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Boy : Future is bright
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Do you realize that one side of the boy is bright where I photograph him; whereas the other is the dark side which we as photographer seldom choose? As a young boy growing up in the rural village, how do you think his future will be? I tend to dream he will one day be very useful to serve his nation and make himself proud. We all grow up with dreams and what we would like to become. I am pretty sure many of us have walked through a tough and long journey to arrive at what we stand today. So now it is his turn.
I took his portrait at the ferry ramp terminal about 1.5 hour drive by road from Kuching at Sadong Jaya, a predominantly malay village of fishermen and farmers near the 1-km wide Sadong River mouth. Sadong Jaya ferry link will be part of Sarawak's coastal road linking all the small towns and settlements along the coastal regions. He was fishing with his father, very shy and dared not look at me, keeping his cool and staring in front of him. I had to stand away and use long telephoto zoom but the late afternoon light was bright for handheld shot although I tried not to overexpose his skin tone. I was experimenting on the new camera body and lens. Can you imagine holding 2.7kg camera set in your hand to shoot portrait?
Let us dream on for a greater future! This is something I received from email and perhaps good to post it here, translated into English by Babel, with original Chinese version below. YOU MAY SKIP THE REST HERE
Parents children's fate 20 years ago, My three children have grown up, Left home one after another, Already seldom seeing each other, The entire home is empty…you can hear the sound of breathe.
I saw accidentally an article by a foreign woman, The collection of its extract placed under the glass plate, I read it when I am alone… Your child does not belong to you, They are life extension's representatives, They represent continuation of life, they come from you but not born for you, You may give them love but not thoughts, they have their own heart, You may give the child a family, But this is not his mind's stay, Because their heart will fly to his tomorrow's family, You may love them with every effort, but cannot ask that they love you....... Long Yingtai published a new book recently " Gazes after " which is a touching publication; the writing is exquisite succinct, content is profoundly touching, with sincere recommendation, it will affect your mind! GAZING AFTER
Some paths can allow only a person to walk, I slowly slowly realise, So-called parents children relation, means that his and your fate in life is gazing after his back gradually disappearing into far distance. When Hua'an went to elementary school on first day, we held hands together, Passed through several streets, to the Victoria elementary school. At the beginning of September, In each and every family courtyard's apple and the pear tree are decorated and filled with fist size fruist, the branches sag because carrying heavy load, they reached beyong the fence wall, hooking to passer-by's hair. Many children waited at school yard for the first bell sound to attend class. Small hands clasped parents palms, The timid look is staring all around. They are preschool's graduates, But they have not known a fact: A matter's ending forever is another matter's beginning. At the bell sound, everyone rushed immediately toward different directions, But in that many chaotic crowd, I could clearly see my child's back ── As if among 100 babies weeping sounds, The mother still could 夠 location to her child's weeping sound accurately. Hua'an carries a colorful school bag to move forward, But he turns head unceasingly; Probably passes through a limitless space and time flow, His line of sight and mine met through the air. I watch his thin and small back vanishes past the gate. At 16 years old, as exchange stay in the US for one year. I send him to the airport, At farewell, our usual hug, My head can only touch to his chest, as if I grasped giraffe's foot. He is trying hard to endure mother's affection and control emotion. He was in the long queue, waiting for the passport examination; I was just outside, slowly watching him moving inch by inch. Then his turn finally, he paused a moment at the window, took the passport, dodged into a leafed door and disappeared instantly. I have been waiting, waiting for him to head a glance before vanish. But he did not look back, not even once. Now he is 21 years old, attending university, which happens to be the university where I taught. Even if going the same direction, he does not take a ride in my vehicle. Even if taking the same bus, he puts on the earphone…. enjoying his own music, Sometimes he waits for the public bus in the street, I looked down from the tall building window: A tall and skinny youth, the eyes looking to the gray sea; I can only imagine, His intrinsic world and mine are turbulently same, Yet I am unable to enter his world. Soon the bus came and blocked his shadow. The vehicle drives away, leaving an empty street with only a mailbox. I slowly understand, The so-called parent children relationship, just means that, yours and his fate in life is gazing after his back gradually disappearing and fading away. You stand at alley's end, watching him vanish away in the alley bend, Moreover, his back tells you silently: no need to chase up. I realize slowly, My desolation concerns is related with his back shadow. After the doctorate study is done, I return to Taiwan to teach. On 1st day to register at the university, father drives the inexpensive pickup truck to pick me. I then detected he did not arrived at the university main entrance gate, But stopped at nearby side gate's narrow lane. After unloading the baggage, He crawls back into the carriage to prepare going back, Started the engine obviously, yet still rolled down the window glass, popped out his head and said: “daughter, daddy has been unfair to you, This kind of vehicle is not really proper for sending a professor.” I watcjed his pickup truck carefully backed out, Then puff driving out of the lane entrance, Leaves behind exhaust black smoke. Soon could not see the vehicle at the turn, but I still stand there near a leather suitcase. When I visited him each week at the hospital, it was then several years later. Pushes his wheelchair to take a walk, His head hangs onto the chest. Once, I notice excreta drenched and filled his trouser legs, I squat down help him with my handkerchief to clean, The skirt has also stained the excrement, But I had to hurry back to Taipei to work in this dirty condition. Nurse took over his wheelchair, I dragged my handbag, watching at wheelchair's back, Stops slightly before the automatic glass door, then vanished beyond the threshold. I always rush toward in the last minute to the airport. At crematory's fire door, The coffin is like one giant heavy drawer, Proceeds to slide away slowly. Had not thought about standing so near, only 5 meters from fire door. The fine rain is slanting from the breeze blow, Flutters in the corridor. I flipped rain-soaked forehead's hair, staring deeply, hoping this to be the final time of gazing after. I slowly understand, The so-called parent children relationship, just mean, your and his fate in life is gazing after his back disappearing and fading away in the distance. You stand at alley's end, Looking at him vanishing gradually in the alley bend, Moreover, He uses the back to tell you silently: no need to chase up.
父母子女的緣份
二十年前,
我的三個孩子長大了,
一個一個相繼離家,
本來就聚少離多的我們,
整個家空洞的....連呼吸都聽到
我無意中看到一個外國婦女寫的文章,
把其中片段摘錄護貝後,
放在玻璃板下,
當我寂寞或孤獨時就再看一遍...
你的孩子並不屬於你,
他們是生命延續的代表,
他們經你而來但非為你而生,
你可以給他們愛卻不能給予思想,
因為他們有自己的心,
你可以給孩子一個家,
但這不是他心靈的住所,
因為他們的心早已飛到他明天的家,
你可以盡力去愛他們,
卻不能要求他們愛你.......
龍應台最近出了一本新書
"目送"
算是一本 "感人大作"
文字優美洗練，內容深刻感人，
真誠推荐，感動心靈！
目送
有些路啊，
只能一個人走，
我慢慢地、慢慢地瞭解到，
所謂父女母、子女一場，
只不過意味著，
你和他的緣分就是今生今世不斷地在目送他的背影漸行漸遠。
華安上小學第一天，
我和他手牽著手，
穿過好幾條街，到維多利亞小學。
九月初，
家家戶戶院子裡的蘋果和梨樹都綴滿了拳頭大小的果子，
枝枒因為負重而沉沉下垂，
越出了樹籬，勾到過路行人的頭髮。
很多很多的孩子，
在操場上等候上課的第一聲鈴響。
小小的手，圈在爸爸的、媽媽的手心裡，
怯怯的眼神，打量著周遭。
他們是幼稚園的畢業生，
但是他們還不知道一個定律：
一件事情的畢業，永遠是另一件事情的開啟。
鈴聲一響，
頓時人影錯雜，奔往不同方向，
但是在那麼多穿梭紛亂的人群裡，
我無比清楚地看著自己孩子的背影──
就好像在一百個嬰兒同時哭聲大作時，
母親仍舊能夠準確聽出自己孩子哭聲的位置。
華安背著一個五顏六色的書包往前走，
但是他不斷地回頭；
好像穿越一條無邊無際的時空長河，
他的視線和我凝望的眼光隔空交會。
我看著他瘦小的背影消失在門裡。
十六歲，他到美國作交換生一年。
我送他到機場，
告別時，
照例擁抱，
我的頭只能貼到他的胸口，
好像抱住了長頸鹿的腳。
他很明顯地在勉強忍受母親的深情。
他在長長的行列裡，等候護照檢驗；
我就站在外面，
用眼睛跟著他的背影一寸一寸往前挪。
終於輪到他，
在海關窗口停留片刻，
然後
拿回護照，閃入一扇門，倏忽不見。
我一直在等候，
等候他消失前的回頭一瞥。
但是他沒有，一次都沒有。
現在他二十一歲，
上的大學，
正好是我教課的大學。
即使同路，他不搭我的車。
即使同車，他戴上耳機....
只一個人聽音樂，
有時他在對街等候公車，
我從高樓的窗口往下看：
一個高高瘦瘦的青年，眼睛望向灰色的海；
我只能想像，
他的內在世界和我的一樣波濤深邃，
但是，我進不去。
一會兒公車來了，
擋住了他的身影。
車子開走，
一條空蕩蕩的街，只立著一只郵筒。
我慢慢、慢慢地瞭解到，
所謂父女母子一場，只不過意味著，
你和他的緣分就是今生今世不斷地在目送他的背影漸行漸遠。
你站立在小路的這一端，
看著他逐漸消失在小路轉彎的地方，
而且，他用背影默默告訴你：不必追
我慢慢、慢慢地意識到，
我的落寞，彷彿和另一個背影有關。
博士學位讀完之後，我回台灣教書。
到大學報到第一天，
父親用他那輛運送飼料的廉價小貨車長途送我。
到了我才發覺，
他沒開到大學正門口，
而是停在側門的窄巷邊。
卸下行李之後，
他爬回車內，準備回去，
明明啟動了引擎，卻又搖下車窗，
頭伸出來說：
「女兒，爸爸覺得很對不起你，
這種車子實在不是送大學教授的車子。」
我看著他的小貨車小心地倒車，
然後噗噗駛出巷口，
留下一團黑煙。
直到車子轉彎看不見了，
我還站在那裡，一口皮箱旁。
每個禮拜到醫院去看他，
是十幾年後的時光了。
推著他的輪椅散步，
他的頭低垂到胸口。
有一次，
發現排泄物淋滿了他的褲腿，
我蹲下來用自己的手帕幫他擦拭，
裙子也沾上了糞便，
但是我必須就這樣趕回台北上班。
護士接過他的輪椅，
我拎起皮包，看著輪椅的背影，
在自動玻璃門前稍停，
然後沒入門後。
我總是在暮色沉沉中奔向機場。
火葬場的爐門前，
棺木是一只巨大而沉重的抽屜，
緩緩往前滑行。
沒有想到可以站得那麼近，
距離爐門也不過五公尺。
雨絲被風吹斜，
飄進長廊內。
我掠開雨濕了前額的頭髮，
深深、深深地凝望，
希望記得這最後一次的目送。
我慢慢地、慢慢地瞭解到，
所謂父女母子一場，只不過意味著，
你和他的緣分就是今生今世不斷地在目送他的背影漸行漸遠。
你站立在小路的這一端，
看著他逐漸消失在小路轉彎的地方，
而且，
他用背影默默告訴你：不必追。 |
suzy, tedesse, jusninasirun, chrisJ, azaf1, brunorsantana, milas, marijo, harpya, andrzej, gnada, shelbeesmom has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes. |
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- suzy
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 426 W: 38 N: 1263]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(4340) - [2009-03-24 12:47]
- [+]
future is a treasure we all dream to have.. this boy's dream could be as great as yours or mine or anyone!:) from the expression on his face I see it cool, dreamsof light and courage in a way only him knows how to express it no matter how shy he is here! and you captured this feeling brilliantly!
tfs Bill:)
Applaus.!!!
Well, I mean for myself taking the time to read it all.
But you have to excuus me for the Chinese part, Bill.
Glad, your not a song writer, Bill.
DVD disk will be too short to play your song, haha
Oh.. About the picture.
Yes, great close up even from distance.
Perfectly captured.
Regards from Jan
Excellent portrait. I can only imagine how heavy that camera was. Multi tasking - weightlifting and photography.
I wouldnt be surprised if this young man starting you fees for all the modeling he is doing for you unintentionally :-)
Warm regards
David
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- Athila
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 171 W: 136 N: 403]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(1789) - [2009-03-24 20:57]
- [+]
Hi Bill,
Excellent portrait. Exposure is excellent and sharpness is unbeleivable. Don't know if it's the D700 or the Sigma lens or both but I am flabagasted by the result. I am planning getting a Sigma 150-500 beccause it has Vibration Reduction system on it. Do you think it quality compare to your 50-500? Great shot and TFS.
Alain
Hi Bill.
This lens is so heavy but the reward is wonderful. When I tried it on top of that hill the other day, my only thought was shooting birds. It will be a whopping 750mm on my D80. You have handled the optic really well in this portrait. The light is just perfect and the way he contemplates on things, he might have a bright future indeed.
Thanks for sharing and best regards.
Jusni
p/s: I have made two three feet wide prints of the sunset that we took near the dockyard. If you mail me your address, I might want you to have one when I come back from KL. I met this guy who just purchased RM100,000 printer so I just gave it a shot since I have one thumbdrive in my pocket.
Bill,
You are right, this is so true in each of our lives. We all had dreams and trudged an uneven path to get to what we are today.
This picture is a perfect expression of this thought. Well taken.
Sreya
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- chrisJ
(42646)
- [2009-03-25 4:23]
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Nihao Bill
A superb profiled portrait of the boy with good use of a shallow dof, excellent contrast & superb sharpness & framing. Xie xie!
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- ayse51
(20826)
- [2009-03-25 4:46]
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Hi Bill,
many thanks for your note.You are right.Beautiful portrait.Well taken.TFS.Necla.
Hello!
Excellent portrait of young boy!
Wonderful colours and light,good sharpness.
Nice note.
Nicely done.
Greetings
Tadeusz
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- azaf1
(6932)
- [2009-03-25 6:11]
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Hi Bill
To me every child is nothing more that a bright ray of hope for the future, no matter what the "rulers" decide for their "subjects". I only wish I am in good health for many more years to have the chance to see them in my class. Thanks alot buddy for sharing hope with us ...
Bonjour Bill,
Beautiful portrait well presented and composed,
great colors and very sharp picture,
Impresssive picture and I like it..
Excellent POV and details.
Excellent close up..
bonne journée
Michel
Very very very good shot, Bill.
Lovely expression on his face.
Great light, bright and details.
Dark BG is very good too, friend.
Professional job. Congratulations.
Warm regards,
Bruno
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- milas
(32971)
- [2009-03-25 8:14]
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Merhaba dear Bill...
Beautiful view,great POV.Nice colours and very good portrait...
TFS
Regards
selamlar
Hi Bill...nice shot...great light and details...nicely composed.
Roger
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- marijo
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 237 W: 0 N: 85]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(1464) - [2009-03-26 2:37]
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Hi Bill
I understood what you are saying. Children grow up and left us. I have a son who is married, but he lives near me, in the same condo. You imagine that I see him just in the weekends?
My daughter is 13 years old and of course she will go away someday. I think that if we could we have more child until the old age. As you say, home is more sad without them.
Regards
Maria
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- dunav1
(1879)
- [2009-03-26 4:33]
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Hi Bill,
Beautiful portrait with excelent light and great colors...
Best regards!
Zoltan
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- harpya
(10106)
- [2009-03-26 6:47]
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Ciao Bill
No doubt it is a beautiful portrait of this child.
I like the photo and with good use of the shallow dof,
Rich colors and fine details, a well balanced composition!
Tight framing still works well for Directing attention!
Greetings,
Sergio
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- kanton
(5520)
- [2009-03-27 1:13]
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Hi Bill!
Wonderful portrait and pose,
perfect detail and very good focus here!
beautiful colours and excellent light!
Very well done!
Best regards!
Kostas
Hi Bill
Very nice portrait,great contrast and colours,excellent lighting and sharpnes.
TFS
Regards
Andrzej
Ciao Bill, fantastic portrait with splendid light, very well done my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio
Hello Bill,
Its a fest of light...
TFS
Selahattin E
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- CMJC
(731)
- [2009-03-28 9:02]
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un très beau portrait
je comprends que le gamin n'ai pas regardé l'objectif! 2,7 kg de matériel ç'est impressionnant...
une autre question sur l'éducation et l'avenir des enfants: notre monde avance + ou - vite (on dit deux vitesses mais je pense qu'il y en a bien plus) et je me demande si la vie n'est pas plus belle si on la rêve ainsi paisiblement chez soit que trop vite dans des lieux "à la pointe du progrès" mais devenus bien souvent inhumains.
sory to hard to me to translate this "thought"
sory also for you note so long and so badly translate by Babelfish that I cann't understand the integrality
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- gnada
(21699)
- [2009-03-29 21:30]
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Hi Bill...
It's really a beautiful shot and lovely portrait of "Future is bright"..!
Absolutely a great - I like the posse - I like the not.
Excellently done - fantastic details and colors.
With my compliment,
George
I love this photo Bill!! Very nice lighting effect, with the sun at his back, however bits of light highlight the curves of his face! Very nice work on this one!
B-)
Linda
Belo retrato do garoto, ele tem um perfil muito bonito. Ótima luz e cores. Bom trabalho, gostei muito.
Parabéns Bill!
GA
Vera
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![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 51 W: 11 N: 28]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-s-s.gif)
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