'They're Rioting in Kyrgyzstan . . . . '

The caption (title) of this photo reflects real events, and at the same

time echoes the first lines of a long-ago popular folk song, familiar

perhaps only to the oldest members of this service. Note the concerned

look on the reader's face and a similar look on the woman in the news

paper photo. Your ratings, critiques and remarks are invited and most

welcome. If you rate harshly or very critically, or wish to discuss,

please submit a helpful and constructive comment; please share your

photographic knowledge to help improve my photography. Thanks!

Enjoy! John

Fantastic expression. Character. Little distracted by the bench behind her back. Left arm slightly overexposed.  Great shot !

Thank you for the fine compliment.

Things such as benches behind in a 'crop as little as possible environment, where one wants to show the environment' are a mark of street.

If it offends, so be it.  That's what 'street' is all about; not setting things up in a one-fraction-of-one-second photo, as here.

And for her left arm, it's burned from the sun; she obviously is from the fields or country (viz. her manner and mode of dress), possibly 'in town' for the day.  Far from being burned in, it's shown correctly, with its burn or severe tanning.

I believe in as little manipulation as possible to get the point across and in framing in the camera whenever possible.  Life's simpler that way; if I have to frame in the digital darkroom I wonder whether I should just go out on the street with a camera and make a new and better photo of something else and chalk the one that 'didn't make it' up to experience.

But thanks for the well-intentioned suggestions; they're always welcome, whether accepted or not.

john

John (Crossly)

I misread your remark above as saying her left arm was 'overexposed', when in fact you said 'underexposed'. 

Frankly, with severe weathering/sun on the outer portion, I think I came pretty close to just about right.  It may be a little underexposed, and if I rework it, I'll experiment with that arm and pay special attention to it.

Sorry about the mix up.  I really do pay most careful attention to suggestions, and when I rework this (if I do) I will be certain to pay special attention to your suggestion about exposure on her left arm.  I do not believe I am infallible, and really am open to suggestions, as each one that has merit makes me just look that much better and shows off my images that much better which reflects all the better on me. 

john

John (Crosley)

The title (caption) derives from a ditty recited/sung by Orson Bean, humorist and comedian, about nuclear holocaust, as sung later by the Kingston Triio in their debut album, 'Live at the Hungri i' [New York City].

This is from Buzzflash.com about lyrics and their origin, which became emblematic of the '50s, '60s and part of the '70s when the nuclear threat prevailed over the world before the fall of the Soviet Union.

They're rioting in Africa (whistling)
They're starving in Spain (whistling)
There's hurricanes in Flo-ri-da (whistling)
And Texas needs rain

The whole world is festering with unhappy souls
The French hate the Germans, the Germans hate the Poles
Italians hate Yugoslavs, South Africans hate the Dutch
AND I DON'T LIKE ANYBODY VERY MUCH!!
But we can be tranquil and thankful and proud
For man's been endowed with a mushroom-shaped cloud
And we know for certain that some lovely day Someone will set the spark off
AND WE WILL ALL BE BLOWN AWAY!!
They're rioting in Africa (whistling)
There's strife in Iran
What nature doesn't so to us
Will be done by our fellow "man"

Originally written by Broadway lyricist Sheldon Harnick, who also wrote Fiddler on the Roof and Fiorello!, She Loves Me with composer Jerry Bock. This satire was introduced by Orson Bean in the 1953 revue John Murray Anderson 's Almanac. 

... by the Kingston Trio in a live performance recorded for their first in-concert album From the Hungry i LP 1959

[errata:  what nature doesn't 'do' not 'so' to us, penultimate line, apparently a typographical error]

It was the Kingtston Trio I was referring to as the Folk Group, in the request for critique.

john

John (Crosley