a love universal
much about the places i traveled in west africa was unfamiliar to me...the dress, the language, the food, the religions, the customs. but one of the things i love about travel is no matter how far away, we are able to see common threads in people across the world.
the two similarities most striking to me were the way children play, and the way mothers respond when their babies are crying.
this little boy, while chasing after siblings, had fallen and landed face first in a pile of sand and gravel. his mom kissed him so much that the majority of the sand wound up on her own face. no idea the words she was saying to him, but the sentiments communicated beautifully.
Comments and faves
cucaracha del sol, contrapalabra, trevor block, N. Mexico, and 179 other people added this photo to their favorites.
pfig (63 months ago | reply)
so strong. excellent.
williamcho (63 months ago | reply)
Fantastic capture! This shot will be a winner.
Your fantastic black and white picture is my winner!
Please add this photo to
flickr.com/groups/bwphotoaward/ Feel free to post this wonderful photo into our weekly competition
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cucaracha del sol (63 months ago | reply)
wonderful photo, wonderful message!!! it's amazing to me how children of the world are teaching us that there are no races. we are all the same even if we look a bit different sometimes.
trevor block (63 months ago | reply)
Wow! Touching, and beautiful.
zzzf (63 months ago | reply)
Great photo
The World Through My Eyes
N. Mexico (63 months ago | reply)
Such a precious story and photo!!!
kookooface (63 months ago | reply)
all of these...amazing.
i keep coming back and looking at them.
boysmile (63 months ago | reply)
i absolutely love this. the moments you capture...amazing!
davinca (63 months ago | reply)
love love love rules ... makes me happy :)
www.orlandohenriques.com (63 months ago | reply)
Invited to GREAT PORTRAITS-ONLY THE VERY BEST
orvalrochefort (63 months ago | reply)
very powerful expressions and emotions in this picture, outstanding photography!
.Marcin (63 months ago | reply)
Lovely description, as always. Your attitude towards travelling and towards what you can see while away reminds me of the style of those great travel writers, such as Kapuściński, for instance. I'd venture the word "humanism" to describe that quality.
Very appropriate title.
LucaPicciau (63 months ago | reply)
Great moment, so intense and cute. Very well captured
comin or goin (63 months ago | reply)
Wonderful picture and words!
Cybastean (63 months ago | reply)
Two things strike me in this fine portrait. The first is the beauty of the mother's smile as she presses her face into her child's. The second is the texture of her skin in contrast to that of her baby. How old is this woman? I suspect not very, but the webwork of tiny lines across her brow and hand suggest another story -- one of hard years. A beautiful photo with much to explore and admire.
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Dan65 (63 months ago | reply)
This is such a moving, gentle portrait. You must be so proud of your work. It documents a depth of feelings, of love that goes to the soul of your subjects.
8230This&That (63 months ago | reply)
Touching, emotional photo. Great image!
"Maddy" [deleted] (63 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Double Beauty, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
carf (63 months ago | reply)
....such a beautiful moment.............
beer_maths (63 months ago | reply)
Great composition. Caputres the emotions. Good B&W shot
>>>seen on
1-2-3 group
another story (63 months ago | reply)
thanks all for the lovely comments and invites. they are each appreciated!
Cybastean: thanks for the warm compliment. i'm not sure exactly how old she was. i would suspect very early twenties. across the board in senegal the men looked younger than they really were, the women always appearing older than reality. many unfortunate reasons for that...its a fairly oppressive culture for women. they literally carry the economy of the country on their backs and in their hands. i'm quite sure she was no exception.
chris spira (63 months ago | reply)
wow dana, beautiful moment catched! wonderful shot! love it.
paul pomeroy [veraguth] (63 months ago | reply)
Photography that celebrates the things we all have in common will create more good than that showing our differences -- or at least that's my theory. This is a beautiful example, Dana. Thanks.
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treble_dp (63 months ago | reply)
oh my, what an excellent shot and a beautiful story. thank you for sharing it
it made me feel thankful for all the love i've been getting from my parents. i consider myself lucky (as well as the little one in your picture) to have someone who would console me after every accident.
have to fav this, so that i can come back again and again :)
AnnaMarie777 [deleted] (63 months ago | reply)
Outstanding shot, This is beautiful!
YOU are an inspiration!
Please tag your picture with thesource
Please add this photo to www.flickr.com/groups/source/
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jeridaking (63 months ago | reply)
This is so beautiful.
The story, the beautiful bond is so evident in the picture.
One Wish World (63 months ago | reply)
I absolutely LOVE this shot! I feel a connection to Africa, particularly the children...beautiful!
svenkataraman (63 months ago | reply)
Amazing shot! very endearing.
“Hi, you are invited to post this lovely work to “ Oneness – Labyrinth" where it will count as three trophies towards your winning total. It gave me feelings of Love Joy and Beauty and deserves a place in the Labyrinth."
ben cutshall photos (63 months ago | reply)
Wonderful story and human truth. Love the photo of course but the lesson of sameness is so compeling and it must be learned! Thank you!
T Glow (63 months ago | reply)
emotive..... great work!!
Silvia de Luque (63 months ago | reply)
Emotivo momento, me gusta mucho! Haces magia con tu cámara... ;-)
Saludos Dana!
Suso Rubio (63 months ago | reply)
exceptional human portrait
congratulations
l'enfer (63 months ago | reply)
Such a wonderful depiction of humanity ... bringing a smile to a child - priceless!!!!!!
marzii (63 months ago | reply)
A documentary shot. The b&w style adds to mood and makes it more real.
Nice shot and meaningful notes.
Edwin_Martinez (63 months ago | reply)
One of the most powerful image ive seen in flickr. the emotions is so rich you can actually feel it. the caption gave me goosebump.
This is an excellent and powerful photo.
pingnews.com (63 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called World Families (Family Friendly), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Silcami (63 months ago | reply)
You are a great photographer, a great observer and a wonderful story teller. Love your shot, it is sweet.
Nikoleta Stamataki (63 months ago | reply)
breathtaking
inanutshell (63 months ago | reply)
you know you have an amazing eye for shots that are human and striking and makes you think...i dont think you could have chosen a better screen name than another_story...and this picture along with your description says it all..
More Altitude (63 months ago | reply)
The sentiment you've caught on this shot- Dana, this is just superb people-photography and I'm so impressed at how you've caught this moment- so tender and sensitive, as you've so rightly pointed out in your commentary, it's a sentiment that you can identify with wherever you are in the world. The child's brief misery and the mother's warm affection, the spur of the moment snapshot has grabbed both expressions- this is both technically and emotionally impactful. Well done.
nardell (63 months ago | reply)
universal is the perfect word to go with this tender and loving shot dear friend. wow, i love the image and your story together - each profoundly beautiful. you have such an eye and heart for this style of photo/essay dana.
wonderful!
photo.monkey (63 months ago | reply)
this is a beautiful photograph! I love it!
Crystal Gail | www.joiphoto.com (63 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called We're In Love, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
rui lebreiro (63 months ago | reply)
beautiful moment :)
great!
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BamaWester (63 months ago | reply)
You're right. In some ways we are all different, but in the most basic ways, we are all the same. This is a truly powerful shot.
varungm (63 months ago | reply)
We request you to add this beautiful picture to our mom & child gallery.
-Amateur Photography Team
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kerianna09 [deleted] (63 months ago | reply)
touching. this image tells so many stories...
Girlabroad (62 months ago | reply)
You're creating such wealth for yourself with these journeys. Admirable and enviable. She's a good mum... simple as that, and beautifully captured.
moments_of_life (62 months ago | reply)
We request you to add this beautiful picture to our mom & child gallery. [You have to join the group for that, rules applied.]
-Amateur Photography Team
Monster Pete (62 months ago | reply)
thanks for the permission...i blogged this one to blogs.newamericamedia.org/photo-of-the-day/. new america media is a non-profit news organization dedicated to raising the voices of the marginalized... let us know if you want changes to your entry...cheers