Troubles by Gianluca Di Santo

Tuesday, 11th March 2008

Troubles

by Gianluca Di Santo

In a small and remote village of nothern Nigeria.

Equipment: Rolleiflex 3.5T - film kodak portra160NC

Gianluca Di Santo

Reportage documentary filmmaker and photographer for the White Tara Productions, an independent non-profit organization producing documentaries about social issues.

www.whitetara.org

18 Comments

Cheri Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 1:35 am
What a beautiful, yet dramatic profile of this precious child–her mood is so well captured!
Andreea Teodorescu Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Impresssive photo…
Anurag Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Why are we so obsessed with images of suffering children from poor countries. It was OK when such images were first shown to the world. Now everyone knows about them. …… Where is the action?? Their state has remained the same through the decades since.
Pauline Jones Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 9:26 am
A troubling picture indeed.
Keith Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 10:00 am
A very poignant image. Imagine if this was your child or grandchild. It would hurt, wouldn’t it? This is one of those images that speaks more than words can ever tell. Well captured. Nice to know Portra film, like Velvia, is still available and used in these days of digital.
Ann Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am
It does not say why she is troubled,it could be for many reasons. Perhaps this is left to the viewers imagination. Anyway I ditto Keiths comments and feel that images like this should remind us that these children are innocent victims of their circumstances. If we are left unaware they are in danger of being forgotten.
Reuben Chircop Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Very meaningful photo, impressive shot.
a. Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Amazing. I wonder what this girl is thinking.
IonBuck Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Powerful portrait!
Eli Shams Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I like the D.O.F more than all, it gives depth the image for real…
Renee Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
It is indeed a good photo! Im sure there is lots of reason behind this photo..some we know some we dont!
Ellie Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Why do the children suffer the most? At least it seems that way. A successful photograph, it has conveyed deep sadness to me. This shows deep rooted dispair.
Joanne Stewart Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
This picture makes me feel sadness and blessings, all at once. I wonder if she’s hungry or if she is miserable because of infestations of sorts we don’t know about, or even think about. It should make us feel very blessed and thankful. We are all very fortunate! Thanks for sharing this great portrait with us. And God bless you.
Pieter -sAner- van der Horst Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
The sadness of the little girl is well captured, but I find the subject too centered.
Ellen Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Perfect. And my heart is breaking for all of the reasons already posted.
Charles Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 4:28 am
Interesting, I like the photo, but why do we assume that the girl is troubled? I mean, other than the title given by the photographer? I’m not trying to make light of the plight of suffering children around the world, but it seems to me just as likely that she is not “troubled” but merely thinking or otherwise preoccupied. Perhaps in the moment the photograph was taken, her expression looked somewhat troubled. But why do we assume that she is suffering?

I only say this because I wonder what the general reaction would have been if the photo had been titled “Contemplative” or just a general “Nigerian Child.” Or if the photo had been snapped while the child was smiling. All photos are calculated, of course, but the addition of the very leading title almost forces us to see the child as troubled and/or suffering.

Again, I’m not denying that children are indeed suffering, and that something should be done about it. Just some food for thought.
Gianluca Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Thanks to everybody for your comments.

Actually my intentions with this photo were to show a child with her little-big thoughts and “troubles”. Common gestures for different people and cultures around the world.
She lives in a remote rural village and her life is very simple, but in general she was not suffering…
Anyway, it is always very interesting to hear the different opinions and emotions that can be inspired by a picture.
Thanks again.
Jay Says:
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I think photos like this one reminds us to pray