Natural blond, a photo from Guadalcanal, West

Photographer's Note

Recently we returned from down under Australia, from where we took a cruise to New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, the islands of Vanuatu and Fiji.

I shot the photo of the little boy in Guadalcanal on the Solomon Islands. We met dozens of dark-skinned Melanesian natives, and some, who like this little boy, supported blond hair. On our excursion bus the overarching question became the color of the children's hair: "Were they naturally blond," or "Had they used peroxide," or "Were they suffering from malnutrition?" These are three possible explanations for blond hair, and also for blue eyes. As I looked into the question recently, I discovered that the occurrence of blond hair (and frequently blue eyes) among the Melanesians is an unresolved question among anthropologists. Blonds are entirely natural, but their incongruous features represent mutation.

According to the literature at the Memorial Park, following the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Japanese forces were able to establish bases in the New Guinea and the Solomon Islands by Mid-April 1942, and were threatening Australia itself. Just a month later, in May 1942 a strategic sea battle took place between naval forces of the United States and Japan in the Coral Sea. This was followed by a decisive victory by the US in the Battle of Midway between 3-7 June 1942.

Poverty in the Solomon Islands is endemic, with only about 42 years life expectancy. And yet, there was absolutely no evidence of beggars.

papagolf21, Gigidusud, lousat, holmertz, ourania, worldcitizen, ecmel, Hansaphotos, COSTANTINO, PaulVDV, adores ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

boa (8039) 2016-03-07 11:52

Hi Bulent,
that sounds like a wonderful and interesting holiday! Cruise to Vanuatu and Fiji, I envy you:)This is an excellent portrait of a young boy. It's taken in a moment where he seems to be unaware of you, who knows what he's thinking about..Beautiful light and colors, pin-sharp,Tfs!

Best regards/
Boa

Silvio1953 (221813) 2016-03-07 12:15

Ciao Bulent, great portrait of cute boy, intense expression, excellent clarity and fine details, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

papagolf21 (152607) 2016-03-07 14:23

Bonjour, cher ami Bulent,
Très intéressant portrait dressé à travers cette composition. La note est parfaite pour mieux comprendre ces particularités. Une image sans fard présentée simplement mais avec réalisme.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Gigidusud (21679) 2016-03-07 14:49

Hello dear Bulent,
Indeed this hair color is amazing. Excellent portrait of this little boy with a note very interesting. Well done!
Best regards.
Gigi

lousat (139400) 2016-03-07 15:27

Hi Bulent,beautiful portrait of this boy,dark skin and blond hairs in a nice capture,interesting note about the genetics of local people,it's a pity that i read the poor place and the very short expectative life.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

holmertz (102866) 2016-03-08 1:31

Hello Bülent,
I have seen many photos of blonde children on Guadalcanal but never got a good explanation for it. This boy does not look at all malnourished, so a natural genetic phenomenon seems more likely. He poses well, or rather doesn't pose at all, seemingly not aware of you, although you were so close. It's a pleasantly natural photo with equally natural light and colors.
Kind regards,
Gert

Nicou (193806) 2016-03-08 7:10

Hello

Superbe portrait de ce jeune quel rendu sur son visage quel rendu et vue ce regard cette position des bras sur la tête et les cheveux blonds superbe portrait et vue.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

ourania (51103) 2016-03-10 12:48

Hello Bulent,
although there's no eye contact or direct response, the little boy's spontaneous portrait is impressively vivid. There's a 3D effect and the colours are both natural and attractive, it feels like we're standing in front of him and that some sort of interaction is taking place. His clothes are in poor condition but he looks healthy and vigorours and I hope that he'll be able to maintain a good life far beyond his country's current life expectancy. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great day,
Ourania

emka (158204) 2016-03-10 14:09

Hello Bulent, Excellent portrait of this blond boy. Very interesting note, it is strange that there are natural blond, as it is the recessive feature. How sad that there is such a poverty at the islands that we could imagine as paradise.

Warm regrads MAlgo

worldcitizen (16114) 2016-03-11 17:23

Hello Bulent,
I've heard about blonde Melanesians before, and it's interesting to see one in your photo. It's evident that this boy lives in poverty, and I hope a brighter future will somehow be possible for him. It's a nice portrait, and I like the natural, green background, too.

Hansaphotos (11381) 2016-03-13 9:52

Hello Bulent

Wow, not many photos from Solomon Islands here on TE. An excellent portrait of this boy. The green, slightly blurred background works very well as a backdrop for the scene. Interesting and informative text to accompany the photo. I really hope his future will be bright. Lovely work! Thanks.

Greetings, Erling

COSTANTINO (116698) 2016-03-13 11:29

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
and a happy new day
one shot is one thousand words
I red carefully your useful notes
and your thoughts about the color
of the children s hair
wellaccepted
regards
Costantino

PaulVDV (63026) 2016-03-21 10:23

Hello Bülent,
Reading the title of the picture here I hoped to find the answer on the question of the surprising blond hair but all I can learn is that it still is an unresolved question :)
Only 42 years life expectancy! This must mean that the people have one of the worst living conditions on earth. And this without wars (in recent times).
Yet the land on the background seems to be quite fertile.
Best regards, Paul

adores (46979) 2016-04-02 14:06

Hi Bulent!
I have never been to this part of the world and it looks very interesting indeed. It's a very nice portrait and I like the note, too, otherwise we would think immediately it is painted. I like the pose and expression!