Dreaming Camera in Laos
Thanks to the support of the Korean organization Dreaming Camera, children from Nongdouangthong and Nongbeuk had an afternoon of fun learning traditional photography.
Dreaming Camera is an association of Korean volunteers who aim at raising awareness of children’s projects across the world while providing the children with an opportunity to express themselves, discover and practice photography while having a great deal of fun.
Children taking photographs with cameras provided by Dreaming Camera
Dreaming Camera provided PeuanMit with 70 disposable cameras which were distributed to children in two different communities with only one rule – children can take pictures of whatever they like but must return the cameras when finished.
The films are taken back to Korea for development. Each child will be given back his or her photographs when processed as a memento of their work. With these incredible spontaneous photographs, Dreaming Camera will organize an exhibition in Seoul to raise awareness about marginalized communities in Vientiane, whilst promoting ways to support PeuanMit.
The children of Nongdouangthong and Nongbeuk had never seen a disposable camera before (neither had the PeuanMit staff!) but the Dreaming Camera team explained in detail how to use the cameras. When the children saw the shiny aluminum package they first thought they were candy which everyone was very thrilled about! As the packages were torn open their enthusiasm was not dampened, especially as they were told they were going to have their own camera, all afternoon, to take their own photos.
PeuanMit staff showing children how to use the cameras provided by Dreaming Camera
Instructions on how to rewind the cameras, which buttons to press and how to frame a photo were given many times over while everyone started running around excitedly taking pictures of one another screaming and laughing. The PeuanMit staff was a primary target of photos followed closely by friends and families, animals, cars, clouds, and local landmarks.
The quality of the photos will be revealed next May when Dreaming Camera returns to Laos. The sheer happiness displayed on the faces of the first-time photographers is something we hope makes it to the exhibition in Seoul.
Children taking photographs with cameras provided by Dreaming Camera
Children taking photographs with cameras provided by Dreaming Camera
