Great pic. This shows the intensity that those children of a community who are less fortunate than we are financially, are always interested in the friendly prospect of prosperity. They enjoy a good smile and a light heart from a passerby who is willing to share.
Thanh Due
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I grew up in Northern Vietnam. If a photographer had walked into my village 20 years ago I would have been one of the boys in the picture.
It is annoying how many westerners always see these images as pictures of poverty. If no person in your village wears shoes you don't know you need shoes. The poverty we experienced was not of things, we did not want things, it was of opportunity and education, but I have never in my life been more happy. I never felt poor until my family moved to Vancouver and suddenly money became all important. What I like about the picture is it reminds me of a time my life was so rich.
But this is not place for political discussion. I very much like your Vietnam pictures and hope to see more. Raul what do you think of the issue above? From your pictures you seem to understand so much about world people. Do you see this as image of poverty or of joy or something else?
I agree, Thanh; I don't see poverty here either. I grew up a little further south in Malaysia. Although a westerner, I had friends who came from small, modest villages, but the only way in which they could be considered poor was in terms of finance. They were, in every other way, happier than most western kids I see now and playing among them was a genuine, carefree pleasure; if I have children, I'd love to raise them back in Asia simply to provide them with a better perspective of what really matters in life.
Very well said Thanh Due. Not all westerners think that way, especially those who are well traveled into non-traditionally tourist locations. Americans are very insulated by virtue of geography. I had a heated discussion with a tourist one time, who was appalled at the "poverty" of a small and very beautiful island we were visiting. It was not poor at all, but not up to the "Disney-fied" standards of the tourist. I pointed out that it wasn't poverty that I saw...the people were very happy, close family units, not tied to lust for material goods. As you have wisely stated, people want opportunity and education for their children, whether it be in Vietnam or the sands of the Arabian desert. And as far as this country goes....my father was raised in very rural Florida and never owned a pair of shoes until he was in high school! Very good discussion Thanh.
10 comments
Great pic. This shows the intensity that those children of a community who are less fortunate than we are financially, are always interested in the friendly prospect of prosperity. They enjoy a good smile and a light heart from a passerby who is willing to share.
I grew up in Northern Vietnam. If a photographer had walked into my village 20 years ago I would have been one of the boys in the picture.
It is annoying how many westerners always see these images as pictures of poverty. If no person in your village wears shoes you don't know you need shoes. The poverty we experienced was not of things, we did not want things, it was of opportunity and education, but I have never in my life been more happy. I never felt poor until my family moved to Vancouver and suddenly money became all important. What I like about the picture is it reminds me of a time my life was so rich.
But this is not place for political discussion. I very much like your Vietnam pictures and hope to see more. Raul what do you think of the issue above? From your pictures you seem to understand so much about world people. Do you see this as image of poverty or of joy or something else?
I agree, Thanh; I don't see poverty here either. I grew up a little further south in Malaysia. Although a westerner, I had friends who came from small, modest villages, but the only way in which they could be considered poor was in terms of finance. They were, in every other way, happier than most western kids I see now and playing among them was a genuine, carefree pleasure; if I have children, I'd love to raise them back in Asia simply to provide them with a better perspective of what really matters in life.
I love the variety of expression on these children's faces. Great shot.
I detect a theme:
http://www.mexicanpictures.com/archives/2004/04/nomad_school.html
http://www.mexicanpictures.com/archives/2005/04/surrounded_in_t.html
http://www.mexicanpictures.com/archives/2005/04/young_cowboys.html
I loved reading the first two comments. The conversation was as colorful as the picture.
Very well said Thanh Due. Not all westerners think that way, especially those who are well traveled into non-traditionally tourist locations. Americans are very insulated by virtue of geography. I had a heated discussion with a tourist one time, who was appalled at the "poverty" of a small and very beautiful island we were visiting. It was not poor at all, but not up to the "Disney-fied" standards of the tourist. I pointed out that it wasn't poverty that I saw...the people were very happy, close family units, not tied to lust for material goods. As you have wisely stated, people want opportunity and education for their children, whether it be in Vietnam or the sands of the Arabian desert. And as far as this country goes....my father was raised in very rural Florida and never owned a pair of shoes until he was in high school! Very good discussion Thanh.
Nice group shot.
Those border provinces were deadly during the Khmer Rouge incursions.
From reading what has been said, this is why I like photos.
Quick question: Was the background altered in anyway? Just curious.
the only thing I did to the image was resize the digital scan (the original was film).