The Shanti Slums

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

India | Monday, October 31, 2011 | 5 photos

The Shanti Slums is a first hand account of the extreme poverty in Central Kolkata, India. It was my second trip to India and i wanted to explore the link between happiness and wealth, or in this case lack of wealth. All these portraits are from a shanty town in north central Kolkata where i went to with my dear friend and guide Norman. It was here i experienced the highest level of humble happiness, and used photography as the connection between me and the subject. My lack of Hindi and their lack of English made it difficult to communicate, so i approached the problem with visuals, showing them photographs of where i was from and where i had been in India. This approach worked! and was by far one of my most memorable experiences in travel and in life i have had. I love the concept of a picture and the intense power it can have in reflection, education and understanding.

I am 21 and living in Sydney, working as a photographers assistant and a freelance photographer. It is my passion and i hope it to become my profession. Thanks for the consideration.

Sam.