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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Three: Expressing human values > Children, Cape Town, South Africa, 2002
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10-DEC-2002

Children, Cape Town, South Africa, 2002

Someone had taken Polaroid pictures of these children a short time before I passed by. Still clutching their photos, their spontaneous enthusiasm was evident, and I was able to make this picture of them. Enthusiasm is a universal human value -- it transcends all language and cultural barriers. When I travel, I try to make pictures of people that convey emotional responses, and enthusiasm is usually one of them.

Canon PowerShot G2
1/125s f/4.0 at 7.0mm full exif

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Phil Douglis24-Sep-2005 03:00
You make me see this picture in an even more musical manner, Ramma. Based on what you say, these kids are noq like musical phrases that lift us higher and higher from left to right.
Ramma 04-Sep-2005 09:24
Its such a cute image. i like the way ascending height of the children from the left to right, even the enthusiasm seems to be ascending in the same manner. the child on the left is probably surprised, the one in the centre looks eager, and the one to the right is absolutely enthusiastic !
Phil Douglis11-Jan-2005 21:16
You are right, Mikel, it is a pity that I squashed the kid on the left up against the edge. It was one of those times when you are shooting for expression and just miss the framing. You are also right that this image is about instinctive behavior -- the picture works between of the contrasting responses of the boy and the two girls. He does seem a bit shy. The two girls were singing a song of happiness at this moment. If enthusiasm is the dominant human value here, happiness can't be that far behind. Thanks for reading the expressions here. You gave me a new insight into my image, Mikel.
Guest 11-Jan-2005 21:00
Pitie that the left child is a bit tight in the frame. Anyway, It seems to me that there are several feelengs too add. As we know, children usually think instinctiveley and as older we grow we act in a more racional way with our relation with the outside. I say this since perhaps it is the moment of the photo only but there is a remarcable difference between the left boy and the other two girls. I think that the boy is a bit shy, or at least that is what is the feeleng it gives me in the photo, on the other hand, I also wold say so since he is the only one that is holding the picture upside down, like not giving it that much value, perhaps for incomprehension, while I see the middle girl in a much natural form of entusiasm and if we think a bit further, the right girl perhaps or at least in my thoughts is a bit more racional and gives her thanks not only because she may apriciate it but it is also something tought to her. Her expression on the face is equaly expressive as the center girl, but the body posture is less emotive one.
Guest 03-Dec-2004 21:24
They know they do this well, to sing. And they enjoy to perform in public. Their dreams fly high for universal televised admiration. Which can happen one day!
nut 20-Nov-2004 20:31
Yes, they are kids. I see the awareness in their eyes.
Phil Douglis20-Nov-2004 19:46
Welcome back to my galleries, Nut. I agree with your point that this image expresses an aspect of not only human nature and human values -- here it is joy -- but nature at work in itself. You are talking here of instinctive reactions. These are children. They are not afraid to show their instinctive feelings openly. This image is not only about happy kids, it is about kids being kids because they are kids, right?
nut 20-Nov-2004 16:24
Nature mind is the source os a human's thoughts that that born inside you but you didn't make
it or build it by your own experiences and/or all knowledges around you.

To see all feelings in your life is to see in their eyes and acts. Nature mind can see very well
in children. Whatever you make them feel, they will response based on their instinct.
Phil Douglis15-Nov-2004 20:11
Tell me what you mean by "nature mind", Nut.
nut 15-Nov-2004 10:27
I like the way they laught. Fresh reaction based on their nature mind.
nut 14-Nov-2004 17:02
Nature of children.
Phil Douglis04-Nov-2004 03:04
Thanks, Larry. Over a thousand people have viewed this image since I first posted it more than a year ago, and you are the first to comment on it. I am glad you saw in this what I see -- the sound of joy!
Guest 04-Nov-2004 02:52
My first thought on seeing this picture was that the children were singing...their mouths are open, their heads are tilted in the same direction, and they have the expression of those making a joyful noise. I was surprised to read that they were instead reacting to Polaroid pictures. I guess I shouldn't leap to conclusions! Another fine picture, Phil...it's hard to look at this one without smiling.
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