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Exploration of the Countryside Around Dhaka - Bangladesh 2022

By Tomas Derner

January 23^rd, 2023

Rice drying paddy

As a photographer, visiting Bangladesh was a dream come true. The country is full of vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, making it a photographer's paradise. On this particular day, we visited a small rice-drying paddy located near Dhaka. The paddy was a picturesque scene, with the cones used for traditional drying methods standing tall against the bright blue sky.

However, my attention was quickly drawn to the people working in the paddy. As we walked around, we saw children as young as five or six working alongside their parents, helping with the drying process.

It was heart-wrenching to see such young children having to work so hard, but it was also a reminder of the reality of life in rural Bangladesh.

Despite the difficult circumstances, the children were full of life and energy. They were curious about our presence and eager to interact with us. I was struck by their resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Their bright smiles and laughter were a stark contrast to the hard work they were doing from an early age.

As a photographer, capturing these moments was both a privilege and a responsibility. I wanted to make sure that my images accurately depicted the lives of these children and their families, while also showing their beauty and spirit.

I took a lot of photographs of the children working, but I also made sure to capture their playtime and their interactions with each other.

These children will always hold a special place in my heart, and I hope that through my photographs, others will be able to see the beauty and resilience of these amazing children.

Probably one of the most striking expressions I managed to capture during my trip.

A village with splashing colours

My next stop was a village that specializes in batik production. The village was a vibrant and colorful contrast to the rice paddy, with artisans working tirelessly to create beautiful batik fabrics using traditional methods.

The use of color was striking, as everywhere I looked, there were vibrant hues of blue, red, yellow, and green. (you need to believe me :) )

The batik fabrics were particularly mesmerizing, with intricate patterns and designs that seemed to come alive under the bright sun.

I spent hours capturing the different shades and textures of the fabrics, trying to capture the essence of the village and its people.

My focus, as always, was on the people who worked in the village. The artisans were skilled in their craft, and it was fascinating to watch them create intricate designs using wax and dye.

As I walked around the village, I also had the opportunity to talk to some of the artisans and learn about their work. They shared stories of their craft, their families, and their dreams for the future.

Complicated childhood

As we continued to explore the village, I couldn't help but notice the children working alongside their parents. They were small in size, but their work ethic was impressive. It was heartbreaking to see children as young as five or six working, their little hands exposed to the chemicals used in the batik production process. It was clear that these children were being forced to work at a young age, and it made me question the effects this would have on their health and education in the long run. Unfortunately, this is a common pattern across the whole of Bangladesh.

My friend Jirka is trying to cheer up local kids.

Despite the difficult circumstances, the children were full of energy and curiosity. They were eager to interact with us and were not shy about posing for the camera.

My visit to this amazing place was a truly enriching experience. I was able to capture the beauty and culture of the village, but most importantly, I was able to share the stories of the people who lived and worked there.

Candy store

One of the most striking places I noticed was the small store in the street where the kids would buy sweets. It was a small respite for them, a moment of joy amidst the hard work and labor.

Of course, we tried to make the children smile and interact with us by bringing some treats with us and we shared with them. We saw them running around, laughing and playing while enjoying their little sweets.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness as I watched them enjoy their treats, knowing that their childhoods were being taken away from them.

I had the opportunity to photograph some beautiful kids in the village, who despite their young age, were already skilled in the craft of batik production.

The beauty and colors of the batik fabrics were mesmerizing, but the harsh reality of the children's lives was a stark contrast. I hope that through my photographs, I can bring attention to the issue of child labor and raise awareness about the struggles these children face. The small moments of joy and the laughter we shared with them will always be a cherished memory.

Footnotes

All pictures in this series are straight out of the camera JPEGs using Fujifilm recipe called Padilla by Kevin Mullin. Gear Fujifilm X-T2 + 16mm 1.4, X-Pro3 + 35mm 1.4

Button Label

FootNotes

All pictures in this series are straight out of the camera JPEGs using Fujifilm recipe called Padilla by Kevin Mullin. Gear Fujifilm X-T2 + 16mm 1.4, X-Pro3 + 35mm 1.4

Weddings

Peripheries

Exploration of the Countryside Around Dhaka - Bangladesh 2022

FootNotes

Telling the story of one special day

photo-stories from our travels around the world

Tribute to extra!ordinary people

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