UNESCO Photographer: John Amato

By PJAMES on October 30, 2006 7:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Recently I came upon photographer John Amato's image of a destitute Child he shot in China - it's one of the most compelling portraits I've ever seen; it's very beautiful yet very sad, and we've been exchanging a few emails about it.

After John told me the story behind this girl, her love for her brother & their Father, I was so moved that I asked his permission to publish his image here, as well as his thoughts - as I see in his photograph the reflections of so many street Children I know in the Philippines.

photo © copyright John Amato - Used with permission.

John's currently in China shooting for UNESCO and UNDESA - his work is wonderfull and I wish him all the Best.
...our emails are continued below,

PJAMES

from John Amato
Oct.26, 2006

Hi:

It was sad for me and always is in these situations. Her brother was with her while her father slept on the side of the street with a small amount of money in his hand. There was such a goodness to her and such a love for her brother. they were both begging for money but they weren't obnoxious about it. I don't remember how much I gave them but it is always just a bandade for the problem.

Thank you for your comment. I wish instead of the greed and corruption I see here in China and elsewhere, there could be meaningful help for those who suffer because of governmental institutions that line their pockets with money that is often meant to help the needy. Maybe this girls father should be out working but he isn't so she and her brother suffer with a lack of daily needs being met and no education.

Warmly,
John Amato
...................

from Paul James
Oct.27, 2006

John,

Thank you so much for your reply.

Each time I see this girls face my eyes well up & I want to cry - you can see the neglect on her face, as well as the gentle goodness of her nature.

Thank you for the story too about her Father & Family; you should post that to the image on pBase - people have to know about children like her.

What made me happy is hearing that you did give her something - you made the effort to do something nice for her, even though it wouldn't solve her situation; God Bless you for that.

Are you shooting in China now?
...I'm fascinated with humanitarian photographers living in developing countries.

Do you get to see this child since the day you took the image?

I'd like to ask your permission to show a small resolution version of your image & comments on my website:
www.projectrice.org

I'm in the Philippines now for about 3 months per year, trying to raise awareness & some small suppot for the poor street Children & Families I've known & supported there since 2003 - and I use my photography to do that, and I post my images & journal about my travels there on the website, in a blog format.

Would that be ok for you?

I don't post other peoples work there, but once in a while I come accross an image &/or photographer that I feel should be seen & talked about.

I'm heading back to Philippines in about 2 weeks & I'm very excited about seeing the kids there & taking a small amount of money donations from pBase & pRICE friends & other people with me to buy their Families 50kg sacks of RICE, and some Children's clothing (that's about all I can do for them, but I have to try my best for them)
..I'll be starting a new pBase.com gallery for them after I arrive.

You can email me directly on yahoo:
pjhitnrun@yahoo.com

...and also at pRICE:
team@projectrice.org

Thanks again John - hope to hear from you soon.

PJ
..............................................................................

from John Amato
Oct.30, 2006

Hi:
I am sorry I have not gotten back to you sooner but i forgot I had this email here since I don't use this mail very much.

I don't mind the image being used as long as I am credited. I mainly want and hope people will help each other. I am in China and we are working on two books for UNESCO and UNDESA so I am not shooting right now but i did all summer and before that. We have been here a little over a year now and will leave in January of next year.

You are doing great work. I know where you are going it is not easy.

Please let me hear from you and how things are going.

Warmly,
John