The book-keeper Photo

Photographer’s Note

Deniben is literate and keeps the accounts for the ragpicking women of Ramapir. She also sells potatoes and onions on a cart. The ragpicking community are supposed to save 5 rupees per day...The idea is to invest this money into something like a vegetable cart. An incredible woman named Aanchal is working alongside these women to ensure the money gets collected and helps them with various other problems. Tomorrow, I will go to the slum to see the installation of Gas cylinders. This is a historical day for these women as they have used smoke chullas all of their lives. The smoke chullas are incredibly injurious for their health.

This is a hardworking and progressive group of women whom have inspired me these past months. I am currently trying to figure out how to give something back to them...

csavery, konok, sabyasachi1212, broglia, Brian, ktanska, arnabchat, ramesh_lalwani, everlasting, Mistral, Sharee, eleparc, Prisley has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jr_paterson (259) 2007-04-17 9:48

Fascinating picture, and a fascinating story too. Good luck with your quest. James.

brentmparker (36) 2007-04-17 9:52

Excellent photo. The colors are great the the perspective of the woman is dynamic.

sabyasachi1212 (19546) 2007-04-17 10:09

Hi Kajal,
It has been a pleasure looking at your gallery and this one is no exception. Wonderful documentary shot, good use of the wide angle. Small success stories like the one you mention here is what keeps our country up and running ...despite the politicians!
Best Wishes
Sabyasachi

kozak (711) 2007-04-17 10:32

That's a darn fantastic photo sir. I will aspire to come up with something like this in my travels.

broglia (3379) 2007-04-17 11:09

Hi Kaj,

Hope you are keeping well on your travels. This is a really beauty. Your last couple of portraits were a little static but this is just great - with that outstretched arm. Nice little triangle there too. Marvelously lit. Keep up the good work. I'm sure you'll come up with a clever idea to help these hardworking women.

Warmest regards, Roberto

tcht (7298) 2007-04-17 11:46

Hi Kaj
stunning stuff here...again you've that amazing light and good eye contact. the perspective is strong here with the hand and the details are lovely. simply amazing pics..keep up the good work!
Best wishes
CheukHin

scalerman (25787) 2007-04-17 12:40

Kajal: everything about this image attracts. Great shadows, color tone, and vignetting. Your DOF - broadened just enough - regards, c

ktanska (16733) 2007-04-18 1:51

Hi Kajal,
A well done portrait of the woman on her work. View from close work well and the hands are your trademark. I'm surprised that you were able to fit all in focus.
Kari

arnabchat (7058) 2007-04-18 5:38

a quality compoition. just appreciate the choice of subject here, from the social documentary viewpoint. quality post.
TFS, Arnab

Darren (6819) 2007-04-18 8:57

This is fantastic Kaj, one of your very best shots. Working in close and using a wide angle has really done strange things to her hand, but it has also created a great line leading into her face. Great colors and exposure here too. Really one of your very best, if not your best. excellent!

Jacobp (798) 2007-04-18 14:29 [Comment]

Show Comment

everlasting (10942) 2007-04-20 2:49

Stunning Kaj, the light and the eye contact. These women have inspired you in so many ways I am sure you will find he insipiration to give something back to them. You have portrayed their plight so sensitively and respectfully here.

s10001in (1487) 2007-04-21 8:36

This is your tradeamke kaj.
remebing your old series.

Nice work.
-Regards.,

nicoz (1963) 2007-04-23 5:18

Hi Kaj,
I seem to remember that the first photo I saw of you was one of a lady in a kitchen whose hand was streched toward you. You used a wide angle and the results was really cool. This photo somehow reminded me of the former. The compo is excellent. I like the way she seems to protect her potatoes.
Nice one!
Nicolas

Furachan (0) 2007-04-24 3:57

ANother outstanding shot, Kaj. The outstretched hand, almost touching us through the frame... Tremendous POV that make this portrait so dynamic. Placement of the hed in the top right pocket...inspired.
Great stuff,
Francis

PeterC (2242) 2007-04-26 9:24

Kajal,
Wow each shot just keeps getting better and better. Love this wide angle shot. You are in real close and it shows. Really dynamic this one.

Cheers
Peter

oochappan (22032) 2007-04-28 4:23

Excellent framed with the hand in frontplan and the arm as secend enhancing framing, straight to target her smile half in the shade, indeed a clear compo that takes you still 100% in the functional not dominating composition where I see often enforced compos at the cost of content, a relief, well captured Kajal, the option of hard finishing up to the edge of a graphical feel enhance on top the hard life here.

Mistral (13846) 2007-05-06 14:10

Namaskar Kajal,
your gallery of Underexposed is simply stunning for quality and for the story back of each image!
You have done a beautiful work!
A big smile from Italy!
Luca

Sharee (312) 2007-05-13 21:17

A wonderful photograph, I just discovered the link to your 'rag picker' series and am thoroughly enjoying looking through them. In this particular shot the lighting is perfect and the use of a wide angle adds a lot of interest to the composition.

Tracey

eleparc (24059) 2007-05-14 6:43

this shot is amazing! it is beautiful and brings us into an emotional zone. your note is excezllent!
Eric

aralda (1240) 2007-09-27 5:22

Hi Kaj,
Great portrait and great documentary work!
Raluca

Prisley (1277) 2008-01-27 3:14

What a POV and comp'. Delightful and inspired as Francis said. I love the head behind at the opposite of her hands. It's like what is in her mind differs totally from the reality of her handcraft/work. Beautiful play with natural light and obscurity. Plus I love the textures stone/cloth/organic potatoe/gold ring & bracelet..
Congrats! you're inspiring me though I doubt making so good stuff before a long time and inner journey.
Sincerly,
Pris.