Teenage Pregnancy in Manila, Philippines
“The one who got me pregnant was my cousin. He is not my boyfriend. In one bed, there are three of us…I am the only girl beside two boys…The one who got me pregnant is my cousin who is 13 years old. When I sleep, I really do not feel anything….When I woke up I felt…I wondered why my opening was painful.” Those are words from Jessica, 16 years old, Quezon City, Philippines
Teenage pregnancy is widespread in the Philippines, especially amongst the poor. In Manila, this contributes to overpopulation and the vicious cycle of poverty, another child borne into the ghettos and a teenage Mom bearing the burden of raising a child before her own maturity and adulthood. An estimated 70,000 adolescent mothers die each year in developing countries.
Young mothers face enormous health risks, obstructed labor is common and results in newborn deaths and deaths or disabilities in the mother.
Children are everywhere, tangible evidence of the city’s teenage pregnancy problem. Every year, 13 out of 100 girls aged between 15 and 19 of the Filipino population get pregnant. Health care for Manila’s urban poor is almost nonexistent, while opportunities to learn about contraception in this strictly Catholic country are rare.
A growing and heated debate in this predominantly Catholic country revolves around the church’s uncompromising stance against the use of contraceptive devices that is said to be contributing to poverty and affecting the quality of life for many Filipinos.
The Catholic church in the Philippines only approves of natural family planning methods and view condom use as promoting adultery and premarital sex. Church leaders believe that sex is meant solely for procreation. In this context, using of condoms-even for HIV/AIDS prevention becomes a sinful act. The problem is becoming very real. An AIDS crisis threatens the Philippines as the number of people who are HIV positive has doubled in just over three years.
The Philippines, now home to around 85 million people, has become one of the fastest-growing populations in Asia with about 2 million new births each year, many of them in public hospitals so overwhelmed that new mothers are forced to share beds. Meanwhile, the Philippines’ population is projected to expand to as many as 142 million by 2040, by the government’s own estimates, and the rapid arrival of new mouths to feed is straining the country’s creaking infrastructure and choking its efforts to cut poverty.
These are the statistics. On paper, they sound alarming. The reality s even more astounding. One can walk into poor community and find an overabundance of child mothers. Most girls are unaware of protecting themselves and once pregnant, most will give up their studies.
Photographs: Lisa Wiltse
Website: www.lisawiltse.com
an interesting subject and some beautiful photographs, but as an essay this felt really one dimensional – there were very few changes of pace, and i felt like there were only two scenes that were really explored – some bedrooms/living spaces, and some breastfeeding in a hospital.
i just felt like there was room in that essay for some still life, perhaps some landscape, or even just more people shots but different scenarios;
if felt almost like the photographer was trying so hard to impress with interesting compositions that the story was secondary to the aesthetics.
- also – a quick caption query – is it the same girl (ronabelle) in images 15 and 17?
I really liked all the interior shots where you see the details of everything in the rooms. Nice work.
Hi Ben,
yes, 15 and 17 is ronabelle. Thanks for comments, this is part of a much larger body of work in progress so I appreciate your thoughts as the project evolves
cheers lisa
okay – the caption query – the ages and stages of pregnancy for ronabelle are different in the two images.
btw – i really like some of the stories on your website, particularly “Urban Indigenous Australia” and “Wallerawang” – i felt like both of these series, while still showing inventive compositions, kept a close connection with the subject and had enough variety in scenario and pace to hold my attention.
Hey again,
In both those images they say she is fifteen, you sure its 15 and 17? It is definitely something to think about in the editing process.. it is incredible. A limitless journey and a constant learning process. I love it sososo much.
…. Catholicism at its best….. viva Jesus…..
oh boy !!!!!!!!!!
@lisa
when i view it –
image 15 says that she is “15 and approximately 5 months pregnant”
image 17 says that she is “8 months pregnant and 17 yrs old”
ben
The photography is very good. But also somewhat repiticious. I wanted to see more of the effects of the pregnancy, not just the pregnancy. Maybe the personal relationships, good or bad, among the “families.” Perhaps the consequences of HIV on the children and young women? How many of these children are abandoned and on the streets as they grow up? Could you include photos of them.
This would also be enhanced for me with a spoken commentary rather than the slide up captions, which were distracting. This is an excellent beginning. Hope we’ll get to see the whole project.
ahh ok, i see it……caption error. She is 17 years old and 8 months pregnant. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
Jim, I am attempting to do this story on a chapter by chapter basis which I should have mentioned. My hopes is for this to become a global project and I look to explore all different areas surrounding teenage pregancy…the consequences and the relationships with their families. Thank you for your constructive criticism
Hi Lisa. I really love your serie about Enrique’s Playground. Sorry for the side comment but i just visit your web site thru this page and want to post some note. Saludos
Amazing series- I intentionally watched without reading the text, captions or comments… Great handling of light and the compositions are intricate yet compelling. I think one of the shots of the nursing mothers could be removed, but other than that…
Asher
Caption wise:
I saw a caption that said something to the effect that “many of this woman are pregnant by family members and abuse.” It makes one think the subject is pregnant due to this, if you don’t have a subject in this circumstance, maybe leave it out of the caption info, gives the wrong impression, unless I’m totally wrong.
Great low-light, quality pictures, but I agree that a tighter edit of what you’ve got and some more about the consequences would make this a spectacular piece.
LISA,
What a pleasure to discover a new photographer. I went to your website and there are so many pictures that I have liked. Actually, I thought a couple of your essays on your site were much stronger than the Teenage pregnancy essay that you have shared here (although I also liked it). I particularly enjoyed the essay “Enrique’s playground” as well as your essay “Urban indigenous”…some great compositions, great use of light, colors and shadows but also some very nice closer portraits showing your sensibility, very nice touch overall. You are now officially bookmarked :):):):) and I hope to see more of your work in the future.
Regarding Teenage pregnancy, 1, 2, 10, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 22 are my favourite images…
Overall, very happy to have discovered your work this evening!!!
Eric
Lisa! :)))
such a pleasure to see your work here at Burn (world is coming full circle, indeed!)….When Tamara V was here last summer visiting me and Marina, we spoke of your work as well! :))
As always, the pictures are powerful, using light and reflection to ‘widen’ our sense of space as well as to deepen our sense of place within the subjects lives. It’s a talent you have always had and one I love very much in your entire body of work. Such a pleasure to see here now as well!
A terrific essay, and as Ben mentioned, I see it as only a beginning, an initial exploration of a profound and heart-breaking story. As Ben wrote, it will be great to see the project widen and follow not only these teen mothers but also the consequence of the children’s lives…as an ancillary project about teen moms, the pictures of the children that have already been born as well the responsibility and lives of the teen’s family…a fanning out of heartbreak….
Nothing of insight i can add to an already powerful and pitched story, one in which you have put yourself as a compassionate and insightful observer. More pics of the kids already born and of the teen’s family, especially outsight the maternity wards and the homes will be great to see as well. but a beautifully executed and humanely ruminative story on the difficulty of their lives…
Can’t wait to see it grow. As always Lisa, wonderful, observant, compassionate, important work.
Cheers
bob
Comes down to editing…..sometimes you just want to beat your head against the wall. Don’t get me wrong I love the process but so often I look at my work and think damn, why didn’t i put that one in??? I have been thinking about the editing process lately and how vital it is, even if the work is good it is about the story and the message. I am really passionate about this story as a long term project so i really look forward to improving it so people who view it can get an even better understanding.
I will check on that caption. At the KBF shelter, it is true, many of the woman have fallen pregnant by family members or sexual abuse. I really sad reality.
I am really thankful for Burn as a forum to discuss our stories
I live with this story..
or the fear of the consequences of this story..
every day..
right here,
in the golden state..
My 15 year old daughter keeps me going…
constantly,
especially when she appears so much older than her age…
this essay left me wanting more…
more energy…
more…..
story…
such a powerful subject,
great images,
but couldn’t ‘feel’ the story…
maybe..
the story is more than the pregnant girls
and hospitals…
I prefaced this comment with where I am coming from..
because I can’t see this without being jaded as a mom of a 15 year old girl,
and that fear is real for me… so fucking real…
I liked your images,
maybe explore more of what story you want to tell with these girls….
**
Thanks for your thought Wendy, I will certainly take all your thoughts on board… This story is unfinished but I submitted it to Burn with the hopes of getting feedback, which is exactly what I am getting. All very insightful and useful. this is what this is all about so thank you.
Like most personal projects, it is extremely difficult to find funding to continue the project. I would jump on a plane tomorrow to spend more time with these young girls if i could, to continue to document their journeys, they deserve that. I project this to be at least a five year project, exploring this issue in several different countries.
ok… mrs Lisa,
help me out here…
i could say i love the photo number x or i hate photo number xii … and go on… and who cares…but i really wanna ask….
Question: What made you choose this subject?
i’m sure you already know that there would be no help to those young moms by a photo or an essay , right?
i’m sure you know that an essay like this would never make it to those suffering countries….
its meant to be seen by westerners… right ?…
As a female what really is your message ( tip: honestly, you need to have one..)if any ?
I’m sitting here all alone thinking:… why do i need to see all that?
Is Catholicism you are “after”????
Is violent, uneducated men you are “after”???
Is the medieval country of the Philippines you are after?
Are you trying to educate my numb western eye that you are after?
You shoot like a PJ…no doubt about it… Straight… straight…straight… canon5D “perfection”…
Jim Powers’s heaven… laughing… but WHO are you trying to “please”??????
iS IT the fat westerner eating his pancakes on a sunday morning iHOP that you have in mind ???
I dont know where you from but if you a westerner ( american or german or even greek…) then why dont you try to MIRROR your neighborhood ????????
In America today , that specific problem is sooooooooooooooo intense.. ( actually, i cant remember who did it but NatGeo did a great story about that few years ago…)
So why dont you talk about it? about your own little hometown or village you were born??????????
How many times do poor countries like the Philippines or Thailand or…whatever, have to be slapped in the face from people like YOU & ME… ????
Why not exposing the city or country you were born????
( i do not know you & i sooo hope to hear from you that you are in fact born at that place you are “exposing”)… then i will keep my trap shut…
Again, im struggling to see who are you trying to “enlighten” here…
Me??????? sorry , but thats too late…
HIV stories, pregnancy and drugs and poverty is the easy… easy… easiest way to do it…
its almost lazy…
I know that i sound ( once more ) like SIMON C from the American Idol…
but i’m not playing tonight…
i feel ( and i know im wrong) … yes i do feel that i should PROTECT those 10,12, 15 year olds from
our dangerous western perceptions…
I dont need to see those little girls “exposed” or feeling so uncomfortable in front of your( or anyones ) lens… because i know this story already… i know about the corruption and creepiness of the THIRD WORLD
( PHILIPPINES, THAILAND, MEXICO , CHINA and on and on…. )
Be brave, EXPOSE YOUR ROOTS, YOURSELF, YOUR VILLAGE, YOUR COUNTRY, YOUR FAMILY…………
…. AND DO IT soon… soonest….
( again,…. mrs photographer i hope you were born in that village and i hope those little girls are your cousins or your family… until then …. though !!!!!!!!!! i dont wanna hear about it… because i know about it…. Many PJ’s cant understand that their camera was there attached to their ambitions … and expect me to “pay” for that…
i feel so depressed today…. so sad!
Lisa….
wherever you are located..
there are pregnant teens…
explore close to home~
same subject,
different environment…
you do have a compelling story…
it shows in your talent,
heart,
and in your belief to ‘continue to document their journeys, they deserve that…’
look forward to seeing more…
**
I do have plans to explore this story in my own home country, and I said before this is part of a global project. I appreciate your opinion and I am sorry you feel that way, I happen to disagree you though. If photographers went out with the attitude that nothing will change, than we might as well give up.
This gives a good feeling about our own health care in the US. I liked the photography, Some occasions, it seemed that the same shot from a different angle was used as filler… perhaps it’s my browser – I’m using Google Chrome – but the captions, were garbled, and a little fluky… It’s sad even in the US to see children having children… Usually these children can hardly care for them selves, and here they are making more children, and putting them selves in a harder position to get ahead…
Whats the cause? Too much gov’t control and not enough being given back? Not a big enough park system? not enough things for these kids to do, they have to go make their own fun? This project could go really deep… My sister is a teenage mother, and luckily for her she has a supportive mother and friends who help her out when they can. The Gov’t pays for day care and assistance… Could you imagine how taxing this would be on gov’t resources if the US had a problem that large? there are many non-profit organizations that help teens in the US before and during pregnancy… i could go on and on…
back to the photography – I can see the light was low in many locations, great job getting stable shots, dragging the shutter, and creating a creative look. :)
PANOS~
just read what you wrote,
after I posted..
we are on the same page…
be gentle..
xox
**
Teen pregnancy may be an unresolvable issue where ever it occurs. Teenagers are programed by nature to procreate. Rape and sexual abuse are another thing entirely.
This doesn’t appear to be a story about teenagers making out in the back seat of a car and just not using protection. It appears, and I don’t want to put words in the author’s mouth, to be a story about the Catholic church denying young girls the means to prevent being made pregnant. But, of course, it isn’t. Because even if the Catholic church gave its blessing to birth control, the girls depicted in these photos would likely still not have access to it. The real issue is powerlessness.
Would it be the same story if shot in the U.S.? Not at all.
Wendy…
of course we are on the same page…
“Insight” , thats the word … and you know what it means…
In this essay???? no insight….thats whats missing…Insight…
Again, i might be misunderstood here…
i totally see that this essay is not about ART… its PJ…
im not judging this essay from an “artistic” point of view…
neither the photog “pretends” that this is “art”… so i can see the honesty regarding that point..
Straight, super straight newspaper type of photos…
i have no problem with that………….AT ALL…
but, the “insight”????????????
nowhere, none, zero…
sad
Ok, teenage pregnancy is a problem, undoubtedly. Something that needs to be understood, and dealt with….. people need to be helped. The thing is, how can you incite people to change, to care, to become concerned about something that you yourself, as the presenter of the story perceivably has no insight into, shows no feeling about, is incapable of even attaching her personal viewpoint to, remains sooooo distant from? I don’t proclaim to know much about photography, but I do know that it is viewed as, and respected as an art. But, how can something be art when it offers no perspective, no insight, no feeling? This, in my eyes was yet another blatant display of facts…… facts that we are all very aware of…… I learned nothing new. When I see art, I want to FEEL something, I want the artist to connect me to the subject. This is why I enjoy art, more than the newspaper, per say. What is the point of attempting to attain insight if you will only be inundated with painfully numbing facts? Basically you show me that people suffer. Well, we know that. They suffer everywhere! And, their suffering gives the opportunity for very shocking photos, photos that any photographer can take. The shock value, although potentially grand,even overwhelming to the point of causing our eyes to be convinced that we have seen a ” great picture” provides me with no new feeling, no new inspiration, no connection. You have a subject matter , as pretty much any subject matter, that could make for very compelling artistic work……. but please…… compel me! I want to feel something new, I want to feel connected to the subject, but I need you to connect me, through your eyes. The only problem here is, I don’t feel you are connected, so even if the story was about teenage pregnancy in th U.S., I wonder if you would be able to bridge that “disconnected gap”.
I don’t think the essay was intended as art. You are asking it to fulfill a role it never intended.
Lisa (said)
February 26, 2009 at 11:33 pm
“…I do have plans to explore this story in my own home country….”
Yes Lisa… ( no pun intended ) … but please, please, please DO THAT…FIRST , not last…
START with YOU, then your family, then your village, then your country…. and yes when you really
do all that, with honesty…and RESPECT…
then , yes… go and expose the poor third world…. but please dont skip those MAJOR steps…
its important…
panos, I find it amusing that you are imposing your asthetic on Lisa. Kind of like us old PJ’s, huh?
Brutal in here.
Maybe Lisa has something up her sleeve. She says it’s a five year global project, sounds interesting to me. Doesn’t sound like she’s trying to make a quick buck selling exploitation to a daily rag.
Didn’t hear a whole lot of uproar when Jonas Bendiksen did The Places We Live. Surely we know people live in squalor, right?
I happen to know quite a few clueless, ignorant people who may not understand the extent of some these problems.
Just thinking here.
Jim, i know you love “reading” yourself here… man…
All eyes on you…
but please do me a favor and read carefully, before you speak man…
please… you keep making things harder for the rest of us…
Adele senior
Jared, think of “Sabine”…or
ohhhhhhhhhhh Jonas B!!!!!!!!!!! thanks for bringing it up…
I find myself being stupidly picky again. Many of the images stand on their own, telling their own stories, asking their own questions, as they should. As a whole, without reading the text, they need an edit. After reading the text I’m left not quite full. Delivery? What’s it like for these kids? Where? How? How is there with them? Who is there for them after delivery? Nobody? Show me. I feel like I started a meal and it ended after the appetizer. But please don’t let this diatribe detract from the most important part which is that some of the photos in this set are top notch! Please keep working on this project, it is far from done and you have your finger on the pulse of it!
Jared,
speaking of Jonas B…!
i didnt get any disrespectful poking though his work…
and he served ART very very well…
but i will agree with JIM & LISA … on one thing…
there was no ART intended here… thats so honest on her part…its just PJ…
i didnt see no ART either… she is simply trying to save the world…
this is where i get ( a little ) nauseous…because i dont see any PJ promotion either..
just a CLICHE…
BUT again, if the photog gets BRAVE enough and turn the camera to her own neighborhood or family first…
then i will stop opposing …maybe in 5 years… thats fine….
but until then, this attempt is an enormous CLICHE…
thats all.
:))))))))))))))
Ah, panos. Sorry I’m somehow blocking the light of your special insight. Just because you don’t like straight photojournalism doesn’t invalidate it.
Jim,
You ??? are blocking the light…?
man keep on keeping flattering yourself…
laughing….
I hear you loud and clear Panos,
my problem is, Jonas shows in galleries sure, has a cool book design,
but he promoted that project in a kind of PJ framework,
to show how they live, that’s a “straight” PJ idea
his open caption info gives facts as to overpopulation and poverty
so,
is the argument here that Lisa is not as good as Jonas, it’s not gallery worthy?
cause we seem to be attacking her a)intent or, b)her naivete
maybe Jonas is better at getting people to relax than Lisa, the subject looks more comfortable, but ostensibly both sets of subjects agreed to be photographed,
to be worse than Jonas Bendiksen’s surely not a crime…
not sure really what I feel about this piece, I think it’s a little cliche myself,
must think more on it
Lisa, as i’m looking at your portfolio right now, i forget about the essay… i forget even about photography, i just feel insane envy about your (photografic)approach to people!
Jared my friend,
one of my favorite PJ’s of all time is James Nachtwey…
HE IS AS STRAIGHT AS A PJ CAN BE… BUT HE IS ALSO AS HONEST AS A MAN CAN BE..
I have no problem with STRAIGHT photography… AT ALL…
I JUST HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CLICHES….
( doesnt matter how loose i wanna think i am, or wannabe…)…
im allergic to CLICHES…
JAMES NACHTWEY is an ORIGINAL… but my boy James P. above is the DEFINITION of all CLICHES…
( no wonder he loved this essay… im glad he did… )
( again, no problem with STRAIGHT photography… at all… regardless if im able to do it…or not
f**k me, its not about what i like…. i agree , i dont like it “straight”… but JAMES NACHTWEY
makes me forget about straight, art or bullshit… you know why he is a MASTER????
Of course i’m sure you know….because HE IS ABLE TO MAKE ME FORGET about all those distinctions ,
because he is able to NAIL me on his cross…. because his stories are impossible to ignore…
James N… doesnt even let me think….i feel hypnotized, mesmerized….
James Nachtwey took straight photography to another level….
You are all perfectly entitled to your opinions but I am horrified with the vicious attacks on a fellow photographer. Constructive criticism is always acceptable but this blatant thrashing is really disgusting and maybe it is not always wise to throw stones in glass houses. I personally know Lisa, we have worked together in Sydney, Australia and i know her as one of the most caring and dedicated photographers that i have ever had the pleasure of meeting. For all of you who are blindly judging Lisa and telling her to photograph in her own backyard, she has for several years done exactly that and when she embarked upon the teenage pregnancy story it was done with empathy, a subject with which Lisa had a personal interest in through her own life experiences, giving her a deeper understanding and respect of her subjects. It would be a sad world indeed if we only photographed what was in front of us in our own backyard and who really has the right to be telling anyone what they should and should not be taking photos of! I think some of the people here have such tunnel vision, shallow minds and are a little self absorbed, and maybe need to put more energy into improving their own photography. There you go, constructive criticism for the knockers! your points would be of no assistance to anyone at all except maybe the feeding your own egos.
Panos,
I’m sure we’ll have a few drinks and talk about this some more tomorrow,
a few drinks are sure to spur my thinking. :)
anyway,
the argument still seems to be that she didn’t quite pull it off for you,
didn’t make you forget the art/straight nonsense,
her crime seems to be “not good enough,” too easily pigeonholed in to the straight category.
The thing Nachtwey did on drug-resistant TB really gave me pause. for the first time I was questioning the point of some largely redundant photos. Really strong, amazing photos but something missing for me.
Is the critique of Lisa really anything but that…
I maybe just don’t get it, always a possibility. :)
Jared…
ok .. lets talk about all that manana…
Brother David opened the Pandoras box…
once again!
what more can we ask ?????????????
viva conyroversy///
VIVA BURN…
… controversy… sorry
:))))))))))))))))))))
gotta go to bed….
a magical night awaits ahead…
and “she” naked … in the bed..
what more can i ask??????????
goodnight y’all
live… from big bear
wow..I was pretty mesmerized by your work, I went to your site, which I like too, and looked through the sets. really wonderful talented work, I think you have some uncanny abilities. I think the first thing i noticed was how close you get, it seems emotional closeness, then the balance and tension of your compositions, and the little details that force you to look in closer. I found myself really enjoying the sensation of looking at your work.
best wishes,
Hello,
I’m very glad to discover a new photographer too. I like all your work. You have a lot talent!
all the best, audrey
Hi Lisa, I like the story but the way you went about it left me kinda bored. Towards the end of the essay I was more interested in the composition more than anything else, and you have some great shots. But you could have easily had this down to an edit of say 18.
You have too many images of teenagers just looking pissed off!
Quite a few images simply repeated themselves, and the panoramic images disrupted the flow for me. They were not needed. I also felt you should look at the wider implications rather than have it written in the pop up text.
Thank you
Lisa:
:))
“Comes down to editing…..sometimes you just want to beat your head against the wall. Don’t get me wrong I love the process but so often I look at my work and think damn, why didn’t i put that one in??..”
I HEAR ya ;)))….i usually think, after i’ve finished a project, or published it, as with here and Bones, i think “fuck, why didnt i take those out” ;)))))…..the thing about editing is a never-ending process right, and the truth is that there is NO right or wrong edit, cause photographers react/see entirely differently…as a writer too, when Im writing an essay or prose-piece or poem, the edit is fun and time consuming and always tricky: how does one get the music right? ;)))…same with pics…the best one can do is stick with their instincts and examine, what is it they want to piece to speak about…and get another eye;))….but, you know that cause you are a deeply deeply committed and talented photographer :)))…so happy to see U here….
Now, gotta get Tamara, Lisa here too :)))…
running
bob
hi lisa
great that you are / have been here to respond and hopefully you´re still around, despite some of the posturing and bullshit :ø)
you´ve been good enough to reveal that this is the early stages of a project and the fact that it is self funded, backed up superbly by the work on your site and tackles a difficult issue stands to your credit.
having mentioned it is the early stages, as you have, i guess most of my comments would be known to you already :ø)
i think the way you are approaching the story is spot on – as anton is doing with his mafia piece in japan.. as i would guess many humanitarian or concerned photographers would approach a subject.
you are taking your time to gain trust, access and find the honesty within the subject you have chosen.
i think the approach of taking the project in chapters is good – and perhaps over the 5 years of the project perhaps these early photographs will be cut to a short number.. with each chapter, visit, or connection the project is bound to twist and turn.. if i know anything about long term projects it is that the unforeseen results are a product of an open mind, genuine honesty and time.. time to get to know the subjects.
respect for having the attributes above.. there is nothing so utterly bemusing as a hit and run approach to a subject such as this.
so as early ´notes´ on a longer journey i think you have done really well..
there is a little repetition, which i am sure will dissolve over time, and i would love to see photos taken from a wider distance.. where the people live.. and, and i think someone mentioned here – details.. contextual shots which will fill in the gaps and complete the story, perhaps enabling you to present the work with less text, (guilty of not reading the captions here)..
you are looking into an important subject here and it´s encouraging to know that PJ´s are still working.. even if funding is absent.. to cover stories and issues which are relevant the world over, from the states, aus and europe to the majority world.
if everyone looks after something, then everything will be looked after.
editing is as much work as shooting – bob and lisa – no?
photo heaven leads to editing hell.. although it is about the most rewarding thing in the world to arrive at an intelligent and easily understood point when the clicking is done.
something which i think is neglected – editing is just as much a part of the work as shooting, as i guess you will both know.. the longer the project the longer the editing.
perhaps the difficulty with editing here – and i wrote this to a friend recently – is that the story is not yet complete.. therefore the point is somewhat muted and the message is mixed.. or sometimes too shallow..
i wonder how this will progress and really am looking forward to seeing more – THIS is just the kind of early stage project which i hope gains funding through the EPF.
it may progress to concerntrate upon one or two families or it may, as you intend, grow to become a world wide project regardless of the GDP of the country concerned.
i hope it leans toward the latter in time, since it has been talked about above how this is a problem which transcends cultures… it has the promise to run and run and weave it´s own conclusion.
good luck :ø)
david
Enriques playground…
valuable and carefully reported subject matter..
heartbreaking ..
hi Lisa..
Very nice to see your work here. First, above all, I respond to your work (across the board) because of who I know you to be (though we don’t know each other in the traditional sense); a dedicated, compassionate, caring human, and for me that comes through as a constant in your work. It is no small thing to care so deeply and to invest yourself as you continually do, self-generating projects of import. There isn’t a ‘but’ here..my point is that you have exactly what is needed to do this work, and it uplifts me that you do.
Regarding this series, I am really impressed with your ability to have faded into the background and not be ‘seen’ in the work in a physical sense. For a work in progress I find it quite strong..my favorite images (using your website numbering) are 3 for the ambiguity of the relationship between them now, 5, 8 (lovely, natural moment), 11 (the abundance..), 15, 17 (love this one, with what appears to be the echo of graduation behind her, hers or someone else’s, doesn’t matter, it still looms) and 24 (not my favorite compositionally, but heartbreaking to me, I can so imagine being one of those kids and pretending that the fake room was real..)
It is a perpetual challenge / issue..how can you spend more time, money, to make this as you want it to be. It is somewhat crazy what photographers go through to make a personal vision actual, but you above many will be able to pull it off. I like the idea of exploring this topic more broadly, your heart will guide you..
As a side note, I recently shot something for Boston Magazine on the teen pregnancy ‘scandal’ in Gloucester, Massachusetts. On some level, the issue is a world apart from yours, but on another, these are just girls needing to find their way now..I only had an afternoon to shoot the piece and had restrictions on what I could show, so it is inspiring to see your images that feel so open and relaxed. Press on!
Jared.. you wrote “I saw a caption that said something to the effect that “many of this woman are pregnant by family members and abuse.” It makes one think the subject is pregnant due to this, if you don’t have a subject in this circumstance” maybe you missed it, but, the main subject here was made pregnant by her cousin without her consent.