People of Stone Town

[SteveGriffin]

I was in Zanzibar a couple of weeks ago and was deeply moved by the plight of the people. Although the slave trade has long since stopped (in theory at least) the inhabitants of Stone Town seem desparate.

Their home is World Heritage listed yet is falling down around them. The kids particularly seemed distressed by their plight. I have tried to capture some of the feeling - not sure how I went. Comments appreciated

Click on the thumbnails for a larger images.

[Glen]

Good images Steve, on a few it may have been better to meter off the person as the face, which often conveys so much emotion of an image, is not easily visible. PP may help

[Alpha_7]

I like them, have a photo documentary style to them that reminds me of National Geographic, but perhaps just lacking a little in the emotion or impact that some of the images have. I'd say Glen's advice is good, the face and the eyes if you can get them in the shot help strengthen the connection and create images with stronger impact.
Regardless they are beautiful shots, do you have more ??

[SteveGriffin]

Thanks for the comments. I found the exposures very difficult. The faces are so dark and the stone walls are quite light.

I have now combined 2 exposures for the last image in the previous set to try and brighten the subject a bit. I overwrote the old version so no comparison available

Below are 3 more which I have just tidied up a bit.

[Alpha_7]

I can see the different Steve, its a improvement in my opinion. #2 and #3 in the second batch are good as well, with #1 I'd have cropped it landscape got closer to the cat and its next meal.

[SteveGriffin]

Landscaped the cat and I agree the image is better. Thanks Craig

[Raskill]

Nice images mate. Like the ones of the kids the best, like you said, they seem to portray the plight that much better, I guess it's probably something in us, rather than them. I really like the young boy leaning against the wall and the young girl filling the buckets, theres a certain loniless to them. Never actually gave much thought to poverty in Zanzibar, I guess by some African standards it aint 'that bad'.

[Killakoala]

It's a sad indictment, that in today's world that poverty is so prevelant in the third world. That said, i have seen people in a much worse state than those potrayed, but i am still amazed at how people, no matter how poor their living conditions are, can still maintain some sense of dignity. You've shown that for sure, especailly in image five where the young lad seems pleased about something. Maybe we should not judge poverty by our material wealth, but by our emotional status.

It's good to see images like this. It makes me humble.

Thanks for sharing.

[leek]

Great photoreportage Steve... Social comments aside, I think you have captured the situation admiirably...

[Alex]

Nice images, Steve. Thanks for sharing. You captured the mood well.

Alex

[Manta]

I can't add anything that hasn't already been said here, Steve. Judging by this small visual insight into what must have been an incredible trip, you've surely come away with some haunting and powerful memories as well.
Thanks for sharing these. They're great.

[flipfrog]

my fav: