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The Pink Choice
Even though many people seem to be open about homosexuality, it turned out to be untrue when I showed people photos of homosexual couples in intimate moments. Most of them found the photos disgusting and unacceptable. This reaction was a source of inspiration to me. My goal was to make photos about homosexuals that incite feelings of romantic love that is natural and beautiful. I chose to capture casual daily activities of the couples that can be familiar to anyone. By doing so, I hope to make the audience become interested, then gradually empathize with homosexual people.
Many projects/artworks on homosexuality in Vietnam tend to focus on either deviances (especially in movies, with images of homosexuals portrayed in ridiculous clothing and make-up, mincing, shrewish or rude manners…) or symbolic images. In photography, homosexuals are not presented as themselves in pictures. And if they are, they’re usually photographed from behind or with masks on. These all foster weird and absurd images of homosexuals rather then present more understanding perspectives. In turn, homosexuals become even more intimidated and isolated.
The Pink Choice has a different approach as it seeks out personal stories using direct language: documentary photography to capture real moments and real people.
Moreover, stories about homosexuality in Vietnam and also in the world usually end in tragedy, especially in movies. On one hand, this tragic style of storytelling can make audience become more sympathetic and understanding of the difficulties that homosexuals experience. On the other hand, the drama of homosexuals can also cause misunderstandings that lives of homosexuals are vulnerable and regretful, and that the choice to “come out” is an incredible effort against the community’s way of life. The point is, in real life, there are many homosexual people who live happily with their identity. There are homosexual couples who love, nurture and build a happy family life together.
The Pink Choice is a series of photos about the love of homosexual couples which focus on living spaces, the affectionate touches, and more importantly, the synchronized rhythm of lovers sharing life together. Viewers may not feel the personalities of the subjects in the photos, but hopefully they can feel the warmth of their love and caring. In way, I wanted to show what I see of homosexual people and not how they see themselves.
Photographer: Maika Elan
Website: www.maikaelan.com
Maika is respresented by MoST. If you’d like to find out more about them you should click here.
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Beautiful, I wish something like this could be done all over the world.
Seems to be an unique gallery, some of the photos are very memorable.
Beautiful series of images from Vietnam "Photo Essay: The Pink Choice, by Maika Elan http://t.co/bFcmaHGS"
lindeza de fotografias. http://t.co/78zVhntY
@malu_mad ai pq eu vi um blog hoje e lembrei de vc não sei pq????????????? mas me veio seu arroba na cabeça http://t.co/XAtQ24B9 vê se gosta
I love you your writing and photography • incredible talent.
Lindas imagens de casais de bichas vietnamitas. Photo Essay: The Pink Choice, by Maika Elan http://t.co/JZJfk7tw
Perfeitas imagens, pura poesia.
Amazing… Love it.
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this is beautiful:
http://t.co/Wr7jFQzA
The Pink Choice: un an dans l'intimité de couple gays vietnamiens, par Maika Elan http://t.co/K9j43sIR via @vicefr
this is beautiful:
http://t.co/Wr7jFQzA
The Pink Choice: un an dans l'intimité de couple gays vietnamiens, par Maika Elan http://t.co/K9j43sIR via @vicefr
Photo Essay: The Pink Choice, by Maika Elan http://t.co/bSfonhes
Photo Essay: The Pink Choice, by Maika Elan | Invisible Ph t grapher Asia (IPA) http://t.co/0yTbJt5o via @feedly
Vietnamese documentary photo scene’s practically non existent, for what I know. Therefore this project comes as nice surprise, with a straight approach At the same time I see the limitations of such approach: it seems to show only one side of the story, in the safety and the comfort of their apartments. Vietnamese society shields itself from confrontation, maybe thinking the problem will disappear. I’ve never seen any photo of a Vietnamese photographer involving social, controversial and provoking matters, that make people talk. Nice photography “A la Bresson”, but photography’s also a lot more, let’s not stop at the surface. Best Wishes
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Photo Essay: The Pink Choice, by Maika Elan http://t.co/WgOdV29Q
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Photo Essay: The Pink Choice, by Maika Elan | Invisible Ph t grapher Asia (IPA) http://t.co/fy9Lqdlq
夠深入
http://t.co/dcpkx9jG
Sebuah mahakarya photo essay dari Maika Elan http://t.co/P5uGTahT dimana seorang lelaki dan perempuan menyukai sejenisnya.
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looks interesting and feel so much emotions… Photo Essay: The Pink Choice, by Maika Elan http://t.co/JyLGI9hz
great story, in depth & most view, good job & cheers ;)
Maika elan latest project http://t.co/vwK6VZ8j really awesome
Lovely photo essay of gay couples in Vietnam. http://t.co/Gl1jpgDF
Lovely photo essay of gay couples in Vietnam. http://t.co/Gl1jpgDF
Lovely photo essay of gay couples in Vietnam. http://t.co/Gl1jpgDF
@grace_9x xem cái này ko http://t.co/5UfgjupS
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Awesome work by a friend in Hanoi… http://t.co/TEbk7TqM
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Latest Photo Essay: The Pink Choice, by Maika Elan. #ipaphotoasia http://t.co/ujrT3lcG
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Latest Photo Essay: The Pink Choice, by Maika Elan. #ipaphotoasia http://t.co/xcrufLda