Licence to Kill, a photo from Mountain, Ilocos

Photographer's Note

He was just playing with his friends right outside of my guesthouse in Sagada. Actually, I believe he may have been the owner's son.

One thing I have noticed in Asia as compared to North America is that kids do still play with toy guns here. In Canada at least, any toy gun would have to be bright orange or something, lest it be confused with the real thing. This one certainly wouldn't be sold nowadays in Canada. Overall, I think people don't allow their kids to play with guns much in NA, due to PC type reasons. I am not sure if that is good or bad, just an observation.

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Critiques | Translate

Edwin (188) 2004-02-24 4:41

Very interesting work. The note as well actually. Via this portrait you highlighted an ethical and moral aspect of a society, letting the viewer ponder about differences in habits, opinions and point of views.
Thanks for sharing Darren!

clodreno (0) 2004-02-24 4:46

Very nice Darren. I love this one. Nice and close.. I love this type of picture. Nice observation too. I don't really know what to think about it.

By the way, thanks.. You are the only one who saw the details of the monks face.. It's because I tried to have fun with PS... but I am really abd at it.

jmaddocks (563) 2004-02-24 6:31

Hi Darren. Growing up in Canada, my friends and I spent many an afternoon playing with our guns. Cowboys and indians, cops and robbers, we mimicked the scenes we often saw in the matinee at the cinema on Saturday afternoons. Things are different today. As you say, I am not sure if that is good or bad either.

Your picture is sharp and the colours are excellent! The pose is really good, and I really love the expression of the little boy. A wonderful portrait!

manny (22032) 2004-02-24 8:33

Very good clarity. The colors compliment the picture. However, his colorful shirt and innocent expression zero in on the fact that he is just at play. Last Dec, when I went home, I noticed that a lot of Christmas presents to kids are still toy guns. It does reflect the "macro" society that they are in. Here in Thailand, one elementary students was given a new nickname because his old was... yes, Gun. And there are a lot more "Guns" roaming around the streets of Bangkok.:)

maciekda (19895) 2004-02-24 8:36

what a nice capture, what a professional pose! he looks like a little agent, very contrasty picture, blown out bright areas - but i don't mind it much, very nice portrait!

quegardens (1469) 2004-02-24 9:16

A probing shot that makes you look beyond the image itself.The debate of play and roleplaying is a timely one...and without taking sides this photo allows for looking at it in many ways.
Upon seeing this young boy, it immediately reminded me of Manny's earlier capture of children playing with toy guns

scalerman (26900) 2004-02-24 11:41

Interesting. I didn't notice the pistol from the thumbnail. That changes everything about this pic. Give it a dual side - again, it's reavealing.

eelliott305 (776) 2004-02-24 12:47

Very appealing portrait. He is nice and sharp against the out of focus background and those big dark eyes are, as always, so attractive. The gun does not trouble me much.

BobTrips (1857) 2004-02-25 1:24

In my mind I can morph this little boy into an adult. I've seen this same dead, detached look in the eyes of guards and solders.

The picture is well made. The total blur of a background works well to isolate your subject.

touristdidi (8583) 2004-03-03 11:11

It is so sad.... I just first last year, saw toy guns in India and Nepal. Before I never saw any, never saw any child act like they had one...... voilence from birth, I think......