Kids in Africa

[Matatazela]

The attached posts were taken yesterday, while I was working, in the Msinga area of Kwazulu Natal, in South Africa. This area is one of the poorest that I have worked in. These are Zulu people, living in an area where I am busy with an environmental assessment of a road. They have no water, electricity or proper road yet, and no way of changing their circumstances.

I would appreciate any critique and - more importantly - your thoughts.

Regards

James

[Music to my eyes]

The light looks pretty harsh on both of them.......that's the time of the day I guess.......if you can, shooting in the shade can be a much better option rather than in direct overhead sunlight.
I'm not fond of the 'looking up at the subject' angle.......it's not flattering.....
I guess it depends what you are trying to communicate - there are no hard and fast rules, but often this angle can convey an intimidating attitude - you know, looking down at someone. The angle makes them look big and tall...... for kid photos, I don't think that fits, or at least, for me, in this photo it didn't give me a positive reaction.
The second photo (right) works better for me. A better angle, but I think I'd prefer to have the camera down at his level....Often, with a group of kids, it can look quite cute to have a whole bunch of kids looking up or poking their faces into the cameras - they enjoy doing this and their 'kiddiness' seems to be captured well on film/sensor. So perhaps a wider shot of the group of kids could be good too. Despite the big smile on the boy's (-I think) face, his eyes really convey a sense of seriousness........ not surprisingly....
All the very best with your work. I hope it brings them better quality of life.
And keep the pictures coming! Every shot will bring back a different memory.......

[Matatazela]

Thanks for that post. Yes, he is a boy, and yes, as with all these children, they carry more resposibility than they rightfully should have.

I also agree that the angles are not the most flattering and, as with you, it is our mid-winter with the harshest possible afternoon sun. I will definitely try the low-level shots. Someone else suggested a polarising filter to cut the very apparent glare from the brown skin which is more apparent (and responds to the polariser better) than on paler skin tones.

The girl was a very unhappy subject and I think that the way it is portrayed is about as positive as anything in her life, I am sorry to say. Even when the other kids laughed and joked at one another as they viewed the playback, she was distant and very difficult to engage with.

Thanks very much for your comments.