"Fresh Air", a photo from Maharashtra, West

Photographer's Note

The title is borrowed from the National Public Radio (US) broadcast series of that name. That series brings endless joy to me during my long commute to work. Its choice of topics and depth of analysis truly bring a breath of fresh air. It was an equal breath of fresh air to see these little girls from a village highschool listening to a debate on the utility or futility of genetic engineering of crops by a group of scientists from different countries.

prantik, designsoul, susan_nyc, zeca, chc has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

sothy81 (9646) 2007-03-17 12:35

Nice colors. Their uniform creates a very itneresting texture here. And the homogenousity for the fact that they are all girl, makes this shot even more interesting. Well done. Sothy

Koopman (1247) 2007-03-17 13:11

Interesting subjects: they are all girl, have the same clothes, but each person has his own identity and showing this is the power of the photo,
regards Henk

prantik (1136) 2007-03-17 14:18

Beautiful picture, gorgeous light, and a great note. Have you forwarded it to Terry Gross yet? I drive one hour each way to work every day as well. Thank god for 'Fresh Air', especially when my windows are up in winter.

Your colour pictures are as good as your BW.

Regards
Prantik

PS: Few days ago "Bill O'Reilley the blowhard" was ranting about how her show was an example of the "elite media's liberal bias".

serge44 (273) 2007-03-17 15:25

belle composition de ce groupe d'騁udiantes o� l'uniformit� du "costume" fait contraste avec la vari騁� de leurs regards
amicalement serge

designsoul (17843) 2007-03-17 15:27

Wanted to comment on the previous shot, too, Animesh, but alas, couldn't find the time... the subject is very interesting, indeed, highly topical. The shot is lovely, too. Bringing so many young people within one frame, all girls in red dresses, emphasize hope... May there be one, and with results that are not futile.
I wish I could listen to this program here on the radio--you think it may be possible? Do you have an internet address to it?
Take care,
sasa

rushfan2112 (2965) 2007-03-17 20:35

Great composition and range of expressions. Wonderful light - a little "high key" but it works very nicely. Could be very commercial in an education supplement or newspaper.
Best wishes, Paul.

Iuli (838) 2007-03-17 21:10

Very nice shot, Animesh!
All those portraits gathered in one shot... I'm wondering whether those guys speaking to the students were independent scientists or part of the corporate propaganda from companies that try to sell such crops or try to expand the cultivation of such plants or the growth of such animals in other countries. I really don't know what's the situation in India on this issue and India is a giant market.
Anyway, I like the shot. The black frame appears like a whole in the wall of a dark room, or an open window... and impression which fits perfectly with your interpretation. Very nice.
TFS
Iulian
PS Occasionally, I listen to "Fresh Air" too, but I listen to it at work during the lunch time on WNPR.

Furachan (0) 2007-03-18 3:33

Nice color version of that college scene from earlier. The reds are realy well rendered. Focus on a particular girl wuld have taken this to the next level IMHO, Ansimesh but it's plenty god as is...
bw,
francis

polter (7239) 2007-03-18 5:37

What a bunch of faces and everyone different. Never would say what the theme of debate is from how they look. Think they'd be the same charming listeners to every kind of serious debate :). Lovely composition and colouring. Greetings T.

susan_nyc (114) 2007-03-18 8:09

There's a red scarf in the upper right - it seems at first like a pole or post; I see that it's a standing figure, but it becomes for me an anchor in the composition. The next anchor is the bottom left, the white of that girls dress, draped over over calves. Because there are lots of girls, this becomes first a composition of colors and shapes, then a collection of individuals faces to study. Most are so alert. Even if some aren't listening to the debate, they're all engaged in "listening" to something. They don't look bored. I wonder if a similar shot of a group of students in the U.S. listening to a debate would show the same level of engagement in the "present." I suspect not. (I'm a cynic sometimes - I've been teaching for too many years.)

An artistic shot of a group of students. I bet they'd enjoy having it on the classroom wall.

-Susan

zeca (19762) 2007-03-18 11:42

Nice composition of colours, beautiful girls and smiles! Very good exposition!
Regards,
Zeca

pinakie_slg (861) 2007-03-19 0:04

onno kono angle theke tulte parle hoyto aro besi valo lagto, jekhane sudui mukhgulo k petam, abanchito du charte pa asto na.
tobuo j hoyeche, besh valo hoyeche.
Pinakie

partha (14023) 2007-03-19 5:19

Hi Animesh,
A fresh shot. It gives a wonderful feeling.I like the expressive eyes of the girl.Good spontaneous shot.
Regards.
partha

bombilla (3406) 2007-03-19 10:35

Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny. Or does it? The uniformity of their dress only highlights the uniqueness of each one. From the one, many. -Hugh

chc (1468) 2007-03-20 18:23

Simply beautiful Animesh. I like the colours and the light. Each face has is own expression occupation etc. and can easily be isolated. Great
christophe

nerve (10231) 2007-03-22 7:34

Susan simply put it so nicely, a good analysis of your image in many ways..dual tones attract me here too. i definitely agree with Prantik, your coloured images are as good as your b/ws..

would be very interesting for me to listen to this debate. hobby and the work together, you lucky man, lol!

dilane (861) 2007-03-23 17:14

hi animesh,
original picture with very beautiful colors
the faces are interesting
good shot
regards dilane