Strangers

Many photographers are not comfortable approaching strangers and asking to take their picture. By and large, these are the photographers that end up specializing in still life, architecture & landscape photography.

I love portraiture photography.  I simply love the connection to humanity.  Getting a subject to relax and for a moment reveal a bit of their inner self makes me tick.

So no surprise, I had the girls take this on during one of our sessions.  They were certain that they just couldn't do it.  They were shy and giggly at first so we practiced on a few people that they are familiar with at the school.  Of course, caution with strangers is still important especially for young girls which we also covered.  Then off to Decatur Square we went for a little live practice.  

The 1st person was a homeless man who was quite gracious and accommodating.  This was followed by a man doing some landscaping work.  The final and best 2 were these really cool dudes with tattoos who worked at a local restaurant and were outside for a smoke.  This was their crowing glory.  These guys ended up telling the girls what good photographers they were and how proud they were of their life journey.  The girls had such a good time.

No Longer Strangers

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

Learning to See

For this first Session I was assigned 2 girls; EnKawli a refugee from Myanmar, who fled with her family in Thailand and Georfie from the Congo last in a refugee camp in Burundi. EnKawli was 11 years of age when she started at the Global Village Project, the youngest girl in the program.  Today, both girls are 12 years old.  They are a great age; still a bit shy, keenly interested in learning and tech savvy.  I really love the time that I spend with them.

I purchased a few refurbished Canon PowerShot 3330 camera from Canon at a great price. A perfect starter camera for a program where my emphasis is composition and situational shooting.    After grinding through the mechanics of the camera we went outside of the school to shoot.  The girls love going outside mid day regardless of how cold it might be.

Its a warm day and we are free as birds checking out all the scenery

After shooting we come back into the classroom where we review all of their images and pick their 2 favorites.  Subsequently, their homework is to write a composition about their picks and shoot some more while at home.  

During the next class, grammar , punctuation & spelling is corrected.  As defined by Daphne Hall, the teacher, we are using the photography to also reinforce their literacy skills.   

I am just blown away that these 2 girls have only been in the USA for 8 months and are speaking and writing in English!

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

The Girls -  full of life, full of love

It was during the fall of 2013 that I learned about a school in Decatur, GA, just one town over from where I live that provides education to refugee girls age 11-18 .   It's called the Global Village Project (GVP). http://globalvillageproject.org/.  The girls who attend GVP previously lived in refugee camps in some of the most desperate, war torn areas on this earth. 
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1776326/

Through the help of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) http://www.rescue.org/ the girls and their families make their way to the US and begin a new life

On day one the girls cannot speak a lick of English.  Upon graduation they go on to receive a GED degree, submission to college or join the work force. These girls are taught to be empowered, educated young ladies who grow in leaps and bounds right before your eyes into empowered young women. 

It was during the Decatur book festival that one of the GVP teachers purchased a copy of my book, The Women of Southeast Asia. Our connection and desire to help girls grow into empowered woman was instantly obvious to both of us. Almost immediately a new friendship and partnership was born.  

Shortly thereafter I was invited to give a slide show of my photographs depicting women from my travels.  The teacher, Daphe Hall told me that the girls would most likely be shy and demure.  Well 1 hr. was hardly enough and they were anything but shy.  They were full of love and laughter, raising their hands 5 at a time, edging each other out to ask questions, and share experiences and knowledge from "their country........"  Their energy was huge.  I instantly fell in love and knew I wanted to spend time with and help these girls.  

And so a photography program at GVP was born.  Our first session began in January 2014.

Carpe Diem, 
Lorrie
www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”, Mekong River, Laos

   

I had left Luang Prabang, early one morning and traveled up the Mekong River a few miles with the intention of visiting several local villages and temples.  You could always tell where a village is located by the long set of very steep steps leading up and a lush perfectly groomed garden at the shoreline, beside the steps.   As I disembarked on the opposite shore, the mist was rising from the night before, all was peaceful and the light was beautiful. 

This local woman had come down from her village to start her day.  She was untying her boat from the mooring made of natural material, a few branches of bamboo.  What a simple yet effective way to secure one’s boat.  I can only image that one of her elders taught her how to secure her boat using the bamboo and her children will do the same.  Traditions passed on from generation to generation, “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” 

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

“Sacred Light”, Luang Prabang, Laos

   

In this ancient Laotian Buddhist Temple, Wat Wisunalat I was surrounded by history.  While this is a functioning temple, a huge number of spectacular artifacts are on display.  I was drawn to a large collection of Buddha’s Lined up on the left side of the Wat in front of the window.  

At first, it is the repetition of their shape and the vertical line they create that calls me over to them.  In actuality there was more to it.  They have an aura about them.  Their essence is further heightened by the strong light that is behind them.  This light reflects off the gold leaf on their bodies bringing them to life.  I capture the image.  Later I learn that these Buddha’s are “Calling for Rain” Mudra Buddha’s.  There was certainly no rain on that particular day, but rather “Sacred Light” emblazoning these sacred figures.

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

Private Space

I visited Shwedagon no less than four time, during my stay in Yangoon, Myanmar. This paya is described as heart stopping and indeed it is.  The colors, the way the sun reflects off the gold gilded monuments, the lighted candles, people coming to pray stays with you forever.

This older monk had noticed me photographing at the paya previous mornings.  He stopped and pleasantly made mention.  Later in the week I happened to see him alone meditating off to the side before one of the smaller shrines where there wasn't any foot traffic.  Leaning against this gilded ornate pole I felt as though he had gone off to his own private space.  For me, time had stopped for a moment as I stepped into his world.  I love the feeling of stillness this image communicates.

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

Street Photography - Universal

Women Gossiping, Taroudant, Morocco

This collection of images were taken in many small towns and niches in different corners of the world.  While the subjects are seemingly different based on outward appearance one is reminded time and again that we are all the same.  Regardless of the locale, I meet every day people, leading every day lives with similar desires.  The settings are honest and so are their emotions.  It is for these reasons I am continually drawn back to the streets looking to capture extraordinary moments in ordinary life.

Boatman, Hoi An Vietnam

Shan Tea Workers, Hsipaw Myanmar

Buddhist Practitioner, Dege Tibet

Fish Seller Napping, Hoi An Vietnam

Men Socializing, Labrang Township, Tibet

Dumpling Seller, Dali China

Car Crazy  in Cuba

I am not especially a car person.  For me, a car takes me from location to the next.  Yet, after entering Cuba I was just mesmerized by their old cars and spent a lot of time photographing the people and their relationship with their cars.

Without getting to far into their history, Cuba was once a playground for the rich and famous of the USA and Europe. It was embargoed by the US in 1960 after the ouster of Batista and the subsequent nationalization of properties of United States citizens and corporations. 

What ensued was internally and  externally imposed isolation and the resultant creation of an anachronism.  Frozen in time, the warm and gracious people of Cuba became very ingenious at using what they had.  As for their cars; they became a great source of pride which turned each owner into master mechanic.  Rube Goldberg, shoe string and bubble gum, parts borrowed and adapted and a lot of spit and polish keeps their 1940-1950's American and Russian cars operating and on the road. 

Take a look, it was not an occasional old car but probably 90% of them were old.

Equally interesting was how their cars serve many purposes:

As a taxi for transporting people

As a novelty to be rented by a tourist for a handsome fee

For delivering a butchered 

animal to the local market

Turn a street corner and there is another man under the body or hood of his car fixing it. 

and if you don't own a car yet you sure as heck want to.

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

Le Journal de la Photographie, 

21.05.2013

http://lejournaldelaphotographie.com/archives/by_date/2013-05-21/11387/south-southeast-photomagazine

Daily News" Taroudant, Morocco 

I had spent 3 weeks chasing after the Moroccan woman to photograph them.  Other than a single Berber woman, they would have no part of me.  Their culture dictates that they do not want their photograph taken.  Seemingly defeated I wandered about the town of Taroudant capturing a bit of the architecture and the local children on their way off to school.  A cup of coffee is in order.  I sat at a café just outside of the Bab al-Kasbah  and watched life go by.  As I am about to leave I notice a small group of Roudani woman dressed in their colorful haiks seated on the curb gossiping.  I learn that they meet here every day to catch up on their daily lives.  The oldest form of communication – verbal story telling.  

What do you think they are talking about?   

I am delighted – an entire photo story in one image.  I capture this image & title it “Daily News.”

Now in Le Journal de la Photographie, May 21, 2013 and

South by Southeast Magazine

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

I Love Photographing Older People

Everyone has a preference or something that they are especially good at.  I would never pass up the opportunity to capture a beautiful landscape but for me there is nothing better than connecting to people.  I am continually scanning the crowd like radar.  I choose to shoot someone when I respond viscerally.  My stomach literally jumps.  This happens most often around weathered older men and women. 

Boatman, Hoi An, Vietnam 

Our relationships are generally brief based on a chance meeting.  So I have to be ready with all the tech stuff on the camera already set.  Then, I have to quickly make the subject feel comfortable.  A smile, a big laugh works very well for me. 

Sudhu, Kathmandu, Nepal

To me, they have paid their dues and are wearing their life on their face.  Their wrinkles, toothless smiles and twinkle in their eyes say it all.  It is honest and I love them for it.

 

Hongsa, Laos

Dege Tibet

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

What's in my Camera Bag

Another regular question is what's in my camera bag?

Let me begin my saying that like most photographers, I have gone through a progression of photo bags.  That means that I have purchased and abandoned or re-sold multiple bags.  Even today there is one rejected bag sitting in the closet.

I always select the style of bag based on which part of my body is the strongest, my legs or back.  For me, its my legs.  This means that my "go to" bag is a hip based solution, not a backpack.

My bag can be worn in any position: with pouch in back on one hip or another or in the front.  I wear mine in the front.  I consider this to be the second best feature of my bag.  This gives me full control of its contents and when closed it forms a bit of a tabletop surface to work on.

Additional features include an internally packed "raincoat " that comes out and around the bag and the sturdy and wide hip strap that minimizes digging into my hips or waist.

Next, how big does the bag need to be?  I've tried larger versions of this bag but they inhibited my ability to crouch down. So this bag has been in use for close to 15 years. 

Well, here's, what in the main compartment of my bag:

• Canon 5D Mark III body

• Canon 85mm, f1.8 lens, w/ UV filter

• 24-105mm, f4 lens, w/UV filter

• Canon 70-200, f2.8 lens, with UV filter

• Keno 1.4 telephoto extender

• 2 circular polarizers: 2 stop polarizer and 25% graduated neutral density

• Omni bounce flash diffuser

• Microfiber cleaning cloth

• Extra body and lens cap

• CF Card case: with (4) 16 GB cards

• Color temperature orange, florescent correction flash gels, and extra Velcro in a home-made holder

• 2 spare camera batteries

• Pen and Sharpie

• Tiny notebooks

• 5" metal nail file - my all purpose tool

• Rubber can opener - helps get the filters off

• Tri-pod wrench

• Hand Sanitizer

• Mini Grey Tag McBeth/QP Card

• Business cards

• Small bottle lens cleaner

• Lens tissue paper

• Mole Skin- for that unexpected foot blister

• Flash light on neck cord

• Feisol Tripod

• Manfrotto head

• Hitech lens filters, large & metal holder: 0.3, 0.6, 0.9

• Notebook size computer with card reader and charger

• Back-up hard drive

 Inside zipper compartment:

This puts my flash, a Canon 580EX in a "Lightening Fast" external pouch made by Think Tank on the waistband of my bag.  4 spare AA batteries are at the bottom of this case.

Now my bag is stuffed.  Would love nothing more than to carry a bunch of prime lenses but their added weight and size just prohibit me form doing so.  So remember, the brand or manufacturer of the bag doesn't matter, its what's good for you.

In My Clothing Bag:

* these items are brought out as need e.g. night shooting, landscapes.

 The camera bag is then packed into a wheelie which fits into the above the seat luggage compartment on international flights.  I NEVER CHECK MY CAMERA GEAR. 

Up until my most recent trip to Cuba in December, I would bring along a spare camera body and flash.  I must say, it is tough to handle 2 wheelies (camera and clothing) especially while commuting on all different types of public transportation.  There is a good chance that I will forego the back-up equipment on future trips.

And equally important is the security of my equipment and images.  I have a TSA approved lock on each bag.  When I leave the room all unattended bags are locked and a bike lock is applied connecting the bags to a piece of permanent furniture or pipe under the sink.

So far, so good. I have been able to bring home everything I left with plus some awesome images.  Hope you find this info helpful.

Carpe Diem,

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

How do I Pick Where to Travel

It is not uncommon for me to be asked how do you select where your next trip will be?  Given that I am generally traveling from anywhere between 3wks to 3 months, and traveling alone I certainly need to do my homework. 

The quick answers are:

1. Does it align with my top interests?
2. Is it visually stimulating?
3. Is it safe for an American?  as well as, is it  a woman traveling alone?

It always starts with  #1, my top interest: endangered cultures their customs and religion. 

After years of traveling, I recognize that it is not uncommon for the younger generation to want to be a part of the new ways and the older generation to want their children to have a better and easier life than they do. Combine this with increasing levels of tourism and communications, let alone massive political juxtapositions and what results is the perfect Petri dish for dissipation of the old ways.  All of this creates an enormous sense of urgency for me.

As an example  I was fortunate enough to tour Myanmar/Burma for a month, three years ago before Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest and nominated to the lower house of parliament.  It was a wonderful country with a strong Buddhist practice woven into every aspect of  life, sweet gentle people mostly living simple lives and many UNESCO World Heritage sites.  As of late,  whenever I speak with someone who has visited I hear about the development and significant changes that is underfoot.  My need to go back is immediate before too much of the charm, old ways and authenticity is replaced by modernization and Western ways. I anticipate that I will be back there before year end 2013. 

When addressing #2, I start by perusing the professional Photo Sites like Getty Images:http://www.gettyimages.com/?esource=google+Weekend_Brand&kw=US+getty+creative+Broad&lid=szjNYyYdP&pcrid=8298829482&property=GI .  What does the imagery show me?  Does it make my heart jump.  What are the people in the images wearing?  What messages are on the billboards? What does the landscape and cityscape look like?

As far as #3, I start with the US State Department Travel Site: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html .  The latest safety status is posted here as well as tips on spots that may need to be avoided even if the country is generally safe.  


Another great resource in the Lonely Planet Thorntree Blog:  http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa.  Up to the minute information is posted here by fellow travelers who are often presently  or very recently on the ground.  This site was an invaluable tool as I worked to secure entry into Tibet the summer of 2012, amidst numerous immolation and non-stop changes in travel restrictions that were being imposed. 

Carpe Diem, seize the day.  It is a big and fascinating world out there.  Do what you love and if its travel I propose that you go sooner rather than later. No time like the present.

Lorrie

www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

Streets of Kathmandu

Some of my favorite images have been of street life in Kathmandu. Within Thamel, the tourist section where I am staying, it’s a web of narrow streets that gently meander. It’s nothing like Morocco or Rome where you think that you will never get out of the tight maze. After a couple of days I got the hang of it and can even return to my hotel without asking for assistance.

Within these neighborhoods life boils and simmers depending on the time of day.  No matter what time, the neighborhoods are inhabited by an endless sea of people going somewhere or trying to sell you something.  “Madam, just look, it’s free to look”, “Where are you from”- meaning I can be your guide or take you trekking are incessant comments.

Small cars, motorcycles, trishaws, bicycles, pedestrians, homeless dogs abound all walking and driving not only on the left but every which way.  So far I have not been hit or had my feet nipped but a few jumps behind a pole helped.

It’s the start of Monsoon season here which means that its rains most afternoons for a bit and in the evenings sometimes quite heavily.  The streets can get very muddy and full of puddles on the already uneven cobble or rutted street.  All this just adds a bit more to the chaos.

Here is the requisite group of sacred cows that have decided to sit down in the middle of a moderately busy street as morning rush hour was getting going.

A look at a shopping district at with a mix of old and new;  buildings, dress style. Throngs of people living their everyday life at about 11 am.

Haircuts are available on the street, small food markets all over and even a tailor

At the end of the day I stumbled upon these young girls playing in the street creating fun with the little that was available to them.

KTM is smaller and the people less aggressive than in India. Despite many opportunities in very close spaces, I have not been groped.  While I have received a few proposals for “love” in this rainy season which they define as a time for romance, its all been very manageable.  ;-)  Kathmandu has been a good place to pause. 


Today for the 4th of July and I have been invited to the American's Club by my hotelier- another 1st for me.

On Friday I head to Sri Lanka for a world wind tour before returning home.
Hope you are enjoying these blogs


Carpe Diem, 
Lorrie
www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com

 Kathmandu- a mini Delhi

About 10 years ago I was in Delhi.  A maelstrom of life.  I was really looking forward to returning on this trip but expected temperatures of 100—108 F made me decide to skip. 

Kathmandu, my next stop.  Everything has been so easy.  I did Visa on arrival.  I turned in my form and photo at one desk, paid at another.  Being prepared certainly helped stream line the process.  I had been allowed to carry my large & heavy camera bag on board so that was goodness; no extra charge & no concern about theft or damage.  The clothing bag arrived.  All systems go.  My driver never appeared but again with a bit of luck, I met an English speaker at the greeting island who knew my hotelier & helped sort it out.

Traffic from the airport was nuts. As my driver said, there are no rules. Lots of cars, motorcycles and a few cows & monkeys for good measure.  It made me laugh.

Most people here in the city speak English.  I find their accent a bit hard to understand at times but all manageable-it’s English after all.  Money exchange is a breeze-every other block is a Money Changer.  They’ll take any currency & turn it into anything.  Same at the shops.  The store owners are hungry so deals abound & there is a lot of cool stuff to choose from.  OMG, I bought 5 handmade papers items (lamp, hand cut pop up cards, mobile…) yesterday for a total of $12.  Any one of these things would have cost $12 apiece in the USA. I’ll probably end up paying the difference in international shipping or extra baggage fees with the airline.

The architecture is amazing.  I have visited Bhaktapur, KTM Dunbar Square & Pashupatinath so far.  By far the most intriguing so far has been Pashupatinath.  It’s a very old site where cremations & burials are performed.  Based on pictured I have seen  but not yet visited, it seems like a mini Ganges. I am told that there are between 70-200 cremations/day.  The wealthy and dignitaries are cremated on one side, the ordinary person on the other.  Children and religious persons are buried.

Cremation platforms for the ordinary person like you and me.

A body being prepared

The same person being moved to his correct side for cremation. The other side for commoners.

While maybe this should seem moribund, it was not.  Like AngkorWat, there are families living within the gates of Pashupinath who were not displaced.  So on one hand you see cremations and simultaneously, there are children running around playing and cows grazing.  As an outside observer, everyone seems to accept the end of physical life.  Maybe the notion of re-incarnation helps?

Carpe Diem,
Lorrie
www.LorrieDallekPhotography.com