JPG Magazine: Photos: "A Country for Girls :::::: (First of Three)" by seanie blue

A Country for Girls :::::: (First of Three)

By seanie blue

On 10 April 2008

Favorited 71 Times

A Country for Girls :::::: (First of Three)

She wants money. I tell her I am taking pictures of the pretty building. She says nothing, and watches me take pictures.

But then I feel my pockets to see if I actually have coins. I’ve only been in town for a day, and coins have been few. No small bills, either, I think, but the way she is looking at me, pregnant with hope, is an eclipse of my intentions. A poor moon, minerals and dust, she clouds my view. I focus more sharply on my surroundings. What am I seeing?

A girl, in the slum, posing for cash: a picture of hope before it is extinguished. Here is childhood in front of me, not poverty. But I am no child, so I want to hide my intrusion with money. The coins are in my shirt pocket, hidden in the folds of my Floyd pants, in the ashtray, in the pockets of the publisher’s rep who has flown down here with me to see if I will really do as I say: “I’ve got some coins,” says the rep, “Funny, they weren’t there a moment ago.” He rains coins. They fall into my lap. My car tinkles change, Cordobas cascade from the domelight.

Let me take your picture. I will give you some gringo coins, too.

I take this picture, and two others that will be a threesome called “A Country for Girls,” and when I am finished the coins fill her cupped hands. Where have they all come from? I ask her name and where she lives and how old she is, as I cast for nickel and copper.

But more children are coming. I start to drive away. I am late, the Rep is itching, and destiny whirls me across the country, toward a shocking morality play at the end of eight days that destroys a man, with me as either Lear or Shakespeare, author or killer, not sure which. This trade of coin for picture is the second step on my path, the first being the intuition that something important waits for me here, some passage not available on my own street, neither in my mind nor in the comforts of a home which never quite fits.

And in my mirror, looking backward, in hindsight and safety, before I turn off her street into diesel and schedule, I see Evangelina assaulted by other urchins, by the boy she said was her brother, by the older girl she said was her sister, and in two seconds the coins are a glittery shower in the sunlight and a dozen children shriek in delight or dismay as the coins stick or slip away, and Evangelina is suddenly empty-handed, as I found her, a non-renewable resource stripped.

Maybe I pressed my brakes, said something to the publisher, but I drove away. She was unhurt. Back to her original contours, swollen with hope. But I drove away, resolute that my next step will be an effort to give back, to make amends.

(Like any tourist with a camera I cruise after prey, unaware that I have already swallowed the line, unaware of the hook already pierced into my heart.)

In the story My Secret Nicaragua.

39 Responses

On 10 April 2008 juliana dixon gave props:
what a story. Nice to see a pic from you!
On 10 April 2008 Frédéric Frognier gave props:
Man, those eyes...
On 10 April 2008 Rachel McKinnie gave props:
Such raw emotion...powerful story, powerful portrait Mr. Blue.
On 10 April 2008 Polly Cole said:
i was just thinking yesterday about how in mexico city i took a photo of an overflowing trash can because i thought it was beautiful but no sooner than the shutter closed a woman came running up to me screaming a barrage of obscenitites - saying that i would take the photograph to the world and say that mexico was dirty, what a horrible place.
i tried to assure her that i see beauty in everything and the photograph was an extension of that - but she did not believe me.
so many have been exploited for so long.
i love this photograph and your story. it is very provocative. and the look in the girl's eyes mirrors the one in your own.
:-)
On 10 April 2008 Gary Fudge gave props:
Great story and shot Seanie. What's really sad is the fact around the world this is such a familiar story. What's really sad is that so many of these children are put out on the street for this one reason, to beg and make money for the family. I saw this so many times in particular around areas like Macedonia, Albania, some of the bigger cities in Pakistan and I'm sure just so many other places. A beautiful but sad little face like this will get more money then her older brothers and sisters, who move on to crime and other things to make money. Strange that we humans are supposed to be the civilized race!
On 10 April 2008 Sanjin Jaganjac said:
Powerful story and beautiful picture.
On 10 April 2008 Chris Whitney said:
Great story Seanie-as with many of your images/stories, your single shot and story combine to create a thought provoking visual impression greater than the story or image alone.
On 10 April 2008 *hector* ortiz gave props:
omg,, you just make me cry.... thanks for those beautiful words... i'm waiting for the rest of the pictures...
On 10 April 2008 Pilar Coll i Gatells said:
Història, bona!
Foto, també. La mirada lo millor.
On 10 April 2008 Mojca S. gave props:
Too many sad stories like this one around the world. After I once gave the money to a gipsy boy who begged for it saying it would be for some bread and then I saw his mother who took the money and went to buy cigarettes I don't give them money anymore, I just buy them something to eat or some sweets. Some woudn't take anything but money cause money is what they have to bring home. Nice to see you back Seanie :)
On 10 April 2008 Audrey Kanekoa-Madrid gave props:
powerful....
On 10 April 2008 adniloj gave props:
wonderful pic; quite a moving narrative, thank you!
On 11 April 2008 Laura Boston-Thek gave props:
What power and connection this little spirit projects through the lens...what she has experienced in her short life. I feel selfish in saying I am so very happy to have these amazing words and images back once again...with my morning cup it is an inspiring way to begin one's day. Thank you Mr. Blue for sharing you plentiful gifts with all of us here.
On 11 April 2008 Kiwi ana gave props:
Nice to see work from you Seanie, Sounds like a journey of the soul you have been on. This is a landmark photograph. All you speak of sits in her eyes. I love your words as well they pull me in.
On 11 April 2008 May gave props:
wow.
On 11 April 2008 Portia Söderberg gave props:
Seannie, such a powerful essay to go along with a powerful image.
On 11 April 2008 photography seven said:
a winner
On 11 April 2008 Noa Siegrist said:
Thank you for your story.
On 12 April 2008 Mr. T gave props:
Wow! Your story is so true and as real as it gets. You caught some extreme emotion in Evengelina eye's. Wonderful job Seanie!
On 12 April 2008 Ronnie Ginnever said:
Wow Seanie, this is a powerful truth. The photo of the little girl sends a chill thru my body. Last night on PBS Bill Moyers had a segment of his show on hunger in America. The lack of food in America for those who are most needy is on the rise. 35 million people, mostly children, don't have enough to eat.
On 12 April 2008 Nelson Campbell gave props:
A look we do not think should come out of one so chronologically young.
On 12 April 2008 Anne McGinn gave props:
Beautiful story and shot. Her eyes hurt me - because of the truth they convey. Excellent work, Seanie.
On 13 April 2008 Konrad Ragnarsson gave props:
Good story,if you look in her eyes you se her story,very good image!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On 13 April 2008 Allen Price said:
I'm just glad you're back.
On 13 April 2008 Lyndsay Smith gave props:
Wow, such a powerful and moving capture. The story that goes with this photo makes it that much more moving. Great job. Voted yes!
On 14 April 2008 Steve Hogle gave props:
Fantastic Writing and capture Seanie, Nice to see you posting and writing here again.. Welcome back!
On 15 April 2008 "Peggy.Sue" Harrington said:
Seanie, Isabella has this same shirt. Yet not as dirty. She, as you know, is also one of your biggest fans. Asking me daily if Seanie has posted anything on JPG. A few months back Isabella and I went to see “The Blue Man Group” in concert. She told me, “They were fun, alive, loud, and exciting .. but Seanie is the best blue man.” My 8 year old is inspired by you, as am I. The eyes of this child in your photo show an age beyond her actual years. She is calling out to me and begs to me through your lens. I touch my monitor and tears stream down my face. I want to help her. I know what it’s like to beg for something, to want, and to have things taken from you without asking. I read this to Isabella this morning before school. Your story and photo are powerful and moving to both me as a mother, and Isabella my child. You, Seanie Blue, are as well. Thank you for posting again, and for inspiring me, but more importantly for showing Isabella how a photo truly can tell a story and help us all think a little bit deeper.
On 16 April 2008 judy fouse gave props:
Yes, you stretch our imaginations, our hearts and our souls. Welcome Back.
On 16 April 2008 maria tizon gave props:
Oh Seanie. Imagine my surprise to see a new photo from you up. I love both your image and your words. Wonderful work. P.S. I was so bummed I didn't get to meet you last Sunday.
On 16 April 2008 Gary Fudge gave props:
As my last props would appear to have been deleted without comment to either you or I Seanie, I shall take the opportunity to repeat myself, with your leave sir.....The sadness here is almost palpable. Your noble gesture to this pretty little girl feeds an industry of begging, which in turn go towards feeding her family. Her pretty face will collect more money than that of her older siblings and certainly of her parents. I have seen this so often, especially Albania, Macedonia, Greece and in Pakistan. She represents so many children forced into begging, before possibly heading into crime. A tragedy which we mostly choose to ignore. As humans, we're supposed to be the superior race. What other animal does this to their off spring?
On 18 April 2008 Elizabeth Petushkov gave props:
awesome shot, awesome writing
On 20 April 2008 Steven Heipel said:
And there is innocence lost, if ever known, in these eyes.
Excellent, excellent capture.
On 23 April 2008 Ursula Tillmann gave props:
Great facial expressions.
On 25 April 2008 Melissa Olsen said:
Beautiful and moving Seanie.
On 28 April 2008 Michael Stafford said:
beautiful Mr. Blue
On 30 April 2008 Linda Merz gave props:
She was studying you too. Wonder what her future holds.
On 6 May 2008 Natalie S gave props:
Your writing is incredible - brings me to the place you describe. Evangelina's photo, and this descriptive day in her everyday life leave me emotionally humble.
On 12 May 2008 Charlane G gave props:
this made me cry because for everyone of one of "her" there are hundreds, thousands more
On 27 May 2008 paul moore gave props:
behind the eyes of the most beautiful model often lies an ugly tale.beautifuly captured.