Kids with camera : their world through their eyes

As a aprt of their monthly program, Photo Circle fetured the academy award winning documantary feature by Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski, 'Born into Brothels'. It is the portrait of several unforgettable children who live in the red light areas of Kolkatta where their mothers work as prostitutes.

New York based photographer Zana Briski gives the children their own cameras and teach them how to take pictures. the children are soon able to capture people and places around them though their new found photography skills. It is through their pictures that people outside the red light areas actually get a taste of how different life in the red light areas actually is. Inspite of being within one of the largest metropolitan city Kolkatta, people of these red light areas are forced to live under such harsh conditions.

children are the ones who suffer the most in these areas. the documentary not only showcases thepictures taken by these but also follows the children when they are taken to hostels across the city. during this process, it is revealed how unwilling people from these child welfare centers are to admit children from red light areas. The children are made to go through HIV test just as a part of the criteria to get admitted.

however, all the hard work of these children get paid off when they are flooded with appreciation from India and abroad. their pictures are on sale and all the proceedings go for the further education of these children and also for the welfare of many such under privileged children.

following the foot steps of Zana Briski, many countries have been doing similar projects involving children with camera and seeing the world through their eyes. this documentary has proved how powerful media photography really is.