mum, a photo from Gujarat, West

Photographer's Note

I dedicate this post to Kev, or rather his mother.

For those who know me, they will understand how much my pictures are driven by my emotions..especially feelings which relate to my parents. I have spent the past few years trying to get to know my parents on a level which I previously felt was impossible. I always envied my western friends who seemed so relaxed in their parents company - something I never had. It has been difficult to understand why their ideas differed so much from my own..its a cultural thing. I am still trying to understand it, but its slowly starting to make sense.

Kev is an extraordinary individual who has brought a lump to my throat through his writings and observations. He is one of the individuals on this site who is able to tap into one's sensibility, thus almost liberating one's voice in this incredible medium.

I thank you Kev's mum, for Kev, who has touched my soul many times with his thoughts, words and actions towards myself and others all over the world..not just through the internet, but in person. I'm sure Mrs. Ryan was one remarkable woman.

designsoul, MiguelP, bhardwajkapil78, anes_lc, Clairedelune, luisafonso, bantonbuju, Glint, markoci, chc, prezntime, alonsote, nicoz has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

MiguelP (14470) 2007-08-27 5:44

What a wonderful tribute to both of them! The note, the photo... Iґm speechless. Take care.

designsoul (17843) 2007-08-27 5:47

What a moving tribute to Kev's mother this is, Kaj. In fact, this is to me like a Caravaggio painting, the rich colours in a scene of utter drama--the way the children are surrounding their sick/sleeping mother in the tiny poor space is so moving I am fighting tears... And then that white cloth towards which the boy is looking--it becomes a dove, perhaps the spirit of the mother... tremendously powerful, gripping. The depth of your colours yet again is striking... I read that Steve McCurrie really learnt about light and dark in India... and I can see that happening with you too... a knowledge I am so far from but something that dazzles me.

A very beautiful tribute, dear Kaj.

take good care
sasa

[2]

rozy975 (3047) 2007-08-27 5:59

Beautiful is the only word I can find.

bhardwajkapil78 (486) 2007-08-27 6:15 [Comment]

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anes_lc (14968) 2007-08-27 6:29

kaj...i am impress...by the picture,by the story by the emotion you create with this shot...and by all your galery i could say.
great tribute kajal
my best regards,anes

Preetie (433) 2007-08-27 7:04

Hi Kajal,
The pic and the note leave me speechless..

Thanks
Preetie

Clairedelune (4923) 2007-08-27 8:21

Hello Kaj,
Indeed, a great photo for Kev... Very touching...
It is very difficult for me to say why I love this photo. How could I say such an idiocy as "beautiful colors", even though I am truly loving the colors here?
Their postures... It is what strikes me the most here. The opened hand of the mother, the closest to the left frame... And the son wrapping his mother with his left hand, eyes close. And the little one, like an angel above, looking towards the light source coming from the left. Somehow, he reminds me the guy in the photo for the promotion of the movie "Birdy" many years ago... I just wish his face was not blurred. Even that white cloth hanging from I don't know where has its place in the whole picture. And, needless to say that the shadows here play an essential part.
It might not be the most incredible photos I saw from you, but it is one of the most powerful one in terms of emotions. It is pure emotion...
And a meaningful photo... Thanks Kaj for that.
As for the relations between parents and children, I will only say that it is not always "so relaxed", even for westerners...
Claire

Darren (6823) 2007-08-27 8:26

This is fantastic Kaj, right up with your very best. Beautiful light and it is really great how everything is pushing our eyes to the left. Nothing to suggest or nitpick, excellent. Touching note too.

veronika (6058) 2007-08-27 8:35

Hello Kajal,
first of all i like this picture, which is so touching and secondly your note is nicely written, filled with emotions.
Very nice, take care
Vero

wolf38 (30) 2007-08-27 9:01

The dramatic style element of this photo and the emotional description of the relations among themselves are impressing. As an important photographer said: everything that I have to say, is contained in my photo. Best regards, Wolfgang.

motylanoga (72) 2007-08-27 10:35 [Comment]

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luisafonso (862) 2007-08-27 13:52

Thanks for sharing a tear with me with this sensitive photo of yours... I am speechless my dear Kaj. You really are one of kind. Just like Kev and his beautiful mother. May God bless the three of you.
l.

ninaL (21348) 2007-08-27 16:37

OOOOOOOOO !!!
I am crying with this one...
really...
My mother has gone when I was 4...
Then, she dead when I was 12...
It makes me a very strong effet.....
OOOOOOOOO !!!

Polonaise (5802) 2007-08-27 17:55

You and your camera Kaj, are taking us in the world of ultimate intimacy.
Do you realize that we even not suppose to see these pictures...(???)
Yes, dear Kaj...
It is close... Closer than anyone else on this site can deliver....

Bow my head low

g.

bantonbuju (51815) 2007-08-27 18:00

god bless both your humanity, kaj, and your photographic skills...
noone could put it in better words than you did...
tc, j.

Glint (6171) 2007-08-28 10:59

Oh Kaj,
don't, don't...there is just too much tenderness and pain to bear in one upload. I hope you can come to a completer understanding of your Mum before too long.For me it was too late...too late...
Bev

batalay (41261) 2007-08-29 20:24

Hello Kajal,

What a compelling shot, complemented by an engaging note. The composition and perspective, and the colors and resolution are all exquisite in the photo. This photograph is an eloquent statement for available light photography. Well done.

Warm regards from Virginia,

Bulent

KevRyan (22956) 2007-08-31 4:02

Thankyou so much for such kind words Kaj - in so many ways our parents make us even before we ever realise - so much to thank them for - in what they give us but also in the challenges they present to us and the things we end up kicking against to find ourselves and our own way.

You know what i think of this image already and i am very deeply touched and honoured that you chose this image as your dedication.......tears in my eyes my friend.....I am so please to read the comments above from people with the eyes to see.

Mum was a remarkable woman....and as I'm discovering more than I ever realised.

Kev

sidstakes (772) 2007-09-02 1:29

i have seen this photograph before, it is beyond me to comment on this one, but i can only mumble on the feelings it evokes...it is so very powerful and maddeningly intimate that every time i see it i discover something new and my feelings attain newer heights of numbness...

rbcy1974 (20758) 2007-09-06 0:33

Hello Kajal
What a nice tribute
very beautiful low light providing an intimate sense to this scene, very well done
Congratulations on your exhibition.
Regards
Daniel

prezntime (3946) 2007-09-14 17:08

Hello Kajal.

It took me some time to find the words to respond to this photograph. Your work is inspiring and always engaging.
I may be weak at this time but I can't contain the emotion that this shot coupled with your note brings to mind. Sadness, yet joy at having been able to see the miracle of a mothers love and its direct influence over your shots and Kev's brilliant mind.
Touching, candid and alluring in such beautiful light. I'm amazed by your sensitivity, and I can only hope to meet someone with so much care as yourself.
Chris.

ommishra (1160) 2007-09-23 12:24 [Comment]

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aralda (1240) 2007-09-27 4:46

This image is so touching!
As Sasa remarked, there is something about the posture of everyone involved and the quality of the light which is "tremendously powerful, gripping."
Great tribute!
Raluca

Luan (12971) 2007-10-11 13:04

WOwo, a moving scene, the dark light increase the mood you want to hilight !
A fantastic picture !
Luan

marietom (34611) 2007-10-17 2:51

Hi Kajal,

Une image pleine d'йmotion et de magnifiques couleurs.
Marie

ARGI (3456) 2007-11-05 23:38

Dear Kajal
This painting is excellent !
The light draw a dramatique and sensitive atmosphere. The same time is a very strong composition.
Of course after 695 viewers my comments are so poor.
Regargs
Argyris

syrus_persia (2270) 2008-07-02 2:20

hi
good compo and colors.Thank you for shearing.
bravo ...
syrus