Why Do I Have To Frame Them For Me To See Them

I was looking for interesting subjects when I set out to photograph people. Invariably, I gravitated towards the supposed lower rungs of the societal ladder. I checked to see if I was falling in the trap of 'slumming' or just imitating what I have always known as documentary photography. Or was it just a form of escapism? Seeing something from a privileged distance makes it exotic enough. It was a legitimate concern. I studied to learn how to use my brain, not my body. And here I was, attracted to the visual action of work. The kind of manual and physical work that's carried out predominantly by one section of our society. And a holistic connection was made.

At around the same time, I became interested in an outdoor lifestyle too. The discovery provided me with more than a few valuable insights. Foremost among them is that using your hands and your body as tools of the trade is a privilege that needs to be fiercely guarded. It may even be linked to personal satisfaction in life. Sadly, our society tells us otherwise. Getting your hands dirty and manual exertion are considered signs of not having 'made it', with the only exceptions being performance artists and athletes. Look at our new inventions and the price we are willing to pay to stay away from physical work.  Yet, we can't seem to disconnect ourselves from it, can we? Look at also the prices we are willing to pay for hobbies that make us sweat and get our hands dirty. Cycling, woodwork, pottery, cooking, gardening to name a few. 

Working with our body and hands was always an essential part of 'being human'. Something seems off without it. Through my work, I want to portray the real McCoys.