Ladyboy Sex Worker, Thailand 2008

Gerry, it's nice to see you posting photographs here again. I think many of these portraits suit your subject matter better than the more inclusive ones. Maybe a combination would be the ultimate in your quest to describe the situation in Thailand? Good work.
- Thomas

I'm not sure...these have a strength all their own but I found the earlier 4x5 "WeeGee-esque" images to be stronger. Or at least more evocative and containing feeling.
That is just my take; it's obvious there is real dedication and conviction behind this project so I hope I don't give offense.

Colin

thanks not sure what I like best. The 4x5 was a lot harder to work with and hard to compose but really like those large negs. This camera was fun because it allowed midrange and close-ups (bellows on the mamiya twin) fast and easy. No offence taken at all!! Still thinking what works best in those situations. Recently picked up a blad (501c) and might use that next trip.

Think I need to focus on 1 camera and stop jumping between them to much! The final photograph is what matters after all.

Thomas. I think both types have there place. I have some INCLUSIVE photos shot with this camera also but will not post them here out of respect for the people that seem to be upset by the images.

I printed these images because I will be making a submission to a local gallery with them. I guess my earlier submissions were a bit to controversial for this gallery as they were worried about problems with their gov't funding if they showed the work. These slightly tamer photographs might make their cut.

Or you find another gallery...
I think as Colin said the previous series was stronger not because it was shot in 4x5, doesn't really matter but because you had a little bit of distance. That distance got something more.
But this close up series is an excellent complement to the whole story.
Keep working, strong work always comes out at one point.

Gerry if you make a submission to a gallery based on what they want... Do what you want and find an audience for it. You have to be true to yourself.

yes agree with that totally Guillame, I think your right on that point if you include more of the background the work is often stronger. I have been studying the way Dianne Arbus and Peter Hujar used space in their images and there is definately something to that. I think sometimes I have a tendency to move in to close. Thanks for the suggestions, all are very welcome.

Patrick yes I agree totally. I have written several little essays on this subject on my blog. I think thou that this might be a bit of a tweener (maybe I am rationalizing). Heres the story:

I have made 4 submissions to a local gallery that gets provincial (am in Canada) funding, 3 of the 4 so far have been rejected by the gallery (1 will soon be rejected). I went to this gallery to make a donation of a photograph for an auction (non sex worker image). When I was making the donation I talked to and met one of the people who reviewed submissions. She knew my name and told me my work was profoundly powerfull but that they did not want to show it because they were provincially funded and did not want to push the envelope to much. She suggested that the peoples faces were strong enough and that the nudity thou important to the work was not really necessary to convey the message. She then suggested I make a submission of peoples faces without the nudity.
I thought about it and it seemed a bit of a sell out but then I thought these photos have already been made, so is it really selling out? I guess the selection is a bit of a sell out but the images were made before this lady made the suggestion to me.
I think it is a partial sell out but I did create the work (heads/faces) for myself without the idea that I was doing it to please her gallery.

I am not sure how I will proceed, am thinking I will submit for the chance to get my first 1 man show.

Gerry, if this gallery can't show this series in its entirety, then I would look for a private gallery. I think the broader pictures, and some with the nudity are important to present this, admittedly, difficult subject. I like the idea of showing the stairs, and the street, too. Context is important here, and just a number of portraits.. just faces, doesn't really do the subject justice.

I'm on the fence about how you have approached this work, with the harsh flash... and maybe it's because we aren't looking at an edited/sequenced selection of images, but I just feel like photographing each individual in the same way serves to take their individuality away. This is why I think more context is needed within the body of work.

Also, what is your goal for this work, I mean beisdes a solo show? Are you looking to affect some sort of change? Awareness?

Hi, Gerry. I've followed your previous postings and all of the discussions and remain impressed with your open-ness about receiving feedback. It's not the easiest process but I think you've benefitted from some very varied and insightful (and some less-than-insightful) critiques and comments from APUG members.

From my point of view, with all due respect, I think that you're very close to the final choices for this body of work, but you have to make the final cut yourself. You know your subject matter and what you want to say. Put it into context, sure; tell the stories, but no excuses, no apologies.

Get the work out there; it's superb.