took this at the Home for the Aged. It is called Golden Acres where 213 abandoned elderly women are housed.
Just noticed I was the first one to submit an entry. Usually, I'm one of the last ones.
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post voting:
thank you, thank you for all your votes and encouraging comments.
i wanted to enter the Success challenge at first. I took photos of elderly women smilling toothless, wrinkles and all. Till I glanced at this sight. She captured my heart even before I was able to capture her photo. A series of 4 shots and I was asked to leave the door of the room where I was standing by.
I had the chance to talk to and pray for some of them. Somebody must have failed, somewhere, for them to end up desolate in this place.
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bro, this capture is overflowing with raw emotion. i was browsing your portfolio and this photo caught my attention. a great capture of a pure, 100% real moment!
A very moving photograph which looks great on my screen. I don't understand the negative critiques personally. Great work and I appreciate all you said about how and why you took it.
- the room was really dimly lit. Fortunately there was a small window about 6 feet over her head which was my only source of light. I couldnt use flash and there was not much preparation to take the shot. I just took it. I was by the door, outside the room full of beds where all these women were lying (you could see the next one behind her which I cropped). i was about 30 feet away.
- i enhanced the photo using curves, rendered in black and white and then used curves again. in my monitor, only the lower part of the face is dark but i still can see some details.
- the eyes really have no glow, no whites. old ladies with almost dim vision (or lack of sight) would have reddish rather than pearly white eyes (of the pro models). In fact, i was happy to capture two tiny white dots (catch lights) that show her teary eyes.
- the white "thing" hanging on her mouth are actually pieces of rice. somebody was not finished feeding her, I guess, before the photo was taken. more than distraction, it added to the story IMHO.
- the lady can't fend for herself, the hands were awkwardly positioned, yes, but that was it that caught my attention. you're right tho, there's nothing appealing with a sad photo like this.
- there were aroung 30 women there in that cramped, dark room. I only took pictures of two ladies and this was the one I chose to enter.
- if i had my second chance, i'll give more attention to add more sharpness.
thanks again.
Originally posted by HBunch:
*Critique Club*
This image is so very dark. The 2 areas of interest to me are the face and hands, and they both seem to be hidden away in the darkness. I would have preferred to see some extra lighting or something in those areas. The eyes for example are too dark for me to really gather an expression from her.
One thing for me that is a distraction is the thing hanging out of her mouth? It's so much lighter against the darkness of the photo in that area that it stands out a lot and is definately unappealing.
Now, I would expect a photo of 'failure' to probably not be very attractive, but non the less, it doesn't make it any more interesting for me to look at.
The shot evokes emotion. I feel bad for the lady and am saddened by her situation, but at the same time, it's just not appealing to look at as an image.
Maybe a good photojournalism shot. Focus is dead on. Nice crisp lines throughout, with a properly blurred background to eliminate background distractions.
I like the positioning of her, and the framing you chose. He hands confuse me. They are at a very awkward angle, almost like there is another person's hand in the pic.
Overall, powerful image. Not much else to add.
~Heather~
This picture is amazing. It's not just the way you've captured it in such a small amount of time, but what was captured. Pictures of sadness and grief, especially ones that capture the real situations of the world, will always come out on top.
So, what I'm saying is take pictures of things most people would disregard, like abandoned women, or starvation, etc.
This image is so very dark. The 2 areas of interest to me are the face and hands, and they both seem to be hidden away in the darkness. I would have preferred to see some extra lighting or something in those areas. The eyes for example are too dark for me to really gather an expression from her.
One thing for me that is a distraction is the thing hanging out of her mouth? It's so much lighter against the darkness of the photo in that area that it stands out a lot and is definately unappealing.
Now, I would expect a photo of 'failure' to probably not be very attractive, but non the less, it doesn't make it any more interesting for me to look at.
The shot evokes emotion. I feel bad for the lady and am saddened by her situation, but at the same time, it's just not appealing to look at as an image.
Maybe a good photojournalism shot. Focus is dead on. Nice crisp lines throughout, with a properly blurred background to eliminate background distractions.
I like the positioning of her, and the framing you chose. He hands confuse me. They are at a very awkward angle, almost like there is another person's hand in the pic.
Overall, powerful image. Not much else to add.
~Heather~
Congratulations on your Blue with this overwhelming image of human suffering. It is a subject we like to avoid but one that is ever so close to us all. You did a splendid job.
So....wow! I completely had that wrong. I love it when I am a complete idiot, it signifies a rapid growth spurt. LOL. V
Very good shot, I never meant to take away from that with my comment below, as a matter of fact I was pleasently surprised to see this get the recognition it deserved. Congrats.
OK, so I made a fool of myself not knowing you were in the Philippines.
It must be late in the night or past my 2nd cocktail to be so rude. Please forgive me and just a high 5 to you for a job well done.
Here in the USA we are restricted in a hopspital situation to take these type of photos without consenting releases . I am so embarrassed.
Just a great shot. But a note of caution...when taking these kind of pics at a nursing home these patients are protected by a federal law of anonymity. Without signed releases you can be held libel. It is the privacy act under federal HIPAA regulations. Sorry, not trying to take away your thunder. It is a great shot. Congrats.
Well done - as I said in my first comment below, it makes me feel too uncomfortable to vote... but that is surely the sign the photographer captured something worthwhile...
Congratulations on a very impacting photo...thoroughly deserved. When you read the story, you realise so many of us complain about silly things...hope you get many more
Seems a litte dark, but, does give the dosolate feeling. I having the chance to see this in real life know how helpless anyone is when seeing this and there is nothing one can do.
I am kind of stumped here, I really like the photo, it's in and of itself a great shot. It really doesn't say failure, though I can come up with a thousand reasons why it would. Looking through the challenge, it seems like it was pretty tuff to get a blatent failure photo, and I don't want to take away from the people who really nailed it.
What I really want to say is, this is a great shot, and it might not get what it deserves in this particular challenge. GL.
Outstanding photo in a challenge that is sadly lacking any. Bravo! In my favorites now. Yes it's hard to look at, but as a PJ I know how hard these are to get. Keep up the good work! 10
While I am a bi fan of sepia toning, I think that it really hurts this capture. By converting to sepia, some of your details blend together and get lost here. Great composition and I like the moody feeling, but I get more of a sense of pain and loneliness than failure.
amazing - truly amazing - I have just sat and stared at this photo for 15 minutes and it has really moved me. The crop is perfect, focus is really sharp. I wish I could score you more but it only goes up to 10
Desolate
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