Real Good Work of Photojournalism

I chanced upon this site on the Digital Journalist online magazine. The story-telling abilities of the featured photographers are amazing and the audio recordings added another dimension to still-image journalism. Powerful work and worth every second of your time.

Mediastorm

Back from 4th Asean Para Games

A whole lot of pictures and experiences make the trip worthwhile. Besides looking from behind the camera, I found myself putting it down and witness the show of determination from the athletes. It causes a sort of emotional upheaval in me, as I took it all in. I tried to be careful while shooting, such that not too much emphasis is placed on the disabilities of the athletes, but rather on their extraordinary abilities despite the odds against them. Not an easy task at all.

Behind every faces lay a tragedy of the past which makes them stronger, strong enough to expose their disabilities to everyone and compete like a true sportsman.

The colour of the medal does not matter in such circumstances. Many of the events have only one competitor, but the race goes on, and the spectators cheered for the lone figure running on the track and facing the head wind. Visually-hadicapped runners have their partners running alongside them, with a string tying both their arms together. Being a runner myself, I imagine how it is like to run a 400m or 800m without knowing how much longer I have to push myself as lactic acid sets in. It can be daunting and punishing to run without seeing. The bond between the athlete and his partner will touch anyone who witness how they went through the distance together and how the partner hands him the shoes and sets his starting block. The partner is always behind the athlete on the track, encouraging him and telling him the distance left. Even after crossing the finishing line, the partner hand him the shoes and guide him off the track.

I am glad to have made the trip, with the support of my wife.


Thai 100m runner Pansanae Suphadee at the finals with her partner.



A Thai swimmer at the 4x100m Medley Relay final.



Vietnam's Vu Van Soan in the Men's Doubles Table Tennis final.



Thailand's Nantaruck Matawadee (blue) being pinned down by her counterpart Aimthaisong Kannika in the Women's Under 70kg Judo match.

Back in Korat

Thats right, I am back in Korat on my own for the Asean Para Games. The publication that I work for did not want to cover it, hence, I decided to head out on my own for some pictures of athletes with disabilities in action and a softer side to sports. I managed hitch a ride from a sports coucil staff and a press pass at the airport. Having been in Korat last month for the SEA Games certainly helps. I can imagine getting stranded at bangkok if not for the arrangements made with disablility sports coucil

I had problem finding my hotel yesterday, luckily my driver was quite a helpful fellow and we managed to find it after 45 minutes. Room is rather clean and spacious for slightly less than S$50 per day. Only problem is communication with the staff, who does not appear be well-versed in English. Sign language skills come into play in these circumstances and lots of smile, never get frustrated when people can't understand you.

My hotel is quite far off the main road, walkable, but lots of barking dogs along the way. About half an hour walk from "The Mall", apparently the biggest shopping mall in North-east Thailand.

My driver failed to show up this morning, but the hotel staff got me a beat up car with an elderly driver, not bad for 180 baht (S$8). His easy driving suits me. I headed straight for athletics and really enjoyed working alone, not having to cover prize presentation and produce the must-have shots of medallist posing with their wares. A dream for most photographers, including myself is to shoot what I want and tell the stories as how I see it. Hope I can keep going under the burning sun and achieve what I set out to do.


My driver and his beat-up car on the 1st day to the stadium.



Thailand's Wasan Khaofai grimaces in pain after finishing the 100m race-T20.



18 year old Tawachai Morapat from Thailand wins the Men's 100m-T42 event.



Indonesia's Hartanto Setiyo Budi on his way to wining the Men's Long Jump-F46 event. He also compete in the high jump.



20 year old Suthis Uansamut from Thailand after winning the Men's 100m-T44 final.