Bangladesh - Hindu Pottery Workers

 

First thing first ... I LOVE THIS SHOT! Now ... the story. We: my guide, driver and I went to a Hindu pottery village. As we entered the village under the mid-day Bangladesh sun, I spotted this dilapidated building, perhaps a bit of hyperbole so let's say "run-down" and heard voices inside. My guide, knowing how I am and operate,went off to do his thing. I entered and found three women busy converting mounds of clay into pottery for use in making the local specialty "Doi" - a sweetened yogurt. I went in and started to photograph their activity making sure not to disrupt their focus and rhythm. After awhile they asked me for money to buy food. I am not good at giving alms or even charity. However, I recognized an opportunity - good for them and definitely good for me. I would pay them for their services! I would make them my paid photography workers. I paid each one of them$2.00 most likely more than 1/2 day wages for them and they would take direction from me ... doing what I like, so to speak. I immediately channeled David Hemming's character from "Blow-Up" and took some shots. I went down on a spare clay saturated burlap work mat - much to their amusement. Clothes can be washed, even when traveling, but great light and interesting subjects can not be lost for the want of clean clothes! We actually enjoyed our selves and established a meaningful collaborative effort. Just as a whisper is often a prelude to seduction, the light was soft and seductive preluding to dramatic environmental portraits. To share a personal note, I called my wife to come inside to look at this finished photo (she was outside decorating the Christmas tree on our patio - devote Buddhist with strong Animist and Hindu overtones setting up her Christian tree LOL) She loved the photo and immediately asked if I gave them money? I said "No, I paid them to be my models." She smiled and said "I know you".