Filial Affinity, a photo from Chiapas, Southeast

Photographer's Note

It is so very difficult to photograph the Mayan people in Chiapas. Everywhere you go you are warned not to take photos. It appears that they do not shun photography for reasons similar to some Indian tribes of Northern California (who think their spirits are stolen), but for whatever reason they just don't like to be exposed to external eyes. At night I stroll the square. I see this Maya sister teasing her brother. The reflex mirror of my F3 sounded like a gun in the dark--I wish I have my silent Leica instead. The girl looks straight at me; in the viewfinder her face bursts into an elf-like mischievous smile: I caught you! She runs to me and demands pesos. Defeated, I concur...she returns happily.

rodalvas, don_narayan, vapours has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rodalvas (641) 2006-01-12 16:48

Great available light shot; I'd like to crop into it a bit to concentrate on the girl's expression but it's excellent as it is.

BTW, I find it refreshing to see people actually using film (and MF!) for this kind of picture! And you're right about the F3's mirror sound :)

Regards

[workshop] [compare] +

alimo3 (6854) 2006-01-12 17:17

Hi Animesh,
that a beautiful moment ,and picture of course !
the grainy black and white is very nice and the amazing gaze and the movement of the girls hand really makes the pic.
Well done.

Tom

designsoul (17843) 2006-01-12 18:05

Gorgeous grain and tonal contrasts Animesh, but the look in her eyes, her wonderful expression is what does it to me here... a beautiful catch of the moment, and it has even resulted in her getting a few pesos! A good deal indeed!!! Bravo,
sasa

don_narayan (2014) 2006-01-12 18:44

Hi Animesh. hahaha, busted!! funny story and great shot, the action and clear good contrasts. nice grain too. well done.

Narayan

KevRyan (22956) 2006-01-14 4:00

Like Narayan says BUSTED big time! hahah! Like Sarolta it's the intensity of this little girls eyes and the unseen but all too obvious relationship that she conveys through them across the frame - great image for the viewer to be led towards filling in the gaps - a real show don't tell!

best wishes Kev

rosiegirl (1596) 2006-01-15 19:30

She's so animated. The grain over it all is great. Thats such an interesting story about having to pay up- I guess its a clever way to earn a buck. Great capture.

Rosie