Melanie Hurwitz  

Family Home by Melanie Hurwitz

September 2023 - Family Home

September 2023 - Melanie Hurwitz

Original

About the Image(s)

I'll start with the sad -We lost the use of 3 cameras while on our trip! All being repaired right now. Our wonderful guide loaned me one of his cameras and said we could keep it for the rest of our trip. So very grateful for that. The last camera died when we reached South Africa. I decided that I would use infrared for all my photography and that my husband would use the loaned camera.
We had a trip planned to visit Soweto (this is an area that the apartheid government designated for black people to live, leaving Johannesburg only for white people. I would be happy to explain further if you contact me by email or use Google to get more information as this is already too long). with a photo journalist that we know. Thus all my images were taken in IR.
You may look at this and think that it could easily have been recorded in color and just converted to B&W. I do feel that there is a crispness not achieved in color and that the skin tones are very different.
This is a very poor ares where tin shanties are homes. This is a street, as can be seen by the house behind. Heartbreaking to see how these very proud people live their very simple lives.
Converted using Nik Silver Efex. I did want to darken the sky some, without making it black. There were numerous highlights which I darkened. I took out some of the shadowing on the kids. I reduced some of the contrast as the light was very harsh.
Sony AII 24mm, F10 ISO 800, 1/640

This round’s discussion is now closed!
12 comments posted

Gary Potts   Gary Potts
Hi Melanie,

In a word...POWERFUL. Such strong visual impact. I think IR DID give it that edge that makes it different from regular B&W. It's a photojournalistic image of the highest order, but I don't think IR is allowed in competitions in PJ in PSA. Never mind...it's a super shot!   Posted: 09/01/2023 07:39:17
Melanie Hurwitz   Melanie Hurwitz
Thanks Gary   Posted: 09/04/2023 08:37:05
Jack Florence Jr   Jack Florence Jr
As I travel I notice scenes like this are all too common, just a little different in each country. The rocks, the tin buildings, never seen that before, great image Melanie. I'm thinking a little closer in would show me the people better, but what you have shows more context.

I've had my color camera go out on a trip also, first day no less! So I know a little how you feel.   Posted: 09/02/2023 04:08:42
Melanie Hurwitz   Melanie Hurwitz
Thanks Jack. I do have close ups of the kids Probably will share them soon   Posted: 09/04/2023 08:38:41
Arik Gorban   Arik Gorban
This is a strong environmental portrait that tells a story. The wider view with the steps and fence works well here. I often use IR for street photography. Yes, it captures shadow details that would appear black in a standard color picture. Nicely done.   Posted: 09/02/2023 12:52:59
Melanie Hurwitz   Melanie Hurwitz
Thanks Arik, I was really happy with the pictures I took.   Posted: 09/04/2023 08:44:46
Henry Heerschap   Henry Heerschap
As others have said, it's a very powerful photo that does the subject justice in how it shows their lives. I've found IR is a potent tool in the way it reveals a scene. I've taken mine to places like Manzanar and Auschwitz and have noticed how much more meaningful the IR shots were compared to conventional color.
Sorry about your camera troubles. My wife's primary camera has died twice this year, thankfully under warranty. She always had her backup body, but it was never the same. I hope you get your issues resolved quickly and effectively.   Posted: 09/03/2023 14:46:05
Melanie Hurwitz   Melanie Hurwitz
Thanks Henry, With 5 cameras we should have been good! Even so we managed. Thank goodness for our guides loan. All this made me think more instead of just getting the capture.   Posted: 09/04/2023 08:44:13
Charles Walker   Charles Walker
Melanie, I was in this area about 4 years ago before I took an interest in IR. I wanted to take such a photograph, but was too shy and clumsy. So, I applaud your social skills to gain the trust of people and share their story so eloquently. This image has impact. It reminds me of the work of Ellen Mark, and even more so, Dorothea Lange   Posted: 09/03/2023 21:26:31
Melanie Hurwitz   Melanie Hurwitz
Wow Chuck, I'm almost speechless. I drool over Lange's work. I did not know of Mary Ellen Mark. Her images are fantastic. We were able to get these images because we were with our photo journalist friend. He is in the area often and the people know him well. Most are happy to be photographed. We could not have done this on our own   Posted: 09/04/2023 08:52:42
Palli Gajree   Palli Gajree
Hi Melanie
You've certainly come up with a terrific image that has the "WOW" factor. Couldn't have been better portrayed and processed. Full marks!!   Posted: 09/05/2023 00:30:21
Emil Davidzuk   Emil Davidzuk
Melanie

To me this image made your trip to South Africa worthwhile. It is truly Powerful as Gary noted.

I like to is situ composition of the family posed in their community with dignity.

IR brings out the detail better than color no question and thankfully it was working perfecting on your trip.

Regards

Emil   Posted: 09/05/2023 11:16:13