"Damaged Goods"

The expression on this old doll's face is so poignant and I wonder

about the little girl that left it behind......

Grim. I'm always pulled to images such as this. A great find and photo.

I like the composition and exposure of this image....they go good together...I think I am begining to understand you better now....?! Fun shot...juan

Helluva shot, Susan. Eerie, startling, sad, and very well made. Regards, Joe

What a great image. Poignant, and, yet humorous at the same time. I'm curious, what was the record title and artist?

Sometimes, we as photographers, create an image that resonates with ourselves on a personal level, I keep looking at this and it seems there's a strong message in that abandoned doll's startled look, but she hasn't spoken to my heart yet. Is my fascination with it because of the mutilation and or is it a form of voyeurism to gaze upon something so sad and neglected?! Is it ART? What is the story it tells? So many questions when I step out of my usual "safe box" photographically. So you think you know me Juanito......

Wonderfully disturbing image and just in time for all that Xmas shopping for dolls. Beyond the message or the art/not art ? issue -- this is a very well composed photo, quite the circle motif you've got going here and the lighting is great. Sometimes it can be illuminating to take a step away from our usual approach and choice of subject and see what it may tell us and others. I applaud the fact that you are always seeking out new photographic horizons.

 

In terms of story told , this speaks to me of the ravages of time as well as the character that time imbueds.

Susan, you are a sick person and in need of help. I'll be there in the springtime to see if I can help you be even more creative in taking such great images.

 

I am sooo envious!

This is one of those images that was pure luck, I was driving around the ranch putting out salt and mineral for the cows and I've driven by this old homestead many times but never took the time to explore it. Fortunately, on this day, I was packing my new little P&S with me, I'm amazed at the lighting 'cause it was dark and dingy in there and the flash had to fire of course to capture the image. The colors are spot on for the subjects, accidently good....

It is only a doll, but it is a startling image Susan.It is very well composed , and hard for me to look at .

I think Pnina for most women this will be a hard image to contemplate, yet it's somehow eeriely fascinating. Thanks for the visit.

Hello Susan, It's time to send this poor little thing to the doll hospital. I always find it a bewildering thing that a broken, damaged, or mistreated baby doll holds so much emotion for me and obviously others. You would think that it would appear as any other disposable good but they somehow are not. Perhaps the representation is too close to the innocence of an actual baby. Anyway, these appearances of damaged dolls always leave me troubled. Seems they stand out in disaster photos of floods, fires, and other tragedies. They seem tied to poverty and misery as well. Anyhow, good job in presenting an effective image. Well I must depart to see one of your beautiful landscapes or something now to clear my mind. I do think that you have a powerful image here. Hope all is going well for you and yours. ~Sky

As already noted, this is both hard to look at and hard to look away. A psychoanalyst would have a field day with the reactions to the image. Somehow I get the impression that the image "needs" to be seen, as if it has a life or message of it's own. Best Regards, Jerry

Ya, she's kinda hard to look at but I keep coming back for more. I brought her home with me, she was so fragile that her other hand fell off, I'm not sure I can bring myself to photograph her again, in fact I have a hard time even touching her.....poor baby.

I agree with Sky. I think he's got it. My first reaction was "EEWWWW!!!"

Yes Kim, Sky said it from the heart and he's so right, we often see discarded dolls in News photos, that's 'cause they do illicite an emotion and fascination from the viewers......sells papers.