I'll catch YOU Photo

Photographer’s Note

My recent work trip to Africa also brought me to Ghana where I had the chance to visit a school.

The school I visited in Accra had very limited facilities although classrooms were a comfortable size and the students had stools and tables to sit on. What the schools always lack is didactic material it seems: notepads, library books, learning posters, it's such an unknown luxury for them. Computers and printers are obviously never heard of.
Still the Ghana school system is not as catastrophic as it is in some other African countries as "only" about 25% of the adults are illiterate, assuring Ghana the 45th ranking worldwide for adult illiteracy.

Upon arrival at the school, I was almost smothered by the children. They were just having their break and seeing me and the camera, almost drove them crazy. I don't think I have ever come across a bunch of more enthusiastic and noisy children. They were screaming, jumping and running everywhere, hundreds of them; doing their very best to push me over.
My bum and arms were extensively pinched and touched, causing high exhilaration and laughter. I wish I could say I took a few easy and comfortable shots, but unfortunately, holding on to my camera was all I could do! It was quit an experience, but one I enjoyed tremendously!

I can still see the big smiles and the "I'll catch you" expression on their faces; I hear their laughter and feel their grabbing hands reaching out, excited by curiosity and all of them hungry for knowledge.

zips, Luan, delkoo, Philippe, AmiBe, everlasting, designsoul, dolin, Manamo, alainh, Mistral, ruisc_pt, eyesthetix, tibervince, BennyV trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

zips (1941) 2006-11-28 8:40

Great shot with nice colors and the expresions are well captured. It sounds as if you had more fun than the kids! Thanks for going there.

Great Job.
Aloha, JB

pat0500 (21513) 2006-11-28 8:58

Bonjour Sabine,
Une très bonne note que j'aime beaucoup tellement c'est bien écrit..! J'aime beaucoup tes photos qui parlent et disent beaucoup de choses dans les regards et sourire des gens et des enfants. En faite tu es presque par terre ici tellement ils te pousssent..!..:) Une belle prise de vue Sabine...Qui change des châteaux et des beaux points de vue...:)
Bien à toi et à bientôt.
Amicalement,
Patrick

Luan (15935) 2006-11-28 9:14

Comment ca va Sabine, je pense que tu dois etre bien occupee en ce moment. Une belle image pleine d'energie et de fraicheur.
Amities
Liuan

scalerman (25783) 2006-11-28 9:18

Sabine: original and vibrant snap. I don't want to sound trite, but kids are easy stuff - their inhibitions are few. high marks here. regards, c

mlopes (492) 2006-11-28 10:13

Joy, the power of communication. I believe this are always magical moments both to the kids and to us that carry the photographic equipment. Very beautifull moment.

wolf38 (12961) 2006-11-28 10:39

Hello Sabine. A wonderful and expressives picture of full dynamics and action. Likewise a good explaining text. The proximity to the motive is outstanding. A worth seeing and well taken Picture. It pleases me very well. Greeting, Wolfgang.

delkoo (34572) 2006-11-28 12:14

bonjour sabine
une photo très spontanée, ou les enfants prennent un réel plaisir a être photographier, tout ces sourires sont merveilleux.

didier

AmiBe (6042) 2006-11-28 15:18

Salut Sabine,
j'aime beauoup l'émotion et la spontanéité, de cette image !
Trèa beau jaune, avec ces visages africains rayonnants, c'est tout simplement superbe.
Bien vu !
a+

gaby (19793) 2006-11-29 2:19

Sabine bonjour - quelle belle image, tu as vraiment rapporté des fabuleuses photos d'Afrique car c'est vrai, ce n'est jamais facile de nouer les contacts - j'adore cette image, merveilleusement éclairée et d'une grand qualité technique (bravo le Nikon) sans parler de la qualité humaine -
merci et bonne journée
amicalement
Gaby

Philippe (11781) 2006-11-29 3:37

Dag, Sabine. Ja, ze zien er vol energie uit. Al die ogen die gretig naar het fototoestel kijken. Mooi contrast tussen hun kleren en hun gelaatskleur. Ze komen zeer goed uit op de donkere achtergrond.

jasmis (50777) 2006-11-29 3:47 [Comment]

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everlasting (10936) 2006-11-29 4:03

Such life and vibrancy depicted here. The yellow tones against the dark background are striking and I espcially like the girls hand grabbing out to you. Hope your bum is better now:)

luisafonso (858) 2006-11-29 9:12

Wonderful shot dear Sabine! Your color rendering is absolutely lovely. The yellow shirts transfigured in the palm of the grabbing hand and the skin tone of these kids is really amazing. The light helps too, but the expression of joy in the kids face is priceless. Great compo! Thanks for posting this one.

oochappan (22032) 2006-11-29 18:37

That's a fantantic shot Sabine, full of life and smiles, dynamic posing and that hand and the one eye peeping from under it, a great compositional portait shot, worth the blues !

lukie (0) 2006-11-29 18:38

Dag Sabine,

je mag van geluk spreken dat je camera nog heel is... Toch wel een hele scherpe foto in dat gewoel...

groetjes,

Luc.

jinju (14265) 2006-11-30 22:53

well captured moment Sabine! Joy, excitment, spontaneity, chldish innocense. That hand is such a strong element that it caught my eye ight away.

designsoul (21394) 2006-12-04 12:34

Oh Sabine, this is joy without bounds! I can imagine the scene, a lovely young photographer woman entering their world, what else could you wish for? :-) I hope you didn't get bruised after all the pinches! :-)))
I love how you composed the shot, Sabine, and the fine exposure you worked with. All adds up to a thoroughly delightful experience and a real heartwarming feeling. Thanks! I needed that!
sasa

What a wonderful world here; last week I was taking shots of two girls at a community centre after asking if I was allowed; the little girls, of course fully dressed, didn't mind, they were just curious...one moment later a woman jumped RIGHT in front of my camera with her hands waving in front of the lens, demanding that I should ask permission from them... the world has become so paranoid or scared around here, it is unbelieavable and frightening. Perhaps too many loose and pervert individuals are roaming the streets for no accommodation in mental hospitals? I don't know but it looks like in North America something has become amiss about this.

dolin (15647) 2006-12-05 6:14

Salut Sabine.
Un joli moment, au coeur de "l'action", c'est plein de vie, ca respire la joie et la bonne humeur....très sympa
Le moment est bien figé, de très jolies attitudes et un cadrage vivant qui colle au moment.
Bien joué
Fred

nicoz (1963) 2006-12-08 7:17

Hi Sabine!
Wooowwww some much energy there! You captured the enthusiasm of the kids perfectly. Beautiful punchy photo!
Well done!

Manamo (3474) 2006-12-13 8:21

Oh oui!!!Leurs yeux peuvent parler! Que d'émotions contenues dans cette image Sabine. Pas seulement celles des enfants avec leurs yeux, leur sourire et expression faciale, mais même la tienne devant tant d'enthousiasme. Et cette main tendue...c'est vraiment le top!
J'adore le rendu du ton de couleur et le fond presque noir, ça contraste très bien avec leur chemise jaune. Ils ont une belle lumière pour les éclairer venant de directement derrière toi (C'est ça??)
Bravo!!!
Marc

Ulishna (2246) 2006-12-19 9:47

Hello Sabine,
great shot and great children! I like their very much, so real, so happy in his childhood...
Julia

Mistral (13722) 2007-02-25 14:20

Ciao Sabine,
a funny loving shot! The hand stretchened towards you really make the shot as well their enthusiastic sights.
I love to play with children too... they are so natural in everything they do even if sometimes they are a bit "too natural" like in your chance. But always, at the end, these are the experience who make the journey and even if it happen that just for a while you were in a little trouble, I'm sure you will smile any time you'll heard "I'll catch you!".
A smile for your week and try to take your time as it's too important!
Luca

pinakie_slg (835) 2007-03-19 22:52

WOW!!!!! what a wonderful, lively faces! outstanding dear.

ruisc_pt (6207) 2007-04-21 8:43

HI Sabine,
Fantastic note!
and what a wonderfull sharpness

R

portojo (169) 2007-04-24 5:53

Ah, oui! Une belle et emouvante image de la beauté des enfants africains... Bravo!
Javier

eyesthetix (637) 2007-06-16 12:54

Brilliant capture and focus!
Best regards,
Daniel

tibervince (781) 2007-07-05 3:03

Sabine,
Premiere fois que je visite ta gallerie... tu as un nouveau fan... Je suis impressione par tes portraits, tes photos de "vie", un regard sur l'autre tres sensible... Je ressent tes photos pleinement...
Je repasserai, encore et encore... tu es desormais dans mes favoris!
Vincent

sotiris_k (836) 2007-07-20 14:13

Great moment you captured Sabine! What more can you ask but happy faces...

Regards

Sotiris

alainh (35381) 2007-11-30 10:51

bonsoir Sabine
j'ai eu plaisir à redecouvrir ton exotique galerie où la couleur est reine. de tres chouettes images et ces sourires sont un vrai bonheur. superbe lumiere et des attitiudes fortes. une tres belle image
bon week-end Sabine
alain

BennyV (4829) 2008-05-14 5:22

Hello again,

Veel mooie foto's in je gallerij. Misschien is dit mijn favoriet? Alleen al omdat de situatie zo herkenbaar is...behalve dan dat ik waarschijnlijk net iets minder "extensively pinched" wordt! Intrigerend aan deze foto is ook dat het geel van de hand bijna identiek is aan dat van het uniform. Mooi!

Benny

ilvao (2248) 2008-07-01 7:16

Hi Sabine,

Wonderful children
typical from there when we shot
i found his hand a little bit too yellow
thanks for this great moment with afrcan children
all the best
olivier

Photo Information

Copyright: Sabine Schoep (Bien) (4729)
Genre: Gens
Medium: Couleur
Date Taken: 2006-11-03
Categories: Vie quotidienne
Camera: Nikon D50
Exposition: f/5.6, 1/500 secondes
More Photo Info: view
Versions: version originale
Thème(s): The world through those small eyes, To remember, Enfants du monde [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-11-28 8:37
Favoris: 2 [voir]