Christmas is For Children (2), a photo from Manila, NCR

Photographer's Note

It looks like you will have a lot of children's pictures from me these days. Here's another one.

I spotted her in one of the flyovers in the busy street in Pedro Gil LRT station in Manila. I gave her some alms and she thanked me. I took a shot of her and gave her more alms. I wish I gave her food instead. I heard that there are many syndicates running this "begging" business in Manila. Anyway, Christmas is supposedly for kids but...

(Auto-adjustments, unsharp mask, no blurring: i like the lines and the symbolism of the steps going up)

hispic, yesyuvraj, adamchewts01 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

nwoehnl (122) 2003-12-27 4:07

Another wonderful portrait, Manny, even though again it comes with an obviously devastating story. The girl's eyes and expression are great, and her posture - leaning there by the wall besides the stairs, barefooted - is what makes your shot. Great posting.

martin (1242) 2003-12-27 4:23

A moving image, Manny. The one visible eye, the hand holding the foot, the grime, .... an outstanding shot.

joso (2405) 2003-12-27 4:32

This stair, going up, might they guide she out from there?
Her look, position, her dirty feeds - gives me not much hope.
An other one from you, Manuel, showing, telling, asking...

emax (919) 2003-12-27 5:26

You write a sad note, like the sad its your pic. This is the time to remember (at least), that on the world they living poor peoples too. I know that alone I can not help them, but I think that if we all are aware on this fact, at least we are have a compassion with them. To donate something for poor kids on the world, its a minim what we can make it. Thank you to remember us on this Manuel.

PechePassion (483) 2003-12-27 5:27

Une photo avec beaucoup d'emotion dans le visage de cette jeune fille.
Merci de ne pas oublier ces gens dans le besoin pendant ces periodes de Noel.
A ma facon hier j'ai voulu leur rendre homage avec la photo Bulles de Vie car je ne peux etre proche d'eux.
Pour ce qui est de la photo rien a dire d'autres que parfait cadrage, lumiere, emotions tout y est .
Bravo

Ebbe (9617) 2003-12-27 5:45

A fine portrait and fine photojournalism Manny. She certainly looks unsafe in the big world and that is accentuated by the hard edges of the stairs.

Rockyboy (20598) 2003-12-27 6:12

Cette photo me fait penser à la chanson de Maxime Leforestier "Né quelque part".
"On choisit pas ses parents
On choisit pas sa famille
On choisit pas non plus
Les trottoirs de Manille
De Paris ou d'Alger
Pour apprendre à marcher
Être né quelque part
Être né quelque part
Pour celui qui est né
C'est toujours un hasard"
Superbe photo bien cadré et nette, avec de belles couleurs. Bravo!

hantulaut (3441) 2003-12-27 10:11

A strong social potraiture. Well done verry well Manny.

femkevdh (2633) 2003-12-27 14:27

touching photo. It realy tells the story itself. Makes you wanna go over there and do something. Oh well, the portrait is just perfect. Chewing on her hand, playing with her little dirty foot..

avigur_11 (21954) 2003-12-27 14:40

A very good, strong, sad portrait. This photo is beter than 1000 words, and tells a story very well. Her expression and her look make this shot. Good job, Manuel.

scalerman (26900) 2003-12-27 15:47

manny:

I missed this one the other day. It's really my kind of shot. no problems on the technical side at all. sad too.

soundsangels (1703) 2003-12-28 0:52

Manny,je serai bref concernant le coté technique de votre photo....comme
d`habitude...parfaite...
Par contre....cette scène de vie ne peut que m`inspirer...(et qui ne pourrait l`être avec une image comme celle-ci)
ENFANT PAUVRE/IMAGE RICHE
ENFANT SALE/PHOTO TRÈS NETTE
ENFANT RECROQUEVILLÉ/IMAGE ETENDUE A LA PLANETE
ENFANT OUBLIÉ./.POUR TOUJOURS SE RAPPELLER

Merci pour votre regard si important

sunny (3068) 2003-12-28 7:12

Deeply moving, evoking a lot of thoughts and so very well captured indeed! Her half hidden face holds for me a lot of symbolism too - sometimes we prefer not to look at the dark side of life, especially during holidays..but it is still there...even sometimes only half-revealed. Thank you for your sharp eye!

Rupes (913) 2003-12-28 7:51

Very well composed and nice sharp....so expressive portrait!

maciekda (19861) 2003-12-30 2:31

it is a sad picture, and so real, kids shouldn't have life like this girl's one, it is not fair. sad and touching picture. great work.

joseelias (0) 2003-12-30 4:36

This one is quite moving... The image speaks for itself so I don't think any coments are needed, justa that this is a great photo.

sekl (2063) 2003-12-30 7:46

Grease-kid now.
You are Philippine Dostoyevsky in photography. Can imagine what feelings aroused in your soul while you were editing the picture.
Was it possible to take a picture from a distance to show more of the stairs for symbolizm purposes?

Very moving! Thank you.

Motrem (2392) 2003-12-30 13:10

You have a sensibility of soul which makes that the sharing of your photos is enriching for us...
Magnificent image, unique and unforgettable expression.
Thank you!
Vous avez une sensibilité d'âme qui fait que le partage de vos photos est enrichissante pour nous...
Merveilleuse image, expression unique et inoubliable.
Merci!

Erik (673) 2004-01-07 16:32

Perfect! Thank you for the note! I do like the steps, turn the composition more strong!

roshangar (1673) 2004-02-06 10:34

Very great pic in tecnical and idea.most of us be sad but what we are doing for the better world?

yesterday (9833) 2004-06-11 3:39

WOW....PERFECT and strong picture, SPLENDID work.

Regards kaj Nielsen

faubry (35335) 2005-01-18 8:12

very strong shot, i know streets childrens from Manille because i am going her with association.. this girls is certainly in sex syndicat ! the childs are a burnt cicatrice on arm by syndicat,

vinti (65) 2007-02-12 8:07

This is so sad...
But truly a great photo!! Thanks for that!

dareco (17134) 2007-07-20 21:13 [Comment]