faysal

Yes, my use of prostitute was chosen as a more PC version of the other word I may have used.
Let me clear up before anyone may get the wrong idea, that I'm not calling the girl on the left one. I am simply stating that at one point, someone will place something on the distasteful side. I was essentially trying to make the following analogy girls on right: girl on left :: girl on left:prostitute.
Its been a while since I had to do those, but I think I got the format right!

Saad, I find most of the negative critique comes from people who don't understand the shot. Because they say "I don't see what is so special." Leslie points out the places you can see this happen, and still doesn't enjoy it.
I've personally seen this happen numerous times in Syria and in Lebanon. In fact, Beirut is a testament to American prudeness in some cases!
I will say, its just as humorous and interesting each time I see this happen.
What makes this photo unique is not just the juxtaposition, but the laughing at it by the subjects themselves.
Sure you could shoot a Hasidic jew walking to the synagogue on the sabbath, and happening to pass in front of a McDonalds. It wouldn't be the same though. Unless, possibly, if said Hasidic jew is thumping his head and appearing to say to himself, "why did i go this way?!"
I'm shocked by the utter lack of focus that the dislikers had on the details:
Look at the skirts and the pants, they're wet. They were having fun in the water, seemingly just with their legs dangling in. They are walking back, seemingly uphill away from the water, as a bikini clad woman is running down. They are trying not to laugh at the bikini clad woman with the tramp stamp.
The hijab wearers do not at all have the look of, I wish I could do that. These women likely have the thought, "what a skank!" in their head. I'm not sure why people assume that these women are oppressed and hate their lives and want to wear nothing in public. If you are out and about with your friends, having a good time, and walk past what clearly is a prostitute, you would possibly have the same reaction. Do you wish you could be as free to sell your body for sex? If you do, then wow, but you likely do not.
Also, the bikini clad woman is shot head on, how do we know she's not of the same people, just a different religion? In the levant and turkey there are many "aryan looking" people, without dye jobs or contacts. I was born blonde myself, and I'm of turkish/syrian descent.
Anyhow, they are living side by side, clearly with cultural differences with no real problems. Sure they are laughing, but that is as peaceful as it gets! The woman on the left can go around with her "I do what I want" mentality, and the ones on the left can go around with their "I respect myself" mentality and all seems to be well.

I enjoyed what seems to be some post processing burning, but if you took it this far, might you consider the contrast of the eyes? They have a tad bit of haze in them.

Still though, this looks like it should be a magazine cover. Great subject and well done.