Born in Japan in 1984. Studied in a university in the USA from 2003 to 2007. Moved to Romania in 2007 and then Ukraine in 2008. Based in Bishkek/Almaty since 2010. Speaks Russian and English with a Japanese accent.
Ikuru Kuwajima
Portfolio
Crimean Cossacks
After the Soviet Union's collapse, Cossacks have been reviving their tradition mainly in Ukraine and Russia. In Crimea, a number of active Cossack communities have been springing up in the past decade. Some of them are also tied to pro-Russian movement, as ethnic Russians still dominate the demography in Crimea. Before the Soviet Union, Cossacks formed independent military communities, with a large degree of autonomy and were known as brave soldiers with skillful horsemanship, having fought many wars for hundreds of years. However, Cossacks' activities and tradition are suppressed during the Soviet era. After the Soviet collapse, Cossacks have been active in restoring their tradition, working as security guards in each community, organizing quasi-military training and organizing events related to Cossack's history and culture o reaffirm their identity.
For Picturing Economy Hardship with Joerg Colberg
Title:
In the Shadow of Oil Development
Kazakhstan has been growing rapidly with its abundant oil and gas resources since its independence after the Soviet collapse. However, the oil money concentrates in a few large cities. Western Kazakhstan around the Caspian Sea is the heart of the oil industry of the nation. Despite the recent development visible in the new glaring massive architecture, the benefit of oil money hasn't been distributed equally in the the region. The region is also known as one of the
"toughest" areas in Kazakhstan, as the strong, cold wind blows the semi-desert area during the winter. I will be photographing the locals struggling to catch up with the rapid growth and inflation, and the collection of photographs will show the contrast of the development and ones left behind.
Application for Editorial Photography Workshop with Sarah Harbutt/Patrick Witty
Story Ideas
1. Winter in Astana
Covered by snow, Kazakhstan's new capital Astana goes through a freezing winter every year. Astana is the world second coldest capital, and temperatures sometimes reaches -40. Since the city became the capital in 1998, the oil rich country has been investing in a number of construction projects around the city, where many gleaming buildings have been spring up. And, Astana became know for its “futuristic” look. Yet, the city's population has not reached 1 million, and the city still appears a little empty at first glance, and even emptier during the winter due to the cold. The collection of photographs will simply show the futuristic city’s freezing winter scene and daily life of residents, who have to deal with the harsh winter.
2. In the Shadow of Oil Development
Kazakhstan has been growing rapidly with its abundant oil and gas resources since its independence after the Soviet collapse. However, the oil money concentrates in a few large cities. Western Kazakhstan around the Caspian Sea is the heart of the oil industry of the nation. Despite the recent development visible in the new glaring massive architecture, the benefit of oil money hasn't been distributed equally in the the region. The region is also known as one of the
"toughest" areas in Kazakhstan, as the strong, cold wind blows the semi-desert area during the winter. I will be photographing the locals struggling to catch up with the rapid growth and inflation, and the collection of photographs will show the contrast of the development and ones left behind.
Photographic Goal:
My photographic goal is to complete projects that are under-covered by the main media and give deeper understanding of the subjects visually, and then to publish them.
Goal for this workshop:
To improve the skills to work on documentary/photojournalism projects. I also have problems with editing, tend to suffer from visual redundancy and often finish projects before getting closer to the subjects, and I want to get more advice on how to make progress in each photo project when I feel like it hits the wall. Also, I want to learn how to conceptualize each project better and how to present it. I also hope to learn what is needed to market works and publish them even if they are a little off from the major media's attention.
Response to Assignment WEEK 3: POINT OF VIEW
Hi Sarah and Patrick,
I was going to shoot with film, but I realized that I won't be able to make the deadline. So, I've also shot a lot with digital. There wasn't as much as snow as I expected - much less than usual, according to locals. I still have some issues with access, like photographing in clubs. A lot of government officials live in the city, and they don't want pictures taken. So, I need some more time to get access to certain places. I plan to come back to the city within a week or two and continue the project.
Response to Assignment Week 4: Project for Sale
Hi
Well, I've been working on this for three years since I left from school three years ago. This year was very interesting one for me.
I love working on projects and want to continue doing it, but at the same time, I want to publish pictures to let them seen and also make some money to finance the next projects. So, I've been trying to work on both news and middle and long term projects. I tried to do so this year, and the turnout was a bit confusing.
In February, I lived in Kiev, hoping for some work or publication for the presidential election, but absolutely no luck. People were also busy with working on the stories forom Haiti at that time. I contacted several international newspapers, but they gave no answer. And, I didn't really get interesting pictures either.
Then, I moved to Kyrgyzstan after the revolution in April. In May, there was some minor violence going on after the revolution, and I shot it. I sold one picture to Russian Reporter . And then, a international newspaper X also promised to publish a series of photos from the violence and some other scenes from the southern Kyrgyzstan. I didn't like the pictures very much and also shot with digital, but the editor said they were good for the story. And, I've sent pictures, and I was waiting of the publication.
Then, the deadly June violence broke out in Osh. I was pretty much there when it happened. I tried to photograph but got beaten up by mobs and cameras destroyed. I was sent to the hospital and was stuck there for five days while I was receiving e-mails from some major publications offering me an assignment. It was my first time getting assignment offers, but it was impossible to take because I couldn't get out of the hospital...
Even worse, the newspaper that promised to publish the pictures canceled the publication because the June violence pretty much made their story pretty irrelevant. I got no pay from this as well, although I totally understood the situation.
I got out of the hospital after 5 days, bought a used 5 D and contacted the newspapers that offered me an assignment during the violence, but it was too late. They've got pictures from someone and no longer "news." But, I got some work from an NGO and went back to Osh to shoot. The NGO also distributed to the pictures to some newspapers like Guardian for free, though I was happy with the NGO in terms of condition, payment etc. I also sold pictures from the work with the NGO to the Japanese magazine with a lengthy text.
I wasn't happy with the pictures I took for the NGO in Osh, and I went back, shooting the aftermath of the conflict. I had some series, but again, no one seemed interested although I got some positive feedbacks... Well, it wasn't really news anymore for the big media, at least. Also, probably because pictures don't look so different from what came out when the violence was reported in June. Yet, somehow, I sold two pictures to a German newspaper through my agency in German. And, I'm also selling them to the Japanese magazine. Those pictures are on my profile page.
Well, from this experience, I felt that the "timing," "relevancy" and "scarcity" are really important to sell pictures to the Western publications in which the competition is very, very tough. And, the relevancy also means what's relevant to people in each country/region in the West . And, sometimes, the quality doesn't matter as much... On the other hand, it seems that stories that are radically innovative or new, in terms of concepts and ideas, and at least almost perfectly done still find places for publications. But, those stories require a lot of time or excellency in creativeness. And, I haven't done it yet.
So, here comes a dilemma. If you are chasing news, it would be harder to work and spend enough time on a long term project with excellent quality. And, you might also have to spend tons of money for travel etc unless you get commissioned. If you are working on a long term project, then it would also be hard to chase news, which would seems to have more chance to publish and maintain the relationships with editors at news publications. And, you won't get income from the editorial work so often as a photojournalist. Off course, if a photojournalist become really "established," and then it seems like s/he get better chance of making contacts with editors, publishing stories and getting assignments. But, it takes time if never.
And, the question 1:
Focusing on a long term as opposed to chasing news would mean turning your back to, let's say, seeking a editorial photographer career? For instance, I could technically spend $600 to fly to Moscow, risking myself and a camera getting beaten up by Russian neo-natzists while shooting immigrants, hoping to make some pictures published. But, it reminds me of my Osh situation in someway. If something like this happens in Kyrgyzstan, I would most likely go, but the situation in Moscow would be pretty risky for me because I look like a central Asian who could get stabbed by natzists. Plus, at least $600 to get there. Sure, if I get assigned, I would, but that wouldn't probably be the case. And, if you just work for a week, the quality wouldn't be as much as working in a longer term. This is just an example, and there should be a lot of cases similar to this more or less if you are intending to take pictures that seem more publishable than others. So, I'm more like gearing toward what Rob Hornstra famously said is "slow photojournalism" and rather continue to work on my Astana project. I feel like I would get more satisfaction from slow, long-term projects in which you have time to think, plan and shoot. But, if you shoot in that way, it seems to me that working as a full-time editorial photojournalist (at least rather than "photographer") would become even more like the one-of-these-days thing. But, would you agree on that?
As for communication with editors, I have some contacts with a few editors that I met in New York and Moscow sometime ago. But then, I haven't written them for a while in the last two months. Actually, maybe I could have sent them some update on a long term project about immigrants, which I started working on in Moscow last month, which is on my blog: www.ikurukuwajima.com/blog
But, I still think the quality is not there, and I hesitate to send them a buzz because I feel like sending too many e-mails just annoys editors sometimes. I actually wonder about those things.
Here is the question 2:
Should I send an update to editors to let them know where you are and what you are working on even if the pictures are so so and also most likely wouldn't result in the publication? I mean, sending them e-mails/updates could just annoy them, unless you have really solid pictures to show?
Actually, if Patrick remembers, I've met you in the office when you were working at New York Times almost two years ago... I didn't give you a good update, which was my fault. And, I kinda lost a contact and even got my e-mail bounced back... Then, you left, and I lost contacts with editors at the foreign desk. E-mails never even reach them and got bounced back. When i was in Kyrgyzstan, a kind NYT photographer I know helps me get in touch with the foreign desk editors, but it never worked out. Off course, if I contacted during the middle of the Osh violence, I probably could have, but as I said, I was sitting in the hospital, just looking at the empty wall and drinking tea with other patients...
I still don't get the sense of how to keep and make contacts with editors in positive ways. Keeping in touch with editors seems to be one good step to publish stories and/or get some work. I do make some money from editorial works, but I also work on random photo works like wedding and have somewhat journalistic translation work for now. But, I'm not sure how sustainable it is to work like this in the long run.
I attached part of the tearsheets of my pictures published in Romanian, Japanese and Dutch publications. When I lived in Romania, I shot a fisherman in Danube Delta, showed it to an editor at Romanian version of the National Geographic. He liked it and published it and also sent it to the Japanese one, and they also decided to publish it. Also, a series of drug addicts were published in a Japanese journalism magazine. I also got contacted by the nice editor partly because there are actually not so many Japanese young photojournalists working on documentary type of pictures. The Dutch one is a horse racing magazine, and they saw my old draft-horse racing image somewhere, contacted me and bought one picture for a spread. Those things happened in pretty straightforward process. I'm afraid that my questions might have a bit digressed from the topic a bit, and if so, I'd apologize.
Response to Assignment WEEK 9: A Final Edit
Hi Patrick and Sarah,
I am posting the diptychs of my edit and other selects with captions that might be paired up differently.
I unfortunately had to cancel the last trip to Astana for this workshop, which will end pretty soon.. The good news is that I did e-mailing things to a few editors, and one magazine is publishing the series. But, they want the pictures in a short turnaround time, and this was one of the main reasons I had to cancel the trip since I needed to re-scan, re-edit etc... So, I hope you understand this.
In some sense, this project is turning out to be successful, at least financially. And, I really appreciate to the masters and everyone else.
I choose those images for diptychs by showing the visual and conceptual contrast/similarity between the inside and outside. And, I hope the pairs of pictures can convey that idea to the viewers.
I'm hoping to continue the project since the winter is not over, and I think it's worth trying (would you agree?). I'd appreciate if you could also give me feedbacks on what else you'd like to see in the series to make a better project. I think I've got enough pictures to publish, but to make it to another level, I should be aware of which pictures I should take. Otherwise, I feel like making the same pictures again.
Here is the captions each picture:
1.
Left: An old couple walk near Astana's symbol Bayterek tower on Dec. 29, 2010. The 97-meter tall tower was built in 1997, and the name Bayterek means a poplar tree, a symbol of the tree of life in Kazakh myth. On top of Bayterek lies an egg of a mythical bird Samruk, and the egg symbolizes the sun.
Right: Kazakh woman in Kazakh's ethnic costume stands at the reception for a concert for Kazakh music held in the Presidential Center of Culture in Astana on Dec. 9 2010. On her head, she wears Saukele, a traditional Kazakh headdress for woman.
2.
Left: Katya, 8, plays on the Ishim river, which is frozen during the winter in Astana, Kazakhtan on Dec. 26, 2010. The Ishim river separates Astana into the newly developed left bank and the old right bank.
Right:
Muhit, a lifesaver, kills his time doing a handstand on the artificial beach at Khan Shatyr, a giant transparent tent with shopping and entertainment venues, on Dec. 11 2010. Khan Shatyr and the artificial beach opened in summer 2010.
3.
Left:
A tree decorated with small light bulbs glow on the street by a new apartment on the left bank of Astana.
Right:
A palm tree was photographed in the main building of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.
4.
Left:
The Ishim river gets frozen during the winter. The pyramid on the right is Pyramid of Peace and Accord, also translated as Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. The landscape was photographed on August 15, 2010.
Right:
A large figure of a camel photographed at Khan Shatyr, a giant transparent tent with shopping and entertainment venues, on Dec. 11 2010. Khan Shatyr and the artificial beach opened in summer 2010.
5.
Left:
Lights glow at the small park in the left bank of Astana. Lights are glowing in different parks around the left bank of Astana, showing off the country's abundant resources.
Right:
Participants of a new year party dance in Astana's five-star Rixos President Hotel Astana.
6.
Left: Boy poses for a picture on the bridge on the Ishim river.
Right:
Kamila, 8, poses for a picture at the artificial beach in Khan Shatyr, a giant transparent tent with shopping and entertainment venues.
7.
Left:
View of the downtown Astana located on the left bank of the city. On the right is the tower Bayterek, Astana's symbol. The left bank was developed rapidly with the a number of "futuristic' looking buildingsafter Kazakhstan moved its capital from Almaty to Astana in 1997.
Right:
Visitors pass by the smaller version of the Statue of Liberty at the entertainment center Duman in Astana on Dec. 31, 2010
8.
Left:
Malahay is a hat used in the cold area in central Asia.
Right:
Beach sandal lie on the artificial beach in Khan Shatyr, an entertainment center completed in Summer 2010. The picture was taken on Dec. 11, 2010.
9.
Left:
Residential buildings stand by the Ishim river frozen during the winter on Dec. 26, 2010. The small tent on the right bottom is a fisherman, fishing on the river. The left bank of Astana has been developed rapidly with the a number of "futuristic' looking buildingsafter Kazakhstan moved its capital from Almaty to Astana in 1997.
Right:
Woman stands in front of a large octopus figure in the aquarium at Duman, an entertainment center, in Astana, Kazakhstan, which is considered as a landlocked country, on Dec. 31, 2010.
10.
Left:
A Christmas tree glows by the Presidential Palace in the center of Astana.
Right:
A painting of palm trees hang on the room in a five-star hotel Peking Palace - Soluxe Hotel Astana, which is owned by a Chinese oil firm, in the downtown Astana.
11.
Left:
Kazakh man digs up snow to get his car into the way in the downtown Astana.
Right:
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
12. Park in the left bank of Astana is covered by snow on Dec. 29, 2010.
13. Children play with snow by a new luxurious residential complex "HighVill" in the left bank of Astana.
14.
Ice statues are se up by the Ishim River near in Astana.
15.
The beach by Ishim River is covered by the snow during the winter, by the Ishim river in Astana.
16.
A large billboard show Kazakh boys on the horses on the street in Astana. The Kazakh are originally nomads living in the steppe in Central Asia.
17.
The foot of a boy playing outside by the Ishim River in Astana.
18.
A broken umbrella was photographed on the street of the downtown Astana.
19.
Man with Santa Claus's costume walks toward the pyramid called Palace of Peace and Reconciliation to warm up. He stands by the pyramid all day to get photographed with the visitors to the pyramid.
20.
A man with Santa Claus's costume warms up inside the pyramid called Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. He stands outside the pyramid all day to get photographed with the visitors to the pyramid.
21.
A man with Santa Claus's costume was photographed by the pyramid called Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. He stands outside the pyramid all day to get photographed with the visitors to the pyramid.
22.
The parking lot by the buildings, where different ministries' head offices are located.
23.
A 15 year old boy was photographed downtown on the left bank of Astana.
24.
Children play by the Ishim River in Astana.
25.
Poster for 2011 Asian Winter Games is displayed on the street in Astana.
26.
Man walks on the street in the downtown Astana.
27.
The bare road by the new luxurious residential complex Highvill on the left bank of Astana.
28.
City workers clean the street in the downtown Astana. The area is kept clean to showcase the city to the visitors.
29.
Snow blows the street by the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the downtown Astana.
30.
A ministry building was photographed in the downtown Astana.
31.
The top floor of Khan Shatyr is designed like a tropical resort. Khan Shatyr is a giant transparent tent with shopping and entertainment venues.
32.
Muhit, a lifesaver, poses for a picture at the artificial beach at Khan Shatyr, a giant transparent tent with shopping and entertainment venues, on Dec. 11 2010. Khan Shatyr and the artificial beach opened in summer 2010.
33.
Visitors to Khan Shatyr enjoy their weekend at the artificial beach.
34.
Visitors to Khan Shatyr enjoy their weekend at the artificial beach.
35.
Visitors to Khan Shatyr enjoy their weekend at the artificial beach.
36.
A shopping center in the downtown Astana is decorated with the winter theme.
37.
Visitors to an entertainment center Duman watch the 5D cinema.
38.
A person with a shark is drawn on a board for pictures by the aquarium in the entertainment center Duman. Kazakhstan is considered as a landlocked country.
39.
Fish are displayed in a seafood restaurant in Khan Shatyr. Kazakhstan is considered as a landlocked country.
40.
Visitors pass by a fish in the aquarium at Duman, an entertainment center, in Astana on Dec. 31, 2010.
41.
A boy watches fish in the aquarium at Duman, an entertainment center, in Astana on Dec. 31, 2010.
42.
A worker at a five-star hotel Peking Palace - Soluxe Hotel Astana, which is owned by a Chinese oil firm, in the downtown Astana.
43.
Cars pass by the main street of Astana.
44.
Bayterek glows in the center of Astana at night.
45.
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
46.
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
47.
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
48.
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
49.
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
50
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
thanks!
Response to Assignment WEEK 3: POINT OF VIEW
Workshop: EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Hi Sarah and Patrick,
I was going to shoot with film, but I realized that I won't be able to make the deadline. So, I've also shot a lot with digital. There wasn't as much as snow as I expected - much less than usual, according to locals. I still have some issues with access, like photographing in clubs. A lot of government officials live in the city, and they don't want pictures taken. So, I need some more time to get access to certain places. I plan to come back to the city within a week or two and continue the project.
Response to Assignment Week 4: Project for Sale
Workshop: EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Hi
Well, I've been working on this for three years since I left from school three years ago. This year was very interesting one for me.
I love working on projects and want to continue doing it, but at the same time, I want to publish pictures to let them seen and also make some money to finance the next projects. So, I've been trying to work on both news and middle and long term projects. I tried to do so this year, and the turnout was a bit confusing.
In February, I lived in Kiev, hoping for some work or publication for the presidential election, but absolutely no luck. People were also busy with working on the stories forom Haiti at that time. I contacted several international newspapers, but they gave no answer. And, I didn't really get interesting pictures either.
Then, I moved to Kyrgyzstan after the revolution in April. In May, there was some minor violence going on after the revolution, and I shot it. I sold one picture to Russian Reporter . And then, a international newspaper X also promised to publish a series of photos from the violence and some other scenes from the southern Kyrgyzstan. I didn't like the pictures very much and also shot with digital, but the editor said they were good for the story. And, I've sent pictures, and I was waiting of the publication.
Then, the deadly June violence broke out in Osh. I was pretty much there when it happened. I tried to photograph but got beaten up by mobs and cameras destroyed. I was sent to the hospital and was stuck there for five days while I was receiving e-mails from some major publications offering me an assignment. It was my first time getting assignment offers, but it was impossible to take because I couldn't get out of the hospital...
Even worse, the newspaper that promised to publish the pictures canceled the publication because the June violence pretty much made their story pretty irrelevant. I got no pay from this as well, although I totally understood the situation.
I got out of the hospital after 5 days, bought a used 5 D and contacted the newspapers that offered me an assignment during the violence, but it was too late. They've got pictures from someone and no longer "news." But, I got some work from an NGO and went back to Osh to shoot. The NGO also distributed to the pictures to some newspapers like Guardian for free, though I was happy with the NGO in terms of condition, payment etc. I also sold pictures from the work with the NGO to the Japanese magazine with a lengthy text.
I wasn't happy with the pictures I took for the NGO in Osh, and I went back, shooting the aftermath of the conflict. I had some series, but again, no one seemed interested although I got some positive feedbacks... Well, it wasn't really news anymore for the big media, at least. Also, probably because pictures don't look so different from what came out when the violence was reported in June. Yet, somehow, I sold two pictures to a German newspaper through my agency in German. And, I'm also selling them to the Japanese magazine. Those pictures are on my profile page.
Well, from this experience, I felt that the "timing," "relevancy" and "scarcity" are really important to sell pictures to the Western publications in which the competition is very, very tough. And, the relevancy also means what's relevant to people in each country/region in the West . And, sometimes, the quality doesn't matter as much... On the other hand, it seems that stories that are radically innovative or new, in terms of concepts and ideas, and at least almost perfectly done still find places for publications. But, those stories require a lot of time or excellency in creativeness. And, I haven't done it yet.
So, here comes a dilemma. If you are chasing news, it would be harder to work and spend enough time on a long term project with excellent quality. And, you might also have to spend tons of money for travel etc unless you get commissioned. If you are working on a long term project, then it would also be hard to chase news, which would seems to have more chance to publish and maintain the relationships with editors at news publications. And, you won't get income from the editorial work so often as a photojournalist. Off course, if a photojournalist become really "established," and then it seems like s/he get better chance of making contacts with editors, publishing stories and getting assignments. But, it takes time if never.
And, the question 1:
Focusing on a long term as opposed to chasing news would mean turning your back to, let's say, seeking a editorial photographer career? For instance, I could technically spend $600 to fly to Moscow, risking myself and a camera getting beaten up by Russian neo-natzists while shooting immigrants, hoping to make some pictures published. But, it reminds me of my Osh situation in someway. If something like this happens in Kyrgyzstan, I would most likely go, but the situation in Moscow would be pretty risky for me because I look like a central Asian who could get stabbed by natzists. Plus, at least $600 to get there. Sure, if I get assigned, I would, but that wouldn't probably be the case. And, if you just work for a week, the quality wouldn't be as much as working in a longer term. This is just an example, and there should be a lot of cases similar to this more or less if you are intending to take pictures that seem more publishable than others. So, I'm more like gearing toward what Rob Hornstra famously said is "slow photojournalism" and rather continue to work on my Astana project. I feel like I would get more satisfaction from slow, long-term projects in which you have time to think, plan and shoot. But, if you shoot in that way, it seems to me that working as a full-time editorial photojournalist (at least rather than "photographer") would become even more like the one-of-these-days thing. But, would you agree on that?
As for communication with editors, I have some contacts with a few editors that I met in New York and Moscow sometime ago. But then, I haven't written them for a while in the last two months. Actually, maybe I could have sent them some update on a long term project about immigrants, which I started working on in Moscow last month, which is on my blog: www.ikurukuwajima.com/blog
But, I still think the quality is not there, and I hesitate to send them a buzz because I feel like sending too many e-mails just annoys editors sometimes. I actually wonder about those things.
Here is the question 2:
Should I send an update to editors to let them know where you are and what you are working on even if the pictures are so so and also most likely wouldn't result in the publication? I mean, sending them e-mails/updates could just annoy them, unless you have really solid pictures to show?
Actually, if Patrick remembers, I've met you in the office when you were working at New York Times almost two years ago... I didn't give you a good update, which was my fault. And, I kinda lost a contact and even got my e-mail bounced back... Then, you left, and I lost contacts with editors at the foreign desk. E-mails never even reach them and got bounced back. When i was in Kyrgyzstan, a kind NYT photographer I know helps me get in touch with the foreign desk editors, but it never worked out. Off course, if I contacted during the middle of the Osh violence, I probably could have, but as I said, I was sitting in the hospital, just looking at the empty wall and drinking tea with other patients...
I still don't get the sense of how to keep and make contacts with editors in positive ways. Keeping in touch with editors seems to be one good step to publish stories and/or get some work. I do make some money from editorial works, but I also work on random photo works like wedding and have somewhat journalistic translation work for now. But, I'm not sure how sustainable it is to work like this in the long run.
I attached part of the tearsheets of my pictures published in Romanian, Japanese and Dutch publications. When I lived in Romania, I shot a fisherman in Danube Delta, showed it to an editor at Romanian version of the National Geographic. He liked it and published it and also sent it to the Japanese one, and they also decided to publish it. Also, a series of drug addicts were published in a Japanese journalism magazine. I also got contacted by the nice editor partly because there are actually not so many Japanese young photojournalists working on documentary type of pictures. The Dutch one is a horse racing magazine, and they saw my old draft-horse racing image somewhere, contacted me and bought one picture for a spread. Those things happened in pretty straightforward process. I'm afraid that my questions might have a bit digressed from the topic a bit, and if so, I'd apologize.
Response to Assignment WEEK 9: A Final Edit
Workshop: EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Hi Patrick and Sarah,
I am posting the diptychs of my edit and other selects with captions that might be paired up differently.
I unfortunately had to cancel the last trip to Astana for this workshop, which will end pretty soon.. The good news is that I did e-mailing things to a few editors, and one magazine is publishing the series. But, they want the pictures in a short turnaround time, and this was one of the main reasons I had to cancel the trip since I needed to re-scan, re-edit etc... So, I hope you understand this.
In some sense, this project is turning out to be successful, at least financially. And, I really appreciate to the masters and everyone else.
I choose those images for diptychs by showing the visual and conceptual contrast/similarity between the inside and outside. And, I hope the pairs of pictures can convey that idea to the viewers.
I'm hoping to continue the project since the winter is not over, and I think it's worth trying (would you agree?). I'd appreciate if you could also give me feedbacks on what else you'd like to see in the series to make a better project. I think I've got enough pictures to publish, but to make it to another level, I should be aware of which pictures I should take. Otherwise, I feel like making the same pictures again.
Here is the captions each picture:
1.
Left: An old couple walk near Astana's symbol Bayterek tower on Dec. 29, 2010. The 97-meter tall tower was built in 1997, and the name Bayterek means a poplar tree, a symbol of the tree of life in Kazakh myth. On top of Bayterek lies an egg of a mythical bird Samruk, and the egg symbolizes the sun.
Right: Kazakh woman in Kazakh's ethnic costume stands at the reception for a concert for Kazakh music held in the Presidential Center of Culture in Astana on Dec. 9 2010. On her head, she wears Saukele, a traditional Kazakh headdress for woman.
2.
Left: Katya, 8, plays on the Ishim river, which is frozen during the winter in Astana, Kazakhtan on Dec. 26, 2010. The Ishim river separates Astana into the newly developed left bank and the old right bank.
Right:
Muhit, a lifesaver, kills his time doing a handstand on the artificial beach at Khan Shatyr, a giant transparent tent with shopping and entertainment venues, on Dec. 11 2010. Khan Shatyr and the artificial beach opened in summer 2010.
3.
Left:
A tree decorated with small light bulbs glow on the street by a new apartment on the left bank of Astana.
Right:
A palm tree was photographed in the main building of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.
4.
Left:
The Ishim river gets frozen during the winter. The pyramid on the right is Pyramid of Peace and Accord, also translated as Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. The landscape was photographed on August 15, 2010.
Right:
A large figure of a camel photographed at Khan Shatyr, a giant transparent tent with shopping and entertainment venues, on Dec. 11 2010. Khan Shatyr and the artificial beach opened in summer 2010.
5.
Left:
Lights glow at the small park in the left bank of Astana. Lights are glowing in different parks around the left bank of Astana, showing off the country's abundant resources.
Right:
Participants of a new year party dance in Astana's five-star Rixos President Hotel Astana.
6.
Left: Boy poses for a picture on the bridge on the Ishim river.
Right:
Kamila, 8, poses for a picture at the artificial beach in Khan Shatyr, a giant transparent tent with shopping and entertainment venues.
7.
Left:
View of the downtown Astana located on the left bank of the city. On the right is the tower Bayterek, Astana's symbol. The left bank was developed rapidly with the a number of "futuristic' looking buildingsafter Kazakhstan moved its capital from Almaty to Astana in 1997.
Right:
Visitors pass by the smaller version of the Statue of Liberty at the entertainment center Duman in Astana on Dec. 31, 2010
8.
Left:
Malahay is a hat used in the cold area in central Asia.
Right:
Beach sandal lie on the artificial beach in Khan Shatyr, an entertainment center completed in Summer 2010. The picture was taken on Dec. 11, 2010.
9.
Left:
Residential buildings stand by the Ishim river frozen during the winter on Dec. 26, 2010. The small tent on the right bottom is a fisherman, fishing on the river. The left bank of Astana has been developed rapidly with the a number of "futuristic' looking buildingsafter Kazakhstan moved its capital from Almaty to Astana in 1997.
Right:
Woman stands in front of a large octopus figure in the aquarium at Duman, an entertainment center, in Astana, Kazakhstan, which is considered as a landlocked country, on Dec. 31, 2010.
10.
Left:
A Christmas tree glows by the Presidential Palace in the center of Astana.
Right:
A painting of palm trees hang on the room in a five-star hotel Peking Palace - Soluxe Hotel Astana, which is owned by a Chinese oil firm, in the downtown Astana.
11.
Left:
Kazakh man digs up snow to get his car into the way in the downtown Astana.
Right:
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
12. Park in the left bank of Astana is covered by snow on Dec. 29, 2010.
13. Children play with snow by a new luxurious residential complex "HighVill" in the left bank of Astana.
14.
Ice statues are se up by the Ishim River near in Astana.
15.
The beach by Ishim River is covered by the snow during the winter, by the Ishim river in Astana.
16.
A large billboard show Kazakh boys on the horses on the street in Astana. The Kazakh are originally nomads living in the steppe in Central Asia.
17.
The foot of a boy playing outside by the Ishim River in Astana.
18.
A broken umbrella was photographed on the street of the downtown Astana.
19.
Man with Santa Claus's costume walks toward the pyramid called Palace of Peace and Reconciliation to warm up. He stands by the pyramid all day to get photographed with the visitors to the pyramid.
20.
A man with Santa Claus's costume warms up inside the pyramid called Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. He stands outside the pyramid all day to get photographed with the visitors to the pyramid.
21.
A man with Santa Claus's costume was photographed by the pyramid called Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. He stands outside the pyramid all day to get photographed with the visitors to the pyramid.
22.
The parking lot by the buildings, where different ministries' head offices are located.
23.
A 15 year old boy was photographed downtown on the left bank of Astana.
24.
Children play by the Ishim River in Astana.
25.
Poster for 2011 Asian Winter Games is displayed on the street in Astana.
26.
Man walks on the street in the downtown Astana.
27.
The bare road by the new luxurious residential complex Highvill on the left bank of Astana.
28.
City workers clean the street in the downtown Astana. The area is kept clean to showcase the city to the visitors.
29.
Snow blows the street by the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the downtown Astana.
30.
A ministry building was photographed in the downtown Astana.
31.
The top floor of Khan Shatyr is designed like a tropical resort. Khan Shatyr is a giant transparent tent with shopping and entertainment venues.
32.
Muhit, a lifesaver, poses for a picture at the artificial beach at Khan Shatyr, a giant transparent tent with shopping and entertainment venues, on Dec. 11 2010. Khan Shatyr and the artificial beach opened in summer 2010.
33.
Visitors to Khan Shatyr enjoy their weekend at the artificial beach.
34.
Visitors to Khan Shatyr enjoy their weekend at the artificial beach.
35.
Visitors to Khan Shatyr enjoy their weekend at the artificial beach.
36.
A shopping center in the downtown Astana is decorated with the winter theme.
37.
Visitors to an entertainment center Duman watch the 5D cinema.
38.
A person with a shark is drawn on a board for pictures by the aquarium in the entertainment center Duman. Kazakhstan is considered as a landlocked country.
39.
Fish are displayed in a seafood restaurant in Khan Shatyr. Kazakhstan is considered as a landlocked country.
40.
Visitors pass by a fish in the aquarium at Duman, an entertainment center, in Astana on Dec. 31, 2010.
41.
A boy watches fish in the aquarium at Duman, an entertainment center, in Astana on Dec. 31, 2010.
42.
A worker at a five-star hotel Peking Palace - Soluxe Hotel Astana, which is owned by a Chinese oil firm, in the downtown Astana.
43.
Cars pass by the main street of Astana.
44.
Bayterek glows in the center of Astana at night.
45.
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
46.
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
47.
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
48.
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
49.
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
50
Participant of a New Year's party celebrate for the coming year in Astana's five-star hotel Rixos President Hotel Astana on Dec. 31. 2010. The entrance ticket for the party costed about $500 per person.
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