Current project :
The sleeping bechak drivers of Solo city.
A NEW SERIES OF IMAGES.
Sleeping in cramped quarters
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September 2014 and on.
I am now working on a series of photographs depicting bechak drivers asleep in their vehicle. I live in the City of Solo in Central Java, Indonesia, where bechaks are still permitted to circulate in the busy main streets and small side streets. The bechaks are available for hire night and day, seven days a week. While taking these photographs I have learned that most of the drivers asleep in their small cart are the night shift drivers who after finishing their work settle down as comfortably as possible in their cramped quarters for a day’s rest. |
PHOTOGRAPHER’S INTENT.
« I think that sleeping in public is a very private and personal act ».
Driver resting from his night shift
I am always impressed when I see people who can sleep almost anywhere
without worrying about other people’s presence.
I think that sleeping in public is a very private and personal act.
When I approach these sleeping bechak drivers I feel a certain reticence.
It is a though I am entering a stranger’s home and walking
into his bedroom to photograph him while he is in the intimate sleep position.
FOR THE PASSENGER, THE BECHAK DRIVER IS A VERY ANONYMOUS PERSON.
« When the passenger wants to give instructions to the driver,
he calls out through the back opening of the carriage where all he sees is a pair of legs pedaling and hands holding on to handle bars ».
Home sweet home
For the passenger, the bechak driver is a very anonymous person. Once the address is given to the driver, the passenger sits in a small carriage in front of the driver. No conversation takes place between the rider and the driver who is using a lot of his energy pedaling to get his client to its destination.
When the passenger wants to give instructions to the driver, he calls out through the back opening of the carriage where all he sees is a pair of legs pedaling and hands holding on to handle bars.
As one person is comfortably sitting in a covered cart another is exerting his physical strength to earn a few pennies.
With this series, I would like to show that the bechak driver is a human being who like all of us needs to rest his weary bones.
After his work shift, the bechak driver will sleep in the cramped space of his cart while the client sleeps in the intimacy of his home.
When the passenger wants to give instructions to the driver, he calls out through the back opening of the carriage where all he sees is a pair of legs pedaling and hands holding on to handle bars.
As one person is comfortably sitting in a covered cart another is exerting his physical strength to earn a few pennies.
With this series, I would like to show that the bechak driver is a human being who like all of us needs to rest his weary bones.
After his work shift, the bechak driver will sleep in the cramped space of his cart while the client sleeps in the intimacy of his home.
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MODUS OPERANDI.
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EQUIPMENT.
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I travel the streets and alleys of Solo by bicycle.
This way when I come across a sleeping bechak driver I can easily park my bike not far from the bechak and walk around looking for the best angle. I take my time looking at the scene. I do not rush and snap pictures then run away. I can spend 15 to 20 minutes taking different angles of the subject. Many times there are passerby’s or shop owners that stop and examine what I am doing. They can see that I am not being obtrusive and many encourage me with a smile to continue my work. It happens that a few times the driver wakes up. I look at him and ask if I can take his portrait. Some agree while others are too sleepy to respond. A few days later I will return with an 8x10 print of his portrait. |
I carry a digital rangefinder Leica M9 with two lenses, a 50 mm and a 28mm. One is attached to the camera while the other is in a small pouch hanging from my belt.
The small Leica is less ominous than a large DSLR with a zoom lens. Apart from the great quality files I get from the M9, I think this camera is the perfect choice to be able to enter softly in the «private» quarters of the sleeping bechak driver. I sometimes use a small Leica flash to «detach» the subject from the background. NOTE: I started this project using a digital M9 Leica but I had to leave it with the service department in Singapore. Till I get back the M9, I will use a Leica M6 with color negative film and black and white. Lenses: In the future I will add a 75 mm to my lens kit. The somewhat longer 75 mm (than the 50mm) will permit me to take portraits of the sleeping bechak driver without having to approach him to closely. I must respect his intimate space. B & W and Color: Now that I am using the M6 I will sometimes load it with black and white negative film of 50 asa. Something more to make this project motivating. |
