Charles Dharapak (ชาลี)

21/12/2023

It's been a while since I've cut a video!

The 14th Dalai Lama, 88, inaugurated the four-day International Sangha Forum in Bodh Gaya, in northern India, where Buddha is said to have attained enlighten...

14/11/2022

An important piece about the ethics of reporting by my friend Adryel Talamantes who recently covered the tragic nursery massacre in Thailand

Photojournalist Adryel Talamantes shares thoughts on how journalists can report on tragedies in an ethical and respectful way.

18/09/2021

I wanted to give a shout out to my friend Ian Taylor: Photographer who is a talented kids and family photographer and storyteller.

He's currently based in Bangkok. Get in touch with him if you're looking for a great eye (and soul) to capture your family moments.

One of the original kids & family photographers in Hong Kong, photographing thousands of kids since 2007. Ian Taylor captures personalities and makes the entire process fun. He knows over 100 awesome locations in Kowloon, NT and The Island.

06/04/2021

I'm always grateful to be given the opportunity to mentor emerging journalists for Internews' Earth Journalism Network project.

I'd like to share beautiful work by Indian journalist Naresh Green whose environmental reporting grant application I supported through a judging process in 2020.

After his reporting trip into the Anaimalai Hills of India during the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the story that he and his team produced.

The original rough cut was over 40 minutes long. The final cut runs a little over 20 minutes.

After days of virtual coaching and mentoring through WhatsApp and Zoom calls, I'm proud to present the full video which was published by Kalaignar TV News in India:

https://youtu.be/CA9WrK8zfFk

and by Earth Journalism Network:

This video documentary tells the story of how an entire community — unaffected by a global pandemic — returned to the life of their ancestors deep in the Anaimalai Hills.

20/09/2020

Rest in Peace, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a tireless trailblazer of women's rights and gender equality whose legacy will continue to inspire.

I'd like to share some images of Justice Ginsburg that I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to make in Washington over the years, including a July 2013 portrait session in her chambers at the Supreme Court.

She was patient and probably would have given me more than the four minutes I was there. I was being overly considerate and respectful (translation: I was NOT going to turn off that distracting computer monitor in the background or rearrange anything in her office) and made a few quick photos, asking her to stand by her window. (Thanks for letting me get close with my 50mm lens)

The Supreme Court group photo is from September 2009 after the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor.

The image with President Barack Obama is from the State of the Union in 2013, and overhead angle is from a joint session of Congress in 2009.

25/05/2020

Eid Mubarak to my Muslim friends that celebrate. To my Indonesian friends: "Mohon maaf lahir batin" (Please forgive me for all my wrongdoings in the past).

Because of COVID-19 this year's end of Ramadan celebrations will be constrained, with people unable to attend large gatherings and feast together, or travel to visit friends and family.

Eight years ago I took a short break from covering the US presidential campaign to visit my kids in Jakarta, Indonesia, during Eid. While I am a Thai Buddhist, it was important to me that my kids also grew up with the traditions of their mother's family.

I am grateful to have this rare picture of my now 15-year-old camera-averse and much taller son holding onto my hand (and smiling) as I made this grainy snap with my iPhone 4s.

10/05/2020

It was fun doing the video editing AND playing in this "virtual jam" that showcases some of the best Thai blues musicians who are without a place to publicly perform during this pandemic.

In all, we had 10 guitarists, 3 bass players, 2 drummers, 3 vocalists, 1 blues harp, 1 organ, 1 keyboard and 1 baritone saxophone (me). Blues is a music of emotional and improvised expression. The performances were recorded by each musician at their homes. I hope to jam "live" with these top shelf players soon!

Lyrics are written by my friend Keith Nolan. I hope you enjoy it!

STAY HOME BLUES — Dedicated to our tireless medical professionals and to give strength to those affected by the COVID-19 crisis. We’ll get through this together. - Bangkok Blues Musicians

อยู่บ้าน บลูส์ - เพื่อขอบคุณบุคลากรทางการแพทย์ ที่ทุ่มเทแรงกายแรงใจดูแลเราทุกคนในช่วงเหตุการณ์โควิด-19 รวมทั้งเติมกำลังใจให้คนที่ได้รับผลกระทบ แล้วเราจะก้าวผ่านวิกฤตในครั้งนี้ไปด้วยกัน - นักดนตรีบลูส์กรุงเทพ

Musicians:

Guitar
Dulyasith Srabua - Banglumpoo Blues Company
Suthin Parisanyodom “Tee”
Whim Wisutaporn Jingjit - The Vintagers
Naronchai Jutgrabuanpol “Papa Benz”
Ped Bluesman
Chai Blues
Puwadon Weerasatien “Yamin”
Piyanart Jotikasthira “Pump” - Apartment Khun Pa
Nicolai Kehlet - Soi Dog Blues Band
Nils Andersson

Bass
Nueng Blues Jr.
KEi A Oda KEi NAnaHEro “New”
Tony Satto - Soi Dog Blues Band

Drums
ณวิพงศ์ วิรพุฒินันท์ “Wan San” - Soi Dog Blues Band
Haroon Muanpreecha - The Vintagers

Piano
Keith Nolan - Cotton Mouth Blues Band

Harmonica
Puree C Muadmuang - Jukes

Organ
Chai Komlerkul

Vocals
Keith Nolan - Cotton Mouth Blues Band
Puree C Muadmuang - Jukes
Lalita Orapun “Najwa”
Chai Komlerkul

Bari Sax
Charles Dharapak

Lyrics, Musical Arrangement, Audio Mix
Keith Nolan

Video Editing
Charles Dharapak

Produced by
Keith Nolan & Charles Dharapak

STAY HOME BLUES — Dedicated to our tireless medical professionals and to give strength to those affected by the COVID-19 crisis. We’ll get through this toget...

04/05/2020

Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia asked me what it was like to spend two weeks in Thai government quarantine.

I did have my clarinet with me!

Q+A, photos:
https://travelandleisureasia.com/this-tl-photographer-spent-two-weeks-in-government-quarantine/

22/04/2020

My video about 14 days in mandatory Thai government quarantine for COVID-19.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for free here: https://sc.mp/subscribe-youtube Thailand is requiring all returning citizens to undergo 14-day government qua...

21/04/2020

How is everyone doing? I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy during these challenging times.

Here's my experience in a Thai government state quarantine facility as efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 are intensified.

Without prior notice, my entire flight was quarantined for 14 days after we arrived at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport earlier this month.

We were very well taken care of (and well fed!) by Thai authorities as they made sure we were all free of the coronavirus before allowing us back into Thailand.

Text, video, and some photos below:

Ever wondered what two weeks in a Thai government-run coronavirus quarantine facility might be like? Then wonder no more, Thai-American freelance visual journalist Charles Dharapak experienced it so you don’t need to.

09/04/2020

I hope this post finds everyone safe during these extraordinary times.

Right now we can only dream of the places we'd like to go, and the restaurants we'd love to discover.

I have a deep connection with Indonesia. I'm saddened for the loss of so many there, amongst them a friend, from COVID-19. I'm worried for what more may come with this pandemic.

A few weeks earlier I had the opportunity to spend time with the passionate creators behind Jakarta's rising food scene and make photos of 10 restaurants for the just-published April 2020 issue of Travel & Leisure Asia

Indonesia is resilient. I know I'll be returning to these spots in the future.

Story text by Ron Gluckman

https://travelandleisureasia.com/jakartas-food-scene-is-on-the-rise/

26/02/2020

ON THIS DAY — Ben Affleck checks out my cameras before an interview in Washington on Feb. 26, 2014. I didn't realize he was such a camera enthusiast!