Tragedy? by wysiwig
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
There is an old sea wall that runs along a portion of San Francisco’s western beach where Golden Gate Park meets the sea. I was wandering around the area one day taking pictures when I looked down onto the beach and saw what appeared to be an accident. The body of a woman lay next to her fallen bicycle. Suddenly a little girl, previously hidden by the woman’s body, sat up and stared at me. She frowned, wondering what I was doing. Just after I snapped her picture her face broke into the biggest smile.
I decided not to bother them but every time I see this image I wonder. Were they homeless or was it just a mother/daughter day at the beach?

Comments (25)
that little girl does not seem happy with you at all.very candid
One of the wonders of photography is its magical power to secure a fleeting flicker of time, as perceived through one individual's consciousness. How many such moments pass in a single person's lifetime? Multiply this by all the lives that have come & passed and the idea of just how precious a thing every photograph is begins to stir our souls. Oh, to imagine what we have lost forever from the ages before the advent of film! The reason I love photographers, particularly those who create such images as the one above, is their work reveals evidence of an attentively examined life. To move through the world without being attentively egaged with the world is like walking through a vast library and never reading a book. I have a very clear image of the younger you, Mark, as a gypsy scribe, with a camera for a pen, wandering the streets and strands of the West coast gathering impressions for future ages. It's an image that always brings a smile to my face. Terry
Your captures aren't just well taken, but the words you put to them make me think. I can't think of anything that pleases me more.
There is always, with me, a little uncertainty when taking candid shots.
Kind of make you think? Should I help or am I disturbing someone...? Hope all was well... Aloha
un instant volè a cette petite fille,derangee dans son intimite,en quelque sorte,un superbe photo!!!
I find this quite a moody shot and completely open for discussion! Well done!
Excellent image! The graininess is perfect for the sand and old sea wall. I love the capture of the little girl's surprise and I think a little bit of protectiveness. Your words are very interesting. I can imagine her face lighting up in a smile.
fantastic shot!!
Bella espressione della bimba, sorpresa dallo scatto !Bello pensare che ha preso la cosa con un sorriso. Beautiful expression of the girl, startled by the click! Nice to think that he took it with a smile.
This is a study in human behavior and an outstanding one at that. Even without your tale, it has a lot to say on its own.
It is a sad thing to see and you have captured that most well!
Excellent capture, Mark. Even without your narrative, the picture speaks volumes.
A marvellous 'seed' pic for creative writing!
Superb! Well Done!
SPECTACULAR IMAGE!!!! AND A GREAT STORY TO ACCOMPANY IT!
Wonderful capture, I guess we will never know the story!
you got the right shot. that face is priceless
cannot help but stare and does make one wonder wonderful capture warm hugs, Linda
Wonderful photo.
After I read your story I too broke out into a great big smile. Wonder photo journalism. I love the graininess too. I confess, I share a similar vision of you, as Terry's. It must be true. :) Wonderful photo.
It does make you wonder, great photography my friend. :)
With or without the words, this is an evocative image that is quite cryptic as well. We're drawn into the photo and must wonder at what we're seeing. I love that element of photography, that sort of ambiguity. What you've written is quite evocative as well, and it brings home the fleeting nature of the scene you captured. This is yet another marvelous piece of work.
A wonderful foto--the little girl has so much expression, no matter the truth of the matter. As though she's taking care of her mom--I guess we'll never know for sure.
From the soles of mom's feet and her clothing I would guess they are homeless. Reminds me of the song "Another Day In Paradise." Poignant photo.