Akha girl, carrying her young brother, a photo from Louangnamtha, North

Photographer's Note

This young Akha girl is carrying her young brother on her back.

In Akha villages, children up to 2, sometiems 3 years are always carried by someone, be it brother or sister, mother or father, or grandfather or grandmother. But in daytime in working season, it usually is the slightly older siblings, too young to go work in the ricefields, but old enough to look after the young ones. I took her photo in the house of the headman of Ban Namat Gao, then a days walk from the road from Luang Namtha to Muang Sing in 2003.
The village, on order from government, was shifted to the road two years later. The village as it was, doesn't exist anymore.
For more on Akha or these villages, see http://kees.zenfolio.com

kevinos, AROBN54, fabianfred has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

kevinos (7517) 2007-10-07 8:05

This picture makes use of an amazing and wonderful light. Pictures of the Akha are very common, but the dramatic and sensitive light makes this one special. Normally one doesn't like subject looking straight into the lens, but these have such a easy and frank regard.If anything, the face of the child may be just a shade over exposed for the balance of the whole, but it a tiny point and only worth mentioning becasue the rest is so perfect.

mdetay (4929) 2007-10-07 8:15

Hi Kees,
Well done, excellent light. Perfect work.
Congratulation.
Cheers.
Michel

kerim (550) 2007-10-07 8:18

hi kees,
different point of view in life
good compozition

congratulations

AROBN54 (11475) 2007-10-07 8:41

Outstanding portrait, Kees.
The lighting is phenomenal. Your colors are so natural and clear and the details are razor sharp. I like the way you can even see the texture of their garments. I like the composition with their two heads at different heights and their expressions. Well done! Thanks,
Shelly

aveloza (32) 2007-11-03 9:44 [Comment]

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dlrz4114 (214) 2011-10-30 9:37

Hello Kees,

Very impressive photo, the penetrating stare of the kid contrasting with the softer eyes of the girl makes one wonder if in a short time he will be taking care of her ... I also like the dodge/burn work, is more subtle on the girl and much stronger on the boy making him looks tougher. composition wise I would have crop the wood wall on top about half to make the image impact even stronger ... Thanks for sharing this nice photo.

Regards,
Daniel

akh (277) 2012-03-10 0:19

Dear Kees,

This is really a lovely portrait. They both have strong looks which beside the quality and composition, made it an outstanding shot.

Congrat!

Azadeh