I get to shoot in such glamorous locations: this is a hospital for the untouchables in Kolkata. The stench of death was everywhere.

All comments welcome and encouraged.

1.

Very powerful and moving images, Liam. I have to confess that I'd never heard the term 'untouchables', other than a film from many years ago, which has a much different meaning. I just looked it up and learned something, very sad and makes these images even more thought provoking. Thanks for teaching me something.

--David

Awesome story, Liam. Thanks for posting this. Your usual pro job on the pictures too.

You showed me a new place, a new place in geography and society. I had known the term "untouchables" for a long time, but I had no imges associated with it in my mind. Very touching and sobering. The natural light and realistic colors emphasize the reality of the scenes and bring them close. There is also a warmth to the colors that draws me in as a viewer.

Thank you.

Drusus

Thanks guys. This was a tough place to shoot, even for a war torn veteran like myself.

Some powerful photos here Liam.
Douglas

Thanks for showing these. I learned of the caste system years ago, before most of you were born, but this institution is pitiful! I see the nurses trying, but the patients look thin and malnourished. Excellent photos. Glad you incorporated the image of Mother Teresa on the wall into your photo.

Tough to look at, but moving. Strong work Liam.

Wow, Powerful! Very strong.

Yap, as if Mother Teresa is watching over them ...

Thanks for sharing Liam, a nice serie about a, unfortunately not so nice subject.
I did not know the term "Untouchables", so I did some "reasearch" ... interesting and sad.
Were you able to take pictures, aside a film assignment over there, or how did you came across ?

Thank you

Rgds
Velu

Very moving. You've done an incredible job of documenting this.

Thanks everyone.

These shots were part of my assignment and will end up in an exhibition at Westminster Abbey in London. We had to get special permission to gain access to this and a few other sites. In this hospital I had to work very fast, in some of the other places I could take more time.

Mother Teresa'a image is everywhere in Kolkata, from tacky souvenir shops and book stalls, to the hospitals and schools run by her organisation.

Hi Liam,

I've watched your work over the years and have always enjoyed what you post here on FM ... quite a different setting here. These images have impact. I see the Sister's of Mercy are doing there best to help.

Regards,
Andre

Hi Andre, it's Sisters of Charity. Many years ago I worked with the Sisters of Mercy, but they were a gothic rock band:-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuezNswtRfo

Hi Liam,

Thanks for posting this...it was an interesting set to see....and I always enjoy seeing your work....and those of others who post photos from places I may never see.

Some sincere (just curious) questions:

Any idea how many public hospitals or hospices the SOC have in Kolkata?

And, your work in the WA exhibition sounds interesting...can you tell us more about the subject/theme or sponsor or whatever?

TO THE FORUM:

I am writing this simply to give some of the viewers of this post a little bit of background on the poster, as I truly appreciate seeing his work on a forum like this one.

For those who don't know Liam or are not yet familiar with his work as a photographer:

Liam is one of the most widely traveled members on this forum. He really gets around and has been to MANY countries and often to remote destinations, some that are dangerous to visit.

That in itself may not seem unusual to some members here who also travel a lot.

What makes Liam unusual here (and part of what makes this noteworthy I think) is that he travels not as a tourist, but as a working professional film maker. In short, he gets paid to visit places most dream of visiting (or may never see) and he gets paid to make an image or film or video about those places or something he sees there. He is a true professional image maker.

When you speak of professional film-makers, he is "the real deal."

Liam has a very impressive resume of professional assignments covering many interesting topics and photo locations. From Katrina victims to development projects, to athletes, to work for the royals, to drug centers in S.E. Asia to Africa, etc. An amazing list of subjects and places!

He is not only a highly skilled director/film-maker, he is also a nice fellow too....and a humble fellow who would probably not tell a public group this stuff himself.

Steady Hand wrote:
Hi Liam,

Thanks for posting this...it was an interesting set to see....and I always enjoy seeing your work....and those of others who post photos from places I may never see.

Some sincere (just curious) questions:

Any idea how many public hospitals or hospices the SOC have in Kolkata?

And, your work in the WA exhibition sounds interesting...can you tell us more about the subject/theme or sponsor or whatever?



I was told Sisters of Charity have around 40 establishments in Kolkata of varying size including hospices, hospitals, leprocy care centres and schools.

I was working for the Templeton Foundation shooting a piece on the legacy of the Templeton Prize. Mother Teresa was the first recipient of the Templeton prize 40 years ago. The video will be showcased in a retrospective on Mother Teresa at Westminster Abbey. The prize was created by Sir John Templeton and is awarded annually. Last year I shot astrophysicist Lord Rees receiving the award from HRH Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace, this year the Dalai Lama received the award at St Paul's Cathedral.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Templeton_Prize

Steady Hand wrote:
TO THE FORUM:

I am writing this simply to give some of the viewers of this post a little bit of background on the poster, as I truly appreciate seeing his work on a forum like this one.

For those who don't know Liam or are not yet familiar with his work as a photographer:

Liam is one of the most widely traveled members on this forum. He really gets around and has been to MANY countries and often to remote destinations, some that are dangerous to visit.

That in itself may not seem unusual to some members here who also travel a lot.

What makes Liam unusual here (and part of what makes this noteworthy I think) is that he travels not as a tourist, but as a working professional film maker. In short, he gets paid to visit places most dream of visiting (or may never see) and he gets paid to make an image or film or video about those places or something he sees there. He is a true professional image maker.

When you speak of professional film-makers, he is "the real deal."

Liam has a very impressive resume of professional assignments covering many interesting topics and photo locations. From Katrina victims to development projects, to athletes, to work for the royals, to drug centers in S.E. Asia to Africa, etc. An amazing list of subjects and places!

He is not only a highly skilled director/film-maker, he is also a nice fellow too....and a humble fellow who would probably not tell a public group this stuff himself.


Steadman, you are going to make me blush:-)

He also once rescued my cat from a tree and makes a delightful beef wellington....

Powerful imagery! Really great documentary photogrpahy