golddigger, a photo from Antwerpen, Flanders

Photographer's Note

Perhaps this picture is not that much of a photographic highlight, but it is life as it is...
In a prosperous city, bustling with renewing buildings, at a few steps from one of the world's centers of diamondtrade, lies this impoverished man asleep in full daytime, most probably intoxicated..., next to a display of gold and diamonds.
(cropped, adjusted levels)

Bogdan, katar, Xalkida has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bebel (7512) 2004-10-08 10:02

c'est sur que c'est l'aspect induit (et social) qui prime sur cette photo plus que son intérêt techique. Voilà où nous mène l'insolente puissance du capitalisme (illustrée par l'écrasant pilier, l'un des écrasants piliers d'ailleurs)
trève de discours -:D, hier un Indou, membre de TE, se sentait humilié que l'on ait posté un mendiant de son pays.... voilà qui ré-quilibre la question... doit on choisir ce thème, le publier ou non ? le publier le rend-il ordinaire et faisant partie du paysage... j'ai pas la réponse

geist_21 (664) 2004-10-08 10:12

Photos like this come to us, it is not us going to them, that is, we cannot search for it, just enjoy the opportunity when we see it. The gap between rich/poor could not be larger. You used the opportunity, that makes this photo already special. The social perpective here is tremendous, for that a very good shot. This photo really shows how life really is...

scalerman (26884) 2004-10-08 13:27

these are the shots that beg you open from the thumbnail, just to understand the story: harsh contrast, but great picture.

Bogdan (1643) 2004-10-08 13:28

A photo that suites my taste. Life. Good metaphor...contrasts not only between the yellow and black, but by their wearers as well. Few shots shout out reality as this one does !!

Congrats,
Bogdan.

vapours (8258) 2004-10-08 17:09

I like the amusing situation youve captured here.

One of those times where you are lucky to have your cam with you.

avis2avis (4264) 2004-10-09 3:18

This is really sad. You spotted this situation well and presented it most effectively. Gives one the feeling that this sleeping man has made an arduous journey all his life and now when he is so near to his pot of gold, he is too exhausted and falls down!

katar (26) 2004-10-09 7:28 [Comment]

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Xalkida (11740) 2004-10-13 17:53

Very unique and realistic daily life scene. I know that photo is very harsh but it's life!

everlasting (13803) 2004-10-14 9:42 [Comment]

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amitai (875) 2004-10-23 10:46

Too Clishe' and though your purposes are good, in photography, you have to let the image speak and not the words. The image needs to elicit the emotions you mentioned in your note,
and it doesen't. Poverty is a difficult subject to shoot without falling into cliche.
A less straight forward clear frame could have served the purpose much better.

Dingo (79) 2004-12-23 16:45