The rose at Saint-Joseph Photo

Photographer’s Note

The salvation islands (îles du salut) is one of the places were prisonners of the "bagne" were hold in french Guyane during a century (from around 1850 to 1953).
Here, on the Saint-Joseph island, a few buildings covered of vegetation and a cemetary remain.

When the prisonners died, they were just dropped into the ocean were numerous sharks would soon take their body. For the warden and their famillies there was this cemetary. On several graves, the dates of birth and death are still readable and I could calculate that almost all of them died before the age of 40. I realised that if the living conditions were terrible
for the prisonners, the life was not an easy one either for the warden's famillies.

The one surprising thing I noticed is that rose, just behind the entrance door. I'm still wondering who planted that rose there and why ...

Davidwh, Isabelle has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Davidwh (3654) 2007-01-23 9:14

Hello again Pascal,
It is easy to be illusioned by those beautiful palm trees that this is an attractive and welcoming place and yet it has such a dark and cold history.A good composition showing a wide view that emphasises the distinct contrast between the overgrown cold graves and the deep shades of green full of live.The soft texture you have given the image also fools you more.An interesting image....TFS.
Regards, david

tcht (7298) 2007-01-26 10:11

Hi Pascal
Nice documentary shot of this place. Yep I notice the rose too, very special and beautiful, contrasting well with the rest. The lighting is good here and you have a nice perspective with good depth and framing either side. Nicely done!
Regards
CheukHin

Isabelle (9014) 2007-02-08 18:28

this is a precious shot, Pascal. There is a lot going on here: the palm trees around the place, so close to one another do make them look scaring even if in such equatorian sunny environment.
the image is neat and the note excellent.
this is a place i would like to visit. who knows?

gemlik (969) 2007-02-12 7:48

Hi Pascal,
Excellent shot.colors and lighting are beautiful with nice sharpness also good depth.Well done TFS
Best regards
Bulent

jemaflor (39759) 2007-03-09 6:58

Salut Pascal,
Belle composition, le cadrage donne de la profondeur, ceal done un lieu qui serait presque charmant si l'on oubliait l'histoire, drôle d'effet avec cette rose unique.