Comments on: GMB Akash

By: Miranda Melhar

Miranda Melhar — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:16:23 +0000

The same story of always. Young, rich, studies and then making money and glamour out of the pain and hell of others. Sad story of a sad guy, unable to find love, strength and hopes even in the most outstanding situations. Price winning is not a help to human society.

By: Yumigon

Yumigon — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:03:17 +0000

I don’t know why, but I feel something sad or poor thing in these photos…WHY?
What did he want to say with them…?

Photos are speaking to me…

By: Child Labor and Work on your self portrait | Coeur d'Alene High School Photography Blog

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:31:17 +0000

[...] the first link is blocked so try here: http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/ and [...]

By: Austin

Austin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:36:17 +0000

As an American living in Bangladesh I’m afraid these scenes portrayed by GMB Akash are far too common. I don’t think you can claim too much insider access for GMB (a good eye and persistence maybe). From my experience in Bangladesh(7 years), I think it is more difficult for Bangladeshis to get their good shot. As an camera toting American I am constantly invited by people to take their picture while my Bangladeshi friends often meet more resistance (in Dhaka).

Child labor is such a complex issue. The child may be the only wage earner for his widowed or abandoned mother.

The father could be passing down the family trade insuring the well being of his descendants.

It could be downright slavery.

The children could be homeless and are working instead of begging.

No easy solutions but I appreciate the compassion and sensitivity that GMB uses in his portrayal of child laborers.

A great book that speaks of these issues in Bangladesh is, “Lost Innocence, Stolen Childhood”. The lost innocence refers to the child labor trade and the stolen childhood refers to middle class children who are never allowed to play and are governed by rigid academic expectations imposed by their parents. The author’s name is Therese Blanche I think.

By: Anvin

Anvin — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 06:27:14 +0000

hey thanks for introducing this photographer. His work is stunning to view but sad to really think about the story behind the pictures.

By: yaohong

yaohong — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:39:31 +0000

I’m really not sure about that Marv. I believe that good pjs are able to gain access and relate with their subjects, transcending language/cultural barriers. It might be harder for an outsider but the really good pjs are able to do that. It takes more than just access or an eye or a working appendage to take pictures that reach into the viewer’s soul.

By: marvin

marvin — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:23:15 +0000

my goodness, it really is so good that it hurts. It really hits you hard. One thing that struck me, was that if Akash wasn’t from the Indian Sub-Continent, would the pictures feel more remarkable? I don’t think any outsider would be able to get that inside access as easy he is able to do so.

By: yaohong

yaohong — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 01:19:59 +0000

Hi Lucy, thank you for the kind words!

It’s a labor of love and I find myself enjoying the writing. ^_^

By: f:lux

f:lux — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:27:28 +0000

That last line – “some images are so beautiful that the reality behind them hurts” – has really blown me away!

And while I’m here, I should say that since discovering it I’ve been really enjoying your blog.

Many thanks, Lucy