Child by Train Tracks

[Rachel Foster]

ISO 200, f/4.0, 1/400

I have little to add to this one as I feel it speaks for itself.

Child by Train Tracks: Jacob Eliana​

 

[John Angulat]

Hi Rachel,
I've come back to this a number of times today.
I'm not sure if it was your intent to convey, but this image leaves me feeling sad.
?????

 

[Rachel Foster]

A little wistful, maybe?

 

[Asher Kelman]

ISO 200, f/4.0, 1/400

I have little to add to this one as I feel it speaks for itself.

Child by Train Tracks: Jacob Eliana​

The homes that edge on the railway tracks are not the most comfortable. The kids are often left to their own devices and some, unfortunately don't make much of their lives. So the setting adds to your aptly noted, "wistful look" to feel concerned about her own present safety and her future.

Is that what you intended. To be happy, a party dress, a pooch and some happy fiends and baloons or someone playing a banjo would b needed.

For adults, we know it's fashion "grunge" for effect! A child in this location is a tragedy.

Asher

 

[Rachel Foster]

From your response and John's, it seems this image is a bit jarring.

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Rachel,

From your response and John's, it seems this image is a bit jarring.

Nonsense. It's way cute.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Jean Henderson]

Hi Rachel,

Yes, it IS cute on first look -- almost as if it were a set up shot -- but it's the secondary feeling I'm most left with: a color version of the Great Depression.

You said the image speaks for itself, yet seem surprised by the first responses. What did you initially have in mind, Rachel? What were YOU responding to?

Jean

 

[Prateek Dubey]

ISO 200, f/4.0, 1/400

I have little to add to this one as I feel it speaks for itself.

Child by Train Tracks: Jacob Eliana​

To me it speaks of the future. A child facing the possibility of a journey, where she'll go along with many others in the same direction. One has to grow up eventually, leave one's world to join others to work this machine...

 

[Rachel Foster]

Thank you, Jean, for your insightful comments. One thing, though: I'm not surprised, but rather only making sure I understand how people are responding. I like "color version of the Great Depression." That's an evocative thought.

My own feelings about the image: I see the precious innocence of the young sitting in the shadow of danger. It's a frightening image to me. I want to scoop the child up and make sure she's safe.

Prateek, I also see the future in this image. Thank you for commenting.

 

[Rachel Foster]

I wondered how much of my own response was colored by the knowledge that this is from the Homeland Security shoot.

 

[Clayton Lofgren]

The wistful look makes it work in the context of the exhibit. Might of worked even better if she wasn't squeaky clean and looking so well cared for.

 

[Rachel Foster]

That's a good point. On the other hand, does the contrast make it more startling?

 

[Jean Henderson]

Yes, Rachel, I think the contrast DOES make it more startling. I am first captured by this little girl that I, too, want to just scoop up. Then I see the train tracks and the darker responses begin to emerge. What on earth is she doing there? Where are the adults? Why? Why? Why?

Jean

 

[Doug Kerr]

It seems like this waif, in whose welfare we are so interested, for whom we conjure up so many dark scenarios of neglect and peril, is a performer in Denise Whitebread Fanning's performance art piece, "Homeland Security", evidently awaiting her prop call on set.

We see her later, "on her marks":

Homeland Security 2: Jacob Eliana​

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Doug Kerr]

Now, if I didn't know that, my first thought would have been that this was a cute girl posed by her mother (standing just out of the frame) alongside an abandoned rail line. Hard to tell from this shot, but the rail surface looks like there has been no recent traffic.

How was I to know that actually she was escaping her brutal stepfather, taking her best stuffed animals as her only belongings, waiting for the train to come by so she could ride the rods to Sacramento, not realizing that the line had been decommissioned years before.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Rachel Foster]

You ought to write a novel!

Actually, her mother was down on the rocks by the river and I happened to see her in that pose. Those tracks are actually used daily.

But I love your story, Doug!

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Rachel,

You ought to write a novel!

We have a Cherokee here for that!

Those tracks are actually used daily.

Well, I said it was hard to tell!

The loco looks nice - leased from GATX Rail Locomotive Group (GMAX), I would say. Likely a GP-38 (most likely a -2). The blue and white GMAX livery is nice.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Rachel Foster]

It makes for a colorful photo, doesn't it?

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Rachel

I like the shot
it is engaging-
I never saw a child in trouble at all- she istoo beautiful and healthy LOL-
she probably sat down for a rest and looks a bit lost and scared but not in trouble-
good catch!

Charlotte-

 

[Rachel Foster]

Thanks. I can't wait to get her in my studio.