My view of Haiti

[Andrushka]

As soon as i saw the news headlines about the quake in Haiti last month i immediately wanted to go to do something, anything i could to help. Ive had a lot of awesome travel experiences around the world, but I had no connection with Haiti - as soon as a ministry partner we work with in Ukraine (where i spend most of the year) contacted me and said he had some connections to help orphans and i committed to go. Unfortunately it took about 3 weeks to nail things down and get a private flight direct to Port-Au-Prince (still closed to commercial flight) So my task was to photo-document the ongoing need there and the face of the disaster. Sadly i think the plight of the Haitian people is only just beginning for the survivors and the news media has already moved on.

We met a lot of awesome people - volunteers and locals. Haitian people are amazingly hospitable and generous and hard working. I'd be glad to share more of my geopolitical observations if you are interested. Anyway - here is a link to what i got (too many to post here) - hope they are interesting.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=150557&id=635699038&l=71f0e04521

Here are a few - i have a lot more on the link above though

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4374002733_e80b73578a_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2712/4374002701_b39a4f1404_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4374002687_40ac713e5f_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4374002623_1371ae6326_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4374002605_e622759aa9_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2718/4374002583_d2c7de8035_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4374002559_690cf3caa1_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4374002525_03a9fd750b_o.jpg

[Andrushka]

Anyone else go to Haiti in the last month or so?

[Karl Johnston]

National geographic quality shots. Haven't been to Haiti before, but half my print sales from last month went there.

[Andrushka]

wow - thanks Karl - means a lot coming from a legit photog like yourself!!

So you sold prints to Haiti? nevermind - you donated... i got it now!!

[S2K.OGRAPHY]

great shots

[Tvw]

Very good documentary photos of Haiti. I really 'enjoyed' them.

[Karl Johnston]

Cheers, sorry for the confusion; here's a link (http://www.karljohnston.com/blog/2010/2/2/concluding-half-for-haiti.html)

[Andrushka]

great shots

thanks for checking them out!

Very good documentary photos of Haiti. I really 'enjoyed' them.

i know exactly what you mean - it feels strange to tell people that "i had a great time in Haiti"

Cheers, sorry for the confusion; here's a link (http://www.karljohnston.com/blog/2010/2/2/concluding-half-for-haiti.html)

awesome Karl! I wish more people were near as generous!

[Karl Johnston]

Thanks, I had to come back and take another look at this set because I enjoyed it. I wish I made more cash now to be generous with! :lol: Only managed to clock somewhere in the realm of just several hundred to a thousand but it wasn't too bad considering it only ran for two weeks. These pictures are priceless. Stories are priceless. Genuine stories.

I think it's very important that photographers go to these locations and bring the stories back to the world. Like traditional culture in the northern communities - storytelling has been an old passtime that keeps the people rich and interested over the long seasons. Education, entertainment, spirit all blended into one. Sadly in the news and in modern magazines it seems to be about capturing eyes for advertising but a few people I know want to actually sit down with a real article and really live through the eyes of another person.

I remember a national geographic photojournalist say that they, at Nat Geo, believed that they have given up on politics and politicians (not to go into debate, but just to say) - instead they believe that the peoples' attention is focused more so by what they read in the media. Attitude, focus, attention, drive, channels.

Many earthquakes happen every day but to lose an entire country, to have half the population devastated and still see people happy here - i think you have a good story to share amongst all the articles and stories in the news about Haiti right now.

[KenVP]

Nice work.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Incredible photos! and thanks for your good work!

[Andrushka]

Incredible photos! and thanks for your good work!

Thanks!! I really appreciate your thoughts!

Nice work. Thanks for checking this set out!

Thanks, I had to come back and take another look at this set because I enjoyed it. I wish I made more cash now to be generous with! :lol: Only managed to clock somewhere in the realm of just several hundred to a thousand but it wasn't too bad considering it only ran for two weeks. These pictures are priceless. Stories are priceless. Genuine stories.

I think it's very important that photographers go to these locations and bring the stories back to the world. Like traditional culture in the northern communities - storytelling has been an old passtime that keeps the people rich and interested over the long seasons. Education, entertainment, spirit all blended into one. Sadly in the news and in modern magazines it seems to be about capturing eyes for advertising but a few people I know want to actually sit down with a real article and really live through the eyes of another person.

I remember a national geographic photojournalist say that they, at Nat Geo, believed that they have given up on politics and politicians (not to go into debate, but just to say) - instead they believe that the peoples' attention is focused more so by what they read in the media. Attitude, focus, attention, drive, channels.

Many earthquakes happen every day but to lose an entire country, to have half the population devastated and still see people happy here - i think you have a good story to share amongst all the articles and stories in the news about Haiti right now.

I know exactly what you mean. Once the shock value wears off the news folk and the politicians move on to what ever is making the headlines next. The saddest part is the daily task of survival in a place like Haiti or Congo or Liberia, etc, get brushed aside due to the routine of the hardships in those places.

Everyone who travels could do mankind a favor by bringing back the stories of the "regular" folks in less fortunate situations and get involved to help in some way, even if its on a "small" scale - instead of waiting for huge organizations to "take care of things."

[tils]

5 and 8 are beautiful. 5 not so much for the quality of the picture, but the capture of the moment.

And 8 is great in all respects. And good on your for going down there and making a difference.

[Andrushka]

5 and 8 are beautiful. 5 not so much for the quality of the picture, but the capture of the moment.

And 8 is great in all respects. And good on your for going down there and making a difference.

thanks for the picture comments Tils! I just wish i could have stayed longer and helped more :-/

[germinal]

great shots, must have been an 'interesting' experience for you. wish I could do stuff like that.

really like picture 6 and 8

[calexcyou]

stunning images !