What Do You See?

Paradise right? To some it is. This is Ipanema Beach in Rio, Brazil. Beautiful sandy beach, warm ocean water perfect for body surfing or just cooling off from the 90-degree sun. Rio is one of the most scenic landscapes in the world with jagged mountains nestled right up to the Atlantic Ocean. Inland, more mountains surround a giant lagoon shaped like a heart. Flying into the city you are mesmerized by its dramatic change in landscapes-mountainous peaks to pristine beaches. You cant help but fall in love with its views.
Paradise right? From this picture most people would answer-yes. Most people. The others who know Rio may think otherwise-especially from this picture. If you look off into the distance you can see the most expensive beachfront property in the entire country-hillside views of the coastline that you could only imagine. But you wont ever hear the wealthiest of people call it home. In fact you wont ever hear of them even stepping foot in this community. This area is home to some of the poorest, most dangerous people in the world. This is the favela-Chacara do Ceu. Home to violent gangs, drug traffickers, murders-you name it. Along with the beautiful mountains in Rio-poor communities known as favelas (slums) are more prominent than schools or parks. So dangerous that the local authorities don?t even dare enter. These communities are governed by themselves-regulated by drug lords whose average life expectancy is 26.
A picture can speak a thousand words. It can incite emotion, provoke a memory or create desire. It can make one person laugh hysterically yet make another person break down in tears. Its all in the eye of the beholder. A picture is a personal moment that can be internally yours to keep or share.
My intention for this picture was to capture a beautiful sunset. Simple idea. But what I personally get from this now is something completely different. I get the thought of how ridiculously lucky I am to be there at that moment to even take this picture. I see an opportunity that I personally get to travel places in the world that I would never do on my own. Truly lucky.