Gazan Family Portrait Photo

Photographer’s Note

A few days after Christmas, I had gotten to know this family from Gaza quite well as they were staying in the same guesthouse as I was in Bethlehem. This was during the time of the first Israel attacks on Gaza, and suddenly they were stuck in Bethlehem, uncertain if they would survive going back across the Gazan border. Although the situation was tense, and Palestinians were under severe attack, they were always so friendly and smiling towards me, and they taught me some arabic language. So, after the government put out a call for all Gazans not currently in Gaza (these guys are Christians and had gotten special permission to visit Bethlehem at this time) to return back. I took this portrait of them as they were leaving, and have since then I emailed it to them, among other photos I took of the family.

I am still waiting for a reply.

Oh and by the way, why is there no category for 'portrait' in the categories list?

jstewart, mafegan, maloutim, judesta, phwall has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jstewart (1081) 2009-03-28 21:49

Nice family portrait. They look remarkably happy. Hope they didn't find their house destroyed when they went back to Gaza.

mafegan (4159) 2009-03-28 21:58

Hi David
I'm sure this family will be very pleased with this excellent family portrait. I hope they do receive it and that they are OK. By the way you tell a good story. Tfs, Marlene

judesta (992) 2009-03-28 23:53

Hi David
This is a beautiful portrait and I'm sure that the family would be thrilled with it. The colours are very authentic yet bold and the background accentuates your subjects. A lovely composition.
Cheers
Jude

maloutim (3949) 2009-03-29 0:08

Hi David!
This is a very nice family portrait accompanied by an interesting note! I am sorry you din't get a reply from them! I hope they are all right!
I suppose there isn't a category "Portraits" , because they don't want to encourage that sort of photos. Portraits of family, friends and pets are forbidden. Others are allowed, but sometimes, it's difficult to know who are friends or not!
It's not very clear how they allow or delete photos!
Last night, I was very cross when they deleted a photo of a beautiful candle, posted in order to encourage the plan "60 minutes for our planet" (Ordinary objects are not supposed to be posted either!) But honestly, what's the point of "getting to know the world", if a photo posted to encourage saving that world is deleted!
Oh well! I am glad your photo hasn't been deleted anyway!
Thanks for sharing!
Best regards.
MarieLouise.

jimkilgallon (0) 2009-03-29 1:01

Hi David
Its a cool photo, my two cents worth though is to go half on what the PP treatment you have done here. This looks a wee bit extreme IMHO and unreal for my eyes. Dude, though the detail and colours are superb but something bugs me about this capture and its the over the top treatment to it.
Cheers
Jim

serp2000 (9441) 2009-03-29 2:34

Privet, David,
Just very unusually post here. Very interesting family story. Unfortunatelly, I can't visited Bethlehem. Fine work!
Serghei

phwall (5556) 2009-03-29 16:07

Hi Dave,
Lovely work, you've captured a moment in this family's life perfectly.
Cheers
Peter

kschanna (2636) 2009-03-30 3:25

Hello David

This is a beautiful portrait and a nice and thoughtful note to go with it. Together, they pack a punch.

Thanks for sharing
Kamran

coco (27820) 2009-03-30 16:00

Hi David.

This kind of portrait is very very good because this is a old way to do it, but it means a lot about this people.

WEll done.