Despondent? I don't think so... I see strength in his eyes!

[ashish]

C&C Welcome

[Shadowman]

Very crisp conversion.

[bnnrcn]

The image makes me sad .

[James G]

Ashish,
I find this image striking and uncomfortable to look at. I keep wanting to understand something in it which I can't quite formalise.

This might be attributable to the very real differences between Indian and British 'storylines' which often accompany this type of image in both our cultures.

The colour version of this same image would have a very different tone, and I suspect would invite a somewhat different interpretation.

Congratulations on a remarkable portrait.

[IzzieK]

This shot may have a sad story by the way this boy looked at the camera. Shy perhaps? What a beautiful shot!

[ashish]

Ashish,
I find this image striking and uncomfortable to look at. I keep wanting to understand something in it which I can't quite formalise.

This might be attributable to the very real differences between Indian and British 'storylines' which often accompany this type of image in both our cultures.

The colour version of this same image would have a very different tone, and I suspect would invite a somewhat different interpretation.

Congratulations on a remarkable portrait.

Hi James,

I completely agree with you that interpretation of an image can vary vastly between cultures.

I took this shot during a recent photowalk to Dhobhi Ghat in Mumbai, India. Dhobhi Ghat is the world's largest laundromat with over 6,000 Dhobhis (washermen) cleaning clothes from customers all over Mumbai. This little frail boy came upto me and quietly stood there watching as i was shooting. I was unable to understand his expression and although he is poor and lives in a shanty, his eyes conveyed his resilience and hope for a better life. One thing i was sure of though - he had no fear in him.

[John 2]

Without going into the details, last evening at my photo club, I was present at a similarly moving presentation. The theme was that photography can become part of your life but very often some of the best results come from life being part of your photography. This epitomises that. Great image.

[TonyW]

This is a remarkable picture. It makes me want to see into his mind. He has such a determined look about him.

[flashback]

A very evocative image; sad, depressing, uncomfortable, off putting but yet so hard not to look at. A very strong image. Strong work!

[ashish]

This image has evoked a lot of emotions in people - a lot of them have written back to me with their own perspectives but with one thing common - no one was able to understand his expression to a surety. His expression is truly enigmatic!