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Thanks To God


Thanks To God
Photo Information
Copyright: Bill Evans (bojoku_66) Silver Note Writer [C: 9 W: 0 N: 13] (31)
Genre: People
Medium: Black & White
Date Taken: 2004-08-05
Categories: Daily Life, Artwork, Mood, Portrait
Camera: Canon PowerShot A70
Exposure: f/4.8, 1/160 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Lifts and Elevators [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-08-05 10:17
Viewed: 4178
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Around the corner from where the church bombings occurred in the Karada district of Baghdad 3 days ago, we stopped this afternoon for a bite of "street-food". There was an Iraqi man, homesless and deprived - an unfortunately, all-to-common sight on the streets of Baghdad.

I snapped a few shots of the man eating something from the bag between his legs and drinking some water and then gave my friend a dollar to go and give to him. He accepted it with thanks and blessigs for us. A few moments after receiving the money, the man did something that I've seen many times before but never as dramatic.

A common and refreshing example of the culture in Iraq is to give true thanks for your blessings. On previous occasions, I have seen men lift their money to the sky, kiss it and then put it in their wallet. Again, they would lift their wallet to the sky and kiss it before placing it in their clothing.

In this photograph, the man has just lowered his arms which were raised to the sky, his palms still upturned, and he is verbally giving thanks. He did this several times, and as he did it, he wept. At the moment I took this, and still now, I am simply lost for words....
patcras, blu, gardenwife, mdchachi, mat, Tim, shutterbug has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To blu: Thanks...bojoku_66 1 08-06 04:04
To CatEye: In agreementbojoku_66 1 08-06 03:19
To Neige: Sad situationbojoku_66 1 08-06 03:10
To patcras: Pulitzer?bojoku_66 1 08-06 02:53
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Critiques [Translate]

Great photo Bill, are you going for the purlitzer price? Interesting note also.

  • Great 
  • Neige Gold Star Critiquer [C: 610 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2004-08-05 12:47]
  • [+]

Nice to see you back. Take care. Again a sad situation. The only thing i hope is that people from Irak will, on day, get a better life. I am still not sure americains did well for this, i just hope.

  • Great 
  • Cat Gold Star Critiquer [C: 74 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2004-08-05 12:50]
  • [+]

I have to agree with Patrick here, Bill. This is a prize winning shot! It is a gut wrenchingly emotional image. I love it! Very well composed and the black and white adds so much to the emotions.

Very well done!

God bless and stay safe!

  • Great 
  • blu Silver Star Critiquer [C: 10 W: 4 N: 6] (561)
  • [2004-08-05 16:51]
  • [+]

nice journalism shot - well done.

Great photo and excellent note i really like it very much, B/W can be very dramatic.

  • Great 
  • Tim Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 188 W: 18 N: 241] (1137)
  • [2004-09-01 20:48]

Bill,

My heart is deeply touched with the sight of this man and your description. What a wonderful moment in time and a blessing that you were instrumental in it coming about. God's best (and protection) to you always,

Tim

Thank you so much for this post and the wonderful detailed note along with it. I too am at a loss for the perfect words, just want to say thank you again for sharing this image.

  • Great 
  • wayne Gold Star Critiquer [C: 292 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2005-01-23 20:15]

bill, this is a great journalistic picture. you have a lot of courage to be in that part of the world right now, assuming that you are a white guy. from this picture i can tell you're on the 'right' side of things.

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