The Zebra Monochrome Magazine Issue #1 The Zebra Monochrome Magazine Issue #1 | Page 110

If there was one image that really says who you
are as a photographer, as a person, what would
it be?
This is a hard question. I am fond of all my series
and have many happy memories of shooting them.
But if I have to really answer the question, I would
say my series from Dhaka, Bangladesh. I was able
to meet up with my Bangladeshi photojournalist
friend, GMB Akash, and we went out shooting
everyday at the crack of dawn on the streets of
Dhaka. My senses were absolutely overwhelmed
by the smell, the heat and humidity, the noise, the
dirt … It was absolutely exhausting and exhilarating
at the same time.
The Girl Bathing in the Toxic Waters in Dhaka. It is
an image of human struggle that is beyond words.
Yes, this image did win the First Place in the
Black and White Spider awards for professional
documentary work last year (2012). I like this
image because it is a simple image, which has
graphic impact. The image on its own (without the
documentary aspect) is quite beautiful and balance
- almost abstract in the way the big steel ships line
up in the background with the vegetations looking
almost like skeletons and bones sticking out in
the water in the foreground. It was taken in late
morning just on the outskirts of Dhaka where big
ocean liners and other ships were being repaired
and restored.
One single vulnerable girl among these huge
pieces of steel ships; the contrast between these
2 subjects is blatant, but effective and with the
grim effect of the plants sticking out of the water
like skeletons. The viewer can really sympathize
with the little girl. Even without any caption, the
audience understand what the image is trying
to convey: the scarcity of clean water forces a
young girl to bathe and clean in water filled with
toxic decaying metal pieces, lead paint and other
poisonous chemicals. I think that is why the image
did well in the competition - it is a strong image on
its own and with that one image, a whole story
can be told.

The image actually came about by surprise. I was
photographing the workers repairing the ships,
documenting the harsh work conditions of the
local people. Then, in an instant this young girl
walks into the scene and starts taking her clothes
off to bathe. My first reaction was of disbelief and
then realized she had no option. There is a lesson
to be had here for photographers: always be
prepared for the unexpected.

© Larry Louie http://www.larrylouie.com/