hard times...during hard times, a photo from Gujarat, West

Photographer's Note

This is Eshaben. I went to visit her just a few days after I met her whilst she was out collecting rubbish. Unfortunately, she was very ill. She told me she did not know exactly what was wrong with her. She aches all over and feels extremely weak. This illness occurs every month or so. She is the only person who earns money in her household - her daughter in law sees to household duties.

That is her grandson. Unfortunately, his mother left a few days earlier - it seems she was not comfortable with things in the 7ft squared home, which is shared by the four of them. I am not too sure if the boy knows what is going on.. He is one of the most well behaved children I have ever met. I hope his mother is seeing to her duties now..their situation brings a lump to my throat.

Project: Underexposed - Lights in Dark Spaces

KevRyan, robertosalguero, Magritte, brandstaetter, thaprem, ramesh_lalwani has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

KevRyan (22956) 2007-08-05 3:24

This is such a strong image Kaj and a testament to the closeness of your life and friendship with the women and families you came to know - beyond the surface technicalities of the image here is a world class documentary image - possibly one of the most telling and compelling images i have seen on TE - it reminds me of a night I spent in such a home in Ahmedabad drinking chai and singing with a family whose daughter, Parul, we later managed to bring to the UK - she will have a different life because of the way she has moved on, her confidence and now education, and for her family too.....but how many people struggle like this and in even worse conditions in the world's largest democracy........?

Re: exhibition - we will have to meet at Nat's because she may not be back now for some weeks - w/b 20th August.

Love on ya my friend for sharing this journey into and with the lives of your friends.
bw kev

serdarakyay (550) 2007-08-05 3:53

wonderfull work in daily life. low exposure. impressive ligh and kids have a moving.
just fine .
serdar

sidstakes (772) 2007-08-05 5:19

nice one Kajal...the light in which you have this one covered gives it a very sombre look....I mean it adds to the atmosphere...i like your composition ..the way you've framed the ailing lady...her expressions...i just feel she alone could've been a strong addition in the photograph...i mean only her...the child either could have been sitting still or not there at all in the frame...just my crooked thoughts..

Magritte (418) 2007-08-05 6:00

Bonjour Kajal,
Une photo superbe, empreinte de gravité comme l'annonce le titre et l'explique le commentaire. Un très esthétique témoignage d'une vie quotidienne de difficultés, un poignant tableau de ces vies "d'ailleurs". Merci pour le partage.

MarcT (20964) 2007-08-05 8:14

Unique picture of the dark side of life

kinginexile (2598) 2007-08-05 9:13

Thanks for letting us about it, will you be able to follow up on them, anything we can send you to help?

The shot appears first theatrical, as if a freeze frame from a movie reel, but as your note draws us in the reality of their situation, your genuineness of approach becomes unmistakable.

brandstaetter (15915) 2007-08-05 11:21

Very impressive and touching our souls, your project is outstanding...
I wish you and your friends the best
Chris

sengir (4956) 2007-08-05 14:36

this is a picture with a story - true gem here on TE, beautefully executed, very deep. I like it a lot

Darren (6823) 2007-08-05 20:33

Nicely done again Kaj. More of your perfect colors and a good composition. I like how they are both looking to the right, where it is really quite dark. How much you care for these people is really evident in your photos.

Polonaise (5802) 2007-08-05 21:28

Your series Kaj, are more powerful than anything else seen on TE...
There is not much of a reason to elaborate upon their technicalities (since they are just about perfect, or very close to perfection)...
It's their content, so deeply involved in the affairs of today's world - that really counts most right in there.
Here it is... The substance prevailed the frills.

Deep respect, Kaj.

george

wolf38 (30) 2007-08-06 2:38

Hello Kajal. Your photos are again and again fascinating. In the intensity they deviate from the usual photos on trekearth. They show important aspects of the life. The kind like you these scenes observes and realizes is exemplary in each discipline. Also the today's photo belongs to these outstanding pictures. My acknowledgment. Best regards, Wolfgang.

keithl (4) 2007-08-06 5:41

That's a beautiful and deeply moving picture, Kaj.

thaprem (2566) 2007-08-06 6:26

Kajal,
What good is it if your light cannot bring the life out?...here I see both the life & the transient of it so well etched in light...
Ever so touching, ever so striking.
Thanks,
Prem.

Brian (3) 2007-08-12 0:01

This image is so strong. It almost makes me want to cry. I love this..

ninaL (21348) 2007-08-14 4:22

This one is a rare perle...
It takes a true life story.
It could be a scene from a big film.
Full of emotions, full of mood...it makes me something of strange.
Beautiful. Hard, but beautiful.
Best regards again. Grazyna.

aralda (1240) 2007-09-27 4:51

Another strong image from you Kaj!
Great focus on the two people, and nice exposure.
The darkness matches their fate, where there is only a flicker of light, here and there. Thank you for sharing,
Raluca

tibervince (781) 2008-02-06 2:44

Hello Kajal, long time!...
I have to say that I sincerely admire your gallery... what a fantastic way to share your world, share your eyes on your environment... and what a beautiful, honnest, straight forward eye you have...
how do you get into such intimacy with your subjects... we are "in" your pictures immediately... and I imagine myself at your place, behind the camera and can feel the instant you want to translate... superb... you are a big inspiration!
Congrats again and again and again...
Cheers from bangkok
Vince