#MAGA <ego, point of view> issues

FAITH is stressed/questioned/challenged (#saturn in Pisces) at the same time exhaulted (#neptune in Pisces)

EGO vs. rule of LAW. Don't worry, #scopio #dead ahead (pun intended), #mercury the Messenger is there NOW.

What is the "letter of the LAW"? Doesn't matter. (#Scorpio === #STING). A sting #operation

How a Photojournalist Captured a Shot in the Literal Heat of the Moment

If a fire broke out, and you could only grab one thing, what would it be? For many, that question will always stay hypothetical, but for the residents of Anonas Street in Santa Mesa, Manila, on one fateful day in 2020, it suddenly became the reality that would change their lives permanently.

Right in the middle of this life-changing event, the devastating effects of the incident were made visible to the world only because of one photographer who was willing to take the risk: photojournalist Jansen Romero.

“This was taken during a huge fire that razed shanties near the port of Manila. At first, I had difficulty finding a good place to capture the fire since the place was too tight and fire victims were scrambling to salvage their belongings," he says.

"Houses in that area were built from light materials and are very close together thus making the fire easily spread out. The fire reached task force Bravo (2nd from the highest fire alarm) leaving hundreds of families homeless.”

Despite the rush and chaos of the situation, Jansen says, as it turns out, your adrenaline in situations like these can actually guide your photography, instead of making you want to run away.

“I think I was lucky that day, because I was able to find a place with a great moment in it. Adrenaline was rushing in me, as I felt the heat of a huge fire burning the houses in my skin. But I tried to stay calm and framed this man rescuing his pets in my viewfinder," Romero explains.

"Going inside alleyways of intertwined shanties in Manila is difficult to enter, especially in scenarios like fire. Some of the photojournalists that day, stood on footbridges near the area to get a general shot. However, that time I felt that I can tell the story with a stronger photo if I get inside the burning shanties.

"The place was damp, scrambling with firefighters and residents fleeing from the scene. In scenarios like this I feel a bit scared, but I always have this mindset that a photojournalist can't make strong photographs if they are not connected to the community or subject."

The image above is part of a series of daily life photos that focuses on social issues, health, economy, humanities by Romero.

Jansen has worked as a photographer for different platforms and genres: Manila Bulletin, ABSCBN news, and Rappler to name a few. He has also won honorable mention at the 29th Gawad Ustetika for the category of Sanaysay year 2013. Jansen is based in Manila and is available for assignments in Asia.

You can explore more of Jansen’s photojournalism work here.

This article provided courtesy of Scopio. Scopio is the most diverse community-based platform in the world where artists can sell their work and get hired in over 150 countries. Check out theircommunity of 14k plus contributors and a library of over 400k authentic images.

Image credits: Header photo by Jason Romero and used with permission -- A resident carries his pet dogs away from the burning houses after a fire broke out which left hundreds homeless and with no belongings.

#features #disaster #howitwasshot #jasonromero #photojournalist #scopio

Photographer Combines Protest and Social Media to Spur Social Action

Photographer Dinda Avena wants to inspire those who have experienced and survived violence, feel unsafe in public, who are suffering due to sexual identity, for those whose land is being seized, and for all marginalized communities to not let their voices fade away.

Dinda Advena (she/her) is a queer photographer from Indonesia. She started taking documentary and stage photography for the punk music community and has has exhibited her work through Sweden, Singapore, Malaysia, and all over Indonesia. Right now she is focusing on gender issues, women’s rights, environmental justice, and Indonesian landscapes.

"May your spirit and flame continue to burn, even though our voices are fading away. Happy Kartini's Day,” Advena wrote when she submitted her photos online to Scopio.

“This year hit different because of the pandemic, especially after the recent Church bombing attack - it is not safe to march in the street. The team decided to do online action to ask everyone who believes in women's issues to do the same: taking pictures one by one in different locations while holding posters of each demand, then post it in Social Media.”

Kartini's Day takes place on April 21 every year and is a symbol of modern women's empowerment in Indonesia.

"Every year on April 21, women from Indonesia ban together for Kartini’s Day to commemorate Rayden Ayu Kartini - who was a fierce women’s right activist and critic who questioned the Javanese norms created by the male-dominated society," Avena explains. "Rayden Kartini’s countless letters and words would become a national symbol that empowers Indonesian women to stand strong for their rights today."

It's not men who we want to fight, but old-fashioned opinions and old customs. - R.A. Kartini

This year, women marched to help seek the advancement of The Elimination of Sexual Violence Bill (Indonesian: Rancangan Undang-Undang Penghapusan Kekerasan Seksual, abbreviated RUU PKS). The consideration of this bill has been going on for years and it almost got dropped due to “difficulties” in arranging the bill, according to the House Commission VII.

Citizens like Dinda have taken it upon themselves to come together using tools like photography and social media to ensure that this bill, among others, are no longer"‘waited on" and "passed.”

Dinda and fellow activists make themselves visible in a crowd with their message and use photography to amplify that to everyone online.

It gets people looking at the message, one way or another. Men and women alike joined in to help spread the message behind gender equality, equal pay, and support the changes.

This sign reads “Catcalling is harassment, not a joke”

“But this march is not only to confront gender inequality issues but is done to ensure the safety and protection of Indonesian women.”

This march has helped to make significant strides in the nation and will continue year after year as it is pivotal to advancing women’s rights that are far too often neglected or waited on.

You can explore Dinda’s photography on Scopio here. She also recommends you search these hashtags to see more on this message: #PuanDanKawanMelawan #WMJ2021 #WomensMarch #SahkanRUUPKS #HariKartini

This article provided courtesy of Scopio. Scopio is the most diverse community-based platform in the world where artists can sell their work and get hired in over 150 countries. Check out theircommunity of 14k plus contributors and a library of over 400k authentic images.

#editorial #features #change #dindaavena #equality #humanrights #indonesia #scopio #socialaction #socialmedia