Dhaka Streets: Photographing chaos

[@freeckotreecko]

Moved from my home district to Dhaka and the change of environment takes time to cope. Where I've lived for 25 years since birth was filled with trees and free spaces, yet at times I thought my hometown was becoming congested. Dhaka showed me what true congestion, chaos is like. It's ideal for education, treatment and getting job but other than that, country life is the most peaceful.

[@extremelydave]

That place is insane!! I thought people getting on and off the buses was crazy until I saw people on top of the train and on the FRONT of the train. Just plain crazy, but you do what you must, eh?

[@pushingfilm]

For sure!

[@Sakil-H0ssain]

​@@pushingfilmthey're way more crazier than you can even imagine xD

[@Rangefinder48]

THE ONE video I've been waiting for! You crushed it again, Hashem! Love the photos and the video!

[@pushingfilm]

Glad you liked it!!

[@nycvista]

This video, wow! Amazing captures. My favorite @7:58 the leading lines from the tracks, the man holding a basket full of vegetables, and the haze at the far end, bravo! Photo book worthy.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks! 😀

[@carbybirett]

Great photography, I lived in Tokyo for 3 years around 1990 and thought that was chaotic, but Dhaka certainly tops that. Stay safe, Carl QLD 🇦🇺

[@ishtiaksifat9116]

As a Bangladeshi living in Australia who recently got into street photography, this video inspired me in a big way. I can't wait to go back and shoot some photos there.

[@pushingfilm]

Glad to hear that man! You'll have a great time

[@abdulqahhartamim2416]

Im quite happy that you came over to my country.Its an interesting place for a stranger I must admit.

[@danwoodliefphotography871]

That is intense photography. Making sense out of chaos. I love it, but I know how hard it is. You did a wonderful job. I don't know if I could convince my wife, but you are convincing me to want to photograph there.

[@ACatCalledBaudelaire]

Those shots at 7:00 and 8:26 are outstanding--moments of repose and quietude creating an otherworldliness when set against the implied hazards of the tracks and the looming modernity of the highway. For someone like me who knows little of Dhaka and Bangladesh in general and who has seen little street photography from the region, this was a lovely little bit of insight. Well done, as always, Hashem.

[@pushingfilm]

Hey, thanks so much!

[@NohStar]

I’ve watched your previous dhaka video many times; it just has something very special about it-the quality of your photographs, the nature of the city itself, and not least your amiability. this video has the same qualities. cheers!

[@pushingfilm]

Hey, thanks so much! Glad you like them.

[@mjones410]

great shots Hasham, that brought back a lot of memories, I was there in 2012, the car horns haven't died down since then. Two things that amazed me about Dhaka in 2012 was the apartment we were in had optic fibre internet right to the router, unheard of in Aus in 2012. And they had already got rid of plastic shopping bags in Dhaka (not sure if they've crept back in). It can be a surprising place :)

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks mate! The horns are relentless, probably even worse since then, I would guess 😅 Yeah that incentive is still going, they use bags made from a similar material as the enviro-bags you would see here.

[@salembiad2]

Thanks for the great content Hashem!

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks for watching it! 🙂

[@shrubrocketeer]

Wow! What a fantastic place for street photography. Great images mate. I loved the area under the freeway. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to the next one.

[@pushingfilm]

It is! And thank you 🙂

[@Dan_photo]

Amazing work Hashem! Some crazy good shots here. You captured daily life so well.

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you! 🙂

[@CamMead]

Incredible place, you captured it and told the story so well both video and film considering how hectic it was.

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you!

[@kylieknight8847]

Wonderful video and photos Hashem 😄 I especially loved your advice and experience on shooting over there 😊So fun!

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks Kylie! 😃

[@TheFilmFellow]

Great video Hashem! Truly enjoyed that and I was also very much looking forward to this one because I feel that some of your best work you do in Bangladesh. It seems photographically so incredibly interesting and motivating there. Really enjoyed the shots man.

[@pushingfilm]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yeah it definitely helps me lean into a certain shooting style that I enjoy. Appreciate the support as always 🙂👍

[@tedphillips2951]

Organized chaos! Great photos.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks!

[@SlavaVeres]

Just like Mumbai bazaars - vibrant, dynamic, insane! ❤ Great shots

[@philgelb7726]

Love your videos mate well done

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks very much! 🙂

[@jamesjuranke]

So good! Looks crazy busy! But sometimes the chaos can make for the best photos, when you don't think too much but just to capture the story that you see. Black and white works well too! Thanks for sharing!

[@pushingfilm]

For sure! Thanks man 🙂

[@hossainshamil2132]

Absolutely stunning photos ❤

[@pushingfilm]

I'm glad you liked them!

[@veryjr2966]

Thx for taking us along! So refreshing to get a different perspective on Bangladesh beyond the western stereotypes. On a technical note - I prefer the vibrancy of color film as in your other videos given the vibrant colors but I guess b&b brings more order into the visually overwhelming street life ? I’d be interested to learn what you prefer in hindsight. Thx again for your content!

[@pushingfilm]

It is largely as you said... like peeling one layer away from the visual chaos. It's also because I'm working on a black and white series. But, I do always shoot some colour as well!

[@benjaminneoh]

Nice, Hashem. You definitely seem to have found your place in Bangladesh, where you just float and flow more than I've seen in other places you've shared so far. Maybe like me, in the chaos, you feel more invisible and more daring for the photos you choose to take? Some really great moments captured in this video. I love seeing how well you've adopted that layered style of framing over the years, when it hits right, it's so dynamic, so visually interesting. Also, enjoying the youthful curls you've been rocking, ha. Any more travel videos left from this last trip?

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks man! I think that's definitely part of it, it helps me get into a flow state. I have a bit more material, still deciding if/how I can use it.

[@wbhub]

Loved this video, one of my favorite so far!

[@pushingfilm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MeasuredLight]

Phwoar!! Oh man, what an interesting place to shoot! You got omw really cool shots!! I can't pick a favourite, but it would have to be one from the later part of the video in the chaos!

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks man! Glad you liked them 😁

[@stoiCasey]

Great photos, the 28mm lens is perfect for capturing such a chaotic scene.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks!

[@rizuoo]

Great choice of music; nice contrast to the on screen chaos

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks!

[@s.m.sakibshahriar5025]

Amazing work capturing the city.... From Bangladesh

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you!

[@mrf5743]

Hello sir; I am a Bangladeshi-French citizen and a passionate photographer. I frequently travel, capturing moments through street photography across Europe. It was heartwarming to see your photography in my homeland, especially in my beloved city of Dhaka. Thank you for sharing this video. Wishing you the best of luck in your endeavors.

[@pushingfilm]

Hey, I'm happy to hear that. Thank you!

[@willinirschl]

Nice Video and beautiful shots as always Hasham ☺️ do you remember which kind of film you used for the pictures at 7:30 and 8:42. Do you think scanning negatives yourself makes a huge difference in terms of giving pictures a certain look? Sometimes I get scans back from the lab which where the colors, contrast etc are already too much baked in.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks very much! The first one was Fuji Pro 400H, and the second one was Kodak Colorplus. It definitely makes a difference, but in that sense many people prefer the look or ease of lab scans. (these two images are lab scans) Self scanning tends to give you more control, if you like to tinker around.

[@willinirschl]

@@pushingfilm thank you for your answer and in general always taking time for your comments! I like to have more control over the look of my pictures. And since I saw whats possible by self scanning I need to try it for sure. What a shame it is that fuji pro 400h is no longer around 😥 I really would love to try this stock. Anyway, looking forward to your next videos and thanks for your help!

[@affepost8520]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and pictures. Whats the focal length used to do the filming? The pics seemed to be somewhat closer, than the Video itself.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks for watching! You're right, I'm using an action camera which has an ultra wide focal length (roughly 13-16mm depending on the setting)

[@65WZ]

I noticed that I was smiling while watching this video, near the 4th minute.. I just loved the busy atmosphere :)

[@pushingfilm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AlexOnStreets]

Loved the photos! In this area even 28 is too tight! I'd love to mix in with this crowd. Looks like a great time.

[@pushingfilm]

I was thinking that! I reckon you'd enjoy it

[@garywebb5912]

Great video, great images. Well done!

[@pushingfilm]

Many thanks!

[@marinelines]

Very cool! I try to find so many film photo videos on India without success, but get this 17-minute Bangladeshi gem which is just as good!

[@pushingfilm]

Haha Yeah it's probably not easy. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Bbarm97]

absolutely lovely photos!

[@Bbarm97]

also i know it looks like people are far away with the gopro footage but I know how close people actually are when looking at the photos and thats a 28mm. very very well done

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks! Yeah the action cam is around 14mm equivalent sometimes, so it looks really wide in comparison

[@davidkelso9612]

Nice! Heading to Dhaka for the 3rd time later this year (where my wife's family lives). Always such beautiful chaos! Might try an SLR and a point and shoot this time. Do you know anywhere to buy and develop film there? saves traveling with it.

[@pushingfilm]

I couldn't find anywhere! I think only recently there's some smaller independent options popping up. You could look up Classic Camera (Bangladesh) on Instagram and ask them. There's also a Facebook group where locals discuss film and such, but I can't remember the name sorry 😔

[@TheSchnauzie]

Thanks for sharing this video, stunning photos

[@pushingfilm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thedarkslide]

8:25 Ha! She got you. And wanted to know what you were photographing, turning around to look.

[@hashemmcadam]

Exactly! 😂

[@jeremibren5565]

Beautiful photos n video 📸

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@JoelGeorge03]

Awesome shots man! how do you focus so quickly??

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you! I generally zone focus or pre-set the focus to a certain distance in anticipation.

[@mrhouse_v21]

Cool photos mate

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you!

[@AI-Hallucination]

Top channel mate.

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you!

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Quite a learning about Dhaka :) I had a nice time watching this photowalk :)

[@pushingfilm]

Glad to hear that!

[@Lawrence_C_Gomes]

What are bgms have you used, especially in the 2nd half of Mohakhali? BTW really nice video!!

[@RH-adventure]

Fantastic photos😊 London is amazing for street photography👍

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you!

[@thinkpadx60]

Great video, do you carry a backup 35mm film camera when you go traveling?

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you! Generally not, especially if I've taken a digital camera (as I did in this case)

[@adventuresofjandk]

Really torn between buying a 35mm vs medium format. How much better are the photos on your 645 vs your 35mm?

[@pushingfilm]

Significantly better, if we're talking about image quality/resolution.

[@danielcoburn7696]

Hi what light meter are you using? Great video and photos by the way

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks very much! I was using the Sekonic L308. It's been discontinued now, but a slightly updated version still exists (I've listed it in the description)

[@danielcoburn7696]

@@pushingfilmthe Flashmate ?? Thanks 🙏

[@pushingfilm]

@@danielcoburn7696 Yep! (if you mean the one shown at 13:54) I mostly use Sunny 16, but still check back on my meter every now and then, especially in tricky lighting.

[@aantonic]

Hi thete, do you ever print your BW photos? How to print from scans to get real silver halude print( real bw photo paper)

[@pushingfilm]

Yeah, I have an LPL enlarger for making darkroom prints. It's been a while since I've set it up though!

[@mipal7]

Did you feel safe throughout this trip? Any issues doing photography there? Thanks!

[@pushingfilm]

I did! no issues at all (but like any country, you still need to be careful) I'll talk about it more in an upcoming video on my personal channel.

[@splootan]

Good work 👏

[@hf6568]

Amazing !

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you!

[@haynerr]

have you visited pallabi and mirpur?

[@pushingfilm]

Yeah, I have been around those areas in the North 🙂

[@kayhankayar531]

Awesome. Are you zone focussing 1m

[@pushingfilm]

Depends on the shot, but a lot of the time yes!

[@jackbeltane]

Great photography

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you!

[@thenoooblad]

where do you develop your films in Dhaka?

[@pushingfilm]

I bring them back to Australia and develop here. It's difficult in Dhaka... I know there are some small independent businesses offering through IG or Facebook (I think "Classic Camera Dhaka" would be a good starting point to find out more)

[@beny2533]

5:09 would have been a good photo😊

[@dflf]

The constant blaring of car horns would drive me crazy

[@pushingfilm]

It's unrelenting, I don't know if I would ever be able to get used to it 😅

[@slothsarecool]

So chaotic haha, I wouldn’t feel safe just because of the overwhelming amount of stuff going on but looks visually interesting, if not a bit sad to see kids playing in a somewhat bleak environment

[@pushingfilm]

Yeah It's definitely overwhelming!

[@RaiyanAhmedNabil536]

I am from Bangladesh 🇧🇩👍

[@thenoooblad]

are you still in Dhaka?

[@pushingfilm]

I'm not! I was there in mid-late March.

[@NoSomosAmigos]

👏👏👏

[@tawsiksaimum]

Bangladesh might not be the best place for your honeymoon. But if you like adventure and drama, then Bangladesh is definitely the place for you! THIS COUNTRY IS DIVERSE yet weird at the same time. One Tip: Try to visit countryside and also Sylhet, Chittagong, Chandpur. These cities are very different than each other and you will get an idea of how people of different income bracket lives in this country!

[@pushingfilm]

Yeah! Sorry to hear about the recent events

[@Sakil-H0ssain]

Was it good? We Bangladeshi people maybe financially poor but way more rich in hospitality specially when it comes to foreigners. Good luck on your next trip.

[@pushingfilm]

It really was! Thanks 🙂

[@SpartanDrazen]

Shooting B&W in a colourful environment just seems strange to me but to each their own haha

[@Gravitys-NOT-a-force]

I rarely shoot B&W, film or digital. Why do you use a 'yellow' filter? I'm truly amazed that you're shooting B&W at all; there was so much vivid color all around you.

[@vikdaddy]

As a fellow gym goer, I know why you chose that thumbnail ;)

[@pushingfilm]

Haha it was the only shot of myself in the crowd that I remembered to get