Please Give Me Back My Childhood by Sarin Soman
Captured in the serene backwaters of Engandiyur, India, during an August 2009 vacation, this image preserves a fleeting moment of pure, unadulterated joy. The photographer observed a group of boys playing with a bicycle, a scene that served as a poignant catalyst for reflection on the passage of time. By framing this candid interaction, the photographer captures the universal longing for the simplicity of youth. The image is award-worthy for its evocative storytelling and its ability to transform a personal memory into a resonant visual narrative about the bittersweet nature of returning to one's roots.
Sarin Soman
Sarin Soman is a Dubai-based software engineer originally from India who has pursued photography as a dedicated passion since 2005. Transitioning from casual snapshots to a more disciplined study of composition and technical execution in 2009, he views his camera as an essential companion in his creative journey. Soman continues to refine his craft with the long-term aspiration of transitioning into a full-time professional photographer, driven by a deep emotional connection to the art form.
Resonance Score Breakdown
Transparency Note: The resonance score (13.3/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.
Expert Photography Reviews · 4
The Grit of Bare Feet
The smell of rain hitting hot, dry earth always brings me back to the taste of copper—the metallic tang of a scraped knee. I remember the sensation of grit pressed into my palms, the rough texture of sun-baked pavement that felt like a secret map of every fall I ever took.
Read the reflection →The Weight of Yesterday
We carry our childhood like a stone in the pocket. At first, it is heavy, then it becomes smooth, worn down by the friction of years.
Read the reflection →Reviews & Comments
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Of the thousands of submissions I’ve reviewed, most capture a moment; this one captures a ghost. The bicycle isn’t just a prop; it’s the fulcrum of a vanishing world. I’ve seen countless shots of children playing, but the way the water mirrors their frantic, unburdened movement makes my chest ache for a simplicity I’ve long since lost. It’s the blur of the spokes that saves this from being a postcard. It’s why we’ll remember them in thirty years.
It’s a charming scene, though one wonders if the photographer simply happened upon these boys during a holiday stroll. The composition is tidy, yet it lacks the grit of a long vigil. I’ve spent enough damp mornings waiting for the light to know when a shot is merely stumbled upon. Still, the sheer, unvarnished exuberance of that bicycle splash makes me miss my own scraped knees. It’s a fleeting joy, even if it’s cheaply bought.
The bicycle wheels blur, yet the true motion here is the encroaching dusk. Soman doesn’t just capture boys; he captures the inevitable erasure of their innocence by the encroaching dark. It’s a heavy, suffocating beauty. I’ve stared at these Kerala backwaters until my eyes ached, feeling the cold weight of time pulling them under. When the light fails, we finally see what’s at stake. It’s not joy we’re losing, but the ability to remain hidden from ourselves.
The ochre of the sun-drenched earth bleeds into the bruised, indigo shadows of the Kerala backwaters, creating a chromatic tension that feels like a Morandi still life caught in motion. It’s a haunting, humid palette; I’m genuinely moved by how the boys’ skin tones vibrate against that watery, slate-grey light. One finds here a melancholy harmony, a bittersweet resonance where the fading warmth of youth doesn’t just linger—it aches within the frame’s very pigment.
coollll….. nice shot….
goodddddddddddddddddddddd
good one :)
Gr8888 pphoto Sarin!! its sooo fresh and original!!! A Simple but elegant snapshot!! Keep up the good work friend!!
congratulations and very nice capture
Dear Sarin,
An amazing shot!This photo reminds each reader of the wonderful memories of childhood.
Learning the first steps of peddling by the backwaters,the cheer and enthusiasm,know no bounds.
Sarin,congrats for the wonderful shot!
Sasneham,
Anu
Good one machuuuuuuuuuu
Nice one, nostaligic!
very nice &cooi
Thanks alot friends
Very good capture bro!
awesome pic bro!! :)
excellent capture and great frame. Congrats Sarin.
awsum click :)
Really Good one Sarin…………Where is it Azhimugham aano ?
nyc!!!
great , lovely
Gr8 Lovely Sarin…:)
great shot!
Great moments, very well captured Sarin
smell of good old days !!
Awesome shot…takes me back to my childhood days!
oh.. Great!