Crit Request

R

ray_g

Guest
I took this photograph 2 weeks ago, when visiting in Manila. I was very touched by the circumstances under which this photo was taken, and hope that I captured at least some of the emotion.

This is of a young beggar and her baby. I had requested to take her photo, and after the first shot, she turned away from the camera, in tears. This was the last day she and her son would be together, she said. Tomorrow, she would be taking him to the Boys' Town Orphanage, as she could no longer adequately care for him.

Photo was taken with an M2, 50/2 Hexanon. APX 100 in Rodinal.

The photo is also in my gallery, if you would prefer to leave your comments there.

Thanks.
 
It's a great photo as is, but (there's always a but) I don't see in it the story you told us, could be anyone with a kid on a hot sunny day. I don't mean that's bad, i don't know if it was your intention to show she's a beggar or not, or to show it's the last day or not.
Just my oppinion, of course.
 
Along the lines of what Pherdinand is saying, the emotion and power of the story that you shared is held by the mother. This is a very intimate image, but as stated, tells a different story. It seems the mother is wiping a tear from her eye, the powerful image is of that. I would be interested to see the other image you took of this pair. How do they work together?
 
The story is heart wrenching (sp?) but the photo doesn't tell the same story, which perhaps is just as well. It takes a big heart and a strong mind to be able to take that kind of gripping shots without wanting to bear the burdens of the world. Only a few people can do it (Salgado is one) and I have no idea how they deal with the inherent social/ emotional/ moral dillemas they encounter.
 
Thanks. I appreciate all your comments. What you have mentioned was my main concern about this photo. I will try and scan some of the other photos later.
 
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