Life Under the Expressway - Klong Toey
Lady washing dishes in her make-shift home under the expressway bridge in Klong Toey, Thailand's largest slums.
Lady washing dishes in her make-shift home under the expressway bridge in Klong Toey, Thailand's largest slums.
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Nov, 2013Views
111
Awards
Remarkable
Top Choice
Exceptional Contrast
Superb Composition
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in Klong Toey, Bangkok's largest slums. It was my first time in Bangkok so everything was new and fascinating to me.Time
This photo was taken in the afternoon, probably around 2pm. It was under a huge concrete motorway bridge and Bangkok is always smoggy so the light always seems to be pretty much the same, except at night.Lighting
This image is all natural light. I was shooting this for my documentary "Life Under the Expressway" and wanted to capture everything as it was so didn't want to introduce artificial light.Equipment
My main gear for documentary work is my Canon 5D Mark III and 35mm f/1.4 lens. The Mark III with a fast lens is a great combination for this kind of situation.Inspiration
I was looking for good examples of daily life in the slums. I saw this lady washing her dishes right next to the train tracks and then saw these little puppies wandering around. I crouched down, framed the image and waited for the puppies to walk into the frame. I think the animals make this shot.Editing
I try to keep my work in post to a minimum with this kind of documentary work. I love Lightroom because it's quick and has everything I need. I added an S-Curve, increased the contrast and desaturated a little.In my camera bag
When I'm shooting this kind of stuff, I try to keep my gear to a minimum as I do a lot of walking around. At the moment I'm using the Canon 5D Mark III, it's great in low light. My favourite lenses are my 35mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.4, they are fast, sharp and quite light compared to other lenses. With my documentary work and documentary style portraits, I like to get in close. I also have a Black Rapid Strap for one and for two cameras. This strap has made a massive difference. I can walk around all day without any back or neck pain from the camera. I'll often have no camera bag, just the camera, one lens and a little pouch with some cash and my phone. That way my hands are free and I can react quickly if I see something I want to photograph.Feedback
Don't be shy and don't hesitate but still be respectful of those you are photographing. I always ask before taking a photo like this, even if it's just a gesture if you can't speak the language. I have no troubles communicating with people from all different cultures, I find that part easy. But I am still learning to slow down. Pictures like these change every second, hang around a scene. Sometimes you just need to wait for a little puppy to walk into the frame and it makes the world of a difference.
