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Alyssa Lies
Alyssa Lies
MinsoPhoto


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Family III (Basic Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Date: Nov 25, 2011
Date Uploaded: Nov 25, 2011

 Alyssa Lies lyrics
Songwriters: Carroll, Jason;

My little girl met a new friend just the other day
On the playground at school
Between the tires and the swings
But she came home with tear-filled eyes
And she said to me, "Daddy, Alyssa lies"

Well I just brushed it off at first
'Cause I didn't know how much my little girl had been hurt
Or the things she had seen
I wasn't ready when I said you can tell me
And she said

"Alyssa lies to the classroom
Alyssa lies everyday at school
Alyssa lies to the teachers
As she tries to cover every bruise"

My little girl laid her head down that night to go to sleep
As I stepped out the room I heard her say
A prayer so soft and sweet
"God bless my mom and my dad
And my new friend Alyssa"
Oh I know she needs you bad because

Alyssa lies to the classroom
Alyssa lies everyday at school
Alyssa lies to the teachers
As she tries to cover every bruise

I had the worst night of sleep in years
As I tried to think of a way to calm her fears
I knew exactly what I had to do
But when we got to school on Monday I heard the news

My little girl asked me why everybody looked so sad
The lump in my throat grew bigger
With every question that she asked
Until I felt the tears run down my face
And I told her that Alyssa wouldn't be at school today

'Cause she doesn't lie in the classroom
She doesn't lie anymore at school
Alyssa lies with Jesus
Because there's nothing anyone would do

Tears filled my eyes
When my little girl asked me why
Alyssa lies
Oh daddy, oh daddy tell me why
Alyssa lies



So obviously my idea came from this song. I wanted to show that not all families are happy environments and there are many children that deal with some form of abuse at home. My children mean so much to me so thinking that there are so many whose homes are not a safe haven makes me very sad. I wish this wasn't the case but it is, I am not expecting much from this score as I think I may get hit with a lot of low votes due to the subject matter but maybe the next time you see a child covered in bruises and a look of fear in their eyes you will feel for them.

Oh and after I got the shot I rewarded my girl by taking photos of her jumping on the bed :)

[Dec. 6th, 2011 09:07:39 PM]

My girls reward for modeling for me:


Statistics
Place: 46 out of 64
Avg (all users): 5.0185
Avg (commenters): 6.4375
Avg (participants): 5.0909
Avg (non-participants): 4.9915
Views since voting: 2345
Views during voting: 337
Votes: 162
Comments: 30
Favorites: 3 (view)

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AuthorThread
 12/07/2011 05:14:07 PM
Thank you all for your comments. Based on those and the scoring distribution I would call this a successful entry. I am a bit surprised it finished so low based on a divorce entry ribboning in the last family challenge and judi's Fragile entry in the delicate challenge pulling a 6. Oh well, still happy with the shot. Now to try and get a good score with my daughter lol.
 12/07/2011 11:16:09 AM
I guess the harsh reality subject matter didn't appeal to the masses; in an 'emotional' or 'gritty' challenge, this would have ribboned. You were absolutely robbed in my opinion.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2011 08:29:45 AM
strongest image of the challenge. Way to many Dpc's are in denial about life reality.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2011 05:57:22 AM
I think I have rarely seen such an effective concept development scoring so low, and surely not one scoring so low *because* of its effectiveness.
Any plan for the girl to take drama school?
Very well done, Joshua, congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2011 05:50:11 AM
More comments than one votes, looks to me like you came out the winner, thanks.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2011 04:37:34 AM
Originally posted by Sevlow:
I guess people only like to see the good and nice side of family life. Show them something that is not disturbs them.
Yes, it is disturbing but this sort of family is far too common in the world. Well done for being brave and showing the side of family life nobody wants to see or believe happens.

I totally agree with you. IMHO this is the best picture of this contest!! I gave it 10! :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2011 02:45:10 AM
I guess people only like to see the good and nice side of family life. Show them something that is not disturbs them.
Yes, it is disturbing but this sort of family is far too common in the world. Well done for being brave and showing the side of family life nobody wants to see or believe happens.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2011 01:37:18 AM
I thought it was going to score higher. Shock value was pretty harsh, reality sets in, and no one wanted to vote it higher. Great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2011 12:34:26 AM
Deserving of much higher things and according to statistics more common than we would like to believe.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2011 12:24:19 AM
This is a powerful piece, Joshua, and it deserved to finish higher. I wasn't even aware of that song but the meaning was obvious. It was also quite obvious that your depiction of that aspect of family was social commentary and NOT something practiced at your place. I gave you a 9. It's lovely to see your daughter enjoying the bed-jumping.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2011 12:20:46 AM
Like this, very strong & emotive image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2011 12:12:47 AM
Was disturbing to me, but technically a good shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/06/2011 11:50:53 PM
Ferocious.
Bump up
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2011 06:56:05 PM
A powerful photo that has me wanting to vote low by the mere fact that I hate what it depicts. And yet, this is a feeling you created intentionally and powerfully, and that should be rewarded.
This scares the bejeesus out of me and I hope that it is absolutely not common place in your family, though I know it is in some. If a family does this, can it still be considered a family?
Anyways, an 8 from me because you have absolutely succeeded in what you set up to do in telling a powerful story. I still don't like the photo though :-P
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2011 05:16:49 PM
This is a very well presented and emotive image - even the tones look like bruises. How sad that this is often the dark side of family life. I can relate to the concept as there were episodes like this in my own childhood. I think it was a more mainstream child raising method back then(?)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2011 11:39:20 AM
:( ugh! This is true in so many families but so hard to look at!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2011 09:33:52 AM
Unfortunately... this is the story of all too many families! I like your courage in taking a totally different perspective on "family"
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/04/2011 08:02:23 PM
Ok, after much pondering, I bump this to 10.
I find the subject matter particularly disturbing, but angle, framing and pose are just right. And that's a sad, pretty realistic, slice of reality.
---
Kick in the guts image for this challenge. Very disturbing. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/04/2011 03:21:16 PM
Hate the subject. The technical aspects are good.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/04/2011 01:34:15 PM
strange concept of family. Strong picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/04/2011 01:26:46 PM
Can I vote a zero based on the subject nature?
 12/01/2011 05:09:13 PM
Judge William Adams?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2011 11:37:51 AM
the only I can say: NO!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2011 05:51:33 AM
This is very disturbing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2011 12:00:36 AM
Strong work - quite a different take on the challenge than the rest of the entries.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2011 10:01:56 PM
Seems a bit violent, hope not realistic.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2011 09:19:34 PM
I absolutely adore that song and this is a very emotive shot to go with the title. As sad as it is, it's interesting to see a sad take on the family idea; It would be so sad if this is your typical view of family, I hope your family memories are not like this. Overall, the shot is sharp, well composed and emotional. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2011 08:30:08 PM
Really?
 11/30/2011 09:29:24 AM
I don't like this story!!! Great sharpness. I like the color.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2011 12:16:03 AM
Oh. I hate it that this represents "family". *sigh*

But, it does.


(But... not mine. I'm so thankful.)
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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