Pensive and many mouths to feed

Taken many many moons ago in the Caribbean on BW film - probably Agfa. She and her husband had lots of kids. No electricity, no running water, no radio, no TV but enough fertile land to provide for many mouths. Through education, decent job and some other entrepreneur activities, this house has been replaced with a modern concrete abode with everything that was missing from this one. I know this family very well but prefer not to identify them and from which caribbean island.

They had little but I had much including a Retina reflex camera but they taught me how to have good clean fun without money. They taught me how to make a Go cart, spinning tops, kite, etc. I know it is a different world these days with Xbox, Apple products etc. I still like to take my grandkids to the park and play an exciting game of "what time is it Mr Wolf" and I love being the wolf (*_*).

PS took lots of time to get rid of some scratches and spots on this image.

When there is hope of improving your lot, then peace reigns. When there is no hope, then it festers.

A stunning b/w image and an inspiring narrative...  Mike

I love this shot and your narrative makes it all the more endearing.  I can empathise so much with your early days of play.  Hopscotch, spinning tops, bows and arrows made from trees, and a fertile imagination was all that was needed for entertainment.  I think they were healthier times in more ways than one. You must have had a gift for photography even back then!

Excellent Work!

Alf

PS: -  I wish it was up for rating it deserves a 7

Well composed and converted, great story here...

expression, skin tone, texture, composition.  all wonderful.  best, j

Hi Tony,

  Excellent b/w portrait with a very touching story to boot, it doesn't get any better than this.  Take care, Patsy

beautiful b & w Tony and now knowing the history behind the shot it becomes a story

bravo

cheers mick

Mike - thanks.

Alf - Thanks for your very high opinion of this image. Back then I really did not know what i was doing so one ended up with a few lucky shots. And today, I am still 'all over the map'. Yup - hop scotch, the game of marbles, bow and arrow. I almost lost an eye to a palm seed fired by a sling shot made from guarva wood and cut pieces of rubber  from the inner tube that used to be inside car tires. Oh well - 'those were the days'. but even though we enjoyed it and a good game of monopoly on a Saturday afternoon where sometimes we caught the banker with 'sticky' fingers, I have adapted to a good game of tennis or golf on the XBox and other modern facilities.

Vlad - thanks - much appreciated.

Jamie - glad you liked it.

Patsy - I usually like an image to stand on its own merit but I suppose the background helps. Thanks for stopping by.

Mick - I appreciate your recent visits to a couple of my images. I am glad that you enjoyed your visits.

Interesting story, good portrait and tones.

Your narrative tells us much more than I think you intended to reveal, but no matter, we know 'the man' you are Tony, and someone had to have instilled virtues in you that you would not have acquired otherwise. It is good to be thankful and remind ourselves of those who have taught us - what is good, and right, and sound. Morals that character are built upon. You do not have to be 'rich' monetarily in order to do this. You were one of the fortunate ones, very blessed, I would say. Your restorative efforts were well worth it. I imagine your grandaughters will or have enjoyed this image and the stories you can tell of that 'time'.

Thanks Gail - I took my granddaughters here this summer to see my birthplace and also to visit this location. This lady has passed, this house has been knocked down and a number of her children through the availability of education are now teachers, cab drivers, etc  with modern facilities. 

In the words of Paul Simon:

A time of innocence, A time of confidences.
Long ago it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories
They're all that's left you.

This is different for you Tony, but great. Composition and included environment make a really good photograph.

all my best, Bill

Bill  - it is good to hear from you and I hope all is well. The type of photos I was showing and uploaded is quite different to this one and that is why I put it up for critique only and to see if people are interested in or like this genre.

This lady is no longer with us but most of her children are and I keep in touch with them.  

Great shot and even better story ... I definitely love 'the look' you have captured ... thank you for sharing such an intimate story with the PN community

J Montgomery - Thanks for stopping by. I decided to assemble some images into a "Special folder' because these really mean something to me even though in at least 2 cases I don't know the people. One example is an unknown family with a child lying on the grass while the mother is taking a photo - highlighting some core principles in which I believe while 'waxing some nostalgia".  An example of people who I know is my younger sister in prayer with my niece. My sister was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was told there was no cure. Or the terminal Cancer patient and his wife encouraging me to take photos which I found difficult to do.

I invite you to visit this Special Folder.

Lovely composition and frame, like her dreamy expression.

Lovely composure and frame, great b/w image.