When the Rain Finally Stops by Jonathan Munshi

Sunday, 7th September 2008

When the Rain Finally Stops

by Jonathan Munshi

I felt lazy. After spending two grueling days in rural Bangladesh, shooting, I just wanted to stay in and recharge, despite the little voice in my head insisting that I go out and shoot. Late in the afternoon, it began to rain. I couldn’t resist the voice anymore. I grabbed my camera and ran out into the street to take some rain shots. But the rain quickly subsided. Walking along one of back streets adjacent to a slum, I found this little girl in an alleyway, still wet from the recent deluge but now freshly dressed. She stood in ankle-deep water from the rain, and the overflowing sewer that ran along the length of the alley behind her.

Equipment: Nikon D300, Zoom-Nikkor 16-85mm VR

Jonathan Munshi

I am an amateur photographer, currently residing in Bangladesh.

20 Comments

Js Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 1:18 am
this shot is mysterious, beautiful and inspiring. keep up the outstanding work
jacques bégin Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 2:54 am
Not much to say but the overwhelming feeling of imbalance caused in major part by religious fanaticism and aging of nations incapable shedding so many meaningless traditions accumulated during centuries that took away remembrances of what it was to be a young looking forward nation. I wish that little girl to be a happy women in a world where sex is no more a discriminating factor.
Katherine Lee Strassburg Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 3:32 am
She is exceptionally beautiful, but she is standing in a place that will sully and ultimately erode all her potential. Quite a thought-provoking photo. Someone obviously loves her enough to provide beautiful dry clothing! Maybe there will be a ray of hope after the rain stops.
TomBrooklyn Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Quite normal to stand in sewage in that neighborhood. She’ll likely be fine.
Roland Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 7:11 am
I am delighted that life in Bangladesh is being documented by such an outstanding talent. Hope that Jonathan continues his good work.

Roland
FIRAS Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 7:27 am
It is good to stop from time to time and look at a normal picture like this one, but if we zoom our minds and focus our imaginations waw it is very calm it makes me relief,
SANTANU CHATTERJEE Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 7:29 am
VERY GOOD
Malta Photography Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Photographically speaking its a great shot full of meaning. The girls’ expression is unique and the contrasting colors of her clothing with the wall is superb. And the water flowing beneath her is just perfect.
Keith Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 8:50 am
In essence I follow the sentiments of jacques bégin above. Such reportage photography should stir the heart of every human being into action against all forms of poverty,discrimination, and greed. Sadly it will not, as most of us here in the west rest comfortable in our beds and are far more concerned about our own minor personal problems and needs. This child will be another of the forgotten ones in a day or two, but like Jaques, I wish her well for the future. Nice reportage image.
planet lover Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Beautiful child. I hope her small body has all the defenses she needs to survive. There are so many people living in conditions like that — and worse! I would have liked less wall and water and more child. But it is a good picture.
Sam Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I lived in Bangladesh for three years. They are a happy people whose country floods every year at this time. The floods cause problems and hardships and moments where streets become rivers. They also nourish the land and make it one of the most fertile countries on the planet. This child is beautiful, not tragic. Her country is rapidly developing, not collapsing. This photo captures a beautiful moment, not a sad one. Come on… let’s get off our western, mylifeismuchbetterthanhers pedestal and realise that actually our supermarket, TV, packaged lives are actually not the ideal to be dreamed of by all the little “poor” children in the world. If we don’t tell her she’s suffering… well, who knows, maybe she won’t.
a. Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
This is a beautiful and inspiring photograph. Her expression is amazing. Great job.
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
That inner voice was certainly worth hearing, to have found this beautiful child & give all of us a heart stimulant.
Thank you.
Pradyoth Kumar Chakraborty Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
This photograph silently speaks a lot. The true essence of photography is there.
Laurie Says:
September 7th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
So beautiful and so sad…
Chamika Says:
September 8th, 2008 at 2:35 am
A very thought provoking image. Thank you for sharing.
Anurag Says:
September 8th, 2008 at 7:15 am
I fully agree with Jacques and much of what has been said. It is the politics which is to be blamed in most situations.

Technically I would have shot the same image from a lower vantage point ( probabl crouching down on the toes), and would have gone much closer to the girl.
Chupita Says:
September 9th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Firt time in this website and I’m not a photographer either, but I have to say…. WOW!!! Amazing picture, the little girl’s eyes have so much to say and answering to another comment, yes it might be common there and she will survive. However, it makes me wonder, is it because we live a better life style that we lost the innocence reflected in her eyes and posture?

Oh!! And your title… perfecto.
Pauline Jones Says:
September 14th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
As a child I lived in slums in London, the sort that probably don’t exist any more. But it was all normal to me and I left the money worries up to my parents; I grew up OK and I hope she does too.
Panna Says:
January 5th, 2009 at 3:27 am
This picture reminds me my childhood in the village in Bangladesh. Poverty does not have ablity to diminish talents.