At Orphanage Photo

Photographer’s Note

Recently I had a chance to visit an orphanage in Koshla, India (nera Manali) where I was deeply touched by the resilience of the young kids living over there. The kids seemed to be so happy and full of life despite so very few materialistic pleasures.

There were also three westerners volunteering their valuable time at this orphanage.

For more pictures from the Orphanage, you can check my blog.

PS: Bye for now and I hope that everybody at TE is having a good time and is cool TE.

PLD_images has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

PLD_images (7141) 2006-10-12 22:36

Hey my friend,

I just got back from a 4 weeks in the west USA. My trip has nothing to do with the kind of trip you are on, but I still enjoyed it. This a strong image with a lot of meaning to it. Thanks for the link on your blog. It will help us to stay in contact with you.

Make the most of your time there Sarju.

Yours, Paul

zenskat (656) 2006-10-12 22:49

Hi Sarju,
I read your note and see that you appreciate honesty, so....this shot caught my eye, and i am in a fairly picky mood, a little bothered by the lack of creativity and the same old images coming up on TE and getting so much praise, but as i say, this caught my eye. Now why i am not sure...it is a very interesting scene, orphan kids could almost be worshipping who is obviously(by clothes) an outsider, probably a westerner. But i can't understand why you chopped off the head? To be honest it bothers me, but maybe you meant it to?I just can't help feeling a broader perspective would have made for a more well balanced pic, but then again, maybe would have just looked like a snap of a middle class westerner on tour surrounded by kids.anyway that is what i feel. Thanx, Jez

vthomas (688) 2006-10-13 12:09

Hi Sarju,
I have to be as honest as zenskat here, I have a little problem with this photo.
It seems (from your note) that you wanted to illustrate the happiness of these orphans, full of life, and/or the valuable involvement of westerners for a good cause. Yet I'm not sure the picture illustrate neither of these 2 poins.
First, the kids are barely visible and from the little we see they seem to be bowing at a guy who could look like the guru of a crazy sect (ok maybe I'm a bit too much here :-)). Which would be quiet scary...
Then, if you want to put the westerner in value ,then choping his head (like zenskat said) leaves me also a bit perplex.
Doesn't mean it's a bad photo at all, it's just that I'm not sure it illustrates your note,
Anyway, thanks

Vincent

cam (8880) 2006-10-14 18:43

Hi Sarju
A game,with hands and feet.
the head,well...always difficult to look at a headless body..it is disturbing...
I am wondering why the kids are orphan?By what mechanism.Dead parents?abandoned? I wish you have tell more.
From time to time,I give a look at your blog and try to follow your progression,quite interresting.
Take care my friend.
Charles