Julien Dorol Photo Blog

On my last trip to Nepal, I was led to meet with Joyce Van Rijen and Krishna Khaitu which together manage a Non Governmental Organization in Bhaktapur. Their Association "Suvadra" aims to support disabled children and empower them to lead normal lives despite their disabilities. The situation of disabled children in Nepal is difficult and complicated. The families, lifestyle often modest, have difficulty accepting that disability does not understand and can not handle. Children are often treated badly and have virtually no future. It is certainly not a mark of cruelty or malice, but a reaction of impotence due to the low level of education, lack of specialized facilities and assistance to families. Added to this idea and received a few beliefs.

Joyce and Krishna have decided to create a structure to house a dozen children and give them the keys to access the autonomy and power to live independently in society or within their family. I was touched by their approach and how they work: No way to complain about the plight of children, but a real desire to move forward and bring them to a normal life, whatever the disability or incapacity.

After several discussions, we agreed a date for a photo shoot to illustrate the work of Suvadra. The goal was to make images that the association could use to its website or for brochures. It should make images corresponding to the mindset of the association, and Suvadra, bias was clear: to show children living in hope, not disabilities to sad to soften the crowds . This was fortunate, because I do not want to show people in a miserable appearance, but to underline what they give off better, whatever their condition.

I was quite apprehensive before the photo shoot because I'm very uncomfortable with anything related to "medical" and which induces or could induce the "suffering". Even though Joyce and Krishna explained to me the case of each child, I had no idea what to expect and especially how would I feel. But going beyond these fears that progresses, and is anxious but determined that I went to the house Suvadra day shoot.

Before leaving my camera, I first spent time making contact with children. I was especially helped put me at ease, to go beyond my fears, identify each of them and what they release. I soon forgot my fears, because children are very direct and unprejudiced. After an hour and a half of making contact, I started to get my equipment and take photographs. I would have liked to take more time without the camera, but I only had one day to make the images.

I like more and more conduct such commands running on a very short time, conditions that do not control lights and often disastrous. That, I think, the best way forward and to be able to adapt to any situation.

As so often in such situations, the light was what could be worse: a bright sun in the middle of the day and environments not always photogenic. No question of waiting for the beautiful and soft evening light, I had to take the children in their daily lives and in full operation. To avoid shadows on faces too obvious, I sometimes used a reflector to bring light on the parties a little bite. Easier said than done when you have no assistant and we must keep the reflector, directing and photographing specific subjects that move .... A lot. These children have incredible energy and it was not very difficult to carry images of life, joy and energy.

As I work with fixed focal lengths and I had to be responsive, I used for this session, two cases simultaneously with two different objectives (24mm and 50mm). I use very rarely two boxes at the same time because I like to be discreet, but I was quite surprised by how quickly my subjects have "forgotten" devices. Initially, attention was turned a little to my gear, but I quickly felt "invisible" and I was able to capture spontaneous moments and expressions without any discomfort due to my presence.

This experience, beyond the aspect of photography, made me a lot. I was simply impressed by the work and results that getting the association Suvadra. Several children have made incredible progress in a short time and can now consider independent living and a real future. On the other encounter more difficulties and will never attain the independence of some, but they have at least one structure adapted to cope with their disability, as long and difficult this fight may be.

A wonderful experience that I will renew.

If you want to contribute to the work of the association SUVADRA, you can visit the official website , or send an email to Joyce or Krishna .

Click on the photo to see the series.

I stayed for several days already in a Nepalese village and I stayed in a small Guest House (which was more of a homestay than a "hotel") held by two women, Loxmi 79 years old and daughter of Tiza a fifty year. I was incredibly received and stayed with them three weeks to observe and learn the lives of Nepalese farmers.

In the middle of my stay, I organized a little "photo shoot". I already had the picture in mind a few days before and I told my two models the day before that I like to make a picture of themselves in their kitchen during their "tea break" daily. Tiza Loxmi and seemed quite enthusiastic. Was an understatement.

The next morning, I left all my gear: The device, mounted on a tripod, remote control (not to keep an eye glued behind the case and communicate more easily with the models), and the ultimate, a reflector to "lead" the dark parts held by an assistant. It was enough for my two budding stars will take the game and work to readjust their dresses, their hair rearrange, hide unsightly fold, as models of real pros .

The meeting at length about ten minutes at most, in an atmosphere of jokes and laughter!

The portrait photography and "humanist" things are not easy. For me, it's never easy to get into people's privacy and their aim a camera under the nose. When I photograph a person, I still have that modesty brings me lots of questions: "Is what I did not bother with my pictures, I do not abusing its time, it must Tired of having all the time took pictures ....

It is recognized that in areas frequented by tourism, some people are highly sought after for portraits and not always the most sensitive (There are even many, many shocking behavior from some photographers but I think ... c is another matter) and become quite reluctant to the idea of being pulled yet another portrait again.

But sometimes, the picture may become a game and fun for the photographer and the (s) model (s). Taking his time, forging links, complicity, people gain confidence and become more relaxed. I think the quick installation of all equipment there is also a little, showing that we want to make a serious picture and the best possible conditions, the models feel honored by all this attention and ask without hesitation. In any case, what I felt in making this meeting and a few others. It goes without saying that in this case, send some prints to people photographed !!!!! If they play the game, he must play too.

Overall I am satisfied with the result because the photo is what I had in mind as soon as I saw the kitchen, but I'm especially pleased with how this session is held and the atmosphere there was.

As I said a little earlier, I am a bit "obsessed" with ethical issues and I sometimes have difficulties to overcome my shyness. This session gave me great motivation to repeat this kind of experience and made me realize that the photo could be a game and a source of good humor, without being experienced as a constraint or voyeurism. It depends (again) how it's done and how we approach people.

I strolled calmly through the streets of a medieval-style city of Nepal. The weather was wet, it would certainly rain. The sun filtered through the cloud layer, spread a soft light golden hue. After a few detours and street corners, I arrived at one of the main squares of the city: a large area paved with red brick courtyard serves a Hindu temple that sits proudly at the end of the place.

I move to the old and imposing building and see him sitting at the entrance, an odd-looking character. He is a beggar who took up residence at the porch of the temple. It meets my gaze, then, under his thick whitish beard, gives me a smile. I hello, clasping both hands and one, a gesture of welcome, inviting me to settle down on the porch and spend a moment. I accept this invitation and sit at one end of the porch.

From this promontory divine, I watch the excitement of the place and I lost in my thoughts. I watch this scene in the theatrical style that takes some areas of comedy: the children who are fighting kites, dogs who run after goats that wander aimlessly around the square, women dressed sumptuous brightly colored saris, elders who spend time looking, tractor carrying fruits, vegetables, chickens, pottery ... the whole life flashes before my eyes endlessly. I guess there are a few centuries, the same scene is played the same way. An old man sat close to me and stared the sweet excitement, just to let time slip.

A light rain began to fall eventually. The Interlocking normally dull and rough appearance, began to shine, reflecting the soft ambient light. The place seemed then drape a fabric woven with gold thread and the pavement shone like ingots sunlight. The atmosphere was amazing, almost unreal. The old man installed by me, as inspired by this peaceful atmosphere, began to hum a traditional tune somewhat melancholy. His voice, eroded by years, was in perfect harmony with the surroundings and made this magic moment. All the elements seemed to have combined to offer me this sublime spectacle. Leaning against the old walls of the temple, I was calm, serene, relaxed and deeply moved by such beauty.

I said then that the beggar had not invited under this porch to nothing. It was like this one, like a guardian of the temple, told me:

- "Just take the time to discover what this place has ancestral to show you. Come hear what these walls, loaded with hundreds of years of history, you have to pass. Laying roof and observe quietly. "

I would leave the temple completely calm and I respectfully saluted the "gatekeeping" before descending the stairs.

I took a picture of this rather unusual Guardian a few days later. I returned several times under the porch of the temple for me to relax, read, write, think, and the beggar asked me every time the same way.

Sometimes it is good to slow down or even stop. Know the time without letting go of having imperative because, losing time, we gain some great times.