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Poor Tom
Poor Tom
JaimeVinas


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Led Zeppelin (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Lens: Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Date: Mar 2, 2008
Galleries: Portraiture, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Mar 2, 2008

 Here is the story behind this picture:

I was in downtown looking for a shot for this challenge and I came across these two individuals who were homeless. I normally eye my subjects before asking them to give me some time for photograph them and I saw that this man. He had a big gash over his eye and he was a bit bruised. The first thing that came to mind was "Poor Tom".

I politely asked him if I could take a couple of pictures and to my surprise he was very nice and full of life (many homeless turned me down). I asked him what was the story behind the gash and he politely said "I had a run-in to the wall last night". I guess it was his way of saying that he was beat up by someone. The whole time I photographed him he cracked jokes and was very upbeat. This was a lesson learned for me. No matter how hard you have it, being negative never helps.

This guy was homeless, beat up, cut up and bruised and yet he managed to keep a smile on his face. I know many who cant keep a smile just because they woke up on the wrong side of the bed. This guy kept his smile and should be an example to many.

Statistics
Place: 9 out of 139
Avg (all users): 6.8531
Avg (commenters): 8.1250
Avg (participants): 6.8462
Avg (non-participants): 6.8571
Views since voting: 11020
Views during voting: 363
Votes: 177
Comments: 24
Favorites: 6 (view)

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AuthorThread
 05/05/2008 02:52:22 PM
I love the story behind this photo. Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/17/2008 03:37:48 PM
What a fab story. Thanks for sharing and congrats on top 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/10/2008 06:48:41 PM
We Buddhists say that suffering leads to salvation :) I originally voted this a 7, what a great image!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/10/2008 09:48:59 AM
Jaime, this is SO powerful! Thank you so much for sharing the story. It is equally as strong as your amazing photograph! Congratulations on 9th place! And congratulations on being such a great photojournalistic photographer!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/10/2008 03:08:10 AM
Hey Jaime...looks like I will have to get myself an 85mm lens in Singapore next week. I have been craving one, but here is good reason...excellent image...would make a great album cover in a quirky sort of way
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/10/2008 01:49:54 AM
Fantastic shot. You scored high and ya beat Larus.....now that is worth something at least....Great job babe.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/10/2008 01:48:57 AM
Great story and a great image, Jaime. You were one of my top scorers. Congrats on top 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/10/2008 01:22:23 AM
Amazing. Thank you for sharing that story. It definitely is a great example for us all.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/09/2008 11:44:11 PM
one of my favs in the challenge coming to bump up! I like the stare directly into the lens.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2008 10:01:52 PM
I like how the post-processing has made the little white hairs pop and emphasized the shadows on his face. I think you've dodged the eyes in an unnatural way -- they look washed out. Interesting straight-on comp and crop, like a mugshot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2008 04:54:54 PM
top photo......10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2008 04:14:32 PM
Energy/Range/Story: 10/8/9
Composition/perspective/manner: 7/7/6
Aesthetics/Technical: 6/5
Presentation: 7
Total: 7.2
Vote: 8

Remarks: although manner and treatment are entirely consistent with a photojournalistic approach (emphasizing an event), the subject's focus and expression reveal an intensity that go beyond the event and suggest a portrait.

What we have here (IMO) is a shot that stands between these genres, poignantly reminiscent of the turmoil it evokes. This is a remarkably provoking photograph, a great find and realized opportunity, I awarded it an 8, instead off rounding the stats (above), as I usually do.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2008 03:51:41 PM
That looks sore.8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2008 08:58:01 AM
Nicest portrait I have seen in a long time. Simply Fucking Brilliant!!!
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10. I can't get enough of looking at this photo. I want to by a print, but I would love to get it signed. Let me know if we can work this out.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2008 04:59:52 AM
That's a rough face, but what I noticed is the very pale eyes compared to it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2008 10:15:36 PM
What a superb portrait. I wish I could give you more than 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2008 09:58:29 PM
Interesting photo. That's a nasty looking gash. Would like to hear the story behind it. Kind of looks like a mug shot. Don't like the way the hair at the top was cropped off.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/04/2008 10:58:20 PM
Poor Tom indeed. Looks like a mug shot from a really hard night.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/04/2008 05:53:47 PM
Oh my. This is an eerie, but compelling photo. Way to go!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/04/2008 11:05:34 AM
Great shot. Love the clarity and toning.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/04/2008 12:15:23 AM
man, what the hell happened to his head?! nice capture of the texture of his face /8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/03/2008 07:53:53 AM
Ohhhh....I really love this one!!!! The expression on his face is so amazing!!! And the black and white choice matches so nicely! Great picture. 10
Good luck!
I hope we see this one on front page!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/03/2008 12:25:29 AM
Lighing in the eyes falls a little flat, but great idea. I like the otnes and centering.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/03/2008 12:23:14 AM
great image...awesome detail...lacks a little contrast, but well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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