Life in a Time of Destruction Photo

Photographer’s Note

This young lad cycles past the evidence of war. He hardly sees it any more, he has lived with it so long. Ruins are all around for the people of Afghanistan.

The building was the Seraj-ul Emorat, a palace constructed by Amir Habibullah in 1910. Interestingly this was not a victim of recent wars but of a tribal revolt in 1928.

Different conflicts come and go but the destruction remains.

eladen, fireflyz, AmiBe, jjbach, ahmet54, coco, devimeuxbe, fadingstar78, hajle has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

MiguelP (14324) 2005-10-03 15:11

Very interesting photo Jonathan, you have been lucky to visit this place and know a little bit more about what´s going on there. Let´s talk about the photo. Interesting composition confronting the youthness of this man with the ruins of the building. Colors are very well kept. Thanks for sharing.

Cormac (26449) 2005-10-03 16:57

Wow Jonathan! This is so good it looks like it could have been posed, although I'm sure it wasn't. It's a very strong composition and a powerful photo. The lighting on the building is very dramatic, and the positioning in the frame is great. What really gives this photo it's kick is of course the boy on the bicycle, perfectly positioned. Superb work!

eladen (239) 2005-10-03 18:57

The colors are great as is the juxtaposition of the young man and old building. And the sky is the perfect shade of blue, it's wonderful. What a powerful photo with a great note.

rbcy1974 (20742) 2005-10-03 18:58

Hi Johnatan,
Nice portrait of this lad. Great light and nice contrast with the ruined builfing in the back. Intersting explanation as I would have thought that it was a recent wreck,
Thanks for sharing,
Regards
Daniel

fireflyz (2079) 2005-10-03 19:34

Hi Jonathan,
Composition is excellent and you managed the exposure very well here.
The effect of painful images around this place can be seen in the young man's eyes. Well done!
Regards,
Skye

equalizer (29) 2005-10-03 20:43

very good shot! well done! It is not just a travel photo it is documentary !

chaity (1539) 2005-10-03 21:00

Hai Jonathan, a depressing sight of the ruined palace but the face of the young lad gives new hope of peace and prosper.

cessy (13647) 2005-10-04 1:38

hi Jonathan
very nice picture, excellent capture of the boy passing this ruins

AmiBe (6042) 2005-10-04 2:05

Hi Jonathan,
very good picture and note !
Good idea to include this lad to fill the first plan and to adds some life.
Excellent light and colors.
Well done

sarju (5308) 2005-10-04 3:49

Hi Jonathan
I have been a silent visitor to your gallery for quite some days now but this photo has forced me to break the silence
I love your so very effective compo of this young guy on the bike and the ruins in the background .. he seems to be wearing a weird hat, something I had'nt seen the people in this area to be wearing before
thanks for sharing ... cheers ... sarju
PS: I would appreciate it if you could let me know your criterion for not including the tires of the bike in the photo ... is it just a personal preference or something that could not be avoided ... sorry about being nosy ... but I would have like to see the tires in the frame

jjbach (9101) 2005-10-04 7:02

Hi Jonathan,
Very nice and emotional composition with the young boy in front of the ruins. War is a disaster for nature and humans. Splendid work!

Regards John

ahmet54 (2239) 2005-10-04 13:45

Hi Jonathan,
great example of documentary photography. Good composition and light (evening?)
Kind regards,
Roland

coco (27820) 2005-10-07 8:20

Hi Jonathan.
Good POV and also interesting note.
It's a good job.
Regards.

Gdouble (5245) 2005-10-07 12:12

Great shot Jonathan, Great framing. Placing the young man on the left gives really movement sensation.
Well done
Guy

mayabee (374) 2005-10-18 4:22

Great composition, I really like this photo.
Maya

devimeuxbe (55865) 2005-10-18 4:26

Hi Jonathan
Great shot for the frame, the light and the nice face of the child.
MOre important for me is testimony about Afghanistan. Very interesting.
Thank for this great share.
Bertrand

fadingstar78 (402) 2005-12-19 6:03

stunning pic.

hajle (1087) 2006-06-07 2:42

absolutely perfect shot!!!great composition, with the boy on the left, and the ruins in the background!
i love this shot!
greetings!
slawek