Oh God, please help me if I fall Photo

Photographer’s Note

Walking down the streets of the City of Ica (pop 200,000) I couldnt help but take a picture of this scene. The man doing his work on the ladder and the
image of Jesus behind as in saying: help me if I fall.

This picture picks up many elements of peruvian life. The man working on his house symbolizes the efforts of millions of Peruvians in home improvement.

Currently over 70% of Peru's population is urban and they live in sprawling cities. Normally the main source of city growth is through informally constructed houses in the edge of cities which start out quite modest and with time and effort grow a second, third even fourth floor and get painted, improved etc.

The houses on this picture are about average for
peruvian standards. I will probably start a series soon on peruvian social realities as viewed through housing.

On the right the picture of Jesus reflects the religious influence in Peru. I am not sure if its meant to be a catholic or an evangelical image, but the truth is that evangelical religions have taken the country by storm and millions of people have converted into these churches as a more optimitic
alternative to the catholic church. Secular tendencies as we know them in Europe are very very far off.

gaby, sergecross, sam224, ndb1958, Tue, Isabelle, nerve has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jinju (14265) 2005-08-04 5:03

Hi Daniel,

opening this image up I realized what a good choice this toitle was. Jesus' face is so prominent, its like he is looking over this man on the ladder. I think he is safe:)

Good photo, I think it could be sharpened up a bit maybe.

You have really taught me some interesting stuff about Peru.

Zepi (22848) 2005-08-04 5:42

Salut Daniel,
Très jolie composition urbaine !
Lol, j’ai presque envie de donner un bon coup de pied dans l’échelle…juste pour voire ce qu ça fait ! ! !
Lol….
Super travail, belle image
Merci pour le partage
Amicalement
Sébastien

gaby (19793) 2005-08-04 6:54

Hi Daniel très joli et très bien vu - c'est vrai que les conditions de travail ont l'air spéciales (par rapport aux standards européens) -
Merci et bonne journée
Gaby

sergecross (3438) 2005-08-04 7:51

Nice theme, Daniel. Another can be daily life, i like the stairs and the meaning of this beautiful picture.
Sergio Cross

sam224 (5851) 2005-08-04 11:30

Good composition of a scene of daily life. The murales on the wall is very attractive as well as the mix of colours here. Good perspective. Well done!

ndb1958 (9248) 2005-08-04 12:03

... Jesus is with him ... so everything is good :) Nice capture, great moment to catch the situation. Well done,
Nino

Tue (25608) 2005-08-04 15:30

Hi Daniel,
This looks like a risky operation indeed! However it's a very nice capture with fine colours. I also like his shadow on the wall. Well seen and done!
Groeten,
Lars

eco (84) 2005-08-04 19:26

Hi Daniel

very nice toitlr
good idea
very nice scene
good work
greet
rafal

Isabelle (9014) 2005-08-04 19:36

the more i look to your pics, the more i like the harsh colors of South America, Daniel, and you seem not to be discouraged by them, what makes me really glad :)
Love that jesus surveilling. our countries are so much alike. the evangelical churches have been growing peacefully, thanks :) My neighbor moved. He founded a church and in one year he bought 4 houses and now he has his own swimming pool. cool, isn´t it? if you do not have a swimming pool at your courtyard is because you do not have faith enough ;))

nerve (10210) 2005-08-05 3:32

Your title is so sarcasstic Daniel, i always love your humour anyway..

As Isabelle says, i also do like your harsh colours of Latin America, it definitely gives the feeling..
looks like evangelic one is relatively better and more optimistic as you say.. but still..
evangelism is a big thing in the States now as far as i know, but with a different attitude, (it looks like more conservative than the existing ones over there. lol)

i like your composition here Daniel, very catchy: graphical and nice colours..
cheers

summersun (4964) 2005-08-05 3:46

bien vue cette scène Daniel ! J'aime bien ce Jesus qui semble veiller sur cet homme. elle est sacrément longue l'échelle !
jolie image graphique et humoristique.
Vanessa

udijw (392) 2005-08-28 14:41

Hi Daniel,
As all the others here, I like the colors and the composition, and christ overwatching.
another thing that I find ironic here is the fact the the guy is playing with a rope, preparing somthing that looks awfully like a noose. and WALLA christ gets double meaning.
Love the way you see things.
Friendly,
Udi.

apache (1426) 2005-08-29 1:13

Hi Daniel,
This is a great find. Love the way the picture of Jesus looks at the guy working. It is as if God is watching over him
Wonderfully taken
Ranjith