DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 
Challenge Entries
This image is not a part of any challenge.
Portfolio Images
This image is not part of a public portfolio.
Day-05.jpg
Day-05.jpg
Ken


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Camera: Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Lens: Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon
Location: Sand Ridge Nature Center, Calumet City, IL
Date: Oct 5, 2007
Aperture: F/8
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/30
Date Uploaded: Oct 6, 2007

Viewed: 286
Comments: 11
Favorites: 1 (view)

 Let's say you were walking down a trail and saw a $20 bill on the ground. What would you do? Leave it there? Pick it up and enjoy the windfall? Turn it in?

I was faced with this dilemma two weeks ago. During my run I took a "walk break" and saw $20 on the ground. Nobody was around so I picked it up. If somebody was on the trail I would have asked if they lost anything. So I started my run again and was excited that I was now $20 richer - there was nobody there and I figured that if I lost $20 "somewhere" I wouldn't go back looking for it, especially on trails.

It only took a few seconds before my mind started working on me and then I wondered who could have lost it. The neighborhood isn't bad but it's not great either. I suspect the median income there is fairly low. For some odd reason I think "lunch money". What if it's some kid's lunch money? Or grocery money? Most likely whoever lost it needs it a lot more than me.

So then I figure out my options as listed above. I figured I'd go to the nature center and ask if anybody "lost anything". I believe that the vast majority of people are honest but there was no way I was going to go in there and ask if anybody lost $20. It would be so easy to say "yes" and walk away a bit richer. So I go in and ask if anybody lost "anything". Nobody reported losing anything on the trail.

I suggested that if somebody calls asking for it that I leave my number and have them call me. I didn't want to leave the money there and tempt anybody. There were going to do it and then an employee said to just leave it and they would call me if nobody claims it. I figured at this point if an employee was tempted and took it that they would have to deal with it, not me.

Money was left in an envelope with my number on it. I figured that I'd never see it again, that either the owner got it or an employee took it.

Wednesday I received a call to come pick up the "item" that was found on the trail because nobody claimed it. And here it is.

What would you have done?

---------------------------------------

I tried a bit of acid on this one and really like it. Then I converted to LAB and did separate levels on all 3 channels. I've been intrigued by LAB lately since you can do adjustments on just the lightness channel without affect color. I also sharpened just the L channel.

Please log in or register to add your comments!

AuthorThread
 10/19/2007 12:36:07 PM
You really think of others that may be in need. It took a lot to think of someone other than you and to turn the money in rather than keeping it for yourself. Just one of the many things that make you a great person. I love your processing. The detail is just amazing. The money really stands out against the dark soil.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/09/2007 04:02:55 PM
Great editing! The acid works nice to bring out different tones. Glad to hear nobody kieffed (sp??) the money when it wasn't theirs, your honesty was rewarded by karma! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/09/2007 12:08:41 AM
Nice capture and way to go on your honesty and attempt to find the owner. That seems to be so rare now a days.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2007 02:29:33 PM
Good on ya! In today's world, twenty may not seem like much, but to some, it can be the difference in eating this week or not, you know. I think you did the right thing, so enjoy your money!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2007 12:48:18 PM
i don't know if i'd have turned in the money. i suppose only the person that lost it would have known to ask, but i don't know that i would have thought of that.

i like your lab idea. i'm going to have to give that a shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2007 12:45:03 AM
It's all about the Karma. You could have easily taken the money and no one would be the wiser, except for you and your conscience. And from reading your story, it would have bugged you. In the end, it came back to you and your conscience is clean. Yay You! :) In reality, it probably wouldn't have made a difference either way but why tempt karma. :)

As far as the photo, I love the processing. It's so sharp and crisp where it needs to be. I'm going to have to look into that sharpening of just one channel... Hmmmm
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2007 11:35:59 AM
Love the dof and acid looks fantastic! Thanks for the tip about LAB mode, I'll have to play with that! Thought provoking story as well... I always turn in stuff I find, but finding money out in the open like that to be honest I probably would have kept it. Thanks to you I'll think twice!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2007 11:27:11 AM
Ken!!! You are THE BOMB!!!!! I think you were rewarded for being the kind of guy you are!! And I hope the employee in charge, who didn't take it, but rather called you to come pick it up is equally as blessed. What a great story. It does my heart so good to know there are really people like you out there!

I have to admit, I probably would have kept it, only because I wouldn't have wanted to take the time (time is my enemy these days) to go fool with it. . .then I would have said a prayer for whoever lost it.

I probably would have done like you tho and really worried that it was some kid's lunch money, or someone who was barely making enough to pay bills that week, and regretted that I didn't take the time to go turn it in. But if that ever happens to me, I have a feeling I will remember this story and maybe will take the time to do the right thing.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2007 08:36:45 AM
I think your sense of responsibility on the human level was outstanding. I probably would have just picked it up and gone on about my business. I might have donated it to a non-profit organization, but your attempt to return it to the original owner is commendable. You got good kharma!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2007 03:29:54 AM
Wow what a story you did the right thing
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2007 01:57:00 AM
gGeat story, and I think it was ment to be yurs.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/04/2025 11:25:34 AM EDT.