Photographer’s Note
This was taken in a small town in Northern Ecuador named Ayacucho. Against the wishes of the people I was staying with, I travelled up the valley to explore. They had told me that some people who lived up in the mountain were dangerous and criminal. Well I decided to take an adventure and borrowed their bike and went up the mountain. I then met this family with their son playing guitar outside their home. I think I might have been the first gringo that they have ever laid their eyes upon; after introductions, I sat down and played guitar with the boy for awhile; then talked to his father abit. His father was telling me how he didn't like the new currency of the country cause it didn't buy as much rice as it used to.
On my way down the mountain, I was chased by some teenagers but out pedalled them. Needless to say, I never went that far up the mountain again. But I don't regret it because I had a wonderful meeting with some wonderful and interesting people I might have not otherwise...
In the WS I have posted the uncropped version of this photo and another that the father had taken with me, the boy and la guitara.
worldcitizen, hderin, armthehomeless has marked this note useful
Critiques | Translate
worldcitizen
(2201) 2007-08-29 15:33
Hello Michael,
This is a very nice composition. I like the way you have the boy and the bench filling the foreground, and then the next layer with the truck and the father behind. I like the concentration as the boy plays his guitar, and I can get a good sense of the rural and rustic atmosphere of this place from the small details in this shot.
r021251
(3917) 2007-08-30 5:37
Tout est relaxe sur cette image. Précision des détails , et que dire de la couleur et netteté de la guitare. photo d'expression bien rendu... réal.
hderin
(596) 2007-08-30 7:45
Master Michael,
Very lovely photo. Beatiful colors. Specially I like shining quitar between all of other pastel colors. Thank you for share.
Best regards
Haluk Derinöz
umbrellaphotos
(1901) 2007-09-05 22:32
Hi Michael,
I like your story - congrats on the new job as a cameraman with the army. BE SAFE and return home!
Anyway, I like this image, it's very interesting and has a handful of levels - first the boy and the guitar, but then the person in the background adds another level - another story even.
Great composition and perfectly captured,
Brian
livinitout
(938) 2007-09-16 21:18
Good Capture here. Well composed. The colours are great. I like the guy in the back, sitting and observing. I think that really adds to the picture.
armthehomeless
(121) 2009-02-16 11:29
I can only agree with previous writers! Truly excellent photo. Very good note too.
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Michael Scott O'Neal (jwillie44)
(1173) - Genre: People
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2002-07-16
- Categories: Daily Life, Decisive Moment
- Exposure: f/4, 1/200 seconds
- More Photo Info: view
- Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
- Date Submitted: 2007-08-29 7:41
Discussions
- To umbrellaphotos: Thank you (1)
by jwillie44, last updated 09-07 11:45








