Mother

[PiroStitch]

A recent capture on the streets of HK

HK Streets by livetheshot, on Flickr

[zafra52]

...and a very good candid capture it is too. I like the black and white because
it removes unwanted distraction and force you to concentrate on the scene.
Good composition with the eyes of the child, in the right area to direct the
viewer's to the gazing adult looking straight at the camera with a serious almost
expressionless face assessing the situation in front of her and wondering whether
to smile or getting angry at the unwanted the intrusion of the stranger with a
camera. You could have titled it "Wait a moment". Your photo tells a story.

The kids all enthusiastic about getting mum to buy them some trifle and she
wondering...how the heck do I get out of this one... wait a minute, who is
that dude doing pointing that camera at me...?

Your photo immediately reminded me of all the begging, cajoling and annoying
child behaviour I had when I wanted my mum to buy me some toy or sweet, it
did not stopped till I got it. It was all a matter of getting mum embarrassed in
public till the poor woman would gave up. Ah, the things you remember, as you
grow old...

[ozimax]

Good shot Piro. Was the mother annoyed with your taking the shot? (BTW I'm not having a go at you for the image. I do it all the time when I'm in Asia. Just interested to know how you got on:))

In Thailand I would often ask for a photo from a family/kid/mother/whatever. They are usually very obliging, and I usually give them some cash to brighten their day! It's definitely a different culture to HK.

[gstark]

I love the mono treatment - it's been very well applied here - but moreover, I'm looking at the expressions on the faces, and in the child I see joy, while in the adult I'm seeing an air of arrogance and defiance.

I love it.

[PiroStitch]

Thanks Zafra. You pretty much nailed my reason for shooting nowadays, triggering some sort of memory for others.

Ozimax, no qualms from the mum. She wasn't aware I was there as I walked past. I can't disappear that quickly into a crowd as I'm 3" taller than most here. She didn't chase me or anything. Paying for a portrait is not something I would do as it tends to have further consequences for others down the road. It might make life harder for other travellers down the road with being hassled and such. Just my perspective and what I tend not to do. If you feel more comfortable doing it, who am I to say anything about it

Thanks Gary. I saw the young mother as being controlled by her kids by the way they held her hand and with an expression that she wished she was somewhere else, almost as if this wasn't the life she signed up for..