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Figures in urban landscapes 10


Figures in urban landscapes 10
Photo Information
Copyright: Per Hoj (hojper) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 687 W: 111 N: 847] (4087)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-05-13
Categories: Daily Life
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20
Exposure: f/3.7, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Figures in urban landscapes, EXCLUSION?! [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-05-26 17:25
Viewed: 1216
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is an aspect of our urban landscapes that we cannot ignore. Many people are homeless, many are unemployed, and far too many are down on their luck. And they are there, in the parks, under the bridges, sleeping on benches, or as in this case, crouched just inside Michael's Gate in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Too often we ignore them, and I am afraid too often we are ashamed even to include them in our photos. Michael's Gate is the only preserved gate of the medieval fortifications from the 14th century, and it lead from the busy modern city to the old city which is entirely free of cars, and therefore a haven for tourists and shoppers. So it is obvious why a man begging would pick a place like this. I post a larger version showing the tourists passing through and ignoring the beggar in the workshop.

Technically this was simple. I clarified and saturated, resized and sharpened. And of course added the 12% gaussian noise that is the trademark of this series.
Fisher, alagoa, eev, Conspicor, Dingo has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1254 W: 351 N: 944] (5728)
  • [2005-05-26 17:31]

Well done on this photo journalistism shot. Excelent composition and details.
Excelent presentation.

Mike

  • Great 
  • bult Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 229 W: 24 N: 86] (1037)
  • [2005-05-26 17:37]

You're so right, easy to ignore, hard to talk about.

The truth is this can happen to anyone. There are even university professors that end up like this. Sad story, good journalism shot like Fuji-mon said.

We surely cannot ignore... Unfortunately this is the kind of image that we see all around the world! When I was a kid I had never imagined that we would reach the 21st century in such a disgraced world and what hurts me even more is that we don't really see things getting any better :-(
Wonderful work Per! Photos like this always make a difference in our life.

Ana

Very good note and photo, hats off to you.
Matt

Good idea to keep the composition simple here. The focus is on the man who is looking at his money. Great job!

This man looks very down. Given his circumstances it may be probably that this is exactly what he is feeling. The money looks scant which would also favour this presumption. The image is nicely composed to reinforce this. The surrounds of the man are clearly aged and well weathered which, looking at his hands and face, may well be true of him as well.
There are of course some who chose this life and he may well be contemplating the fact that not everyone is uncharitable as the general populace. A photo that generated much contemplation in me as well, thanks.

Your have portrayed a lot of emotion in this scene Per. I always feel sad to see people in this sort of situation. At Christmas our family always buy something for the needy, and we decided to choose a homeless person on the streets of downtown Toronto. We bought a whole outfit from top to bottom, including underwear and socks. Everything thermal, nice and warm. We walked around the streets looking for someone. We found a man living in a park under a makeshift tent. We also gave him Christmas cards, stamps and a pen just in case he would like to write to someone. He was delighted and gave me a big hug and a kiss, and invited us to stay a while. We sat on the grass and chatted about his life. He asked if we minded if he shared his new things with another homeless friend.
Thank you for taking this shot. Hopefully it will give mind awareness to others that see it.

  • Great 
  • Dingo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2744 W: 370 N: 2624] (11948)
  • [2005-05-28 10:45]

You are partially right, Per. Sometimes things can go wrong and people are lost in misery. It's a challenge for society to try to prevent this. However, speaking for Belgium, we have enough social services these people can turn to - and we pay a lot of taxes for it. And I actually saw some beggars in Antwerpen that were collected in a big Mercedes after their "work" was finished... Indeed, some gangs tend to count on charity to make money. Now, I'm not saying all beggars are gang-members, but I wouldn't be able to see the difference. So, I'd rather offer a meal than money.
I think this is a great shot, and a good entry - alas - for your FIUL theme. TFS.

a very sad photograph, as great as this capture is. it's my belief that it would have had a greater mood and emotion to it, if it had been converted to black and white.

i can see it's a very grainy picture, although it doesnt matter in this photograph, it is a factor to look out for.

otherwise, great composition.
-Bart

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