Lady of the Mangyan tribe
Nov 21, 2014 04:51:18 #
Im not always comfortable showing images like this but unfortunately it is reality in the third world. You do not have to go far in the Philippines to find people with problems like this or worse.
This lady whose age I would not hazard to guess is a member of the Mangyan tribe who have been displaced from their homeland over many years and roam from town to town aggressively begging. They are very often bussed around by gang bosses who take a percentage of the daily take. Legal pimping. Very often they are refused entry to towns as their methods of begging intimidate the locals.
They live rough and obviously have no access to education or medical care of any sort.
The patches on this ladies skin are a mixture of a skin disease and grime. It is not part of their culture to bathe.
Comment and critique on the photo please would be welcomed. I sincerely hope no one gets the impression that Im trying to exploit this ladies plight by showing her picture it is as stated earlier reality in 2014 in the Philippines
This lady whose age I would not hazard to guess is a member of the Mangyan tribe who have been displaced from their homeland over many years and roam from town to town aggressively begging. They are very often bussed around by gang bosses who take a percentage of the daily take. Legal pimping. Very often they are refused entry to towns as their methods of begging intimidate the locals.
They live rough and obviously have no access to education or medical care of any sort.
The patches on this ladies skin are a mixture of a skin disease and grime. It is not part of their culture to bathe.
Comment and critique on the photo please would be welcomed. I sincerely hope no one gets the impression that Im trying to exploit this ladies plight by showing her picture it is as stated earlier reality in 2014 in the Philippines
Nov 21, 2014 05:43:36 #
It's a fine picture Billy, very "Human". The lady obviously has no objection to being photographed, she looks quite happy.
Your image falls squarely into the social documentary genre, a form of photography that has been practised from the earliest days of photography. Your picture shows a person that, despite all the trials and tribulations life has throw at her can still smile.
Dignity is the key in street photography, never mock or lampoon a subject, this doesn't mean that a picture cannot be humorous, show an amusing situation.
Your exposure is "right", your focus is "right" and the background is nicely OOF.
Graham
Your image falls squarely into the social documentary genre, a form of photography that has been practised from the earliest days of photography. Your picture shows a person that, despite all the trials and tribulations life has throw at her can still smile.
Dignity is the key in street photography, never mock or lampoon a subject, this doesn't mean that a picture cannot be humorous, show an amusing situation.
Your exposure is "right", your focus is "right" and the background is nicely OOF.
Graham
Nov 21, 2014 06:47:32 #
Graham Smith wrote:
It's a fine picture Billy, very "Human".... (show quote)
Thank you Graham I knew you would be aware of the wrong impression one can give when you post this type of image.
Also very pleased indeed it meets with your approval from a technical point of view. Thank you for your comments. I do not think I have to say how much I value your input.
Nov 21, 2014 09:07:39 #
It is a good picture and I am sure that she is someone's beautiful mother, or is it hansom father? Not sure.
I hope you had time to get the picture printed and sealed in durable plastic and gave her a copy.
I hope you had time to get the picture printed and sealed in durable plastic and gave her a copy.
Nov 21, 2014 10:36:04 #
Graham Smith wrote:
It's a fine picture Billy, very "Human".... (show quote)
In line with Graham's comments, it has a definite "heartwarming" quality.
Dave in SD
Nov 21, 2014 11:56:44 #
Billyspad wrote:
Im not always comfortable showing images like this... (show quote)
Billy, This is a tack sharp photo. The exposure and white balance are right on. Based on your description it is what it is, 'reality'. I have spent some time in the Philippines back in the early 70's so I have a general idea where you are coming from. This is another one of yours that would be a good candidate for B&W.
Dave
Nov 21, 2014 13:32:05 #
I agree with everything Graham has said, so I won't repeat that part. I do want to add that the background looks very lush, and beautiful ... like it's in a wealthy part of town that has expensive structures and landscaping. Please correct me if I'm wrong. If I am right though, isn't it ironic that someone who can't afford basic medical care lives near so much wealth? I think you have a story to tell with your images.
Nov 21, 2014 18:15:50 #
Nightski wrote:
I agree with everything Graham has said, so I won't repeat that part. I do want to add that the background looks very lush, and beautiful ... like it's in a wealthy part of town that has expensive structures and landscaping. Please correct me if I'm wrong. If I am right though, isn't it ironic that someone who can't afford basic medical care lives near so much wealth? I think you have a story to tell with your images.
The background is actually the large Catholic church in Balayan Batangas.
So in many ways ways you were correct about the mix between rich and poor. The church appears more inclined to stash their wealth in Swiss bank accounts than help the needy on their doorstep.
So yes every picture tells as story.
Nov 21, 2014 18:19:16 #
DEC wrote:
Billy, This is a tack sharp photo. The exposure and white balance are right on. Based on your description it is what it is, 'reality'. I have spent some time in the Philippines back in the early 70's so I have a general idea where you are coming from. This is another one of yours that would be a good candidate for B&W.
Dave
Dave
Hya Dec I assume you were in te US forces? I do not think it has changed much for the poor since you were here. The rich have however got richer.
Thanks for your comments and enthusiasm, I appreciate that very much. I took a few shots of this lady and BW will be on display sometime soon.
Nov 22, 2014 18:45:43 #
Billy, as has already been stated this is a very sharp and well done image with nice skin tones and lighting. Most of all it captures her in this pose and has an impact. Nice work.
Nov 22, 2014 18:49:40 #
waltchilds wrote:
Billy, as has already been stated this is a very sharp and well done image with nice skin tones and lighting. Most of all it captures her in this pose and has an impact. Nice work.
Thankyou once again Walt
Nov 22, 2014 20:31:21 #
Excellent, mercilessly sharp portrait; every wrinkle and blemish clearly displayed, including the cataract in her left eye. Perfect colour and exposure. Her expression is bright and cheerful, although that might be partly the effect of chewing betel.
Nov 22, 2014 22:21:08 #
mcveed wrote:
Excellent, mercilessly sharp portrait; every wrinkle and blemish clearly displayed, including the cataract in her left eye. Perfect colour and exposure. Her expression is bright and cheerful, although that might be partly the effect of chewing betel.
Thank you my friend for a very complimentary critique. I know you as a very knowledgeable but hard man to please at times so I have allowed myself a very small gold star here.
Not sure they chew betel but they all smoke small clay pipes filled with a really pungent tobacco. It smells like a gentle simmering compost heap rather than the sweet smell of weed but it may have the same effect. Knowing their standard of personal hygiene and the condition of their teeth I held back from requesting a toke on one of the many pipes being smoked.
Billyspad
Nov 23, 2014 01:27:42 #
Billyspad wrote:
Thank you my friend for a very complimentary criti... (show quote)
The dark red stains on the teeth are characteristic of betel chewers.
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