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One thing that I find interesting is that the truck is hardly recognizable as such, except for its wheels. At first glance, it resembles something else, maybe a head of hair. So while we wish for more definition witht he people on top, perhaps that would lessen the image. The initial mystery of what it is, followed by discovery upon inspection that it is a great mass of humanity, piled with their belongings on top of a truck, is part of the appeal of this image. Compositionally, perhaps including the entire shadow from the truck would have been good, but then again the space in front of the truck is important, too. I'd be interested in seeing some of the other images that Dieter has of this truck.

A correction from me too. ''We CAN'T any longer say''

 

I think the photograph has greater impact because it has isolated the truck in ''middle of nowhere'' which causes the viewer to look for reference points to establish where this extraordinary transport is heading and where has it appeared from. There is something surreal about the bizzare arrangement of luggage and people on this moving thing which can hardly be identified as a truck so mishapen is it with pasengers and their belongings.

I agree that pictures like this if Dieter are essential for us all grasp the urgent need of

understanding the living conditions of other people in the global village. A first step for such

understanding is however that we liberate ourselves from our homemade ideologies and

readymade solutions.

 

Such pictures do not offer any solutions, but they surely provoke a questioning. We can help

each other, here on Photonet, to improve our abilities of "reading" such photographic scenes

to extract as many bits of information from them as possible.

Certainly, I have nothing to add as to it's composition or dynamic range. It's well handled.

It's a very evocative & dynamic photo. I prefer the color version though. I think it shows more detail than the B&W, even in the large version.

Superb shot, lovely tones, pinpoint sharpness, and above all, a great commentary on the human condition.

Wow! THAT's a good load capacity! :D

 

I like the B&W (haven't seen the color version). I think this one is better... somehow it tells a story better letting you see and differenciate all the persons and packages.

 

After seeing the other two I would love to see more space on the left, but I assume that there could be distracting objects or something (Am I right?)

Outstanding image and very well executed. Make me remember my times in India...

Has an echo of the Joad family (Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath, ( movie version of 1940 image )cross country slog,Model A truck, tenant farmers expelled from homes in Oklahoma during the dust bowl of the 30's and carrying all their possessions on a dangerously overloaded truck down Route 66 to promise of jobs in California.

 

Your photo is impressive, Dieter. One would perhaps like an up-closer peek at the human "freight", how the bicycle is strapped on,etc. I don't know how you would do that, but it was my first reaction. Interesting to say the least. gs

HI Dieter, as I wrote in the PN critique section this shot so much reminds me of a famous and gritty story of the late 30s- The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. A sharecroper family migrates with all their worldly goods across country in an overloaded Ford Model A truck,which, like a gasping beast, breaks down often but gets them to their "promised land," central valley of California. That was black and white image that came to mind and it just caught me with the echo of the story.

 

Makes one seek to look closer at the people and their stories. (What one does to make a dollar/ euro to feed the kids.Interesting shot,Dieter, gs

tm's postprocessing does help make the people more apparent and pushes this to an even higher level IMO. A great shot to 'play' around with,and worth the effort. Best,gs

You have very impressive portfolio!

The photo of Touaregs is impressive and interesting because I see one moment in their lives. Of course, I don't know anything about their culture and the way they live. But this decisive moment tells me they are happy and content like other savages, but in a different way.

 

They put their things and themselves on a truck, just like that, saying: "That's the living (leaving)!"

You did very impressive documentaristic photo!

I give 7/7!

What happened to all the posts in this thread? Have they been censored? There were lots of posts and comparison made with the Dust Bowl exodus of the 30's.

What exactly is going on??

Fantastic moving! :) Hope they all will get a better life there where they going.

Great photo...7/7

when gas costs $50 per gallon...this is our future..

 

dig the bike barely hanging on the back there....bet the owner is thinking, "I'd be better off peddling across this sand box"

 

you know the joke:

 

Q. - how many (3rd world country of your choice) can fit into a (compact car of your choice) ?

 

A. - all of them!

 

oh yeah....nice shot!!

Nice shot !!!

This is an amazing photo! So many people (and details) crammed into one tiny spot in the desert and everything else is completely barren. A very thought-provoking and aesthetically pleasing shot.

Great photo!!!!

I think I prefer the more distant shot (DSC_0143 swr.jpg).

 

This one is obviously a bunch of folks and stuff on a truck. DSC_0143 swr.jpg looks more like some mysterious desert flower or bush - much more surreal.

Simply brilliant!

Incredible picture that shows realities that some people have to live with. I can't help to think of the luxuries I enjoy, like owning my own car and laptop computer.

 

It takes a shallow soul to look at this only to come up with a joke.

Awesome. I can't help but stare at it in amazement that all those people are on that truck!

 

stunning ! bith the image and the scene.

The same overloaded truck [or so it appears] is on page 39 of the April 2008 issue of National Geographic. It was shot by Pascal Maitre and is part of a story on Niger.