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Bonded in Poverty : Sagkahan Slum, Philippines
Bonded in Poverty : Sagkahan Slum, Philippines
hotpasta


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Masters' Free Study II (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Location: Sagkahan Slum Village, Tacloban City,Philippines
Date: Nov 2, 2008
Aperture: F5
ISO: 1000
Shutter: 1/250
Galleries: Emotive, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Nov 10, 2008

 The Image: I was so moved by my visit to this slum that I went back a second time to visit. This little boy and his baby sister were naked and stood in the doorway as I took about 12 images, all strong.

Mum has 11 children and only one goes to school. We gave them bags of rice, which would last a couple of days.

The stench here is like the worst smells of a public toilet, rotting garbage and excrement combined. the heat and humidity were oppressive. Inder the homes which are built over water on stilts is rotting rubbish like a tip.

The hundreds of children live in this day and night, and the area is notorious for sexual predators.

We want to make a difference here...

I shot this with a 50mm 1.8 lens, and wish I had composed the shot better, but it was a split second that I had when they were both looking so directly at the lens. I would have liked his ear in the image for symmetry.

This boy jumped into the putrid waters to impress me not long after I took these shots...

EDIT: Basically adjustment layers to bring out the tones. this was shot in subdued daylight.

PREDICTION: I don't think this will do well, cause the masters will enter some amazing images. Maybe a low 6...children aren't really popular at dpc...then again, Steve McCurryish??? I reckon 6.1234

POST: Being mistaken for Manny Librodo librodo about three or four times by some of the dpc greats was a huge compliment as Manny is one of the best photographers around...thans everyone

Statistics
Place: 14 out of 170
Avg (all users): 6.9186
Avg (commenters): 8.3214
Avg (participants): 6.9789
Avg (non-participants): 6.8956
Views since voting: 20848
Views during voting: 602
Votes: 344
Comments: 40
Favorites: 4 (view)

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AuthorThread
 12/14/2008 11:02:23 AM
Enzo - Outstanding work here - you captured the depths of despair with such grace.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/12/2008 06:05:27 PM
Great shot. Congrats on your high finish!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/10/2008 07:28:31 PM
Hard to argue with the effectiveness of this photo Enzo. I see only pain in their faces and wish they could be happy. It feels difficult to congratulate someone on a photo that is so painful but I commend you for capturing this moment and trust that you are able to help this family(and others).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/09/2008 02:22:07 AM
Great portrait, love the highlights and their shapes in their eyes. A very well chosen subject matter for b&w. Grats on top 20
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2008 09:15:20 PM
You really strike me with your work. AMAZING!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2008 01:55:57 PM
This is an amazing shot... one of my favorites in the challenge. Thanks for capturing it and sharing some of their story.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2008 09:50:48 AM
I was wrong. :) Great shot Enzo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2008 03:02:41 AM
HOTTIE!!!!!!!! Yeah Baby!

So, SO, SO COOL! Well done my friend, WELL DONE!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2008 12:50:38 AM
I thought this might of been yours..very nice indeed
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/08/2008 12:17:58 AM
This is an awesome shot, well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/07/2008 11:21:07 PM
Good capture, 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2008 11:01:27 PM
Fantastic use of camera.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2008 05:38:45 PM
wonder if I will be seeing u on the front page?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2008 04:40:25 PM
Great emotion in the face. The eyes really tell the story.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2008 03:50:53 PM
Wonderful deep eyes. DOF is spot on. I may have cloned the white blotch in the BG as it is mildly distracting. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2008 05:30:27 AM
Librodo? Looks like. Excellent portrait. Just 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2008 09:32:43 AM
Goodman?

Very nice imagery. Definetly have captured the cute factor, but not the wow factor.

Good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2008 06:51:21 AM
such a beautiful image that captures the brokeness of these children. the eyes say it all. well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2008 08:19:24 PM
good expressions. I hope they are posing a bit and are happier than they look
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2008 08:15:34 PM
Superb capture - strong, emotive photography!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2008 12:51:04 PM
Gritty & poignant. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2008 11:52:15 AM
Amazing capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/04/2008 08:56:16 PM
Amazing dichotomy shot! I love the sharp black and white detail in this image, and the children in this shot just sell it. I also like how you were able to keep the reflections in the eyes under control. Nothing bad to say about this image. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/04/2008 09:30:59 AM
I know this subject very well. You can take a look here> //www.dpchallenge.com/portfolio.php?USER_ID=49773&collection_id=31019

I usually don't comment on technical aspects of a photograph,
BUT, I think that you overedited this, otherwise, very compelling scene. You tried to make it look "pretty", but don't get me wrong- pretty in that eyecandy way. With a subject like this I'd prefer it to look more natural and less "bigger than life". Otherwise, you captured a wonderful moment.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/03/2008 10:23:50 PM
Great photo. Reminds me of the commercials, "For just pennies a day..."

The photo really emotional, great work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/03/2008 07:33:50 PM
Beautiful. Brilliant capture. Fantastic eyes and the tummy-to-tummy composition is great. Very well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/03/2008 06:56:28 PM
Your catchlights and processing are wonderful. Nice focus on the eyes and a great DOF.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/03/2008 02:11:56 PM
Excellent tonal conversion to black and white.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/03/2008 08:47:05 AM
Spectacular!! love their intense stare & the contrast between the kids , 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/02/2008 11:44:32 PM
real intensity in their expressions
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/02/2008 11:53:18 AM
Good choice to use black and white for this image. It really helps with the mood of it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/02/2008 08:52:06 AM
Strong portrait. The boy to the left has an expression beyond his years.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/02/2008 07:04:40 AM
Delightful lighting and bw conversion Well composed. The eyes of the boy on the right are a little much - think you might have pushed the processing too far there, but it's still an 8.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/02/2008 06:41:29 AM
pretty sure i know who's this is if i'm mistaken sorry
Enzo awesome moving image
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2008 11:49:50 PM
6

ETA: I guess that 6 jumped up there when I was voting with my keyboard. Sorry for just leaving a number. Anyway, this is a very nice image and the expressions almost seem painful. Well seen and well captured. Great post-processing with a really nice tonal range.

Message edited by author 2008-12-09 06:12:44.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2008 10:44:11 PM
Superb capture, very emotive. The light and focus really grab you & focus your attention on the eyes where a whole story is written & ready to grip you by the heart. I've visited impoverished areas across South America, sat & listened to stories from kids like these - this image brings those back in a flood.

-- 10 --
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2008 10:13:38 PM
lighting, focus, faces, excellent - 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2008 10:14:40 AM
This has to be Manny. Good balance and excellent job of capturing their feelings.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2008 02:42:30 AM
Their eyes tell a very sad story.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2008 02:05:40 AM
Powerful and haunting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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