What about the topic of economic disparity grabs your interest?
Let me start by saying that I acknowledge economic disparity is a global issue, and not just something I have found in Asia. That being said, I have found myself in Asia, therefore I have decided to focus on it here. The most interesting aspect about disparity that continues to draw me to the topic in Asia, is the visual nature of it. It's hard to miss and easy to spot, so to say.
Does anything in particular stand out about Bangkok's economic disparity?
One thing that stands out to me when viewing wealth disparity in Asia, Bangkok included, as opposed to the West is that displays of wealth are generally more ostentatious and poverty is generally more visible here. In other words, where America attempts, mostly, to hide extreme wealth and extreme poverty, much less effort is made in Asia. Of course, there are no absolutes. Compared to Hong Kong and Singapore, it is much easier to see wealth and poverty side by side here. However, the geopolitical aspects of the issue are slowly changing as the region becomes more globalized, and the physical boundaries between the haves and have nots is increasing at the same rate as the wealth gap.
Where's your favorite spot in Bangkok for a stroll with your camera?
My favorite spots are the Pathum Wan district, where I can spend a few hours and see people from almost every walk of life, interacting (and not interacting), and the areas along the BTS lines that are rapidly transforming. It's always changing so I can keep going back.
Any tips for budding street photographers taking on the chaos of Bangkok streets?
It's easy to get overwhelmed in a city like Bangkok. One thing I like to do is a find a good spot amid all the noise and haste and just wait. The longer you stay, the more photos you'll begin to see. Another method I use to overcome the insanity is sometimes to not take any pictures at all—I just walk around and exist in an the area until I am comfortable there. Once I've relaxed, I pick up the camera.
Adam Birkan is a Bangkok-based freelance photographer who has been named one of Magnum’s 30 Under 30 photojournalists of 2015 and the winner of Photo District News’ Emerging Photographer award. He was also as a finalist in the 2014 National Geographic competition. All That Glitters is his first solo exhibition in Asia and runs at Jam (41 Charoen Rat Soi 1. BTS Surasak) from Mar 5-26.
