Boy with machete Photo

Photographer’s Note

Everyone in Papua New Guinea seems to carry a machete - children included. At a young age they learn how to handle these sharp tools. Machetes are used when in search of food and to cut trails through the dense forest.

Whilst walking the Kokoda Track our porters and guide all carried them to cut back vegetation and to help create steps in the steep terrain.

This photo was taken at Menari village on the 3rd day of our 8 day trek. The Kokoda Track passes through the battlefields of one of the bloodiest campaigns of WW2 where 3000 Japanese and 600 Australians lost their lives.

In a workshop I am showing a group of people boarding a plane including a porter with a machete.

fanni, holmertz has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

fanni (8733) 2009-02-17 14:33

Hello Marlene,
very interesting portrait (and an interesting Note)! Good POV and good colours!
I like it :)
The boy seems to be biting the tip of his machete, and at the same time he looks rather thoughtful. Did he see something that made him so serious? perhaps nobody can tell now.
Did he see you taking a photo of him?
Kind regards,
Elena

JMast (37) 2009-02-17 20:55

I love what this photo captures!

A young boy who leads people through his densely jungle'd country carrying a machete. By itself this would have been a good shot.

BUT his expression of complete casualness makes the shot. I guess we grow casual with what we know!

You captured something deeper with this shot.

holmertz (9546) 2009-02-18 8:12

Hello Marlene,
A fine portrait and interesting information about a part of the world totally unknown to me. I wouldn't like to meet him with this machete if he grows up to be a "rascal" or child soldier, though.
The ws is also interesting. I guess a machete on board a plane would be all right. But let's pray that noone brought any liquids.
Kind regards,
Gert

delpeoples (5844) 2009-02-19 3:19

Hi Marlene, this is a really great portrait. The inclusion of the machete and your Note make it even more interesting. You've captured something in the boy's eyes which I can;t describe but know instinctively makes a great portrait. Congrats, Lisa.

dvlazar (6474) 2009-03-01 6:53

A powerful image with the machete to mouth - good work! Nice eye brightening.
Cheers,
Dave

jmdias (19087) 2009-03-07 16:30

marlene

nice portrait. the ligh is soft and show the boy with perfect sharpness. nice framing showing the boy and the big knife (facão in portuguese). the sadness in his eyes make us to think about his hard life. nice job

hugs

jorge