<< Previous Next >>

The Trouble with Alcohol


The Trouble with Alcohol
Photo Information
Copyright: Janice Dunn (Janice) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3266 W: 267 N: 7731] (32972)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-09
Categories: Daily Life
Camera: Canon EOS 30D, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/100 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): People Photos [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-07-24 1:21
Viewed: 498
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Trouble with Alcohol

Yesterday I posted a photo of a man asleep holding this bottle of Kristov Red Label Vodka.

I had two thoughts about posting it, and after reading the 15 critiques I received, I decided to remove it. I want to thank all of you for your critiques, and especially Lance / tamlet, and Rew / rewshearer. They really said what I had been thinking all along.

And to quote Lance / TamLet, “I felt this photo invades the privacy of a person with problems!”

I feel sadness for that man - the photo was taken when I took the other photos of people watching an open-air concert. We were all enjoying ourselves and this fellow was all alone, on the outer edge of the crowd. In his own world...

So I am now posting a much cropped image, just a small part of the picture from yesterday.

The Alcohol Advisory Council is disappointed to see the emergence of super light spirits specifically designed to beat the recent increase in alcohol excise tax.

It’s not common for our Members of Parliament to be at work in the wee small hours, but at 5am one morning in May, 2003, they passed a new law increasing the amount of tax charged on “light” spirits.

The tax affects spirits that contain between 14% and 23% alcohol – which means an 1125ml bottle of Kristov Vodka will go up in price by more than $6.60.

Light spirit brands are most popular among people looking for a cheap way to get drunk…and with prices starting at as little as $8.95 a bottle, they’re the booze of choice for many young drinkers.

Because alcohol excise tax in New Zealand is applied it bands, these so called light spirits (which contained 23 percent alcohol by volume) were able to be produced cheaply and attract young drinkers out to get the "best bang for their buck."

"We're pleased the price of these spirits now better reflects their alcohol content." This comment follows a report in the New Zealand Herald where the Independent Liquor founder and managing director reported his company would continue to produce drinks such as its vodka-based Kristov, although with reduced alcohol level of 13.9, thus escaping the new tax.
eosnut, pdp, Refugee, tamlet, Silke has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekLens members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To tamlet: Don't worry!Janice 2 07-27 02:42
To puffy: Thank you my friendJanice 2 07-25 00:46
To eosnut: ThxJanice 1 07-24 03:51
To rewshearer: ThxJanice 1 07-24 03:51
To pdp: ThxJanice 2 07-24 03:50
To jackal: That's OKJanice 1 07-24 03:46
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Good on you Janice, this image still tells the sad story without hurting anybody's feelings.
Well done,
Peter.

  •      
  • pdp Gold Star Critiquer [C: 110 W: 39 N: 123] (538)
  • [2007-07-24 1:37]
  • [+]

Hi Janice, I completely respect your view as to why you withdrew the picture. I did look at it the other way in that the man is in a public place and his problem is a social problem and your photo brought attention to that. However, saying that, this crop brings the attention to the heart of the matter. A hand on a bottle.

Well, I suspect you did the right thing ethically with this shot - as much as the original was a poignant and thought-provoking work, I did wonder about its cost.
Great compromise. You did well I think - and the resolution even at this crop is good.
Thank you for sharing it so conscientiously
Rew

Hi Janice,
Sorry to disagree with your 'change of heart' but fully understand your reasons for doing so but for me photographs just record life as it is. (well unless the photographer uses Photoshop)
The revised image still conveys a message but not as strong as the original shot.
His feelings would not have been hurt, he would have been disappointed that you didn't slip him a few dollars for his next drink. I have really enjoyed your 'tramp' series - a great reflection of life on the streets
cheers
Jack

  • Great 
  • onkar Silver Star Critiquer [C: 11 W: 0 N: 1] (134)
  • [2007-07-24 3:57]

Excellent composition but focusing could be much better.

Feeling tursty by seeing this bottle, havent'n drunk any alchohol the last half hours, HIC.
But the hand of that person, Janice.
It looks to me he is redhanded. ?
Think, you should remove that bottle, before he takes it.
Cheers, Janice.
Jan

Hello Janice ,
Possibly litle problem of focus but ...
didactic done and good story.
tfs

Petar

  • Great 
  • puffy Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1792 W: 128 N: 3006] (16617)
  • [2007-07-24 8:18]
  • [+]

Hello my dear friend,

Great shot, I like the colours here, great contrast and most of all.. excellent pov and subject. Very good information. :D the photo is not that sharp, but to me, this is not just about the photo, it is about the message that you are sending out, you have done well.... what is a great photo? A great photo to me is the one which come with a story/message behind it. Great one my dear. Excellent work.

Take care,
Sweety

  • Great 
  • Dawn Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1139 W: 100 N: 3357] (17508)
  • [2007-07-24 13:06]

Hi Janice, I didnt get to comment on your last photo, but did see it, I can understand your reasons to remove it, but then again, people must realize that this is LIFE, this type of thing is out there, in full view of the public.. your photo was reflecting photojournalism, but yes it touches a nerve about privacy etc etc.. it is a difficult one, when it comes to whether we post or not.

This photo still puts your story across well, seeing the mans hand on the bottle, his zipper of his jacket etc.. so well done on that.

Its a very sad sight to see, this man was someones son, perhaps someones father.

Cheers Janice
Dawn

Hi Janice. With the problems I had had of late I didn't see the original but I can only echo one comment here, if a person chooses to drink in the streets (which is against the law here) then I think they were fair game. Probably a wiser move to delete the head and the story still comes across. Quite a few hear get their bang from fortified wines or even metho. Well done and TFS,
David

Hi Janice
I feel guilty that you removed your original Photo because of my honest opinion...
I like the crop of your new photo showing the topic of your point in hand...
Thank you for caring
Lance

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2847 W: 263 N: 5947] (23588)
  • [2007-07-26 4:20]

A powerful message. I am sorry I did not see the original.
I have one I've been thinking about: a street person who cannot be identified because her face is hidden by her hat (she's asleep). I think you know it from elsewhere :)

Superb composition
TFS
silke
:)

  • Great 
  • rebel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 228 W: 65 N: 14] (1177)
  • [2008-02-28 7:35]

Alkohol to największy wróg ludzkości od zalania dziejów ludzie zalewaja smutki w butelce wódki, po co? Wiesz ze był kiedyś turniej w spożywaniu wódki? Ten kto go wymyślił trafił do wiezienia za zabójstwo... kilku padło trupem...takie zawody wymyślili.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF