Hiding Smiles Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hiding Smiles, though I also had the thought of using "Selling Smiles" or "Smiling Sisters" as the title...

These are the two young girls of a man named Nao. One of the multitude of booksellers on the streets of Siem Reap. Nao and his family were pretty much a fixture on the back corner of the old market, right in front of The Ivy (for those who know the place - and if you've been to Siem Reap, there's a good chance you know The Ivy, For those who haven't been, The Ivy is the "main" or most popular bar/restaurant in town). A sad part of Cambodian street life, yet good, in the fact that these people are not just begging, but trying, the best way they know how, to make some money for themselves.

These two girls spent the day running around the corner (although not on the sidewalk as this would result in a smack from the corner guards stick), sleeping, playing, smiling and eating. We first saw the guard hit a small boy on the corner selling postcards and after that made sure, if we were talking or somehow interacting with the children, that he was quite aware we started it and not the children. He was a sad site to see, but only trying to make money also, the best way he knew how. He never hit the children anywhere but in the butt and never really tried to hurt them, just scare them a little it seemed. Watching him, it seemed he was caught in between doing his job and avoiding the nasty looks of the tourists nearby...

For all the hardships endured by these children, it was quite refreshing to see how happy and willing to learn they actually were. Great kids from a great country. One of the most eye opening, sad and yet completely invigorating countries I have been too. One of my favorites. I actually think the world could learn a lesson or two from the people of Cambodia, a lesson in happiness maybe, a lesson in the spirit of a people who smile against all odds and hardships.

The smaller child can also be seen in one of my earlier photos here and also in Richard James portfolio here.

Thanks for any comments or critiques,
John

robertosalguero, indoka28, shevchenko, Atousa, mphotographies, Dpbours, sothy81, vincz, designsoul, siolaw, pboehringer, andante, dareco trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

robertosalguero (110) 2007-08-21 20:51

Yes they look very happy and maybe even content with their lives, even when they face hardships everyday. The reality of this image is very palpable in many countries. I am also glad that their father is making a decent living and trying to get his daughters to have a better life. Nice work John.

Roberto

indoka28 (5187) 2007-08-21 20:56

Hello John,

My first question: Did you buy any books from them..???? oyu had a good option in CAMBODIA -1975-1982 by Michael Vockery..!!

A very very nice documentary shot from you which explains the plight of these little kids along with the smiles which they still cary inspite of the misery they go through..!! It was actually very refreshing to see their smile after reading the note they have written there..!!

A very good mesasage through this photograph od yours...Children who should be studying are selling books to meet two ends..!!I was very sad to see the note and then the welcome smile took over but still the feeling of " why on the earth will these chidren have to suufer" stays in the deep end of my heart..!!

thanks for the shot, John and also a very beautiful note..!!! and a great composition..!!

Regards,
Indro

shevchenko (10016) 2007-08-21 22:27

Hi John,
Interesting note about the Cambodian daily life at the street, children are pure, they still happy and smiling in front of your camera although their life are difficult.
Ally

smello (69) 2007-08-21 22:46

nice, nice picture. I love normal everyday life of other people whose lifes are different from ours....

Atousa (3456) 2007-08-21 23:09

So impressive! ... Hiding smiles and hiding Nao however all of them are really seen and felt clearly in this shot.
Thanks,
AtousA

bantonbuju (48782) 2007-08-22 0:50

hi john,
how contrasty are these smiles to the text written on that canvas...
an important photo...
bw, j.

mphotographies (1976) 2007-08-22 0:57

Hey John,

A good potential 'documentary' stuff. You have presented us with the faces of what the reality of life in other parts of this world. This would be a kind of shot that ala 'Time-Life' or NGCAsia would feature. Your POV can be improved by gearing more to the right to avoid 'obstructions', the narrow blue post could have been predicted as well. But the thing is you captured it as-it-is, not looking planned, very candid, the young girl's shyness as seen hiding through that thin post - the result is moving, spontanous, and very real! I hope the best for them...

All the best!

Jom

Dpbours (220) 2007-08-22 4:01

Hi John,

And quite some decent books laying there! Did you buy any? (See you got that question more often hahaha). Did the smiles work? ;-)

I'm happy to see that they do try to make some money and having the sign up is a good way of attrackting that extra bit of attention and customers.
Reading the sory about the man with the stick, I have to think how dualistic it must feel to him. In our office, we often get beggars in. And yes, they need to be taken out of the office again... So our staff, or the guards, then bring them outside. You can see that that's dualistic to them as well. They are already working for an aid organization, they are already doing some good, but they have to put a woman with children begging in our office back on the street. It might be a bit of the same feeling to the man.

Great smiles and yes, a great lesson to be learned there...

Greetings! Dennis

hderin (596) 2007-08-22 5:01

Hello John,

Childeren = İnnocence...

Nazım Hikmet says one poem ;

I come and stand at every door
But none can hear my silent tread
I knock and yet remain unseen
For I am dead for I am dead

I'm only seven though I died
In Hiroshima long ago
I'm seven now as I was then
When children die they do not grow

My hair was scorched by swirling flame
My eyes grew dim my eyes grew blind
Death came and turned my bones to dust
And that was scattered by the wind

I need no fruit I need no rice
I need no sweets nor even bread
I ask for nothing for myself
For I am dead for I am dead

All that I need is that for peace
You fight today you fight today
So that the children of this world
Can live and grow and laugh and play

I wanted to share...

Best regards

Haluk Derinöz

batalay (21122) 2007-08-22 5:37

Hello John,

Fabulous package and photo highly poignant and endearing at the same time. The bookseller is obviously well read, having composed the message. In the tragedy of the Khmer Rouge cultural revolution those who were well read and generally more cosmopolitan were wiped out by these monster. How wonderful it is that this bookseller survived and went on to propagate.

I noticed that you had also reviewed the excellent photo of the Fraglioni in Capri, and cited my photo. Geoff's and mine make a complementary pair. Mine is from almost 2000 feet, and his from much lower.

Warm regards,

Bulent

sothy81 (8540) 2007-08-22 8:59

Hi John,

This is an amazing picture you captured here. Very nice to read all the words she has there. It tells all the stories there. This is a very new picture that we all never saw on TE before. Nice capture with the inclusion of the 2 little girls, showing that they are there to sell the books. An efficient composition. Well done.

Sothy

vincz (19043) 2007-08-23 0:28

I remember so well these children. i was there one year ago with my own children who were so touched by them. Great strong picture.

raptorboy0 (43) 2007-08-23 4:08

Great photo, the vertical post hiding the one child's eye really makes the photo. Also, I like the bookseller's eclectic selection of literature. Which book did you buy?

designsoul (21394) 2007-08-23 6:04

Hello John again,
a beautiful photo that tells way much more about the state of affairs than either the little children or the sign itself would. Together, there is a wealth of meaning in it: the children are smiling; they are free of the fears their father must be experiencing on a daily basis; they keep their beauty of celebrating life amidst hardships etc. The conjunction here is essential. You did a tremendous job doing that.
tc,
sasa

siolaw (25800) 2007-08-23 8:40

Hi John,
A funny compo with smile of the big girl hidden by the bar bur well perceptible second girl have nice smile too... a touching message that brings Nao some customers... They have become a little famous too now!
Interesting docu value
Laurent

kinginexile (2440) 2007-08-23 19:29

When I look at the children of Cambodia, I know there is something quite rotten about the world. That this country was left again to tyrants and greedy criminals, to divide the new spoils while people and kids are lacking in all necessities, not to speak human dignity, this is a stain on all of mankind.

There is absolutely no reason, why, with all the help and sympathy the country has received, for kids to be sick and destitute.

This is not india, this is Cambodia, a very small population. I have not met one cambodian (not the filthy rich) who was not deeply ashamed of his govnmt and feeling helpless by how corrupted and toughtless it is.

Now, people, to make temselves feel good, think they can send 20$ every month and everything will be rosy tomorrow....

Sorry for the tirade.

rbcy1974 (20746) 2007-08-24 3:50

Hello John
Very dramatic, i like the way you have included the sign to cover most of the frame as to simbolize how their hardship invades their lifes.
Regards
Daniel

woladorsky (804) 2007-08-24 6:26

Hi John!!

This is not a great picture when it comes to composition or colours but it is a superb photo that shows the reality!!

I like it a lot!!
Nice one

cheers
Rolando

tcht (7298) 2007-08-25 0:48

Hi John
very interesting and pleasant portrait especially with their smile. perhaps better if the older sister is not behind the bar but still an excellent documentary work.
Cheers
Cheukhin

pboehringer (770) 2007-08-25 8:51

Quite interesting post with your image and text, John. It always amazes me how kids have this ability to show their feelings so easily. I isn't just the smile but also the shyness that is there so well expressed including the fact that the older one even "hides" behind the bar. Your thoughts regarding Cambodia are truly appreciated, although I never went to any country in that area.
I also looked through the additional shots and looking at all three I have the impression that your first post of Nao is probably the better one photographically speaking. I don't want to elaborate more than that ...
Regards, Peter

Burberry1 (6041) 2007-08-25 14:28

Excellent notice!! Great cadrage, compo and a work of a good reporter!

Agnieszka

andante (7092) 2007-08-27 20:28

Their smile is so warm that touches the heart and soul of the viewer at a single glance... very good composition every element is carefully placed and cropped.
Cheers,
Enrique

dareco (17104) 2007-08-28 0:35

Such sweet expressions here, I especially like the little one. And an interesting story to go with it. TFS this moment in daily life.

ViktorVaughn (1517) 2007-09-19 19:33

I thought I recognized that younger girl, her smile is so strong. While a pretty simple scene, the smiles on the two girls make this ordinary photo stand out. They have many things to worry about but are always smiling.

I bought some books when I was there including "First They Killed My Father" which I noticed on the shelves, as well as "Life of Pi" a great book.

A good idea including the poster, but also the other elements of the sellers, and books themselves.