Another View of Jamaica....

No blue, turquoise waters and bright coloured flowers in the background....but we see these people everyday....

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Wounded, bandaged and desperate....this man chooses to hang around the ATM everyday for his living.....
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Hardwork with a machette and sugarcane is an honest living for many.....
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Prayer, belief and the bible is how most folks in JA get by. Give thanks daily and you will reap the benefits and goodness of life....
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A mother heads home into the bush with her daughter in tow. Maybe after a hard days work...or play....

A young precocious boy in PA plays while his mother works in the kitchen all day. He entertains himself and the guests with his bamboo ninja stick.

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Many grandmothers raise second generations of familes, as mothers work, and fathers many times, but not always.... are no where to to be found.

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love your pics!! That is Real Jamaica as well:)

wow, I love the black and white photos!!! awesome

Real Pictures ... That little boy eyes are .... No smiles, You have a great shot of him there...Jamaica, Real Jamaica.. I hope there is more to come..!! Always, Me thanking You.

Very well said Sprat.

A sobering look at Jamaica Sprat, nice job!

Incredible

The male youth of Jamaica are non-commital in their relationships....

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Women work hard to care for their children....against all odds.....

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But with bars abound...you never never know what's around the corner when you live in JA...

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Wow Jackie,absolutely wonderful.

I am loving this.......awesome!

It really doesn't matter where you come from or live....it's HOW you choose to live your life....

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It's a sleepy youth of today who will make for a better tomorrow....

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And after a morning in church for this likkle one, he has nothing but hope in his eyes and love in his heart. He sees no colour barrier to succeed and fullfill his dreams.

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Knowing all to well, that in life...there is light, happiness and a bright future for Jamaica...

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thanks Sprat for sharing

great photos! Sprat, you are a true artiste ....

WOW! powerful

that was incredible. Thanks Sprat.

amazing shots

Thank You Sprat.

I always enjoy your photos, these certain don't disappoint. I like black and white photos soo much for their artistic quality.. I think It gives them a REAL look while letting the viewers mind fill in the blanks so to speak. These images are very real, and they evoke thought.. I thank you for posting them.

You're such a great photographer. Thanks for sharing you art.

Wow! Beautiful and powerful pictures! Thank you for posting these, Sprat!

Thanks all for your comments and I am glad that you enjoyed them. I started posting them, and I ended up telling you what my vision was through these images...I actually hadn't planned that.

B&W photos seem to evoke so much more emotion and thought, as each photo IS a story within itself. It could be from years gone by, or just from yesterday but putting them together like this...the story just seemed to be obvious to me.

Jah Bless :)

{{Spratts}} ... simply divune ~

Love these!

The photos are as beautiful as the subject matter. You have an amazing gift.

***Thanks Sprat***

Hey,hey,hey,,,, i love JA.......thanks 4 the pics Sprat

Very nice pix. Thank you. The Grandma doesn't look as if she likes having her picture taken.

Respect,
Col. Andy

During this reach, I made every effort to ask if I could take someone's picture...as I pretty much had my camera everywhere we went. Most everyone was receptive, some yelled out 'please take my pic'...and I would always show them the photo. I ended up e-mailing many their own photos.

Only once I took a photo and the young man who was a DJ and wanted money for his photo. I told him that I don't pay for taking ones' photo and I would gladly delete it. I showed him his photo and he didn't want me to delete it. We made friends and he walked away without any financial gain and he smiled my way. In regards to the children...I respected those who did not want their childs photo taken...that is why I always asked first. :)

A few of these photos were drive by shots on our return to MoBay...

It's all good when done with good intentions, a smile and respect.

~ Bless

Thanks Sprat for sharing your photos and your thoughts. You made my otherwise dreary day ...into one of sunshine and hope. This group of photos really showed a more realistic view of Jamaica. I love all of your work but this was an awesome set! Much respect mi sista!! :)

I remember last reach taking a photo near Sir Lookout of a young mother and baby. The mom was totally cool about it, but then the baby's daddy tried to shake me down for some money, saying it would be blessing. I hooked him up ....

As always-Incredible photos- I hope someday you a book together with all your Jam photos...

That look on the Granma's face is very often mistaken for a scowl. Lots of ppl, including myself make a face like that because of the glare from the sun . Take note that a lot of Jamaicans dont wear sunglasses.
Thanks for posting them Sprat!

disclaimer:
My comment is not meant to start a discussion to 'change" the mood of this thread.

Awesome photos!

Thanks Ackee...your comments are very insightful and informative. I noticed that look and squint in many photos, and realize it is just that!

:)

Thanks Sprat, I really enjoyed the photos

real jamaica, i like that in your photos.

Sprat I love ALL the pics. They really tell a story, each and every one of them. The residents make Jamaica what it is. Thanks for sharing, please post more!

Thanks all...Jamaicans are beautiful, proud people :) I will do another series soon...

Love your photos, Sprat. You're a very talented lady.

Sprat, Your talents are ENDless!!! Thank you for your photos, your insight and for sharing. We LOVE to see the real Ja. and meet the beautiful people that are blessed with the patience and love that they share with us. (You know, us tourists, sometimes can be demanding, impatient and rude):( But day in and day out they work so very hard to make it enjoyable for us to be in the country they Love and are so proud of, and they do it with Smiles.