* Not an angel... *

[Blackmafia]

Some have asked, so whats with the title...simply put, Im not one...

Im an eccentric traveller and have included in this intineary only with slums, villages and rubbish dumps...I think it calls out for a reflection for self as well as hopefully thru my picts, it might educe one to do his part in helping others...

Frankly, it was tiring with 9 hrs of travelling each day as most of these places are located off the city. You eat with flies all around you and the stench is empowering...but thats the whole point. Whenever I visit a place, I always believe to soak in and live the way they do...

But of course, the next 6 hrs of the day will be the rewarding part. The cold showers, the restaurants and of course the beer. It cost $11 bucks for a carton so it makes more sense to hold a bottle of chill Angkor beer than a dumb cola...

I have since transitted (at least 90%) to film and have never looked back. Making this choice wasnt easy as humans tend to be avarice, tucking in almost every single bit of gears that they have for a trip. That was at least me back then... (not implying that I am a changed person overnight but I try)

How many times have you lug all that only to realize that it had always been that 1 or 2 lens that you used? A trip is a more enjoyable one shedding off those weight and just concentrate on the fundamentals.

My little advice is to know what you like to shoot and shoot all the way with the same combination for at least a year. That is the only way to understand your gears and try to overcome the shortcomings. You tend to lose some but you also gain others...

#1 * What is life... *

Ive read this somewhere and would like to share:

They say life is from B to D, from Birth to Death...

But what comes bet B and D is the letter C...So what is C...

It is a Choice.

All that surround our life are the choices we make.


#2 * Shadows *

Thoughts are the shadows of our feelings...always darker, emptier and simpler.


#3 * The journey *

Sometimes the road we travel doesnt lead to the destination we had hoped for.
But if we can look back and still smile, then we know it is all worthwhile.​

 

[Blackmafia]

#4 * Each Step *

Take a leap of faith with a strong belief in what you are doing first...otherwise you are going to come up with many obstacles...

If not, take baby steps for those you know will work.


#5 * Outskirts *

Although Cambodia is rich in natural resources, the decades of wars have lead them to poverty. The legacy of strife includes social and economic scars that still persist today...

Many of them have been cast to the outskirts because they have posed to be an "obstacle" to the country's development...


#6 * Before you throw out *

Next time you decide to dump your old clothings to the rubbish, think again. In another part of the world, there are many others that arent properly dressed for that matter of fact.

I urged all to consider donating them to an organization of your choice to help others. Please bear in mind that they are not a place to dump those torn and improper ones...

I cant preach as I am guilty of myself buying clothes from time to time...​

 

[Benji77]

Superb series. The contrast/tones really set the mood. Well done.

 

[Blackmafia]

Superb series. The contrast/tones really set the mood. Well done.

Thanks Benji for your kind compliments.

 

[Blackmafia]

#7 * Apples or Bananas...*

Frankly I didnt know if it was the right thing to do. Many of these kids didnt have the luxury of having fruits (Yes, basic fruits like the apples and lychees that we cant be bothered) and so I handed out some to them.

But to my horror, some snatched, shoved, shouted to get their share...

If this is the case that will put their relationships in jeopardy...then I would rather not...


#8 * Economic-imbalance *

Many Cambodian families collect rubbish and plastic bottles to exchange for reil or rice...I had initially wanted to visit a rubbish dump but was turned down by the authority despite talking to them for 10 mins.

And there he was (the "officer-in charge") wearing a python thick gold chain and watch, with a face that looks like he has facial evey week...Thats your so-call socio-economic imbalance... :cry:


#9 * Posed *

These 2 small boys are very diffident and I liked them. I dont usually ask for posed shots but I just wanted to have them in my travelogue...​

 

[Blackmafia]

#10 * Never perfect... *

Its not about perfect but more often the effort...and when you bring that effort every single day, thats where transformation happens...thats how changes happen...

I hope in time to come, these people will have a better life, a better environment to stay in...


#11 * Poverty *

Its inconceivable to think that we spend six or seven dollars a day for lunch, (I spend about $10 for the amount of food I eat...) while the Cambodians are living on forty-five cents per day.

Life in the slums is horrific. There is a serious lack of clean water, fresh food, and adequate healthcare. If the average income is only .45 cents per day, how could a Cambodian family afford a
doctor and medicine, much less food?

These statistics are just mind boggling, and this is definitely the most important contribution to poverty in Cambodia.

(Source from M.A.P Nanking Project)


#12 * Contradict *

In Cambodia, population living under poverty line os USD$1.25 is defined as the poor...

Its hard to believe that when everywhere in the city streets, you get to see landrover sports, mercs, mini Lexus (They call the RX350s the Mini...)

And there in the outskirts, you have kids who cant even afford apples to eat...​

 

[Yamakasi]

Very nice photos!

 

[Blackmafia]

Very nice photos!

Thanks!

 

[Blackmafia]

#13 * Being Happy *

We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have...


#14 * Friendship *

We spoke so often about choosing our friends but we often forget that friends are self elected. And those that stick with you thru hardships are the ones that will stay for the longest time...


#15 * Gangnam style *

Amongst all the hardship you see, it's not just doom and gloom. The Cambodians apparently are very much into Korean wave and with my limited storage of korean songs, I can only dance off to Gangnam style with this boy.​

 

[147CC]

Nice Series!

 

[Blackmafia]

Nice Series!

Thanks, hopefully it tells a story to help these folks...

 

[Blackmafia]

#16 * Helping Hand *

If you want happiness for an hour, go take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune.

If you want happiness for a lifetime, help others.


#17 * Living condition *

Here you will see that the living conditions in these slums are pretty bad...No clean water and lots of dump around their houses...

#18 * Happy *

Looking at these kids playing happily with mud and water...it just leaves me thinking.

We can all either move on with life, or keep dwelling on the things we cant change. But having said that, life is still going to move on with or without us.​

 

[alantcs2010]

i like the series you took. What film are you using?

 

[crysmeth]

Great stuff. Subscribing to your thread. Yes do share your film.

 

[Blackmafia]

i like the series you took. What film are you using?

Great stuff. Subscribing to your thread. Yes do share your film.

Thanks, film used are Ilford Delta 100 Pro and Pan 100.

 

[Nikkiflosky]

Brilliant. I have been greatly involved in the "Children of Cambodia" movement and have seen many of such situations but I've never seen them more beautifully captured than in your photos. Great work!

 

[Blackmafia]

Brilliant. I have been greatly involved in the "Children of Cambodia" movement and have seen many of such situations but I've never seen them more beautifully captured than in your photos. Great work!

Thanks. It's nice to hear that you have been helping these kids on your end!

Are you situated in Singapore?

 

[Nikkiflosky]

Thanks. It's nice to hear that you have been helping these kids on your end!

Are you situated in Singapore?

Yes I am. We actually managed to get some Leica photographers to take some photos but the mood was a lot darker because the shots were all in hospitals

 

[Blackmafia]

#19 * Math *

Simply sums it up:
Life + Laughter x Love - Hate = Happiness.


#20 * Windows *

And they often say eyes are the windows to your soul.

Its true when you look into the eyes of this baby girl...but I hope her eyes are also the ocean in which her dreams are reflected.

All the best!

I will end off these photos on the lives of Cambodia and I do hope that it would help them in one way or another...

Lastly, please continue to share and do our little bit for the less fortunate!​