Homo Victor, a photo from Bucuresti, East

Photographer's Note

Last of my 'homo sp.' series. Latin, for 'Victorious Man'.
I named this series as i did, beacuse i felt like i had discovered new species, as they were so different to their surroundings.. They were also scared of me...they stood in front of my camera, but stiff, scared, like a new animal had entered their life.
They urged me to see thir horse, but it was with their mother, grazing.
As they were posing or it, just like in an photogravure, i asked them to do whatever they wished.. He started dancing, snaping his fingers, and mubling eyrie song.
You see, he is Homo Victor because he chooses joy, even if all of the factors in his life deny his choice. Tell me, my friends....what can be more victorious and triumphant than this? I, for one do not have his power, sadly.
And now, for the dillema i am facing. I want to bring these kids some sweets, before Christmass. Do you think that that could be intefiering in their lives, and should not be done? Could the gesture be wrong, in any way?

Homo Observatoris .

sohrab, shutterbug, danbachmann, KevRyan has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

SophieL (6042) 2004-12-09 9:10

This whole series break my heart, actually. What else can I say?
The victorious gesture is in total contradiction with everything else in the picture, and especially with his expression and his eyes.
You didn't write much about this series (maybe you have written more since I last looked?), is it possible to know more about who these people are?

Homerhomer (4080) 2004-12-09 9:16

I don't see a victory I see a boy defending with his arms what's his. So much suffering has happened in his life that the fear is there all the time, he expects the worst from the unkown.
Peter

clodreno (0) 2004-12-09 9:29

Great shot Bogdan..
i really am out of words.. it's a really strong image.. His look, the way he fixes your lens.. So much expression in this image.. Also like the way he stands.
Nice.

MiguelP (14470) 2004-12-09 9:32

Homo Miguel speaking from Spain to Homo Bogdam... I dont know if you have seen a movie called "The year we living dangerously". There was a character in this movie, played by Linda Hunt, who ask himself (The actress played a man in this movie) that asked himself without find an answer: What can we do? Concerning the poverty in Indonesia, where the movie take place... You achive I ask myself the same question, but as Linda Hunt´s character, I dont find an answer: Maybe do as much as possible in our hands. Keep making people questioning themselves. Saludos desde Madrid para ti.

zeroricemr2 (95) 2004-12-09 10:11

The whole series that this picture belongs to is excellent. I remember having seen similar scenes in Romania while visiting recently, it truly is a sad sight. The expression on his face is captivating. I wonder what sort of future this little will have...but I fear that I may already know the answer...

scalerman (26900) 2004-12-09 11:33

i like this picture and the background details (and your great note). Interesting, sad story too.

flydragon (0) 2004-12-09 13:01

hello atomicAnts
a great one
so strong and so sad
i like this kids pose
and also the the composition here
this picture have a sad mood
but life is not alway smile
i hope so much for this kid
thx to share
••simon••

sohrab (7439) 2004-12-09 13:02

nice series mr tutu :).. emotional as usual from you..

but in photographic terms i've to disagree with everyone here.. well most people if not everyone :)it doesnt look natural at all to me. it seems as if you asked him to spread his arms.. and that doesn't justify the title of the photograph.. i mean just spreading the arms does not make it lok like he's victorious... it has to show on his face, his body language.. there has to be that energy... , that attitude .. even in this little kid.
everything seems to be missing here :(
contrary to everyone , i see fear instead of victory in his eye...
to be honest im not very happy with this photograph of yours... it's not bad or anything, but just lacks a lot of stuff that you wanna show ....
i sent a link to one of HCB's photographs to luko today.. so i think i'll send you also one to another photograph of his...
the 2 boys are much older.. the context is not entirely the same.. but you have to see the attitude in the photograph , the pride , the little bit of boyish arrogance in them which is desperately needed here to make this idea work. i know you're sad right now , dont intend to make you sadder with this critique :) , but this is one of the weakest from your series :( (in my opinion)
LINK GIVEN IN THE DISCUSSION

[3] +

maciekda (19895) 2004-12-09 13:36

Bogdan, i don't buy this photo ;) his expression and his spreaded arms don't fit together. his hands are closed! when you spread arms you open your hands too... he looks like waiting for you to click the photo, he spreaded his arms bacause you asked him to do that. no real emotions here. and i don't like this white sky ;)
i know that you can do better, small smiley for good trying ;)

WALTERito (351) 2004-12-10 21:22

Is it still for sale ?
Is that expensive ?
Is it his ?
What will happen if it has been sold ?
It could be a "homo prohibilis" or something... like he's stopping you...

Aren't we all interfering ? Just look at the influences this kind of site induces in many people all over the world.
Just do what you think is right...
Health advise : bring some fruit, and a toothbrush ;-)
Kind regards Bogdan

shutterbug (531) 2004-12-11 2:45

This has been a very moving series from you Bogdan...I don't always comment on your postings because it's pretty hard for me to find the words. I would say that, instead I wish you could just read my mind, but then that would just make for two confused, 'lost for words' people...:) I usually get here after it seems all the perfect words have already been written. sorry...
Glad to hear your feeling better BTW...
Take care
~Stacey

kaychambers (1198) 2004-12-14 19:09

Hi Bogdan,

Excellent serialisation with a good notation here. This a little underexposed (at least it appears to be on my screen) and I feel sure a little touching up PP would enhance it.

Great job!

Kind regards,

Vic, Singapore.

Curioso (9271) 2005-01-09 16:32

Very dramatic, very touching and powerful comment. And extremely smart compo. This small "Man" has an impressive presence in such a decayed environement. Great journalistic shot !

unquenchable (36) 2005-01-09 21:11

Your comments always bring your photos into life... I love that you paint such a positive picture here.
You are right, what a beautiful thing to choose joy in the most bleakest circumstances.
Why dont you go back and and grant him one wish - something of his choice.

qpochet (1412) 2005-05-30 6:57

Impressive picture Bogdan. It's so realistic, that young boy with such a look of dispair, sadness everywhere. NIce but really sad picture. Good work!