Them there eyes, a photo from Orissa, East

Photographer's Note

"Them there eyes" is a song from 1930 recorded by a large number of famous artists, mainly American. Among them are Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Aretha Franklin. I was reminded of it when finding this photo among those I had taken in India in 1987.

I'm not sure if "them there eyes" is grammatically correct (probably not), but I hardly have to explain why I found it suitable to describe these children, especially the bigger one.

They were among the many beggars gathered outside one of the temples in Puri on the Indian east coast. I don't remember if I gave them anything (probably not), but I think they were not too disappointed. After all, they had been photographed by a tourist. That didn't happen every day.

There is possibly a selfie in the pupils of the bigger child's eyes. If so, I apologize for disrespecting the TOS.

As usual I scanned this from a Kodachrome slide.

ikeharel, johnjmoe, ChrisJ, Royaldevon, pierrefonds, alvaraalto, jean113, jhm, PaulVDV, jemaflor, COSTANTINO, adramad, worldcitizen, clic, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (114821) 2021-01-07 0:08

Pozdrav.
Danas smo komsije sa fotografijama u radionici.
Starsno, mnogo je gladne dece na svetu, dobro pokzanao sa lepim bojama, i kontrastom.
Lepa fotografija i uhvaceni trenutak.
Tuzna uspomena.
Malo treba da se nahrane gladna deca.
Zelim vam lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje.
Paja.

ikeharel (112395) 2021-01-07 0:57

Indeed, Gert, the eyes of those two kids really "speak' from the screen.
A superb moment collected, well scanned picture.
Again, wonder what would happened if they see this picture now when they must be at their late 30th, early 40th years.
My best regards,
Ike

ChrisJ (171146) 2021-01-07 1:09

Hi Gert

You are correct about the imperfect grammar but that does not change the sentiments. Looks like these girls are begging for food or money. You did well to get any highlights at all in the eyes of the girl in the bg. Good sharpness and shallow dof. Tfs!

Royaldevon (85606) 2021-01-07 2:35

Hello Gert,

I was immediately reminded of the story of 'Oliver Twist', when he took his plate to ask if there was any more food! Of course this is a strong, visual moment in the film!

Those eyes are certainly hypnotic: so big, so beseeching!
It would break my heart to see children begging on the street, I'm not sure that I could ignore them but, I suppose there are many such beggars. It's almost like regressing in time!

This really works well with such a close up details.

(I must admit, the mischievous expression on the face of the smaller child, reminds me very much of one of my granddaughters!)

Thanks for sharing this,
Bev :-)

Silvio1953 (220495) 2021-01-07 3:41

Ciao Gert, Greta portarti of cute boys with fantastic eyes, excellent clarity, fine detaiis, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

pierrefonds (113512) 2021-01-07 4:40

Hi Gert,

You have captured well the wondering or sad ecpression of the children. The point of view is showing the details of their physionomy. The light has a good effect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

alvaraalto (42804) 2021-01-07 5:05

Hello Gert,
After the bizarre events in Washington, this revealing photo is very much in place here.
Here the expression on the children's faces speaks volumes. Wonder about that strange tourist mixes with a little hope at the biggest and a more compelling look of the smallest.
Will we ever be able to eradicate this injustice?
Excellent presentation
Have a nice day, groet Rob

jean113 (27585) 2021-01-07 8:37

Hello Gert, those eyes! How could one ignore the two children with their plates held out for some offering?
It抯 a remarkably sharp shot. The catchlight in the older child抯 eyes is excellent.
Thanks for sharing, kind regards, Jean.

jhm (211734) 2021-01-07 8:47

Hello Gert,

Indeed I can see reflections in the eyes of the most old child, but not real disturbing.
34 year ago, now men of forties year old, what would are now them life this moment.
An excellent composition and very soft of colours.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

jmdias (114196) 2021-01-07 9:50

gert

I don't remember such personages while in india, despite we could to feel poverty was around. only a boy asked me for money and my guide prohibited me to give them something. the younger child is more leery ( I got this word in the google, haha)the old one uses the tactic of sadness. excellent portrait and a sad scene. when I was a little boy there were many poor children asking for help here, nowadays no more.

take care

jorge

PaulVDV (62770) 2021-01-07 11:44

Hello Gert,
Perhaps in this respect a lot has changed in India.
But I can somewhat agree with Jorge's comment. During a trip through India you sometimes witness very poignant situations.
But the number of times people (adults or children) came to me to ask for money, food or whatever, is significantly less than in some major European cities.
If they were still children, I would check if the mother was around and then give her a small sum of money. Such small gifts had absolutely no impact on the travel budget. Also the gratitude of these people was always great. The latter also in contrast to my experiences in Brussels with the import beggars.
I remember in 2017 I visited Dharavi, the largest slum in Mumbai and there was absolutely nobody who asked for anything. Had this to do with the fact that I was in the company of an Indian man or not ...? I don't know. On the other hand, there were several beggars at the entrance of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
Yet I was convinced that anyone who asked for money in India was certainly not well off.
What I found quite harsh on a few occasions was the attitude of Indians I was talking to and who were not poor. They brutally told a beggar to leave when he came to me. (Not at all the situation in Dhraravi)
It was the intention of those people that I should not be bothered during my visit. But I thought you couldn't treat anyone who's really poor person the way they did.
The kids here look very cute. I hope they have been able to build a decent life for themselves.
Best regards, Paul

Tue (91488) 2021-01-07 12:30

Hej Gert,
Et godt portr鎡 med de to b鴕n, men samtidig er det jo hjertesk鎟ende at se hvordan de ser op ind i kameraet med deres store 鴍ne der tigger for lidt mad i de store tomme tallerkener. Godt fanget.
Lars

lousat (138551) 2021-01-07 21:13

Hi Gert,it's a very nice memory of your trip in India,but a symbol of poor life this time too,and coming from child,impressive close up very well digitalized.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

ifege (46851) 2021-01-07 21:58

Hi Gert
Another good one and the eyes have it! I remember similar eyes from my visits to India. And I think you are right about the eye selfie.
cheers
Ian

emka (157280) 2021-01-07 22:24

Hello Gert, The older kid has wonderful sad eyes, the younger one looks mischievious a bit. Bith aere very cute. They are little beggars and we see they live in poverty. Did they begged for money or for food with these pltes? I saw manjy beggers in India. usually, when our car stopped, we were surrounded but many children asking for money.Sad that they were often sent by adults.
Here in Matemwe, The beaches are very clean, the hotels luxurious but enough to go a few hundreds meters and one sees the other world, where they have no runninbg water, there are garbage and dirt eveywhere. The children go to the beach to collect shells or just to play. When they see that I want to take pictures, they ask for money. The same with the Masai.
I have many intersting pictures but will I have the opportunity to show them?
Best regrads MAlgo

jemaflor (146206) 2021-01-07 23:27

Hi Gert,
Impressive look with these eyes between with almost a smiling attitude, well photographed, good rendering, interesting note, tfs.

COSTANTINO (115451) 2021-01-07 23:30

Hello dear gert
every photo of yours brings
your personal stamp and a
message here...
excellent capture of these
children but the empty dish
draws our attention...
no comments
regards
costantino

marine-coeur (1072) 2021-01-08 6:58

Lovely beautiful children of some times ago...on the Indian east coast, it shouldn't be this way no where on the planet, beggars!...hope they are ok today and having good days...a very touching and great picture message well done GERT HOLMERTZ

adramad (72532) 2021-01-08 9:53

Hi Gert.
What a shame in these countries, to see these young children asking, also these faces offer us a semi smile, which makes one feel worse, it is a great portrait of the two children, their big eyes seem to pierce.
A magnificent photo, with beautiful natural colors, very good lighting and excellent sharpness.
Well done. I love it.
Enjoy the weekend.
Very best regards.
Luis.

GyurMaster (24668) 2021-01-09 11:54

Dear Gert,

I hope that your photo won't be removed because of disrespecting the rules of TE. It would be a pity, because its a such an excellent photo. Something that would have fitted an NG cover. Of course it goes to my favourites.

Best Wishes,
Gy

worldcitizen (15930) 2021-01-12 20:04

Hello Gert,
First women and men, and now children. This photo has more of a documentary feeling to it. These children are so young... The eyes of the older child certainly command attention, and so does the item around his neck. Take care!

clic (76) 2021-01-14 7:13

Hallo Gert
I'm fond of listening to vintage songs as comparison to digital recordings.
For sure these wide eyes are practised to spot a good deal.
Nevertheless the two kids appear quite friendly, moved by the innocence of youth.
You show a gripping portrait of 'need' captured with great respect to the local ways.
Halsningar

kasianowak (17672) 2021-01-18 12:04

Hi Gert
Beautiful double portrait even though it's a sad scene. The eyes of the bigger boy show so much emotion, you captured that really well.
I like the fact you included the plate the boy used to collect alms ini the foreground and also, probably not intentionally, a fragment of a traditional female dress, which gives the image a strong sense of place.
I wonder what that thing the bigger boy is wearing round his neck is.
Best wishes
Kasia
PS. I've changed Vasterbotten to Jamtland and Stockholm to Arlanda. Thanks for your comments!

mcmtanyel (67555) 2021-07-27 20:21

Hello Gert,
I am impressed by how white their teeth are. Did you end up giving them anything?
Regards,
MT