The Welcoming Committee, a photo from Kracheh, East

Photographer's Note

If I were to have a clip of this scene to show as an advertisement for Cambodia tourism. It would have gained a few more tourists with such a welcoming gesture.

When we arrived to the floating village, it looked as if the children of the village were all out playing on the sandy beach of the island. A few of the children started to run toward us, waving, laughing and greeting us like we were their long lost friends returning from a long journey. I was overwhelmed by such welcoming gesture and happiness. I felt like coming home. It was my mother’s childhood home after all.

Many of the villagers are actually Vietnamese living in Cambodia.

Koh Troung, an Island in the middle of the Mekong across from Kratie, on the island, there a floating village where my mother was from. It was one of the main reasons I came to Cambodia. You would have known the emotional story behind this Island for me, If you have seen and read the note on my100th post

avene, phwall, yedirenk, mark_mk, Sistercosmo, paololg, Colombiana, gracious, ChrisJ, BlueRaven, patdeph, brano14, carper, Philippe, didemay, BelCan75, danos, Dpbours, fulvio52, jhm, macondo, Kielia, shevchenko, mphotographies, hispic, pablominto has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

dta (52274) 2009-03-18 10:26

Hello Way ,
A beautiful picture , full of happiness . I like a lot the different layers : kids on the sand , woodenn houses , green forest . A great note , too .
Best regards

avene (12671) 2009-03-18 10:27

hello Way,
I guess it is worth going as far as the other side of the world just to have such a welcome :) I like the photo a lot, especially how the golden yellow of the sand create a warm mood that goes so well with your note. great shot, my compliments.

best,
Kristine

phwall (6785) 2009-03-18 10:43

Hello Way,
I remember your 100th post so well, and this capture has the same warmth and emotion.
I love the way the children are running towards you waving to say hello, is there anything better than to see happy healthy children.
Lovely colour tones, so natural looking, your composition and POV do justice to this wonderful scene, bravo.
Regards Peter

baba_flies (8829) 2009-03-18 10:46

Hello Way! What a cute and cheerful little committee :))) Yes this is so different from where I live and sometimes I still wonder (just a little) where the difference is but I remember when I was away for half a year our godchild was running too but she was a little shy and yet curious but I never forget how proud she was greeting us back and that she knew someone that came home from far away. This photo gives a lot back for you but also for us as a distant viewer. Great shot indeed with wonderful natural colors ... warm regards, all my best, Barbara.

BennyV (12859) 2009-03-18 10:59

And what a welcoming committee it is. Can you imagine a better one, Way? I can't. Lots of joy, lots of simple, down to earth happiness...lots of innocence, too.
I always have mixed feelings about this kind of scene: yes, they are poor, but will so-called progress make them happier?

Thanks for your very personal series of posts here, together they form one of the most interesting series on the site, I really appreciate them a lot.

A bitter-sweet symphony, that's life...

Benny

Wahclellaspirit (3845) 2009-03-18 11:38

Hello Way,
I like the scene the chaildren allowed you to share here. Welcomed with open arms, without fear of a stranger. Not a normal response in our world, but in theirs, a daily occurence. I especially noticed the TV antennaes on the floating homes, for some reason that is what I looked for in the scene. Prosperity...
Steve

yedirenk (11242) 2009-03-18 11:42

Hi Way,
very dynamic composition with lovely children committee:)vivid colours and warm light are very nice.a superb moment,good sharpness and framing.well done.TFS
Best regards

Cevdet

plimrn (21344) 2009-03-18 12:45

Oh my, What a wonderful welcome!! You are so right, your mother would have loved this. In addition we are very fond of floating communities. Larry lived on a houseboat in Oregon and then after we were married we lived on a sailboat for many years.

I see you are my neighbor, I was looking for more paintings and I saw your wonderful rainbow, but first I think I'll follow this trip after reading your 100th post.
HLJ, Pat

OOps, I forgot to talk about the photo!! The framing is amazing, did you use a wide angle lens? I love the way the village is framed almost equally between the sand and sky. The colors are very natural and true. The detail is just amazing throughout. How do you do that??
HLJ, Pat

mark_mk (266) 2009-03-18 12:52

Hi Way,
what a beautiful shot! These kids look so happy and full of joy and the overall mood of the image is really warm and nice! Must have been very nice to have such a welcoming committee. It is a truly wonderful image, I like it a lot!

Take care
Mark

sacimar (25957) 2009-03-18 13:20

Hi Way,

beautiful picture, I like the composition with all these kids playing around. It made me smile. Good details and sharpness. good job. Tfs.

Regards

Sergio

Sistercosmo (242) 2009-03-18 14:14

Hi Way,
I can understand why you felt like you were coming home! Looking at these kids, I would have a real problem figuring out which one to cuddle first! That little guy front left perhaps, and then that beautiful girl with the yellow shirt.
Again, you've touched me with your photo. When I see that gal in the yellow shirt, I remember myself at that age.
Wonderful shot full of happiness!
Thanks and take good care!
Linda

Jeppo (17623) 2009-03-18 15:36

I love the joy present in this shot....everybody's happy to see you....to see somebody new....who maybe brings some novelty, gift, hope.

I am happy to read your trip back to your roots was positive...

ciao
Silvio

paololg (31442) 2009-03-18 15:42

Ciao dear Way,
beautiful scene, happy and with so many children that smile. I believe that these images, captured in the village of your mother, will be always in your heart. Thank you for sharing yours beautiful emotion.
Ciao, have a nice day!
Paolo

emka (59040) 2009-03-18 15:55

Hi Way, So this is the same village. The kids look here so full of joy. interesting floating village. Does the level of the river change a lot? It seems that the children spotted you and now are running to you, indeed the welcame comittee. Wonderful scene.

Regards

Maggie

Colombiana (2931) 2009-03-18 17:47

Hey Way,

:) Cute title!
What a welcoming and friendly committee--so full of joy and genuineness. This committee has no hidden agenda or selfish interests. I bet Edward Liddy would have killed to appear before this outdoors humble committee instead of the affable house committee as we all saw today.
I like the photo!
Regards,
Maryori

gracious (20025) 2009-03-18 19:49

Sabaidi Way,
Beautiful welcoming gesture from the children that running towards your camera! must be feeling very touch by their honest and true welcome!
good depth in this shot with great sharpness and lovely colour!
many thanks for the sharing
cheers
Tony

ChrisJ (87654) 2009-03-18 20:27

Hi Way

A superb daily life scene that reminds me of the Mekong River in Laos outside Vientianne. Good colour & sharpness. Tfs!

BlueRaven (37) 2009-03-19 2:27

Hi Way,

What a heartwarming scene, perfectly captured! When I see shots like this, I can't help but think: will they be as happy when they are grown up? And will the so-called progress make their lives better or worse?
Anyway, this is another one of your shots that I find very touching. Those childs seem so joyful and innocent and you have managed to capture this very well in this shot.
Wonderful picture, thanks for sharing!

Best wishes
Claudia

totoamoto (2519) 2009-03-19 3:27

Salut
Superbe image.. Que de joie dans cette photo.. Ces petits enfants.. Bien joué.
LA photo elle est très belle, ces maisons sur l'eau sous ce ciel gris. saison des pluies ??
Le tout accompagné d'une très belle lumière..

Cyril

mikele_pl (2400) 2009-03-19 6:20

Hi Way,

this is very Cambodian style and says much about the country itself. I am deeply affected by Cambodian kindness and frinedliness and I hope to go back there someday. Nice image, well composed, with good deepth and sharpness. Cheers!

michal

PeterDF (407) 2009-03-19 6:38

A wonderful photo here of these children running to greet you...it's really a charming and touching scene. It's also a beautiful setting, and the lighting is very subtle and soft, too, on this January day in Cambodia. Very nicely done.

zmey (7335) 2009-03-19 7:00

hi Way: almost no adults on that beach, right? :) must represent the demographic composition of Cambodia well - pure youthful dynamite. interesting: the whole set with the houses sitting on the water.

warm regards,
kristaps

patdeph (35738) 2009-03-19 9:03

hello Way
this is a very nice daily life scene,mere touching because of your story!The place is superb,the colours are fantastic(I particularly like the green water in the golden sand,and the contrast of this sand with the green vegetation and the blue sky),and I love this floating houses!How I like their very simple way of life,much of us could think that we would bore after a few days,but,I am sure that they have numerous ways to get great pleasures,ways that we have forgotten!
Regards
Pascale

brano14 (2514) 2009-03-19 10:19

Hello Way,
I just finished reading your emotional story on photo #100 and that photo is definitely going to my favorite photos.
One more great photo about life with very useful note.
Thanks!
Brano

carper (96) 2009-03-19 10:26

very good clear shot Way.
I like the point of view and the quality. well taken very nice photo job here, have a nice day.
regard jaap

Philippe (11836) 2009-03-19 13:42

Hi, Way. These nice kids seem full of life and, after reading your note for picture 100, I can understand your emotion when arriving there. This picture must be of great value to you. The kids with their colourful clothes and welcoming gestures illuminate the foreground. The houses and the green strip of vegetation give a very good horizontal structure to the image.
Have a nice day,
Philippe

didemay (2943) 2009-03-19 15:35

Hello Way,
This makes me feel as if I am standing there and in a minute we are going to caress each other. A photo that pulls you in.
Lovely shot.
Best regards,
D:)

BelCan75 (2201) 2009-03-19 21:51

Hi Way,

What a nice welcoming. You can almost hear the children laughing. Great shot with a beautiful view over the beach, the playful kids and the houses in the background. Wonderful colours and details as well. A happy photo, especially with your note! Great work, Way!

Greetings,
Ann

dvlazar (6644) 2009-03-19 21:58

A slight yellow wash throughout this photo (the whites arent white) but that doesnt take away from the energy and happiness in the shot.
Cheers!
Dave

vincz (19099) 2009-03-20 0:35

Such a great quality in this shot. Light is great, details are fantastic. I love the overall atmosphere with the children running all around in this so quiet floating village.

danos (74544) 2009-03-20 0:36

Hello Way,
nice to see someone these happy children playing near to their floating island.I saw and the shot of your 100th photo and I can say that is a very nice one.The live of these people make difficult when the Mekong river is bulked.Well done.

Regards,Danos

Dpbours (222) 2009-03-20 2:55

Hello Way,

That surely is a very welcoming welcome!!
They really run in your way like daddy came home from months of fishing out at sea :-). Are you sure you're not their daddy? :-D

Greetings!
Dennis

foozi (7101) 2009-03-20 6:38

Hi Way,
thanks for your view on my recent post. Really appreciate it. I might have some problems here, on my eyes and view of being dramatic and exaggerations. Maybe it has fossilised so much. Youre true in the opinion as such.
This is a lovely scenery of how wonderful children are. they are always happy and excited. Nice presentation and the colours are excellent.

Regards,
Foozi

jonathan_hart (21268) 2009-03-20 10:14

maybe i would prefer you were closer of the kids,
nice colors & quality
jc

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-03-20 12:14

Hi, Way.
Simply... heartwarming! When looking at scenes like this I can't help but think about how incredibly spoiled and weak western kids are growing up nowadays. Playstations, X-Boxes, cell phones and computers, their outdoor life is not even worth mentioning... no wonder they are always sick and pale like an army of ghosts! And I fully subscribe Kristine's words : it's worth going as far as the other side of the world just to have such a welcome. Great shot, technically superb and terrific in terms of atmosphere. TFS, buddy! Have a great weekend, I'll be seeing you.
Fulvio.

jhm (123166) 2009-03-21 1:44

Hello Way,

I love the way the children are running towards you waving to say hello to the photographer.
The detail is just amazing throughout, great shot indeed with wonderful natural colours.
Sharpness and clarity are superb.
High quality picture.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

macondo (17997) 2009-03-21 2:43

Hi Way.
Very good follow-up to your previous shot. The village kids do look so welcoming - great title by the way. It's a charming picture of daily life in this humble village in its lovely setting. It's a deceptively simple composition, but has pleasing proportions and nice gentle colours and light.
Regards,
Andrew

Kielia (20657) 2009-03-21 5:17

Hello Way,
I also remember the shot you are referring to very well and I must say, that here you have really captured very joyful emotions. A wonderful composition with such a lovely atmosphere. It is a pleasure to look at the children. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

MarianneS (15338) 2009-03-22 13:17

Hello Way,
It is so superb to see all these children playing in the sand. It is like if they were there waiting for you to come and we can nearly see them while they stop to play and start running to you with beautiful smiles on their faces.
A very emotional shoot, thank you Way.
Regards,
Marianne

shevchenko (18243) 2009-03-22 20:25

Hello Way,
Good shoot to show the mobile village and happiness scene on the beach in wide angle, lovely natural and clean environment, distinct color, thanks for sharing a scene full with your childhood memories.
Ally

everlasting (13803) 2009-03-26 5:08

A lovely composed scene Way, much going on but not cluttered.

mphotographies (1976) 2009-03-27 21:30

Hey Way,

You do have style in applying your personal experiences and character to your work. It has explored and touched many viewers based on your personal experience with the place you've been. An innocent landscape that is working with landscapes and people (children) that live in the village. A very 'honest' children imagery, had a good raport with them thus capturing unexpected portraits, getting their inner selves and their spirit.

I remember the Happy Place post you did - A Happy Place it is!

Nothing negative on the technicalities, superbly metered and managed those skies very well. A welcoming and flaterring image indeed!

Have A Good One ;)

hispic (9619) 2009-03-29 20:06

Hello Way,
Truly wonderful even if it's seen again and again. The children running up to you waving their hands have been expertly depicted making good use of their living environment. Wonderful picture.
Regards, Hisashi

jimkilgallon (0) 2009-03-31 0:29

Hi Way
You have been posting very busily, 5 different countries from your last posts. This is my favourite one, it is a fantastic title and these kids look so happy. Wonderful lighting and the environment they are pictured in gives us a real sense of their home.
Beautiful shot Way
Regards
Jim

pablominto (53744) 2009-05-12 7:06

Hello Way,

This is interesting, maybe not so much for the image itself as for the message!
I notice the happy attention many of the kids show, interrupting their play to welcome the visitor(s)...
A charming scene and happy kids are always a pleasure to see!

Greetings,
Pablo -

berek (31959) 2009-05-24 20:59

Hi Way,
beautiful living place .I love light brown effect and playing child. nice daily life view. Have a nice week.

Burak