Poverty
Maya girl on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico24 total reviews
Comment from ZenTrip
A photo with great impact and immediately stirs empathy.
Your notes are most descriptive and also stirring in empathy and compassion.
I like what you've done by desaturating the area around her. This is one of those examples, I think, of how to use this technique for the effect one wants to choose.
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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A photo with great impact and immediately stirs empathy.
Your notes are most descriptive and also stirring in empathy and compassion.
I like what you've done by desaturating the area around her. This is one of those examples, I think, of how to use this technique for the effect one wants to choose.
Comment Written 19-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Thank you so much for your understanding review.
Yes you are right. This is one of these examples. This photo is a cut out of a much bigger photo were the girl was in the background. I could not get her close up. As I got closer to her she stand up and tried to pose proud that her picture was taken. But this was not what I wanted.
The focus isn't the best here and the clutter around her as the wall were distracting to much. But since both are needed to describe her situation I disaturated the area. It is the situation what demanded the technique not the technique demanding the situation as many seam to think.
If I understand right what I read this technique is much easier done with photoshop. So try it sometime if you get the right photo. I think it would work with your horse racing if you just take the Jockey or the horse or both.
Nice to talk to you again I enjoy it.
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So right about the situation demanding the technique rather than the other way around, cleo. There are just times when the right situation allows for the right technique - and you got the two to work perfectly here. It makes the picture what it is. And it is such an appealing picture of the little girl in the circumstances she is in. Heartbreaking but at the same time so revealing and documentary in style. Interesting that you should comment about her standing up and wanting to pose. But that wasn't the picture you were looking for. So much warmth and heart you've captured here. The content is what the shot is all about. You make me want to try the technique, so I'll be looking for the right shot to try it with. Thanks!
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Thank you for your heartwarming replay. You always understand exactly what I try to say. Thanks.
Much luck with trying a new technique.
Comment from Cephus
This is not the type of image that you want to hang on your wall but it is the type of image that tells a story, a story that we all too often do not want to hear - how the human spirit endures in conditions that are absolutely bleak and almost without hope. Thank you for sharing this powerful image with us. I also is a powerful usage of the combination of B/W and color.
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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This is not the type of image that you want to hang on your wall but it is the type of image that tells a story, a story that we all too often do not want to hear - how the human spirit endures in conditions that are absolutely bleak and almost without hope. Thank you for sharing this powerful image with us. I also is a powerful usage of the combination of B/W and color.
Comment Written 19-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Thank you so very much for your understanding review. I appreciate it very much.
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You are very welcome
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:)
Comment from sandysartstudio
The poverty wants to make you cry. We all have to much. The eyes tell you that she is not quite trusting. The wall behind makes her as if she is huddled against it. Good composition and good light
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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The poverty wants to make you cry. We all have to much. The eyes tell you that she is not quite trusting. The wall behind makes her as if she is huddled against it. Good composition and good light
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Thank you so very much for your kind and insightful review.
The huddling against the wall did remind me of H.Ch.Andersen's "The little Match Seller". It's almost the same situation. I took the photo shortly before Christmas.
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Yes i remember the story of the little match girl. That has taken me back a long time. You are right it does........Sandy
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Thanks.
Comment from Dazzleme
You have done a good job with the effects for the mixed media here. It looks like you just took the picture in this environment! I do find thought that the focus is a bit soft for this.
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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You have done a good job with the effects for the mixed media here. It looks like you just took the picture in this environment! I do find thought that the focus is a bit soft for this.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Thank you so much for your friendly review.
You are right the focus is soft. It is part of an much bigger picture were the girl was in the background. But I couldn't take a close up because she wasn't sitting anymore when I was close enough.
I took the picture in this environment. It is the original photo. I just saturated the color.
Comment from Gramelli
Excellent story telling photo of the conditions in which this little girl lives. Her face tells the whole story. Such a deep look into the emptiness of her life. Interesting use of the black and white. I believe that she is just a bit out of focus, but this was a important photo. I work with the homeless and recognize this look.
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Excellent story telling photo of the conditions in which this little girl lives. Her face tells the whole story. Such a deep look into the emptiness of her life. Interesting use of the black and white. I believe that she is just a bit out of focus, but this was a important photo. I work with the homeless and recognize this look.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Thank you very much for your thoughtful review.
You are right she is out of focus She was in the background of a much bigger photo. I could not take a close up of her because she got up before I had the chance. But I think like you. The photo is important.
She is not homeless but the entire village lives in poverty as many Maya people. Did you read my notes to the photo?
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Yes, I did read your notes. I just recognized that the look on her face was similar to those who are homeless. Nice photo.
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You are right. I even think some homeless in shelters are better of then she at home. There is usually not much more then a wooden hut were is a hammock in for the entire family. Sometimes they sleep on the floor.
Comment from katbird921
Hi Cleo -- well, you have a strong entry here for the contest. This one really makes an impression.
About the technical stuff --
I like the b&W conversion; it does indeed fit the composition. The block wall and foundation are stark and contribute to that helpless aura she has. So, nice compositional elements, and nice lighting as well. Sure makes one wonder what her future will be.
I think you could have cropped a bit off top and left to bring her in closer....the amount of wall showing in the background diminishes her face - she is too small against it, and I think you intend for her to be the center of focus, right? But, instead of it being a picture of a girl in front of a wall, it's almost a picture of a wall with a girl in front of it. That is the reason I witheld a half star...re-crop to bring her closer, so the vieer doesn't fell they have to lean forward to see her, and then you've got a winner. Altho, now that I think about it, the wall is really unattractive, isn't it?
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Hi Cleo -- well, you have a strong entry here for the contest. This one really makes an impression.
About the technical stuff --
I like the b&W conversion; it does indeed fit the composition. The block wall and foundation are stark and contribute to that helpless aura she has. So, nice compositional elements, and nice lighting as well. Sure makes one wonder what her future will be.
I think you could have cropped a bit off top and left to bring her in closer....the amount of wall showing in the background diminishes her face - she is too small against it, and I think you intend for her to be the center of focus, right? But, instead of it being a picture of a girl in front of a wall, it's almost a picture of a wall with a girl in front of it. That is the reason I witheld a half star...re-crop to bring her closer, so the vieer doesn't fell they have to lean forward to see her, and then you've got a winner. Altho, now that I think about it, the wall is really unattractive, isn't it?
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Thank you very much for your throuought review.
You are right the wall is unattractive but typical in the poor Mayan communities. Actually the people there don't think so. it is a sign of wells that the community build that wall. It's made with stuff the had to by and pay a lot of money for.
I don't know about the cropping. Truth it would have brought her closer but on the technical side it also would reveal she is not quite in focus. I cut this part out of an much bigger picture were she and wall were in the background. I could not get a closer picture because she got up before I was there. On the artistic site I wanted that tiny person against the big wall to make an association with H.Ch.Andersen's "The little Match Seller". I was immediately reminded of it. The situation was almost the same. It was even close to Christmas when I took the photo.
Comment from Daniel Farthing
I like this one. I think you did a good job with the lighting on this one and the colors. I think you did a good job overall.
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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I like this one. I think you did a good job with the lighting on this one and the colors. I think you did a good job overall.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Thank you very much for your kind review.
Comment from jalemyca.jack
I really feel the story of poverty in this photograph.
The little girl looks very unhappy, and you have done well with the selective colouring in the picture.
But a couple of point worth noteing,
1. The story of poverty includes the things lying at her feet. I feel these are not shown in enough detail.
2 I really do think a close cropping could really bring this little girl and her troubles foreward and make a stronger point.
I,m not sure if any of this can be done with the film you have but could be well worth a try as I really think it could become a very hard hitting picture
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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I really feel the story of poverty in this photograph.
The little girl looks very unhappy, and you have done well with the selective colouring in the picture.
But a couple of point worth noteing,
1. The story of poverty includes the things lying at her feet. I feel these are not shown in enough detail.
2 I really do think a close cropping could really bring this little girl and her troubles foreward and make a stronger point.
I,m not sure if any of this can be done with the film you have but could be well worth a try as I really think it could become a very hard hitting picture
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Thank you for your throuought review.
You are right These things cant be done.
1. for journalistic reasons: The things at her feet are not part of the story of poverty. She is not homeless but part of one of many poor Mayan communities. The things at her feet are gifts we just brought to that village as I pointed out in my comments. It is probably the first time that she owned even saw a doll and I think that doll and the others things would be misleading if in clear view.
2. for technical reasons: A closer crop may would be bring the girl more forward but also reveal that she isn't quite in focus. That is only part of the background of an much bigger photo, I couldn't get her again because she got up before I was close enough.
But I found this part of the big picture so important by itself that I decided to present it as it is.
Comment from holli326
great job in this shot. you do get the feel for the kind of poverty this little girl deals with. i like how the whole back ground is grey, it makes the girl stand out and adds to the gloomy feeling.
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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great job in this shot. you do get the feel for the kind of poverty this little girl deals with. i like how the whole back ground is grey, it makes the girl stand out and adds to the gloomy feeling.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Thank you so much for your kind and understanding review.
Comment from Anne
This is an very expressive picture. I like the way you did her in color. Such a sad look on her face. An interesting write up too. I like your last sentence. I think it would have been better if you had cropped it some to bring her up in the picture more.
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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This is an very expressive picture. I like the way you did her in color. Such a sad look on her face. An interesting write up too. I like your last sentence. I think it would have been better if you had cropped it some to bring her up in the picture more.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Thank you for your friendly and understanding review. I didn't crop more for technical and artistic reasons.
This is only part of the background of a much bigger picture. Closer cropping would reveal that the girls is out focus. I found this part of the big picture so important that I decided to present it by itself. On the artistic side I wanted that small girl before the big wall to make the association to H.Ch.Andersen's "Little Match Seller" It's almost the same situation. Even the time shortly before Christmas.