Alfredo Chiarappa
Railroad Station Platform Zero: Idomeni.
My photo storytelling shows what life is actually like for migrants and refugees within the Idomeni camp in Greece. Idomeni is regarded as one of the worst refugee camps on the European migrant trail, which has increased in size following the decision of Fyrom to close its border.
My essay represents a mix of everyday moments of the harsh conditions of the camp as well as the joy of living in a community of stories.
My work focuses on people but it also intends to shake public opinion documenting all the sorrow and trials those human beings are still facing.
My target audience for my photographic reportage displays the characteristics of someone who is struggling with his everyday life while being concerned about future.
I am sending my application in order to fund my Migration Project that aims to improve our understanding about lives of migrants and refugees.
The award funds will support a photographic project that will also promote awareness on those social phenomena using photography as a catalyst for social action.
Bio
Born in Melfi in 1982, I got a degree in Graphic Design at Politecnico of Milan. I became interested in photography and filmmaking because I think there are no better means to tell stories.
My work has been focusing on young generations in countries that have undergone strong political changes. I started my professional carrier in 2011 with a project concerning how young Russian genera- tions spend their nights in St Petersbourg.
The project name is “Crossing Leningrad”.
Since then, I have been working as a freelance photographer and film-maker for editorial and corporate works.
Interesting and informative set of pictures. The posed portraits are unnecessary in my view.
Some really good colour photography here – not just photographs that happen to be in colour. I agree with John that the essay would be just as strong without the posed portraits, perhaps if they were accompanied by captions that give information about the persons story they would be more valid. I always want captions with any photojournalism essay, the more information I have, the better I can understand. I suppose the downside of that is that I am reliant on the photographer being proficient at writing detailed captions.
Concerning the colour photography, some of the photographs are so beautiful that I find myself admiring them – before remembering that they are showing refugees in appalling conditions. I’ve written here before about how one can admire a photograph as an object somehow separated from the actual subject shown, and some photographs here are good examples of this. When it happens it can be disturbing (like finding oneself admiring the craft of a beautiful b&w print an then remembering that the print shows someone in a dreadful situation).
Congratulations Alfredo.
Mike.
I like this a lot and agree with every thing Mike says.
This is really good, Alfredo, really good.
Mike its a bit like saying ………..What a beautiful death but separating the death part
Imants, exactly. Maybe its a photographer thing, but I sometimes find myself admiring the composition and craft of a photograph, and then remember that the subject matter is perhaps of someone’s imminent death.
An unsettling moment.
Mike.
Excellent. Truly excellent. In this day of Instagram, Facebook, etc, when it has become the norm to scroll quickly through and click a like here and there, these images demand one to stop, look, think and ponder.
The first time, I did click quickly through. But I came back, two, three, maybe four times until now finally I accepted the demand, plodded slowly through, looked and pondered.