fun in unsafe playground Photo

Photographer’s Note

Unruly, noisy but funny and friendly children, laughing and having great fun - happy to pose for me, here not yet ready for the 'serious pose' (often, the best moment is just before, they look more natural that way) - doll on the ground had to be picked up first by the girl on the left, she told me to wait !

(2 of these little girls already seen among these photos, colour version with less cropping here.)

Another shot from Sulukule, an area of Istanbul being transformed ; many inhabitants have already left this area, blocks of houses have been flattened and the remaining families will have to leave within one year.

(More infos about that very special place - the oldest Roma settlement ın the world that was almost reachıng 1000 years of age : Sulukule (Wiki) and here too).

Vasa, stevev1, ddaglar, mpdre has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

MiguelP (14324) 2008-11-19 6:33

I dont like photos of kids like a close-up looking at the camera with an angelical air, this is too obvious, kids are great, but their greatness is in the capacity to play like you protrait in this photo that brings me back memories of my own childhood, funniest moments playing under the wheels of a stopped truck or simulating that an abandoned table was a ship... :-) Sorry for the speech... Great one.

ValS (39) 2008-11-19 7:10

Hello Catherine,

I'm impressed by your photo so much that I can not discuss technical aspects. Looking at it I fell a deep nostalgia. Thanks for that!

Kind regards,
Valentyn

maglex (1556) 2008-11-19 7:27

Hi Catherine, I like the contrast between the surroundings and the always happy children in the midst of chaos, here fronting a dilapidated building. A funny looking boy there with the nooky in his mouth. Thanks for sharing...Alex

Prometheus (824) 2008-11-19 8:08

Hi Catherine ,
Fantastic... very nice
funny children and sulukule
good work tfs
Best Regards
Levent

[2]

Vasa (5432) 2008-11-19 14:10

Super portrait de groupe ou chacun des anges a une autre expression. Chacun a sa maniere de se photographier. L'ambience offre la richese de details que j'explore bien que tu m'as prive des couleurs. Une image de gaiete malgre le paradoxe.

J'aime bien ce souvenir d'ete. Merci Catherine, chere amie,

Branko

MarcT (21097) 2008-11-19 21:23

Salut Cath,
Très jolis portraits d'enfants. Beaucoup de vie dans ce désordre de taudis...
Amitiés
Marc

tesup (210) 2008-11-20 1:25

Cath,

I guess you know that in turkish we have a saying smth to be translated like
"child is child everywhere"...
your shot is a materialized sample of it.
the background also gives enough idea
about the living conditions of the residents...
great work

best regards,

kamil

stevev1 (999) 2008-11-20 7:00

A very nice image with the kids positioned ncely in the frame. The envirement makes this very powerfull and thoughtprovoking. Very nice grayscale work as well
All the best
Steve

jasmis (50200) 2008-11-20 11:23 [Comment]

Show Comment

mpdre (1585) 2008-11-21 17:40

Dear Cath,
You capture so wonderful moments... This group of children playing and preparing to pose for you is fantastic. So rich... Each one with different attitude... The most surprising is that the one with soother is the one that show the most adult attitude :-))), already posing while the others cannot restrain their emotions and excitement for being photographed...
The playground is amazing, all falling apart... what a contrast with their innocent and joyful attitude!
A great image. Bravo!
Andre

Polonaise (5634) 2008-11-22 15:53

Adorable scene, yet...That mess in there ?
I know, it's a part of the whole, but it's simply too much of it.
The entire upper part (including awfully white plastic bags !) - should (IMO) go away ...
There is enough trash on the ground to get an idea about the place.

" The less is more", Katarzyna

grumpy - george

didemay (2431) 2008-11-25 1:56

Cath Hello,
I usually feel ache in my stomach when I see the improper conditions of children...the conditions of their primary needs: shelter, food etc. sometimes playing becomes a natural priority for them.
I can't think of a world without children. Unfortunately, the more we give birth, the more we can't protect or foster... Either we need to learn not to give birth too much or we need to learn how to protect...or...do we need to learn both?
Cath, a wonderful photo, very well framed showing everything with the naked eye.
Best Regards,
D:)