Comments on: GMB Akash http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/ An exploration of Asian photography and what it means to the world. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:29:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Austin http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/#comment-7734 Austin Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:36:17 +0000 http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/#comment-7734 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. 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 http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/#comment-206 Anvin Wed, 17 Oct 2007 06:27:14 +0000 http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/#comment-206 hey thanks for introducing this photographer. His work is stunning to view but sad to really think about the story behind the pictures. 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 http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/#comment-205 yaohong Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:39:31 +0000 http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/#comment-205 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. 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 http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/#comment-204 marvin Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:23:15 +0000 http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/#comment-204 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. 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 http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/#comment-196 yaohong Tue, 16 Oct 2007 01:19:59 +0000 http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/#comment-196 Hi Lucy, thank you for the kind words! It's a labor of love and I find myself enjoying the writing. ^_^ Hi Lucy, thank you for the kind words!

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

]]> By: f:lux http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/#comment-195 f:lux Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:27:28 +0000 http://chngyaohong.com/blog/photography/gmb-akash/#comment-195 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 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

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