When I visited in 1997, hundreds of these boats ferried people across the Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (The photo is taken from another such boat.) But in the background you can see a bridge under construction. The bridge opened in 2001, likely putting hundreds of boatment out of work.
I'd have to lean towards Greg on this one, yes it does have context and say a little something or other, but without the story attached it would be fairly vague. Also I wouldn't go so far as to say some sort of prejudice/etc plays into the issue, if the image doesn't stand on its own then that, is that~
Greg, I think your commentary was a little harsh. IMHO this image does speak for itself. There's a nice contrast between the labour intensive mode of travel that these boatmen symbolise and the encroaching industrialisation in the background.
I agree, the image is a little washed out, but still think it stands up well to scrutiny. Ultimately, photographic images (like all art) are open to interpretation. We bring our own experiences and biases to the images we view and see in them what our experiences allow us to.
Ken, whatever you had or had not intended to convey in this image, each person that views it will interpret it according to their own (often cultural) prejudices. Personally, I like this image, and the other ones that you've posted. :-)
Straightening is certainly required, better that than bent out of shape. You're asking too much of journalistic-type photography. You frequently have to know the context to fully appreciate a photo, it's not always self-explanatory. Even in Dorothea Lange's great photo of a woman holding a baby, which doesn't REQUIRE ANY explanation, it adds to it if you know it's during the Depression. However, there is no chart of downward pointing leading economic indicators visible in the photo. If you look at National Geographic but don't read the captions, you won't get as much out of it.
I didn't claim this photo deserved attention, only that it told a story, and is an example of a CATEGORY that deserves more attention. The struggle of the boatmen is not supposed to be apparent on their faces. The photo shows them going about their lives in the presense of a threat they will eventually be forced to face.
You seem determined to read things that I am not saying, I don't know why.
Let me get this straight - you think this image deserved attention because it tells a story? It isn't well exposed and while it may have a story for you, I don't know what it is. Our emotional and attachments to images make it impossible for us to see our images objectively. We already know the story behind it. The words tell me a story that is related to the image - the image does not explain it on its own. In 50 years when there is no commentary will this say any more than this is a boat load of people crossing a river. If the light was better - at least the struggle of the people might be apparent on their faces, but here i don't see that. In fact, the boatman appears relaxed as do his passengers. The story you see is not apparent to me.
0 
