Back Alley of the Favela Photo

Photographer’s Note

Favelas are "slums" which cover many hillsides in and around Rio. I put "slums" in quotes because many of them are not shantytowns, they are quite established communities of cinderblock homes. Many blue-collar and clerical workers choose to live there, partly because it is cheap. But the favelas operate outside legal authority, governed by internally-organized community councils, with heavy behind-the-scenes influence of the drug gangs that operate there. The police generally will not go there.

In spite of this status, an organization called Favelatour takes small groups on tours of the favelas, by minivan and on foot. They of course have the approval of the favela "authorities," and it is quite safe. It is not a traditional tour where you stop to see sights; instead there are visits to a school, a store and other building blocks of the community, and discussion of how the people try to improve their lives. It is not voyeuristic.

Apparently the tourist authorities are not happy with the existence of these tours. This is from the website www.favelatour.com.br:

"In June 2002, the Rio Tourism Bureau RIOTUR, represented by its president José Eduardo Guinle tried to censure Favela Tour information. He considered our information harmful to the city. Favela Tour never again figured on Riotur publication Rio Guide. We are absolutely confident that the information passed represents the most accurate truth. The truth some public authorities refuse to admit. Yet, they did not realize that the first action to solve a problem is to recognize its existence. If you want the full history regarding Riotur policy against Favela Tour send us a message."

Lithium, Isabelle, Ina, convey, bboss, caliane, Flavia has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Lithium (596) 2005-05-18 11:28

Interesting capture of movement and the apparent misery around. Nice work.

mrbialy (2568) 2005-05-18 11:32

I like move here. Great cold colors go with to all composition. Nice capture. Interesting picture for me because men and boy running of the left side and inscription with arrow direct right side. Very good point of view. good luck

Isabelle (9014) 2005-05-18 12:38

very informative note, Ken, and, as far as i can interpret it, quite honest.
it´s a pity what authorities have been doing with that wonderful city. someone is making a lot of money to keep things exactly the way they are.
as for the image, it´s a delight the blur, the sense of movement, and the way our eyes are guided up to the stairs.
tfs :)

Ina (2681) 2005-05-18 13:51

Color, composition and action is very fine... I love it...TFS...Ina...

gringofil (0) 2005-05-18 14:14

The spirit of HCB is alive and well in this incredible image (but to get HCB right this should have been presented in B&W). The fact that makes this shot, for me anyway, is the blurry movement of the two boys as well as the fact that they are "going against the grain" so to speak (the arrow is pointing right but they are running to the left). Good work.

faubry (32429) 2005-05-18 16:49

good action and dynamism, i like this shot, ths favellas are a pitty!!
thanks
francine

Furachan (0) 2005-05-19 4:53

Hi Ken: This is one HECK of a composition here. Not just the capture of mobement (flight) which is exceptional, but the exact placement (timing) of the shot. The muted, realistic colors are superb...bet you considered B/W, then wisely reconsidered.
Cheers, Francis

RandomCameraGuy (3063) 2005-05-19 22:00

This is pretty cool Ken, I like the action and the arrow. Though I really wish I saw some hint of what they were running from (maybe you have other pics you can present as a series?).

I'm biased towards high contrast BW for this image though, that coke bottle's red is unnecessarily distracting.

Cheers Ken!

af

moxon (457) 2005-05-20 10:48

What a great image--perfectly timed and composed. Glad it's not in B&W--the colours are beautiful.

Timmok (800) 2005-05-21 10:40

Nice picture. Yet, for having spent some time in Zona Norte and having been through many favelas, these people's clothes are "surprisingly" clean, but I reckognise what I have seen many times...

Maybe it would have looked better in B&W to make it look more dramatic.

Concerning the tours, I don't think that organising some "safaris" through the favelas is a good way to eradicate criminallity, and improve people's life. I guess much of the money must go to the gang chiefs... Unfortunately, some tour operators willing to bring some "voyeur" tours to show the life there like they would in the savane to show lions and girafes, make people think it's good and use the perfect argument for any "gringo" : it's safe !!!

PS : I'm also a gringo ;o)

Luko (13896) 2005-06-28 7:04

Like Fil, I immediatly thought of HCB's image of a kid running up the stairs in a greek village (was it greek?)...

Perhaps a bit on the long end of the zoom, I wish I could see more around. Excellent blemish colours.. can't help but wonder who's that Shirley...

caliane (610) 2005-08-11 14:59

I have heard about this favela tour here, but I didn't know it wasn't accepted by the tourist authotities! very interesting note!
I think since the tourists like it, there is no reason for that. BTW did you like the tour?
Caliane

nika (0) 2006-06-11 4:51

The note is interesting , Ken and illustrates very well what you show us with the image . I have friends living in Río de Janeiro and the situation in those favelas is dramatic , many people die there by being murdered (last year there were frequent bloody chapter in Baixa and Favela do Fluminese ) Also you can get the movie from Fernando Meirelles "Cidade de Deus " that shows daily life in the most dangerous favela in Río (but it was filmed in other favela because Cidade de deus seems to be impossible to cross ) Even in the road to the Rio's airport people run risks of being robbed even murdered by the crossed fires opened with spectacular weapons between rival gangs . Police don't do anything or just plays in that game of corruption . Lula da Silva tried to make advances in legalisation and order but he was not able . About those tours , you can see the big contrasts in that paradise Río is , just this ...It is not Calcutta or Refugee camps in Sahara , Kosovo where to get a trip inside can open and niurish your sensativiness about the world , injustices , human cruelty ...Anyway don't pay much attention to my words i'm only talking on the way my friends from there report me about the situation there . Violence is an overwhelming concept right there . The picture its interesting and recalls me that movie that i recommend you

Nice image and note

Bon jour !

freechechnya1 (182) 2007-03-02 17:02

Thanks Ken. I really enjoy this shot. Seen it many times for real. What Favela is this? I spent one week touring the Favelas in Belo Horizonte and have been told by many about how dangerous Rio´s are. Were you on this tour. Thanks alot for sharing anyway.

adam.

Flavia (10202) 2007-03-20 11:43

Hi Ken,

I don't know how I've never notice the fact that you had already visit my country and in particular this picture in your gallery! I was surprised to know that they have organized tours to visit the favelas and I must conffes that I have mixed feelings regarding to it. Not that the reality has to be hidden, anyway it's impossible not to notice the favelas in any visit to Rio, they're just everywhere and just side by side to the chic and trendy neighbourhoods... But what make somebody on vacation wants to visit such a place, which turistic attraction can it be? I can understand that you as a photographer have interest in going there it's a rich universe to any photographer and the people can be so nice! But for the rest of the turists I can only think that it's a rather sad show. As for the picture is really great, I love the mouvement, the dark light and mood contrasting to the happy mood of it's inhabitants, the narrow 'street', the bottle of coke on the groud... all reflect very well life in this place. Thanks for sharing such an interesting look and information regarding this place.

Cheers,

Flavia

belido (16899) 2007-05-08 11:35

Hi Ken,

I like this shot. Good choice for the low saturation. low shutter speed gives it a very good motion feeling. And of course, we brazilians need to show the different faces of Brazil, not only the natural beauties but the reality also.
Regards,
Carlos