Sustenance Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Homeless and lonely, an Iraqi man sits on his little patch of shaded sidewalk and quietly eats something, probably sunflower seeds, from a bag he kept between his disease-swollen legs. Following this photo, we gave the man a dollar which he accepted with his gratitude and blessings for us. He then looked up, and with outstretched hands to the sky, he thanked God for his blessings, and he wept...

gardenwife, RGatward, mdchachi, Proxilva, Bos, shutterbug has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

gardenwife (103) 2004-08-11 2:27

Your photo and description are riveting. Photographically, it might be better without the tree branches showing, but I suspect you were wanting to include the entire length of both crutches.

RGatward (19737) 2004-08-11 3:11

Well Bill, I hope you don't mind me saying, but all your fascinating shots so far have been great pieces of photojournalism, giving us an inide view of life in Iraq, bu not realy great photos that would stand on there own. You seem to have taken a leap forward woth this one, which I think is both. Not only a poignant portrait of the sad life some there experience, but also a very carefully composed shot, with good use made of the backcrop. Maybe I'd crop the plant. A favourite. Pts in 10 mins.

[2] +

MARIUS (2240) 2004-08-11 10:08 [Comment]

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Proxilva (2157) 2004-08-13 10:24

this is a good photograph Bill... real sad, but a strong capture with agood composition... along with a good note again...

take care overthere...

snuggleaphagus (4138) 2004-08-24 2:30

Little gesture from the giver mean so much for the recipient. Your actions may have changed theis man's world view and that is a powerful thing.
This phot shows real life at its best.

shutterbug (531) 2004-09-07 19:53