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Powerful Photo Series Reveals People’s Real Jobs Compared To What They Dreamed Of Becoming As Kids
When you were a child, what career path did you dream of? A doctor? A rock star? A surgeon? An astronaut? Whatever it was, the reality for most of us is that the jobs we've ended up doing are far from the best jobs we imagined for ourselves as kids.
Inspired by this idea, Mumbai-based student Deeksha Rathore embarked upon a project called "Dreamcatcher," a photo series of 12 diptychs highlighting the contrast between people's current careers and their childhood dream jobs. "One seldom ends up choosing a career they thought they would, and that's alright - real-life problems do happen," she wrote on Instagram. "So I decided to capture this to the best of my ability by talking to people in Mumbai in various professions and asking them what they wanted to do when they were children." The photo ideas are part of a project for Rathore's photography art class, and as you can see from the pictures below, it's remarkably simple, yet also incredibly thought-provoking. Are YOU following your dreams?
More info: Instagram
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What do you think ?
Alusair Alustriel 8 years ago
Those are remarkable! I am really impressed with the ideas you took to show two jobs in one photoshoot. Those powerful, small details change EVERYTHING. Great job + the photos themselves are very pleasant to the eye. And it's interesting to ponder on those people's stories, how it worked out for them differently...
Alan Aurmont 8 years ago
I didn't find these powerful at all. In some of them, you can hardly tell the difference. A different settting would definitely show the artist's greater effort and not just "move your hand to the left to show your dream job".
Alusair Alustriel 8 years ago
I think that was the point of that photo gallery - to show that a very small, minor difference, a tiny deatil can change everything. I like how it's shown in the 8th one (Policeman). If the Author put those poeple in different settings for each job it would be just another session of people in different situations.
Load More Replies...
Captain Planet 8 years ago
The idea/concept is great! BUT the execution is very lackluster. He or she could have made this into a brilliant photography series. But alas, potential wasted imo. This seems like a oh c**p I have to do an assignment for my photography class and I have been slacking. Only 2 days left! hurry hurry!
Sarah White 8 years ago
No they were trying to show the difference between the jobs with only changing the tiniest details. Perhaps to show their dreams aren't as far away as they seem? But that's just my personal perspective on it. And the photos are incredibly well done.
Load More Replies...
Bridget Smith 8 years ago
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about these photos. I wanted a more extreme difference between the dream and reality. But then I realized that anyone could come up with that concept (and probably has). This made me think more. It was kind of cool that I had to do a double take. I also found it interesting that I thought some realities were more worthwhile than the dreams (like the surgeon). I think the photographer did a great job. When it comes to art, I think it's better to have people feel strongly about it (love or hate) than feel indifferent.
Deeksha Rathore 8 years ago
Wow, I think your comment made my day. I was beginning to feel a little disheartened reading some of the comments here. I just want to thank you for understanding the intent behind these photographs and the thought I've put into their execution. It means so much to me, thank you!
Load More Replies...
Amber Ice 8 years ago
Hey Deeksha, wonderfull job! I really like the subtlety of it and I get them. Also I see a few people reacting this is too subtle or not "deep" enough, too simple, but I see a lot of thought, a lot of work to make a detailed picture that tells us what you mean. Too bad though: I donno if it's my phone or something else, but it showed me the pictures in the wrong order (dream first) I don't think that it was supposed to be like that
DancingToMyself 8 years ago
I like the idea and everything that Alusair said. Congrats for your wonderful work. Btw, with my dancing I'm living my dream, I like everything about my job. Hard work pays off in time. ♥
Deeksha Rathore 8 years ago
Thank you so much, it's great to know stories like yours. Thank you for sharing, they make my day.
Load More Replies...
Michel M. Prins 8 years ago
An interesting project! Well done! Situations can challenge or even prevent a dream to become true. In poor countries, bad household or something else. But I still think a lot can be possible, no matter what age, gender or what situation. Many have succeeded in their goals, while other people (including me) are still working and/or struggling to gain that success. But the harsh truth is that it takes a lot of time, concentration, focus and determination. The dream will be a big source of fuel, but it does need hard work as well. And sometimes it works out well and other times it won't. But remember that the dream has no deadline, it can still happen.
Sarah White 8 years ago
Quite inspirational while still remaining true. Thanks :)
Load More Replies...
Reyna Pelcastre 8 years ago
I did the same project about a year ago... http://reynapelcastre.wixsite.com/reynarte/blank-nddd6
Crystal El 8 years ago
i liked this because it reflects on the way people of third world countries live their lives i would like to see more of this
SixThousand Blankets 8 years ago
They are mixed up. I dont know which is the dream or the real job.
Reyna Pelcastre 8 years ago
I did the same project about a year ago... http://reynapelcastre.wixsite.com/reynarte/blank-nddd6 4d6ba8_6b0...f34f50.jpg 
Alusair Alustriel 8 years ago
Those are remarkable! I am really impressed with the ideas you took to show two jobs in one photoshoot. Those powerful, small details change EVERYTHING. Great job + the photos themselves are very pleasant to the eye. And it's interesting to ponder on those people's stories, how it worked out for them differently...
Alan Aurmont 8 years ago
I didn't find these powerful at all. In some of them, you can hardly tell the difference. A different settting would definitely show the artist's greater effort and not just "move your hand to the left to show your dream job".
Alusair Alustriel 8 years ago
I think that was the point of that photo gallery - to show that a very small, minor difference, a tiny deatil can change everything. I like how it's shown in the 8th one (Policeman). If the Author put those poeple in different settings for each job it would be just another session of people in different situations.
Load More Replies... Captain Planet 8 years ago
The idea/concept is great! BUT the execution is very lackluster. He or she could have made this into a brilliant photography series. But alas, potential wasted imo. This seems like a oh c**p I have to do an assignment for my photography class and I have been slacking. Only 2 days left! hurry hurry!
Sarah White 8 years ago
No they were trying to show the difference between the jobs with only changing the tiniest details. Perhaps to show their dreams aren't as far away as they seem? But that's just my personal perspective on it. And the photos are incredibly well done.
Load More Replies... Bridget Smith 8 years ago
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about these photos. I wanted a more extreme difference between the dream and reality. But then I realized that anyone could come up with that concept (and probably has). This made me think more. It was kind of cool that I had to do a double take. I also found it interesting that I thought some realities were more worthwhile than the dreams (like the surgeon). I think the photographer did a great job. When it comes to art, I think it's better to have people feel strongly about it (love or hate) than feel indifferent.
Deeksha Rathore 8 years ago
Wow, I think your comment made my day. I was beginning to feel a little disheartened reading some of the comments here. I just want to thank you for understanding the intent behind these photographs and the thought I've put into their execution. It means so much to me, thank you!
Load More Replies... Amber Ice 8 years ago
Hey Deeksha, wonderfull job! I really like the subtlety of it and I get them. Also I see a few people reacting this is too subtle or not "deep" enough, too simple, but I see a lot of thought, a lot of work to make a detailed picture that tells us what you mean. Too bad though: I donno if it's my phone or something else, but it showed me the pictures in the wrong order (dream first) I don't think that it was supposed to be like that
DancingToMyself 8 years ago
I like the idea and everything that Alusair said. Congrats for your wonderful work. Btw, with my dancing I'm living my dream, I like everything about my job. Hard work pays off in time. ♥
Deeksha Rathore 8 years ago
Thank you so much, it's great to know stories like yours. Thank you for sharing, they make my day.
Load More Replies... Michel M. Prins 8 years ago
An interesting project! Well done! Situations can challenge or even prevent a dream to become true. In poor countries, bad household or something else. But I still think a lot can be possible, no matter what age, gender or what situation. Many have succeeded in their goals, while other people (including me) are still working and/or struggling to gain that success. But the harsh truth is that it takes a lot of time, concentration, focus and determination. The dream will be a big source of fuel, but it does need hard work as well. And sometimes it works out well and other times it won't. But remember that the dream has no deadline, it can still happen.
Sarah White 8 years ago
Quite inspirational while still remaining true. Thanks :)
Load More Replies... Reyna Pelcastre 8 years ago
I did the same project about a year ago... http://reynapelcastre.wixsite.com/reynarte/blank-nddd6
Crystal El 8 years ago
i liked this because it reflects on the way people of third world countries live their lives i would like to see more of this
SixThousand Blankets 8 years ago
They are mixed up. I dont know which is the dream or the real job.
Reyna Pelcastre 8 years ago
I did the same project about a year ago... http://reynapelcastre.wixsite.com/reynarte/blank-nddd6 4d6ba8_6b0...f34f50.jpg
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