This looks to me like the actors milling around backstage, waiting for some kind of performance to begin. If the picture is part of a larger photo essay, it may be very good for just that reason. But if it is supposed to stand on its own, I find it to be dramatically incoherent. As a stand-alone picture, it looks like a failure to make something with impact out of a visually rich opportunity. To my eye, it's scattered material that doesn't interact.

Excellent documentary photo. It would be great to know more about the situation.

Once again a lack of a title makes this what-looks to be an excellent photograph, difficult to judge. Landscapes, cityscapes, street, sport and abstract shots can do without titles, although they are usually improved by having one, but documentary shots usually require them.

With or without a title or any explanation an excellent photo per se. The gestures made by the people gathered around the fire(?) let us suppose they are witnesses to a dramatic or tragic event but it might well be a far more trivial incident. The frame is filled with intense emotions, although the POV helps the viewer to separate from the crowd and become a more objective observer. A very good, expressive shot from an inspiring yet underappreciated portfolio.

I tend to agree with John. There is some documentary value to the image as a result of many of the people holding their hands on top of their heads as if they are expressing great dismay. The person standing above the fire, whose arm seems to be moving and whose mouth is open, may be recounting the possibly tragic event(s) which may be responsible for this gathering. To me, the nearness of the inner ring of people to the fire is a strong element, possibly because the reason(s) for their gathering may outweigh the potential harm the fire may cause.

As most of the other comments below indicate, this in general a very strong photograph compositionally and technically. In addition, the photo draws me in - as I am wondering what is being conveyed by the standing man gesturing with his hands- what are the circumstances and also more generally, are these men in a place of work, are they refugees, have they been made homeless by some catestrophic event? These latter points are features of a compelling photograph to me. I certainly would like to know more- at least a title and/or some circumstantial context, but this is upto Alisharam- does he fill us in on the meaning or are we left to draw our own conclusions or fantasy. There are elements that remind me of a Sebastian Salgado photo- gold mine workers. Excellent photo my friend.

A unique photograph, to placed alongside of the Great photographers as pointed out above, that is, the most excellent quality, the like of Sebastian Salgado. Powerful, compelling, and definitely worth publishing with a not of the event taking place. Congratulations. DG