Every now and then, I come across a picture and it just grabs me and holds my attention for a very long time. It’s a picture that I never get tired of and a picture that makes me come back to it again and again and again. The above picture is one of those pictures. As an exercise, I have been taking the time to study images that I really like and asking myself “Why do I like this image? What about it is really striking a chord with me? What individual elements of the image contribute impact to the whole?” (As an aside, I would highly encourage you to do this exercise and you will see that by examining an image (shoot for 5 minutes per image) you will improve your ability to find your photographic style.) Here’s how this image speaks to me:
1) I believe even if this picture had been taken with a cheap disposable camera, it still would have had the same effect on me. If it had been out of focus or had a lot of noise, it wouldn’t have mattered. Here’s why: the story trumps equipment.
2) With the exception of the man’s mouth, you don’t see any full view of anybody’s mouth or eyes. Their expressions are hidden from you. Instead, you are invited and made to smile by the interaction before you. And moreover, you are made to imagine the wide grins that these children most likely are having. Isn’t it amazing? You don’t see them but you know they’re there!
3) I’m willing to bet that this is a priceless, joyful moment for the man. Does he care that the child is leaving fingerprints all over his camera? Does he care that the child is probably changing the settings on his camera? Does he care that the child is messing around with a camera body and lens that cost thousands of dollars? He would most definitely tell you “No!”
4) And what about the lady holding the toddler in the background? Shouldn’t the photographer have cropped them out or photoshopped them out? For me, they add to the story. Was it a mother or older sister enjoying the moment and laughing along? Or perhaps she was chastising them for bothering the man? And what about the toddler? Could you imagine this toddler just as interested and wanting to join in on the fun? It would have taken away from the image if this element was cropped out.
5) And the biggest reason why it speaks to me: I know the context of this picture. This summer, a group of photographers went to Tanzania to help with Thirst Relief International (TRI). The man in the picture is one of those photographers. TRI is a non-profit organization founded by Jim Hicks. TRI has the following mission statement: “Our mission is to overcome death and disease resulting from the consumption of contaminated water by providing safe, clean drinking water to those in need around the world.” It is humbling and sad to know that, according to the World Health Organization, 2.5 million people die each year from diarrheal diseases. Not only are many of them the result of contaminated water but 90% of these deaths are children under the age of 5. Yes, the picture above speaks a message of hope. Yes, it is a picture of hope for who would want any of these precious little angels to perish?
If this picture has spoken to you as it has me, would you consider supporting and giving to the work of TRI in this season of giving? You can go to their site here. TRI is doing great work and what a privilege it would be to take part in one of their many projects, by going or through donation. I like this anonymous quote, “The purpose of blessing is so that we can be channels of blessing and not the establishing of self.” During the holidays, it is my prayer that we will all be channels of blessing to others, near and far.
Wait!! What about that Mike Colon DVD? I bought an extra copy of his On Location in Toronto DVD as I anticipated some of you are not on Twitter or Facebook 24/7 and hence, missed out on his sale 
Here’s how to enter:
1) Leave a comment on what giving means to you and/or how photography has given to you.
2) Please retweet this blog post or mention it on your facebook profile. Thanks, everybody!
From the list of commenters I will do a random pick and announce the winner on Sunday night. And, of course, you are free to comment even if you already have the DVD
And many thanks to Phillip Glickman for such a captivating image. BTW, the man with the million dollar smile is none other than Mike Colon
Peace,
Riz
****Blog update: Phillip will give a 16×24 print of the above image to the lucky winner. Wow! Thanks, Phillip!
****Blog update 12/7/2009: And the lucky winner is…drumroll,please…Studio Laguna Photography! Congratulations, John and Katrina. Phillip and I will be contacting you soon. Thanks again, everyone, for participating and sharing with us what giving means to you. And remember to give to awesome causes like Thirst Relief International. Peace and blessings! -Riz
Wow wow wow. I saw this image on Mike Colon’s profile and did not take the time to really study it other than in passing. I love this image also. I love the smile on his face and the children playing. I can tell that this man is approachable, humble, and a giver.
1. To me: giving is not about whether or not it “counts” as a tax deduction. Its in giving even when no one is looking, no one notices, and maybe even the receiver does not know who gave. To me it is about unselfishly offering something of yourself (myself), your resources (my resources), motivated only by love. Giving is not about getting something in return, but rather its about caring for the needs (or wants) of others, at a cost.
2. On Twitter, my ID is kristi_crosson and it will be retweeted!
Love this picture too! I love that it gives such a picture to giving back through photography…that it’s even more than taking pictures-it’s impacting the world! Giving to me means seeing the world through God’s eyes, loving it all-even the harsh stuff-but knowing that you have the power to impact in a powerful way. Photography gives me a way to see that through the lens and capture all of its beauty.
What a great picture of Mike! I have been blessed that a photographer has taken pictures of my baby and our family for free. What an amazing gift to give someone. Giving a precious gift of photographs is breathtaking. That is why I just signed up to give a free photo session and photographs thru the website GIVING is AWESOME! I want to give back what someone has given to me, THE WORLD! Good luck to all those that enter the contest and thanks for giving something so wonderful!
Riz,
LOVE this! Thank you so much for taking time to care and to pass on the encouragement to give! $5 provides a lifetime resource of clean water to one person!!!!!!
Keep up the great work!
Jim
This picture is a reminder to us all of how generous the human spirit is, and as a result, brought forth the inevitable joyous innocence of these beautiful children, even if for a brief moment!
I love this photo! I also love that photography allows me to give people a collection of memories for them to share and hold on to forever. Once family has passed on we really understand the importance of a photograph and I feel extremely blessed that I have the opportunity to give that gift to someone else.
One truly awesome and fasinating fact about giving is that: when done from the heart, a pure heart without selfish ambition, motive and/or expectation of anything in return… the giver is always given back to 100 times fold and more. The photo above captures just that. I’m sure Mike Colon, Phillip Glickman and all those involved never expected to end up on the recieving side being blessed again and again everytime they gaze upon this photograph and recall this moment in time. Giving is truly a blessing to be recieved in disquise.
To put into words how photography gives to me is still hard. Like many of lifes truths not easily explained… I can’t explain it… I just know that I know that I know that it is.
Note: I also purchased the Toronto DVD during Mike Colon’s sale (Thank You Mike) so please don’t enter my name to win.
There is such joy in this image. It captures the curiosity and mischievous nature of the kids as well as their openness to strangers. Maybe he has gotten to know them, but it really seems like they just snuck up on him and grabbed his camera. The amazing thing is that this moment will probably stick with these kids into adulthood. How cool that someone simply letting children be children will have a positive impact.
I am so happy that these photographers helped such an amazing cause. For something that we take for granted. Giving is all about selflessness. It is so easy to turn off the news or away from the computer and ignore that there are children in the world that are dying from lack of clean water. But these photographers brought exposure to this cause and with a giant smile on their faces. There small act can save many lives. How amazing is that?
Though it isn’t as valliant of an effort, I constantly try to give photography to people who can’t afford it. To give them a beautiful image of their children or parents warms my heart. I often photograph events for charities and donate portrait sessions. And the more you give, the more addicting it becomes. I wish I could do more! Photography is preserving history and documenting beautiful moments…I love having a job with such impact.
So nicely said my friend, this image is so powerful and reminds of the joy of photography, of caring for people and humanity!
and what TRI is doing is incredible, hope to be able to contribute soon
I absolutely LOVE this image as well. ALthough I never took the time to truly LOOK at it until now. Thank you so much for your post. It alone has inspired me!
This image is exquisite because you can see the joy of giving and receiving. It is obvious that it is both ways and it is an insipration to be a giver. I wish i had made the sale off FB, I missed it by a very narrow margin.
wow. i love everything about this image! the joy, the emotion, the laughter that is taking place makes you feel as if you were there.
and what a great organization as well!
What a great exercise – thanks! The fact that mike was blinded, listening, and smiling was what drew me in the most I think.
I remember when I first saw the image of Mike Colon with the children. I kept going back to it, and as I looked at it, I couldn’t stop smiling. It still has that affect on me. When I look at that image, I think about how happy those children are and how happy Mike looks. What a beautiful moment. I can imagine that the joy those children seem to live with, is contagious and therefore, wish I could be there with them just to be in that moment!
[...] and he also teaches professional photographers all around the world. He is constantly giving back globally with his photography through organizations such as Thirst Relief. Recently, I was given a [...]