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Little Thieves


Little Thieves
Photo Information
Copyright: Skye Soroush (fireflyz) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 406 W: 24 N: 297] (2079)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-06-16
Categories: Daily Life
Camera: Nikon D 70, Nikkor 18-70mm DX, UV
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): garbage dump in Phnum Pehn, The Hidden Life of Garbage /1/, The Joys of Childhood, Children of the World [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-09-16 15:00
Viewed: 1360
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi everyone!

Before going to Cambodia I had heard many negative things about it in the media and also in neighboring countries. About theft, crimes, ...etc.

I arrive at Stung Meanchey... surrounded by kids and handing out the goodies (cookies and candies). Since there was a limited amount of cookies and many people, I only gave one to each kid or adult. I noticed one boy tricked me after I handed him a cookie for the second time.
Some kids do that. They move over, place the goodies in their pocket and come back to get another one and act like it is their first one. I decided to do a test..
"No more! maybe later...", I said. The goodies were only half finished at that time. I placed the rest in the basket which was attached to front of motorbike and walked away into the field. I wanted to see if anyone tries to steal any goodies. I saw them going back to what they were doing while looking at me with puzzled faces. This test lasted about an hour and they passed it with flying colors (very well). No one even went near the motorbike. I decided to go back and distribute the rest and also it was getting dark, but I just saw the boy who tricked me (purple shirt in middle) going down the garbage hill and put his hand in his pocket, pulled out a bag of cookie and hand it to this little girl that looked like his sister (in the photo, right). Her face shined and the kids were being themselves. Playful and happy!
So, be careful! They may not touch your cookies, your motorbike or equipment, but they will steal your heart!

This is one of my own favorite photos, though it's not of a high quality but the story that led to it and the moment it captured... hope you like it!
Cheers,
Skye


"Freedom (can be read happiness also) can only come about naturally, not through wishing, wanting, longing. Nor will you find it by creating an image of what you think it is. To come upon it the mind has to learn to look at life, which is a vast movement, without the bondage of time, for freedom lies beyond the field of consciousness."

----Krishnamurti (the book: Freedom From The Known)
joshack, mugush, Homerhomer, Galeota, Amirsun, sengir, banyanman, nicol_g has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To rosiegirl: Thanks Rosie!fireflyz 1 09-16 20:57
To Homerhomer: Thanks Peter!fireflyz 1 09-16 20:38
To PSYOPS: in a heart beat!fireflyz 1 09-16 19:59
To phi75: Thanks philippe!fireflyz 1 09-16 19:13
To mugush: Thanks Mujtaba!fireflyz 1 09-16 19:06
To t0mmm1: We all must learn from them..fireflyz 1 09-16 15:35
To dolin: Thank you!fireflyz 1 09-16 15:31
To shayes: Thanks Shannon!fireflyz 1 09-16 15:29
To WoodPigeon: It's the girl..fireflyz 1 09-16 15:08
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Critiques [Translate]

What a beautiful story! I love the pic too! Cambodian kids also stole my heart. Thanks so much for sharing. :)

Very nice and great note too.

I think I've seen these kids from maciek's pictures! You might want to check his pictures out :^)

It's very nice - the happy kids in a crappy life, because it's all they have... i especially line the boy in green on the right. It's a nice smile... and the one in yellow on the left...

This captures a lot of feelings.

Super! :^)

  • Great 
  • dolin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2627 W: 447 N: 1494] (15647)
  • [2005-09-16 15:15]
  • [+]

Hi Skye.
Nice and "hard" scene with these kids playing in this place.
I like all the details and this full utilization of the frame
Some smiles for a bad place, good contrast.
The colors, the framing and the sharpness are good.
Very good capture.
Fred

  • Great 
  • phi75 Gold Star Critiquer [C: 353 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2005-09-16 17:26]
  • [+]

more than a photo, a document, compare to some photographs of this site who steel the photo, you participate, you 're a part of the photo! good work!
excellent moment of life!!!
philippe

Its a first time on trekeath thats I am praising Photographer's note than photo itself. you know it is very very useful information for us. thank you so much for sharing(as kid share their cookies with his sister),
Now come to the photo. Photo itself saying many things.
They are playing on garbage but still happy and satisfied.thats what i call compromise,compromise with their atmosphere.See smile on their faces, this same smile you will see on the face of every child wether they are from USA or Franch.. you will see the same..
Thanks for sharing with us... Keep it up
Love
Mugush

Skye:

I agreed with you, this picture is "not of a high quality." It's a shame, because UNICEF needed an enlargement for their headquarters at UN.

Will you come back to Stung Mean Chey?

George

Great note and I appreciate the photo, joyfull and full of energy of kids enjoying the moment in the only environment they know. As for the photo quality I think you have conveyed the feelings you intended to, the only thing is that we have images from Maciek from the same location so it's difficult for just about anyone to match the beauty in his images, but yours is also full of it's own beauty.
Peter

I love how the kids just kind of shine out from the rubble. Your note was very interesting- I occasionally watch a lot of kids and there are some who wouldn't have passed your test. (I know many who would have, but its just an interesting thought- kids that have everything would have tried to take more, but those with nothing didn't) Great work- in more than one sense.
Rosie

Skye:
Here I am with full admiration to your note.
You were correct, "they will steal your heart!".

They did!

Thanh

Hello Skye. YOur photograph is nicely composed but the kids seem to melt in the background because of the multitude of colors. This is obviously something inherent to the scene and that you couldn't avoid unless having put the kids in the foreground (which meant getting closer) and put a little distance between them and the garbage (adding DOF).

I like your sensitive note very much. It was a pleasure to read it. Thank you for sharing both the photograph and the note.

I am not good in critique about others' artwork, but I knew that I am impressed by this capture.
You've got good eyes and a big heart.

Sincerely,

*What a dirty shot Skye, I must wash my monitor ;)*(shookhy)
Very well seen.
Regards
Amir

Beautiful story and very useful lesson. And this is really great shot. I can't belive it, but this kids are acting so spontaneous and joyful. I must learn much from them. Not just me, all our civilisation could learn much from those kids. TFS.

  • Great 
  • sengir Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 388 W: 51 N: 496] (4911)
  • [2005-09-18 11:47]

Hello Skye! Very good note, or better say story, and solely for this you deserve two points, while the accompaning picture is very good addition :)

Hi Skye,
The only thing which is not of the highest quality in this photo is the quality of life (or lack of it) of these children. Accompanied by such a powerful note, this image definately causes you to stop and think.
Best Regards,

Shelly.

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