Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Documentary photography in Laos  (Read 3005 times)

Kees Sprengers

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12
Documentary photography in Laos
« on: March 05, 2007, 07:01:48 am »

Since late 2002, I have been involved in photographing ethnic minority villages in Luang Namtha province, in North Western Laos.

This is an ongoing project, in 2003 and 2004 I spent about 4 months a year up there, since late 2004 I live with my wife in Vientiane and travel North about a week each month for photography.

I am not sure if this is the right forum, but I am looking for feedback. I feel occasionally that I work in a bit of a vacuum, I miss other photographers to discuss what i'm doing, whetehr it is valid, what can be improved.
Although i used to work as a museum photographer in the 70's and 80's, I left photography in '87, and almost didn't touch a camera until about 2000, when I went digital. Steep learning curve, still learning.

I need to see printed images, but prinetrs here are not up to scratch, I need to fly to Bangkok to get a half decent printer, then language issues make feedback fickle.
I thought about buying a Canon 5000 or so, but service would be a nightmare, and climate control (Heat dust and humidity) could be a nightmare as well.

If anyone has the time, have a look at my site, and give me some feedback.

BTW, the three attached files are small for reasons of local bandwith.

thanks!

Kees
http://kees.zenfolio.com/
kees.s@paradise.net.nz
Logged

mtselman

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 29
    • http://public.fotki.com/mtselman
Documentary photography in Laos
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2007, 02:26:22 pm »

Kees,
Thanks you for sharing your site. I looked at most of the photos and they transported me back to my visit to Laos a year ago. Here, on this site there are people who qualify much more than I to provide critique of the images from the artistic perspective. I viewed your images more as a documentary of simple village life of people in Northern Laos. As such they seem to provide an almost insider's view. I especially enjoyed seeing images taken inside the bamboo huts, where the sun seems to practically shine through the walls coloring everything in warm yellow tones. In my experience, tribal people there do not like to be on camera (other than those who make business out if posing for tourists), so to me that make your images so much more interesting.
Feel free to look at my small selection of photos from Laos here: http://public.fotki.com/mtselman/the-trip/laos/
There are a few images of Northern Tribal people there taken on the market in Muang Sing just above Luang Namtha

Finally, I think the best part of your story is that you actually bring the printed images back to the villages to hand them out to your photo subjects. I highly respect this decision of yours and I'm envious when I imagine how much joy you witness when you bring their photos to them.
  --Misha
Logged

Kees Sprengers

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12
Documentary photography in Laos
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2007, 11:14:28 pm »

Quote from: mtselman,Mar 11 2007, 02:26 AM
<Here, on this site there are people who qualify much more than I to provide critique of the images from the artistic perspective. I viewed your images more as a documentary of simple village life of people in Northern Laos. As such they seem to provide an almost insider's view. <

My intention is primarily to provide that insight, a record of what is now before it changes. Artistic aspirations may  be there, but come in second place. Most of it is simple record, occasionally an 'artistic' image.


>I especially enjoyed seeing images taken inside the bamboo huts, where the sun seems to practically shine through the walls coloring everything in warm yellow tones. In my experience, tribal people there do not like to be on camera (other than those who make business out if posing for tourists), so to me that make your images so much more interesting.<

I tried to write on my site an introduction to how I stared this, and then a description of how I work, but the Zenfolio site doesn't allow 'essays', only short text blocks. Therefore i posted two articles on ThingsAsian


http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/21321
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/21500

They will explain that it takes me a long time to build up enough of a relation with my subjects to let me photograph them in that situation. Fortuanely, I have the time.

I liked your Lao photos, too. I think the first one is taken in the temple about 50 m from where I live in vientiane.

>Finally, I think the best part of your story is that you actually bring the printed images back to the villages to hand them out to your photo subjects. I highly respect this decision of yours and I'm envious when I imagine how much joy you witness when you bring their photos to them.<

Thank you. yes, this is essential IMHO, I don't only 'take' photographs. Many people have never seen a picture of them selves and indeed, it is great to witness their joy.

Thank you for your comments
Kees
Logged

Kees Sprengers

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12
Documentary photography in Laos
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2007, 10:33:07 pm »

For whoever enjoyed my website on Laos, I have just posted another 150 pictures on it , in categories 'portraits', 'People at work' and 'development cooperation'.

Feedback still very welcome.

Kees

http://kees.zenfolio.com/

[attachment=2748:attachment]
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up