combat. My flash could only mete out a few blows before retreating, bruised and out of breath. I scissor-kicked it aside, and embraced the silhouettes.
Monday, 6 February 2012
Thailand: Koh Samet and Bangkok
These shots are from a trip to Thailand at the end of last year. Alas I didn't have my camera in my hand luggage on the way there so unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the floods from the air though, take my word for it, it was one of the most visually surreal things these eyes have seen. Water stretching to every horizon and not much poking out of it. Coming in to land over the sea and then over the land which was indistinguishable from the sea. Bangkok was dry but sandbagged in anticipation of the water's arrival. Koh Samet was a small, dry, sun-soaked oasis away from the troubled mainland.
