Linked to Lens-Artists Photo Challenge here
This is the first time I’ve ventured to try the challenge on this site and I hope my photo entries manage to illustrate emotions. First up is exhileration:
When I saw this young girl rush into the sea it took me back decades to those heady days when a day at the seaside was such a joy, when the feel of the sand underneath my feet, the sea about to lap my toes and Mum and Dad safely watching me was all I needed for happiness.
In contrast is the following which I call Despair. I don’t know how else to describe it. We gave her the cakes we’d just bought and some money but left with that guilt we all carry when we see such sights on our streets. I took the photograph to remind me when I got home that life has little meaning for some people.
Next up comes Stoicism. This was a group of blind musicians in Cambodia who sat and sang on a corner every day. We didn’t know if they were being exploited by the two young men who seemed in charge, these things are difficult to ascertain in most countries but less so in a place like Cambodia. I hope they were looked after – their music was really good.
Let’s finish on something more positive, Pride. Pride in a profession. This is Stefano Conia, one of 134 Luthiers in Cremona, Italy. Cremona is the place for violin-making and Stefano is descended from a family of violin-makers: he and his father run the business from a workshop which I was privileged to visit a couple of years ago. Every stage of the instrument making is under his control, often from the procuring of the wood by going to the forest himself to get it. In this day of mass-produced violins from China, Cremona is facing competition but it will be hard to surpass the perfection of a hand-made violin from the likes of Stefano Cornia.
MARI'S TRAVELS WITH HER CAMERA 
Thank you for those lovely comments. Coming from someone whose pictures I’ve long admired on your site, they are indeed welcome. I’m mad for your lovely dog!
LikeLike
Fantastic post Mari ! I am so glad to have found you . Your pictures really captured the emotions of exhilaration so well, stoicism was the first and it was the most intriguing. Superb!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, and sorry for delay in thanking you for your comments. It’s been one of those weeks with too many ‘phone calls (although I’m not complaining) and too many emails, lots of them to go straight into trash. I’ve unsubscribed from so many emailing things but still they come.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Everyone on this site has been most welcoming and I feel really at home. I shall post now with less trepidation and hope I can keep up the standards you have all set so high. If you ever get to Cremona, do visit one of the luthier houses, it is an eye-opener to see real craftsmen still at work.
LikeLike
Your wide range of topics and photos is truly impressive. You have the same generous heart I have, and it’s difficult not to give to people in need. I do wonder how they stay afloat. Your last picture is an emotion I hadn’t thought to portray in this challenge: Pride. But what a good one! We love crafted items and the people who do the work, so thanks for adding that one. You’ll enjoy the challenges as well as the contributions from other bloggers. So glad you’re participating.
LikeLike
Thank you for that encouragement. Although I accept the limitations imposed on me now I still feel irked and frustrated that my pictures are not as sharp as they should be. I’ve just been to your site and am awed by the macro photos.
LikeLike
A glorious start! Mari, these are really emotional and well chosen. The musicians I also saw in Tina’s comment. I too hope they are taken good care of. I read in your about – on your heavy cameras…I too have chosen lighter alternatives – for the same reasons and more. And photos are just as fun and awesome still.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, Mari- what a debut! I nearly missed this. The little girl is pure joy, and then despair… well, words fail me. Thanks for this. 🙂
LikeLike
The joy in that first photo is – exhilarating! I share your ambivalence about the best way to help those in despair.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I work on the principle ‘when in doubt, do’. That way I hope something will reach those most in need. I grew up in a time of great poverty in Ireland and ‘begging’ scenes are seared on my mind as well as my parents response to it when we had little ourselves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An intriguing set of photos, certainly, with two that certainly jog our consciences about the way we care (or do not care) for those who are in need.
Our world is continually changing but certain aspects – and the emotions associated with them – remain constant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My senses seem to be aroused more by the darker side of life at times, but I hope I can bring some balance as well. Glad you found the photos gave food for thought, that was the intention.
LikeLike
Lie is there, in front of the photographer. We can “censor”, it according to our preferences, or show it as it is, though I think that to do the latter requires courage.
LikeLike
Excellent examples. Very well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you John, it’s a boost to my confidence to have comments like this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are interesting pictures of our world and a great value also in the feelings expressed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for that comment. As a newbie here I am hesitant about putting forward my images, but encouragement helps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Mari. Another warm welcome to LAPC! We’re glad you joined us. I think your images do express these varied emotions. I was especially taken by the images of the violin artist, the little girl at the beach, and the blind singers. Next week, Ann-Christine is leading the challenge. I hope you’re able to join us again. Take care and stay well, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Patti. I’ll try and keep up with you all but that’s a challenge in itself. Thanks for the welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
Well first Mari, welcome to our challenge. Great to have you with us. Loved your post and hope to see lots more of you. Your examples are wonderful, especially the stark contrast between your joyful opener and the very sad image that follows it. As for the musicians, we saw the same men when we visited Cambodia. We gave them some money and afterwards I asked our guide about them. He told me they were all victims from the days of Khmer Rouge and that they do subsist on the generosity of tourists. Heaven only knows how they are doing with COVID’s impact on tourism. Anyway, thought you’d like to know they’re for real and your donation was well made.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the welcome, Tina, and thank you for telling me about the Cambodian singers. There were two sighted young men collecting for them and this did worry us but who can tell.
We are so lucky to be able to travel to these places that i feel the least we can do is try to alleviate poverty where we see it. Not always easy, hence the guilt!
LikeLiked by 1 person