absolutelyBangkok archive · Culture & Arts
Originally published June 3, 2009
He’s old school, Ronn Aldaman, photographer and Thai resident, who once tried digital cameras. He had a Nikon D200 and Canon 5D with a few zooms. He’s using film again exclusively.
And “limits” himself to primes, with basically only the 35mm and 50mm. “Once the 50 finds its way onto a camera it tends to stay on for a while,” says Ronn who “likes to get in and blend and be a part of it.”
It’s photo journalism of the finest Ronn is exhibiting at I-Gallery from June 5 until the end of the month — even though “The Face of Thailand” is a selection of a selection of about 1% keepers from thousands of photos.
Imagine the pain the artist must go through when selecting by detaching the self emotionally. And maybe a gallery is more reluctant than the artist is eager, to exhibit potentially provocative subjects/objects.
What do I know. But when you’re into art, Bangkok and photography, the Euro/American’s exhibit is a must.
Sponsored by Leica and Bangkok’s still unmatched IQ Lab, Ronn won’t show you the Thailand you know. But people, faces, fate. In the end they are what life is all about.
Ronn’s capturing the present with tools of the past, such as Leica’s renowned M6, M7 & MP as well as Nikon’s FM2n & F3.
Why the love for the Leicas, I asked. They just work, he said. They are inconspicuous. And so silent. In U.S. court rooms they’re the only photo cameras allowed because of their absolutely quiet shutter.
Says something about Ronn’s approach to photography. Are you a zoomer capturing everything from afar?
Won’t work with Ronn’s style: “It’s real people in real life situations and their traditions and cultures, their struggles and the stoicism that I find intriguing and worthwhile to document.”
Zooms would limit the angle.
A lesson for us mere mortals. Are we really using our eyes.
Give this a try: “Get in and blend and be a part of it.”
Here some teasers, Ronn’s gallery
Sleepers and three of his works:
The Face of Thailand
Photo Exhibit by Ronn Aldaman
June 5 — June 30, 2009
I-Gallery
1500 New Petchaburi Road
Beside TAT, near MRT’s Petchaburi station
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