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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Forty-Four: Photographing human response – gesture, body language, and expressions > School’s out, Kayenta, Arizona, 2009
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11-NOV-2009

School’s out, Kayenta, Arizona, 2009

The six children in this image offer a striking contrast in gesture. Three of the children are waving at our cameras, which we were shooting through the windows of our van as it moved through the town. Three others stare at us as if we were aliens from another planet. The focal point of the image is the expression on the face of the child in middle of the image. As one of the older children, she realizes what is happening, and is making the most of an opportunity to make a memorable impression on us.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
1/200s f/5.2 at 151.0mm iso160 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis25-Nov-2009 19:30
As I said to Carol, younger kids seem to be non-conformists. Most instinctively march to the beat of their own drum. When they become self-conscioius teenagers, conformity takes over. This group of kids range in age, gender, and attitude at the moment.
Tim May25-Nov-2009 19:15
As a retired elementary teacher I find myself thinking about the possibility of having children I see in my class - this looks like a typical group for a class from the shy and wary to exuberant and happy.
Phil Douglis24-Nov-2009 02:52
It was that range of emotion that makes this image so expressive, Carol. Kids are rarely uniform in their responses -- they are non-conformists, at least until they become teenagers.
Carol E Sandgren24-Nov-2009 01:46
Interesting how there is such a diverse range of reaction here...from the overly jubilant handwaver in the middle, to the stunned-looking one at left! Kids will be kids and they usually let their hair down in group if they feel secure. Good for you capturing this bunch!
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