The Journicle

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Malaysia | Tuesday, November 8, 2011 | 5 photos

My name is Raffi. I come from a family where almost everything is provided, daily. We're not well off but we know we're luckier than most people in Malaysia. I always knew poverty and scarcity exists, at least in my country it does. I always thought to myself, "There's no place worse than what I've seen in my country." But I was wrong. In the beginning of the year, I made a life changing decision. I decided to go out there, face the world, and come out from my comfort zone. That opportunity represented itself in the form of a destination, Bangladesh. The whole experience can be summarised in the 5 photos I’ve posted. My vision, the most important aspect of my photography. I always love to create images that lasts forever. Timeless, Nostalgic and Impactful (I love film!). Those are the elements I try to include in every moment I freeze. I know I was going to be photographer when I met my first SLR. What started to be a hobby turned into something more serious. I was never a shutter crazy person. I shoot a lot, yes, but most of the time I like to go out, see the world out there and then when I’m ready, I translate those thoughts into pictures. I know it sounds so cliché. But that was the most important thing I did as a photographer. I emptied myself, observe life as it is and snap snap snap. I've learned so much from the Bangladesh trip that I made a vow to travel to many other interesting locations in the world. Give me this opportunity and I will never disappoint.