Poor children - thoughts about photography

nobody@flickr.com (@PAkDocK / www.pakdock.com) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:16:51 -0800

@PAkDocK / www.pakdock.com posted a photo:

When I uploaded the last picture to my stream, somebody asked the following questions:

"Do you feel that you have some way to help or change the situation when you take these emotional images? That you wish you could help them? Do you get frustrated knowing that the problem is larger and that helping that one family or even that one village can't help the millions of others who have been impacted? Or have you learned to control those emotions and do what you do best -- document their plight and hopefully bring it to the attention of others through your amazing photography?"

Well, I've been thinking about it, and the answers are simple and difficult at the same time.

About changing the situation, or at least that wish, is a feeling you get immediately when you meet a person with those needs, even before than taking the image (the image is the least important thing in this matter).
A few seconds later, you realize that you cannot help them, furthermore than (maybe) a coin or some food, and you cannot help more than a few people a day (being very optimistic!). In fact, if you are in a public place and you give some money to somebody, immediately you will be rounded by a dozen of people asking as well.

You realize that the situation these people are living, is a matter of years, of generations doing things wrong, choosing the wrong way....because of politics, because of religion, because of money (the three of them could be included just in the last one).

You realize, you cannot change a lot from your point, but you can help a little by supporting an NGO (not really giving money directly if they are begging you for some), or making your community to support one. I know that after visiting G.A.F.F.E.R. in Maungu, Kenya, this summer.

You realize that, most people don't travel abroad, to places like Africa or India, so they won't see this poverty, so won't be conscious about it, so they won't be able to think they can help in some way... because wishing the best for these people WON'T HELP, because praying WON'T HELP, because feeling guilty WON'T HELP, because buying a lot of stuff from big companies WON'T HELP (and won't make you happier) ...because giving some money (it doesn't have to be a lot) HELPS, because travelling there and opening your mind HELPS, because not forgetting it HELPS.

For the last question, you can't control your emotions, because you are in that place, you are surrounded by noises, feelings, and what you are looking through is a just a camera, not a zoo glass. However, it is easier to take a picture of somebody from a third world country than from our "first world", children and adults there love to be photographed, it is a kind of gift for them, not like (the stupid of) us, so sometimes, when you take a picture and they smile, you feel a little better for that short moment of happiness.

Finally, just to say, that you will be shocked about the dignity of these people, about the respect they show you and their fight for surviving. People are the same around the world, the main difference is their environment, luckily, I have met brilliant people in poor countries and, unluckily, outstanding idiots, in the richest nations.

I hope this answers most of the questions about what do I think when I shoot.

Photography taken in Jaipur, India. From the window of a rickshaw, in a traffic light stop, she asked for some money...and photos, when she spotted the camera.

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Kenya's drought

nobody@flickr.com (@PAkDocK / www.pakdock.com) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:50:31 -0800

@PAkDocK / www.pakdock.com posted a photo:

In January 2009 (one year ago), UN proclaimed that Kenya's drought and food shortages were expected to last until March 2010, seven months longer than previously projected.

Unhopefully, they were right.... and it is hitting the economy of the country, since the death of a large number of animals posed a risk to the country's tourism industry that is famed for its wildlife.

The most affected parks and reserves were the Amboseli National Park and Tsavo National Park that recorded the highest number of collected animal carcasses. It is estimated that the parks lost 40 per cent of animals.

But besides the animals, human lifes are in risk also. With no cattle, no harvest, no food, surviving is very hard.

And it is not just a problem for Kenya. Aid agencies estimate more than 23 million people will need food aid in the Horn of Africa region. It is becoming evident the inability of most African countries to address climate change impacts, a climate change they have created.

At the surroundings of a Maasai village, in Amboseli. Tanzanian border.

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En enero de 2009 (hace un año), las Naciones Unidas comunicaron que la sequía en Kenia se esperaba que durase hasta marzo de 2010, siete meses más de lo esperado inicialmente.

Desafortunadamente, estaban en lo cierto .... y está afectando a la economía del
país severamente, ya que la muerte de un gran número de animales salvajes plantea un gran riesgo para la industria del turismo de un país que es famoso por su fauna.

Los parques y las reservas más afectados están siendo el Parque Nacional de Amboseli y el Parque Nacional de Tsavo, que han registrado el mayor número muertes de animales. Se estima que estos parques han perdido el 40 de su fauna.

Pero además de los animales, están en riesgo numerosas vidas humanas. Sin ganado, sin cosecha que recoger, sin comida, es muy difícil sobrevivir.

Y no es sólo un problema de Kenya. Las ONGs estiman que más de 23 millones de personas necesitarán ayuda alimentaria en la región del Cuerno de África. Está quedando patente la incapacidad de gran parte de paises de África para hacer frente a los efectos del cambio climático, un cambio climático que ellos no han creado.

En los alrededores de un poblado Masai, en Amboseli. Frontera con Tanzania.

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Poor children - thoughts about photography

Kenya's drought