Image 73826020 by AL

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	Mumbai India

my road trip

They are everywhere - along the streets, at traffic signals, peering into taxi windows,
bedraggled and haggard, breaking into a sudden smile when a few coins are dropped into
their palms. If beggars make you uncomfortable, then India is not the place for you.
Do not fear them. Do not avoid them. An old proverb once said it is a beggar's pride that
he is not a thief. We are not put on earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other.
Why separate the "us" from the "them"?

Nikon D50

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Patricia Lay-Dorsey		09-Dec-2007 15:49
What an amazing portrait of poverty & pride, Ai Li. The man's hand cupped in his child's is too poignant for words. I want to cry. Leaving out the faces makes them universal rather than particular individuals.

Maxim Popykin		16-Apr-2007 13:02
perfect framing. V

Guest		03-Feb-2007 20:07
SO true to life.Strong image

Martha Albuquerque		03-Feb-2007 10:52
impressive and great photo and moment ..

Guest		03-Feb-2007 10:24
This...

Roe..		03-Feb-2007 02:22
that tiny hand shows us that we all need support..Ai Li inspire me as well..VOTE!

Ray :)		02-Feb-2007 20:32
Supporting the hand that feeds him...

sebas veldhuisen		02-Feb-2007 18:48
Breathtaking! Very good composition where you cannot see the eyes of the man (he could be blind) but his hand covers the eyes of the child helping him to guide his hand. It would fit in the 'see, hear, speak no...'-gallery. Vote

Guest		02-Feb-2007 05:03
I really like the composition that you have chosen. They are human, very human with even the most pure among the human - the kid - but at the same time, they are anonymous, just a hand begging for a bit of survival. "Give me my next 12 hours!". Not even showing their face to the window, because the hand says it all. Very well done.

Guest		02-Feb-2007 03:12
Another powerful shot! Incredible pov.

Cindi Smith		02-Feb-2007 02:05
These folks just pull at my heart. I can never resist buying them a meal. Great shot, Al Li! V

Craig Persel		02-Feb-2007 00:34
Poignent words and strong image.

JSWaters		01-Feb-2007 23:40
Very powerful, Ai Li. I was immediately drawn to the two hands, and it took a while for my eye to travel to the background. I personally don't find it a distraction (but we know what we're getting when working with Phil, right?), I tend to agree with Jen that it adds to the context in seeing the 'real' India. Jenene

Stu		01-Feb-2007 23:17
A powerful image. I'm glad you didn't include the man's face here and the way you've obscured the boy's face is fantastic. It makes us concentrate on their hands, quickly work out that they're begging, and so for me straight away it tells a story. Really quick creative thinking.

Jen Bixler		01-Feb-2007 22:45
Get down and shoot? Where did he expect you to go to? The floor? YIKES! I don't agree, I like it just the way it is, but then again, I am no expert. The clutter of the cars adds to the fact that India is like "that"...to me, this is your best image. The little hand supporting the older hand adds the extra something to make it perfect for me. Ai Li, you rock, girl. You inspire all of us...keep up doing it just the way you do it. (IMHO) ~V~

Guest		01-Feb-2007 22:43
Yes a meaningful image brilliantly composed with this perspective and the anonymity of those hands... the interaction of the bodies by the way of those three hands is just beautiful, with the younguest help and support.

Phil Douglis		01-Feb-2007 19:06
The symbolism is eloquent, Ai Li. The abstraction of the faces brilliant. The only distractions are the cars in the background. On shots like this, if you get down and shoot up, you might be able to reduce the emphasis on the cluttered background and stress the eloquence of the gesture.

J. Scott Coile		01-Feb-2007 15:40
Touch... the most base of needs is just human touch. When people met Jesus they longed for the touch pushing through crowds just for a chance to touch. When we fall deeply in love it is the touch we desire and long for. When we become isolated, it is the thing we lust for and dream of. These hands reaching out in want... in need... for help, how they touch the soul! I would imagine this is one of the most emotionally overwhelming aspects of travelling to India (and so manu other places of great need). You have captured it with respect and deep emotion. I salute you.

Guest		01-Feb-2007 15:19
Quite simply "JAW DROPPING" amazing composition, the scale of the hands are so moving. the hand covering the face gives a frail desperate but intriguing insight. WOW you continue to inspire me.

Victoria		01-Feb-2007 15:05
This is powerful hand, but sometime is unassisted!!!!!!!!!Just hope they will find the life of them, they have hands can work ...all the best to them...

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