The Sweatshops of Dharavi in Mumbai

So last year I undertook a personal challenge to attempt to do some photojournalism. I have always had a love of photojournalism and admired the photographers who did it, my photographic idol include Chris Hondros and James Nachtwey right up the top. So I packed my bag and headed for India with nothing but a vague idea of what I wanted to achieve and the people I wanted to interact with. I decided early on that I was going to stay in one city and explore it as much as possible and I chose Mumbai/ Bombay to be that city. I arrived and immediately started to explore, walking for miles every day into areas most tourists would avoid such as Slums and industrial districts, not once did I feel threatened; actually the complete opposite, I felt welcomed and people were amazed that I had taken the time to get to know the hidden parts of the city off my own back. A lot of the time I would not even get my camera out, I would sit and talk, smoke or eat with people getting to know them and what they were about was as important to me as depicting them through my imagery. I began to make some really good connections and was being invited deeper into these peoples lives and I began to be allowed into their places of work, what the western world refers to as a "sweatshop". I spent time in each one getting to know the people who worked there and getting them comfortable with my presence, I think this helped in achieving the portraits I was after. All images are shot on a Nikon D700 with a 50mm lens which meant I had to be close to and interact with the people I photographed I hope you enjoy these images and it makes you consider the people who work in these areas.

All Images are Copyright property of Nicholas Adams

Thanks for looking and for more documentary photography check my website: www.nicholas-adams.co.uk