Portrait of a mother

During my stay in Cambodia this year for the Angkor Photo Festival, I took this portrait of a mother who has three mentally ill children. She is selling vegetables and fruit on the local market to support her children. One of the children has shown such violent outbreaks that he remains chained to his hut most of the time. One can see the hardship in the eyes of this fated mother.

My travel agent in Bangkok :-)

Lumpini Park, Bangkok

A few years ago, I came across this open air gym for the first time. Yesterday I went back.

Surprise for Christmas

In case you are still looking for that special Christmas gift for that special someone: a German retailer has got the solution. Why not give your beloved one a brand new shining blue toilet cleaner? I am sure - as the sign says - it will be quite a surprise for the recipient :-)

Objet trouvé

I found this image in a scanner in an internet cafe in London, a genuine object trouvé :-)

I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more :-)

I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.
No, I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.
Well, I wake in the morning,
Fold my hands and pray for rain.
I got a head full of ideas
That are drivin' me insane.
It's a shame the way she makes me scrub the floor.
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.

I ain't gonna work for Maggie's brother no more.
No, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's brother no more.
Well, he hands you a nickel,
He hands you a dime,
He asks you with a grin
If you're havin' a good time,
Then he fines you every time you slam the door.
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's brother no more.

I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more.
No, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more.
Well, he puts his cigar
Out in your face just for kicks.
His bedroom window
It is made out of bricks.
The National Guard stands around his door.
Ah, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more.

I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more.
No, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more.
Well, she talks to all the servants
About man and God and law.
Everybody says
She's the brains behind pa.
She's sixty-eight, but she says she's twenty-four.
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more.

I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.
No, I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.
Well, I try my best
To be just like I am,
But everybody wants you
To be just like them.
They sing while you slave and I just get bored.
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.

(Bob Dylan)

Nick Danziger at Host Gallery

Tonight marked the opening night of a series of talks with distinguished photojournalists at the host gallery (www.hostgallery.co.uk) in East London. At today’s event, Colin Jacobson talked to photojournalist, writer and documentary film-maker Nick Danziger about his work and vision. Nick Danziger is probably best known for his reportages from Afghanistan, which he has visited for over 22 years now, his photo essay on the British and his documentary on Tony Blair in the 30 days run-up to the Iraq war.

Discussion topics ranged from how involved or distanced a journalist should get with his work/subjects to the objectivity/subjectivity divide.

Nick advocated an objective fly-on-the–wall approach in his work for example when doing the Blair Project (which will be shown at the National Portrait Gallery from next February) but suggested that he is getting quite involved with his subjects (and takes a stance) when doing documentary work on humanitarian issues such as his work in Afghanistan or for example his work on sex workers in Leeds.

The talks will take place approximately every two months from now on and are a worthwhile visit to listen to some interesting and intellectually stimulating thoughts.

Battersea Powerstation

Part of Battersea Powerstation is now open to the public for an exhibition by a group of Chinese artists. Quite frankly I was not too impressed by the art work but the building is amazing.