Childhood III Photo

Photographer’s Note

She is leaning through the window of her bamboo home, staring at the world go by. But there is nothing much going by in her world.

Her village is on the banks of the Mekong, about two boat hours away from Huay Xa. The villagers live from fishing and peanut crops.
The village has only unstable bamboo huts and the children no school. The dogs lay apathetically scattered throughout the huts. There is no barking, no laughter of children.
The silence of poverty fills the air.

A little friend walks beside me, curious by this foreigner that intrudes their daily life. She keeps close to me, her wondering eyes big on my face. I take her hand in mine and a shy, almost, smile brightens her face. Her firstly loose hand becomes tighter as we walk along.
When the two little girls greet, I am distressed by the saddening look on this girl's cute little face. These children should be laughing and playing on a playground.
I make a silent wish for happiness in their lives and fight the lump in my throat as I walk along.

SUNDAI, joop, BennyV, Dpbours, Mistral, Vanessa132, sarahnatalie, everlasting, Kinneret, Glint has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

marianita (3356) 2008-05-16 1:19

Sabine
excellent naturel shot! her eyes tell the whole story
marianna

bapun1 (801) 2008-05-16 1:43

Cute little wonderful girl! A picture full of pure innosence.
Thank you for a work done so beautifully!

Regards,
Bishnu.

SUNDAI (60) 2008-05-16 2:46

This is a great picture. You've "cut" of the top of her head which usually for me is a big no no, but somehow the picture manage to maintain a good natural balance.
Besides nice colours and good sharpness, what really makes this picture stand out is the cup in the front - it adds dept and perspective to your picture, which makes all the difference.

Cheers, Soren

izmirli (2927) 2008-05-16 4:34

merhaba sabine
excellent portrait picture.excellent little girl and colours.well done.
best regards.
gürkan akçakır.

joop (437) 2008-05-16 6:25

great shot. well think about it this way... you are turning something that makes you sad into something beautiful.
i know it's hard sometimes to observe and feel you can't really affect change. your photo makes her case though and you never know who sees it and acts on it...
thanks for sharing your thoughts - that's what really adds perspective here.
Joop

BennyV (4429) 2008-05-16 7:04

Dag Sabine,

Dit vind ik een mooi en eerlijk portret. Het effect van de kader-binnen-de-kader is heel geslaagd en ook de achtergrond is perfect. Fotogenieke ellende...wrang, maar je noot maakt duidelijk dat je dit wel met een hart fotografeert! En dat is veel waard. Groetjes.

Benny

Dpbours (210) 2008-05-17 13:53

Hello Sabine,

That's a very nice portrait. Love the gaze and reflections in her eyes. And a good note. I can just imagine the dogs when you say 'the dogs lay apathetically scattered...'. How recognizable.
And the story of the little girl walking with you. You're actually one of those exciting things happening to them in their world. ;-)

Greetings!
Dennis

enanonegro (641) 2008-05-24 6:49

Sad or happy? Both, may be, at the same time, if it is posible: the perfect clic, all time, in your portraits.
Felicitaciones

Mistral (13620) 2008-06-27 10:28

Ciao Sabine,
a beautiful portrait but your note is outstanding and you let us walking with you on this village away from all, in this odd silence.
I was sailing Mekong in this area twelve years ago...
Would love to see your next image and story...
Have a nice weekend!
Luca

Vanessa132 (1840) 2008-07-03 9:00

Hallo Sabine,
ontroerende, prachtige beschrijving bij je foto! aan ons om de sitiatie ginder nog beter aan te voelen...bedankt!
mooi kind met een sprekende blik, heb je prachtig in beeld gebracht.
mooie compositie dat ze door het raam kijkt en haar handje...
Bedankt en Belgische groeten vanuit NL :)
Vanessa

sarahnatalie (693) 2008-07-17 22:37

Hi Sabine,
How is it that I have missed your incredible collection of photos? I have been browsing your gallery and notes and am very impressed. I like this image very much. She is a beautiful little girl and your tight crop has captured her beauty well.
Sarah

everlasting (10894) 2008-11-22 4:46

Notes are so important and you really bring us into the scene with this note. Well captured portrait, her gaze and shy wave just lovely.

zumoduvas (1974) 2009-01-17 13:35

Hello Sabine.

Excellent image, nice composition and colors
Expessive shot.

Regards.
Jose Luis.

Kinneret (51) 2009-01-26 15:49

Wonderful portrait! You captured a natural moment with a great composition.
Bella girl of bigs eyes. Best Regards, Kinneret

Glint (2989) 2009-05-29 14:23

hello Sabine,
your sensitive note is a perfect partner to this portrait.Within your framing of bamboo she looks so unkempt and vulnerable.Her eyes have a sadness to them. The blue cup is somehow the key to this photo. For me it is like a begging cup (although I realise that she was not begging)but still, her cup is empty and it should be full both literally and metaphorically.
regards,
Bev