8 PHOTOS : the Koyas and their school Photo

Photographer’s Note

(Bonagiri village)
This is the only photo that I could take in the village, outside the school where we spent the whole day - there was a reason for that : the person accompanying me was fearing the grievances of the villagers (they might think that he was an official representing the government), - he had had probably bad experiences before, - but at that moment, I could not understand why the village was off limits for us and this possible explanation was only given to me much later, back in Hyderabad.

Instead, my guide told me that no, there were no communist militants active in the zone, so this was not the danger, but some of the people of this ethnic minority could be drunk and it would have been inappropriate for me to encounter such person. I was feeling very frustrated, insisted that I could not be intimidated by a drunkard, that I had been in the ex-USSR where there is much more alcoholism than in India and that I had been also in far more dangerous places to visit schools (in Haiti, for instance), but my guide was adamant, he did not want any contact with the villagers...

I escaped for a few instants : without any translator, the adults were not smiling much in the beginning but with the children, they started laughing too ; this is the only photo that I could take... I like the expressions on those friendly faces, aren't they beautiful ? ... I have been working on the photos of the children from that school, -*not so good due to poor light inside the class*, still will send the prints later on, you'll see the various classes (in only one classroom) here : Next photo : the classroom (please, read the description too , if time !) =>

isabela_sor, japiey, adelune, manatee, Vasa, Henryk_Bilor, ChrisJ, efi, Glint, cyrrhus, axiotea has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

isabela_sor (41998) 2008-02-27 10:49 [Comment]

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devimeuxbe (55788) 2008-02-27 10:53

Bonsoir Catherine
C'est une très belle scène, pleine de vie et de la spontanieté de l'enfance.
Excellent travail
Bertrand

jackart (5542) 2008-02-27 10:53

Hello Catherine!

very nice optimistic scene.I very like excellent framing, great colors of this shot, and extraordinary atmosphere.

Well done!

Regards
Jacek

japiey (9471) 2008-02-27 11:47

Dear Cath,

The real village smile that doesn't have any borders... !!!!
Beautifull composition, and more that that, the reality lies in their eyes.... very sensitive and watchfull...
You may have felt that standing there...
INDIA is proud of you, my sincere friend.

jp

ninaL (19386) 2008-02-27 12:00

La petite fille en rouge est morte de rire à la vue de ta tête (;)))))) mais l'homme à droite a l'air sérieusement impressionnée par cette femme européenne avec son petit bidule devant un oeil ;))).
Une belle rencontre, j'aime beaucoup.
Amitiés, Grazyna.

adelune (2) 2008-02-27 13:21 [Comment]

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manatee (4279) 2008-02-27 15:30

Many times when i'm waching your pcitures i'm wondering if there will be a time when somebody stole your camera, or try to cheatting you or something liek that, you sounds like you like to travel alone and you like to be close to the dayli life where ever you go, however there are good and bad persons who saw a tourist and think they have money, so I always have this in my mind, you never has any problems with this?

Today you inpireme with this pictures and I want to upload a picture like the pictures you took. In fact looks so much to this is about children like this, I like the smiles of this children and the pure of their faces, the children are the same in all the world AMAZING and wonderful.

Merci Cath

Amities

Elias

Vasa (5244) 2008-02-27 16:46

Encore un formidable portrait de groupe tellement souriant dans une ambiance rurale. Je l'ai dit et j'aime le repetter: vos couleurs sont superbes et je n'ai pas meilleur terme que de dire "c'est tres Kodak". Merci Catherine, ca fait grand plaisir de revenir a votre travail. Amicalament....Branko

wolf38 (12599) 2008-02-27 23:11

Hello Catherine. A expression-strong photo of full joy of life. Photographically outstanding realizes. In addition a very informative text. Exemplary. Best regards, Wolfgang.

Henryk_Bilor (20365) 2008-02-28 0:36

Hi Cath
Nice smiling faces. Great light.
Have a nice day.

ChrisJ (69895) 2008-02-28 0:38

Bonjour Catherine

A gregarious & happy bunch of villagers in this superb daily life scene, with good colour, lighting & sharpness. Merci pour ce partage, et bon Vendredi!

delkoo (34086) 2008-02-28 3:27

bonjour catherine
très belle scéne avec cette cascade de sourires, l'optimisme de cette photo est remarquable.

amitiés
didier

efi (4345) 2008-02-28 7:54

hi cath;
their colorful and friendly appearances and sincere smiles caught me.your shot is very sharp and the POV is well chosen.tfs.

Glint (3039) 2008-02-28 10:51

hello Catherine,
glad that your intrepid self won through and so you managed to captures these delightful smiles.
regards
Bev

lousat (15242) 2008-02-28 15:55

Salut Catherine,mais dis-moi,la bas il y a des problemes pour photographer les femmes comme au pays arabes ou c'est plus facile? Mes compliments pour ce magnifique photo,bonne journee',Luciano

axiotea (16015) 2008-03-01 6:57

Hello Cath
Ils ont tous le sourire sauf un! le personnage de droite ne semble pas trop apprécier...au contraire, de celui placé à gauche ;) Une note intéressante, comme à ton habitude...l'alcool est un sacré fléau! A Goa, sa vente y est autorisée (coute moins chère que dans d'autres états indiens), et fait des ravages considérables :((
Merci pour les photos dans le ws.
A bientôt
Je pars le 4/3 (Thailande(BKK), Myanmar) pour une période d'un mois ;)
Marilyn