It's a good day! Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hello everyone!
Here is another common street scene from Phnom Penh. This poor boy was born deformed as you can see. I normally don't help beggars that look physically and mentally healthy and especially if their biceps are thicker than mine.
I always saw him pushed around by another boy his own age, going around touristic restaurants selling post cards and books. On this day, his helper didn't show up and he decided to do it all on his own. It was amazing seeing him balance his body on one short leg (the other leg is even shorter, no more than four inches tall) and pushing his chair on uneven surface of the side walk. Despite all of this, he seemed unusually in a good mood. I told him he looks very handsome when he smiles and showed him his photo. He thanked me for taking his picture and moved on.
I know many people don't like to see these kinds of photos because life is easier for them that way, but for me life is all about human relations and finding beauty in everyone.
Hope you have a nice weekend!

Cheers,
Skye

PS: sorry I haven't been around much.. It's hard to make time for many things lately.

thebecky, don_narayan, tinamunk3, david, banyanman, rezanik has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mowens (4) 2006-02-25 21:33

Wow Skye! This is a great shot and the note is very moving. I appreciate your view.....there IS beauty in everyone. Great job. Thank you for sharing not only the photo, but the detail behind it.
Cheers,
Mo

Nina (4623) 2006-02-25 21:44 [Comment]

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thebecky (686) 2006-02-26 0:39

Cute boy - so sad to see - this is something not so uncommon in Cambodia - these kids just get on with it. Life can be very unfair.

Amirsun (2114) 2006-02-26 1:46

Salaam Skye!
What a shot... It made me sad! when I see this boy with this problem. But I feel better when I see him with a happy laughter face.
Tanks for posting.
Regards, Amir

don_narayan (2014) 2006-02-26 2:16

Hi Skye. Nice shot, full of heart, you present him with all his dignity, nice work.

Narayan

SilverOwl (102) 2006-02-26 4:05 [Comment]

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tinamunk3 (6390) 2006-02-26 4:26

Hi Skye,

"Brave" of you to post a shot like this because as you write it's something people don't want to see. But that's life and that's Phnom Penh and why on Earth should we overlook a nice boy like this - most people would look the other way - I'm sure you made his day.

Great shot, Skye!!

:) Tina

TRASH (0) 2006-02-26 11:00

A photo from a photographer who let the heart than the mind makes the final decision on angle, light, distance and subject.
Congratulations!

Regards,

shangri-la (353) 2006-02-26 12:25

beautiful post! big intensity in this smile and eyes... I think is not "trash shot", just life... good or bad... you show the dignity of this boy, that is important!
;-)

gebala (0) 2006-02-27 6:34

hello, what a sad photo Skye, realy sad but this is reallity of our world, really poor boy but I see happiness in his eyes:) it makes me happy too:) great one

ps Dont work too much it kills your spirit

david (3978) 2006-02-27 8:19

two things amaze me about this shot skye. one is the beautiful black and white you've produced with this great subject ... the second is that he didn't try and hussle you for money.

i know from my travel in cambodia that a tourist is like a slot machine ready to pay out.

i like your framing and contrast. although, i have to say that you make him look very small by using such a high angle. i'd have loved to see you get down low and give him the high angle. i think that could have made for an amazing perspective.

none the less, a brilliant photograph. i love it.

Niara78 (0) 2006-02-27 8:26

'Lo there again :) The first thing I noticed was his radiant smile, not his body...his smile couldn't have been brighter even if he weren't deformed. Thanks for sharing, caro.

Natty

flydragon (0) 2006-02-27 12:40

hello Skye
what a strong and sad picture
but also great to see this kid smiling
i wont talk about technique here
this is a strong picture
congrat
••simon••

banyanman (7739) 2006-02-28 8:16

Hi Skye. As Simon has alluded above, with images like this it doesn't seem right to talk about photographic techniques - but I will say you have framed this well and the B&W treatment is well suited to this type of portrait. But as others have said above, it is the capture of this boy's radiant smile that really makes this shot. I've spent quite a lot of time in Phnom Penh and must admit that I feel uncomfortable taking pictures of the many disabled people that there are on the streets, so I admire you for your courage in taking this photograph. Cheers . . . David

skegz (453) 2006-03-01 9:19

A lovely picture - full of heart indeed.

Dave

Captain (509) 2006-03-08 0:35

Good documentary picture. I have met this young guy who, despite his disabilities, gets on with his life and normally has a smile on his face. There are many beggars in PP and I to am selective about who I give to, a simple holding out of a hand is less than likely to get a dollar but someone such as this who is attempting thru his book selling to at least support himself I would probably buy his books as long as he did not ask everyday.

rezanik (131) 2006-03-30 18:44

Simply WOW!
Great note!
I wish everyone used your philosophy in life - it would be a much nicer and beautiful world to live in.
Thank you for sharing. Very touching.
Reza

toddadams (566) 2006-07-14 16:21

As sad as his disability may be, its good that you show he's happy nonetheless. You can see no self pity in his beaming smile. I think you do this handsome boy a lot of justice in showing how he's self-sufficient and optimistic. It's a touching photo.