Better life Quote by James Nachtwey
“I began to do documentary photographs of poverty which is very widespread in Indonesia. There's terrible poverty. These are people who have jobs, raise families, it's very much a worker's neighbourhood. And this is what they have found themselves in; the longer railway tracks. These are not drug addicts or drop-outs; they work. They're trying to raise their families. They came in from the countryside looking for a better life, and they simply can't afford normal housing. So they build shacks of abandoned wood and plastic where there's no rent.”
About This Quote
Source Documentary Photography Project, Indonesia, 2010s
The photographer captures the stark reality of urban poverty, showing working families forced into makeshift shelters due to unaffordable housing.
In simple terms: Workers live in shacks because housing costs are too high.
Key Takeaway
Highlight housing inequality and support affordable housing initiatives.
Themes
poverty
urbanization
housing
social justice
human dignity
Mood
empathetic
urgent
reflective
Type
documentary
social commentary
activist
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- policy advocacy
- NGO outreach
- community development
Key Concepts
documentary photography
social documentary
visual storytelling
Questions to Reflect On
- How can visual storytelling drive concrete policy change?
- What responsibilities do photographers have to the subjects they portray?
A Different Perspective
The focus on visual impact may overlook systemic causes and policy solutions.
