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Subscribe to RSSThe producers making these panoramic images for PhotoBlog have decided to begin covering relief efforts in Japan. I understand their decision. At some point the destruction is overwhelming, and you want to pay more attention to the survivors and those who are helping.
I’m struck by the smiling faces of the children in this image. I think kids are stronger than we give them credit for.
In tsunami-stricken Minamisanriku, where more than 8,000 people are still missing, many survivors have taken refuge in school gymnasiums. This panoramic shows the conditions in Shizugawa Elementary school on March 19, 2011. There is a sense of safety, but many basic needs are still not being met. (Koki Uemura / Sankei Shimbun / MSN Japan)
Stephen Morrison / EPA
Sugawara Haruto, center, plays with other children at Sezugawa Secondary School, which has been set up as an evacuation center and is now home to more than 280 people, in Minamisanriku.
KYODO / Reuters
An "SOS" signal is written on the sports field of a high school after the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami struck Minamisanriku.
See more panoramic images from the disaster in Japan.
- Panoramic image of the destruction in Kesennuma, Japan
- Panoramic image of the damage in Natori, Japan
- Panoramic image from inside the passenger terminal of the airport in Sendai, Japan
- Panoramic image of the airport in Sendai, Japan
- Panoramic image shows the damage in Kesennuma, Japan
See ongoing coverage of the disaster in Japan in PhotoBlog and in our slideshow.
Leave a Comment:
In the panorama, look at the cute little girl in the pink jacket, kneeling next to someone sleeping, directly underneath the nearest basketball hoop. SHE HAS NO RIGHT HAND!!!!!
The child with no left hand It's a sign of the coming apocalypse.
its just the way the picture was pieced togehter
Don't worry, it just looks that way. When you take panoramic pictures, you take several pictures and stitch it together. The little girl must of been right on the edge of the picture and she must have moved away when the photographer took the next picture. If you look closely, the sleeve is partially transparent.
BTW...I've done a lot of panoramic stitched shots, myself. So I actually knew why the little girl appears to be missing a hand. Her arm was positioned one way for one shot, and another way for the next or previous shot. That hand just happened to be on a stitch seam. Another artifact of panoramic image stitching that I just noticed...the photographer in the bright blue jacket appears twice. He is walking to the left in one shot, and then crouched to take a picture in another. Obviously, he was in two different locations at a quick enough pace to be caught it two different shots in the panorama. That's the problem you always run into when shooting stitched panoramas of anything but landscapes and "still life"...you've got moving targets that can replicate themselves in multiple shots. Of course, the producers of the panorama can't direct everyone in the gymnasium to be perfectly still for the duration of the shoot! :)
I don't know if some of the comments are in all seriousness or jest. Perhaps the cute little girl in the pink jacket was born without a hand? Regardless, she wouldn't be at this shelter if she had it recently amputated. The children in this picture appear nourished, cuious and coping well with the situation. As I scroll down the page, in one photo there appears to be nothing living except for trees in the distance. Let's put a perspective on what we are seeing from the comfort of being a dozen time-zones away!
@ jovine-3217269 don't you have anything better to say; like look at this huge Japanese family smiling in the wake of disaster. her hand is missing as explained by others. get a life!
LMAO!
little girl in pink behind her...typical child..finger in nose.. :^J
Seriously, peopl are victims of a major catastrophe and you are discussing photoshop????? I mean thousands are dead, tens of thousands are in shelters (subject of photo, in case anyone noticed) a radioactive plant is leaking like crazy and might cause (probably will) uncontrolable ecological disasters, the material damages are probably worth the entire budget of the UK and the psychological damages are irreprable for many, an entire race is in distress, but I guess for everything else there is Master Card!!
Not that anything about this tragedy is funny but the younger child to the right of the girl who lost her hand is picking her nose. Have to make light of this somehow.
I am Etienne from Haiti, Thanks for this privilege to share all my sympaties to my Japanese brothers and sisters strucked by this terrible quake last week. I'd like to let them know that they are not alone in this tragical moment. Prayers have been done all over the world for them and especially in Haiti, by the the christian community. God loves you and will never forsake in bad time like this. Be of good courage and keep hoping to something better.
Etienne Evans, Haiti
god be with you!
This just goes to prove the old addage that the children are our future. No matter how bad things get they always seem to have fun.
Could it be that the little girl's hand is just in the arm of her coat. At any rate really what relevance does that have to do with anything. It doesn't absolve the destruction and sadness that these people have endured. And what the picture is trying to show has nothing to do with what either of you are saying. The picture is showing that thru the adversity these children have endured they still find a reason to smile. And that's what is special, that is what God has granted us. The ability to smile and realize that we are blessed no matter the hardships we endure.
When I see how these people get a long at a time like this, Katrina people sure didn't act like that when they were in the dome, rape, murder and God only know what else happened there. Plus the mess they made. Look how these people keep their beds made stuff folded they have no place to go but they are making the most of it. God Bless all you people.
Yeah, it's cultural, no matter how far away from Japan we're raised, (four generations later on a tropical island 2000 miles away for instance) I've still got a mom who expects everything put away neatly in its place so we can find it later whether we're having a picnic or surviving lava flows. We're also expected to speak politely and have respect for rank no matter how dumb we think the other person is, so there's lots less quarreling (not to mention looting and shooting). You just have to think of stuff to imagine saying in your head while you smile and nod!
Be strong Japan, we're praying for you....
jovine - I have no idea if you are serious or making a very bad joke. Either way, please consider that what is needed now is empathy, support and creative solutions, not superstitious BS and hysteria.
Feel good to see the pictures of kids are smiling again. Atleast pray for them, if you can't do much.
Cherylsmoma,
Rape and murders never happened in the superdome, those were only rumors. The biggest difference is that during Hurricane Katrina, people were in the superdome without any food, water or electricity. In addition it was summer in New Orleans which meant thousands of people trapped in place with out any air conditioning in sweltering heat. Those conditions were the fault of the Government both Federal and State who continously stated that they couldn't get in to provide food and water all the while the media could get in to report. You can't compare apples and oranges, racists and non-racists! God Bless everyone effected by this devastation. Sounds a lot better than God Bless all YOU people. #justsaying
Check police reports Bear....drugs were rampant....theft rampant, fights galore, etc etc The filth of the superdome can't be hidden, look at pictures or videos, there was trash everywhere. Big difference is these people care about things like that, no trash nowhere, no beds even and no complaints and their disaster was way worse than anything New Orleans saw. In New Orleans they had time before the hurricane hit and time between the hurricane and the dikes breaking, they were too busy looting to go to the shelters then. These people had only minutes, but they listened and they have dignity even in these trying times, something the people in the superdome didn't have.
These same people are the ones that chose not to leave...why is it that people think they can withstand what mother nature hands out, and then complain when conditions are bad and why didn't anyone do more for them. You get plenty of warning for a hurricane, not so with other nature disturbances.
The people of New Orleans are pretty close to the lowest class of people to exist. They still complain that know one will help them, but god forbid they help themselves. They will never change, will always live in there own swaller and not lift a lazy finger to get out of there rut.
Thank you Bearmer. The racists out here are too ignorant to realize that when they make comparisons between New Orleans' Katrina victims and Haiti's earthquake victims to the victims from this earthquake/tsunami in Japan, they only cause others to minimize their sympathy for the Japanese. We already don't see the thousands of people commenting on these blogs about Japan like we did over a week ago. ALL of these events are tragedies, tragedies that have only one thing in common: loss of life and suffering.
Strick9, no these comments don't cause others to "minimize their sympathy for the Japanese". These comments just cause fights. That's all.
@Obake - AMEN!!! The Human Race seems to never learn that one lesson - if you can't say something nice then don't say anything at all.
I'd like to nominate the posting by Garry-3218464 as Ignorant Comment of the Week.
First of all, you can't generalize a whole city of people as "close to the lowest class of people to exist". New Orleans is made up of individuals--some good, some bad--just like any other city. Calling all of them low class is just dumb.
Second, your critique consists of misspellings and laughable made up words, such as when you say that the people of New Orleans "complain that know one will help them" and that they "will always live in there own swaller and not lift a lazy finger to get out of there rut". I think maybe you meant "no", "their" and "squalor". "Swaller" is what you and your redneck buddies try not to do with yer chewin' tebacky. You call others lazy but why were you too lazy to pay attention in English class?
Just from the content and structure of the few sentences you posted, you've made it obvious that you're lower class than any of those "low class" people down in New Orleans.
Would there be any kids placed for adoption?
what kind of comment is that? If there were a horrible disaster where you live would you place your kids up for adoption so easily and hurridly? C'mon! There are thousands of children who are already up for adoption and has nothing to do with this tsunami.
Funny how I never saw that question asked during the aftermath of Katrina or the earthquake in Haiti.
Strick, what are you talking about? Loads of people asked about adopting Haitian children, and quite a few of the earthquake orphans have been adopted outside of Haiti.
Can't getter cuter than that! Nice to see smiling faces.
these photos are absolutely beautiful and awe inspiring.......America could learn so much from the Japanese people's spirit, sense of honor, dignity, and commitment to something greater than themselves.
@jovine-321.... We're safe then. This girl has no RIGHT hand.
I'm not sure why they can't get more food and water to these people. Is it the radiation? Is it that Japan is too proud to ask for more help? Is it gas shortage? I've heard that one day they each got one banana and one strawberry.
Anyway I'm glad they are showing some relief efforts and survivors. Having lived in Japan I can tell you this kind of organization and community is part of their everyday life. Even the homeless are very organized and orderly. They have a little area with a mat or cardboard box on the floor and take off their shoes. I think that there are many people willing to bring survivors into their homes with in Japan and internationally. I hope to see that happen soon.
Best wish for the little kids
Would there be little kids up for adoption?
@Luis M... Are you freaking for real? Japan is not a 3rd world country...there are children in the US that are in need of adoption...
right on!
Bear, don't be dumb! Rapes and murders were rampant in the Superdome, all committed by stupid males!
so nice to see those beautiful children smiling!
how amazing the disposition of these amazing people~ they deserve kindness and admiration!
These pictures are the silver lining starting to show on a horrific, unimaginable tragedy. What would we do without children? In an interview, an older couple from Japan stated, "We are old, but the young ones, they will rebuild." It was a great acknowledgement to the power of those who come after us to be better than we are today. As well as leadership by action as he cleaned what remained of his home "so the government could focus on more important matters".
Sometimes we are judged when we haven't said a word. The Japanese people, I have observed over the past week, can hold their heads high. They have taught me to have more grace, forgiveness and review what I truly cherish. Thank you and may God hold each and everyone close to him.
ndatmo- Why would you even respond to jovine's comment.
At any rate, I totally agree with your empathy, support and creative solutions. Everyone should learn from these people what human beings are and what they mean to each other.
Bearmer0124: Rapes, robberies, and looting were reported by all news stations and the media. Feces and urine were everywhere in the dome was reported by Oprah Winfrey when she visited the dome. I felt bad for the Katrina victims. They received warning days in advance, it was unfortunate they did not take advantage of the early warning.
Juststuck: You are correct, hurricanes can be seen days in advance. The people of Sendai had only 10 - 20 minutes, depending on location, of warning. Tsunami traveled at 600 miles per hour, the speed of a jet. Earthquake epicenter was 80 miles off the coast. Now do the math, how much time did these people have? Not much.
Sakura25: Food and water could not be delivered sooner because all roads were covered with debris and there was not enough fuel.
W.C.: The reason why most people adopt children from other countries is because orphans in America are mostly drug babies. Drug babies have A LOT of physical and mental health problems and are very expensive to take care of.
Luis: I was thinking the same thing you were thinking. I'm sure there are children that lost their families. I don't want to be a parent, just a guardian taking care of them until they can be on their own.
Adoption? Are you kidding? These kids prefer stay in their country!
Bearmer0124: Rapes, robberies, and looting were reported by all news stations and the media. Feces and urine were everywhere in the dome was reported by Oprah Winfrey when she visited the dome. I felt bad for the Katrina victims. They received warning days in advance, it was unfortunate they did not take advantage of the early warning.
Juststuck: You are correct, hurricanes can be seen days in advance. The people of Sendai had only 10 - 20 minutes, depending on location, of warning. Tsunami traveled at 600 miles per hour, the speed of a jet. Earthquake epicenter was 80 miles off the coast. Now do the math, how much time did these people have? Not much.
Sakura25: Food and water could not be delivered sooner because all roads were covered with debris and there was not enough fuel.
W.C.: The reason why most people adopt children from other countries is because orphans in America are mostly drug babies. Drug babies have A LOT of physical and mental health problems and are very expensive to take care of.
Luis: I was thinking the same thing you were thinking. I'm sure there are children that lost their families. I don't want to be a parent, just a guardian taking care of them until they can be on their own.