Inspiring Photo: I Need Hope #11389531

I Need Hope

Uploaded: January 28, 2011

Description

This Is A Local Homeless Man.
I Was So Saddened By Watching Him
IN A LARGE MALL HERE.

He Was Asleep Over A Cup Of Coffee And
A Newspaper.

I Wish Everyone Was Warm and Fed And Safe.

WE COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES IN SOME SMALL WAY IF WE TRY.

I Will Be Doing A Clean Out Around Here of Food and Supplies, Clothes Etc.,
To Give To The Local
HOMELESS SHELTER or the LIKES.
It Is Something I Can Do.

* * *

Re-submitted from last year because it's the time of year I think of them the most.
(ALMOST WINTER TIME).
...25*f and snowing here tonight...

FRACT. FILTER USED TV 1/8, AV 5.6

Exif: F Number: 5.8, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/8 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 17.30 mm, Model: Canon PowerShot SD800 IS

Comments

Kirsten Kiki Kjaer January 28, 2011

This is truly a sad story and heart breaking image, MSSSLala! I wish too that everyone was warm and well fed and felt safe in the world.
And it's true we can all do whatever we can to make it a better world for everyone, each in our way.
Thank you for resubmitting this.
It IS a fabulous story-telling image. #1348174

Monnie Ryan January 28, 2011

Very sad, Laura, although unfortunately not all that unusual in most of the communities throughout this "land of plenty." Definitely food for thought -- well done! #9199339

John Connolly January 28, 2011

A very graphic portrait Laura! It is sad that so many people in the world live rough! I am sure each one has their own unique story! #9199407

Michelle Alton January 28, 2011

Beautiful work, Laura. Your heart is golden! #9199472

Rod Partington January 28, 2011

Amazing image Laura!
Really tugged on my heart. I feel so bad for people like him. I realize just how blessed I really am.
Excellent treatment on the image by the way.Take care. #9199490

Gord MacEachern January 28, 2011

Your a kind harted woman Laura!!
I remember this one, I like them both, glad I don't have to pic one.
Good stuff Laura!! #9199580

Joannie Bertucci January 28, 2011

A very powerful image and message Laura...very powerful! #9199594

Nancyj E. Hovey January 28, 2011

This is a very 'real' to life photo, and well done. So pleased you are resubmitting this one. Awesome presentation with total emotions attached, meaning a masterpiece achieved. 8o) #9199658

Ron McEwan January 28, 2011

Good for you Laura, we do that here too. Excellent image, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, this is a grand example of that. #9199758

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna January 28, 2011

We do that a couple of times a year! I just hope it makes a little difference in their lives! Wonderful journalistic capture, NL! :-) NN #9199787

Patti Coblentz January 28, 2011

I remember this from last year...just as powerful this year as last...your heart is always in the right place, Laura. A perfect image for the Feb 5 peace mass upload on BP...you're doing that, right?? Hope so. #9199797

Laura E. Swan January 28, 2011

What is the Peace Mass Load Up??? #9199815

Laura E. Swan January 28, 2011

(I forgot to thank you for your wonderful comments!!!)

Thank you, Patti! :)))

-Laura #9199817

Patti Coblentz January 28, 2011

I was sure I told you about this, Miss Laura...go over to the Q&A in the BP discussion thread and have a look!!! I know you will want to participate which is why I feel sure I told you...ok...what do you think...go have a look and let me know :))) #9199836

Laura E. Swan January 28, 2011

Oh Dear...I don't know how to get there! (To the Q&A) HA! I will go look for it. I have seen it over the years...SOMEWHERE!

You sent me an e-mail? I will look for IT too!!!

So sorry! I have been super busy. I didn't mean to lose anything in the shuffle!

-Laura #9199858

Millie A. Talarico January 28, 2011

Laura , I think, this image speaks a thousand words. Your DD effects, add to the intensity of the portrait. Winning image for sure!! #9199900

Laura E. Swan January 28, 2011

Millieanne, THANK YOU so MUCH. This one means a lot to me!

-Laura #9199910

Shelly A. Van Camp January 28, 2011

Powerful and emotional image! I too feel sad to think people are homeless in America. I need to go through my things too and donate some stuff. I agree, we all should try harder. #9199992

Dick W. Wyatt January 29, 2011

A great image, Laura. #9200065

Ujjwal Mukherjee January 29, 2011

I remember this image,Laura! Liked it then, like it now....wonderful image!! #9200441

Laura E. Swan January 29, 2011

Thank you so much; SSSKiki, Monnie, John, Michelle, Rod, Gord, Mumj, Ron, Kitty, Millieanne, Shelly, Dick and Ujjwal!

I have been enjoying your responses to this image. I meant to say so earlier. :)

I am sitting here in front of my window at 3*f watching the snow falling. I hope the homeless downtown all have beds today in the shelters. Calgary sometimes opens vacant buildings and lets people come inside. I dont know if there is any heat in them however? We have a few good shelters for homeless people but they are always packed.

Thanks for visiting and for your more than kind comments.

-Laura

#9200754

Rony Sagy January 29, 2011

What a wonderful story telling image, Laura. It is wonderful to see how you use your great talents as a photographer to inspire us to look at the sometimes "invisible" people less fortunate, think about them and offer help. Thank you for that. #9200996

Laura E. Swan January 29, 2011

Gosh, Rony. Thank you for every word you wrote.

Means a lot.

-Laura #9201499

Stan Kwasniowski January 30, 2011

Laura, image excellent, story, so sad #9202158

Laura E. Swan January 30, 2011

Thank You Stan. I know. It's -6*f this morning w/out the wind chill. I often wonder what is happening with this man. The last time we were to Mother Tuckers on 11th Ave. We saw lots of homeless there.

-Laura #9202227

Gina M. Savage January 30, 2011

Oh Laura, you have captured him perfectly. The title states it all, along with his sad expression. Breaks my heart. Wish we all paid more attention to the homeless. Blessings to you my friend. #9202249

Laura E. Swan January 30, 2011

Thank You Gina. xo

-Lala :) #9202434

Tammy Espino January 30, 2011

I remember this. Hope he got some help! Las Vegas is one of the hightest homeless cities. Always breaks my heart. Great capture!! #9202972

Rita Hill January 30, 2011

Wow, very strong image and yet it tells a sad story. Well done Laura. #9203171

Laura E. Swan January 30, 2011

Thank You Mr. Tree, Tam-Tam and Rita!

WOW! A FOOT OF SNOW, Mr. Tree? Please Keep your Trunk Wrapped Up nice And Warm Okay???

IT IS -18*f here right now!

Tammy, I didn't know this about Las Vegas. I wonder why? Better weather in the night? Gamblers that lost it all? Very interesting!!! I'd like to know more.

Rita, someone told me once that it's very hard to take a photo that speaks for itself so I am very glad that I was able to attain this.

Thank you guys for stopping in. I'll be back to catch up when I can. Sorry for being tardy to your galleries.

-Laura :D #9203185

Joyce S. Court February 01, 2011

-25 degrees. Now that is cold! #9205080

Liz blahh April 15, 2011

Great capture that tells a story. #9352318

Laura E. Swan April 15, 2011

Joyce and Liz thanks for the visit!!! I love images that don't need much explaination. This man had such an impact on me and I almost felt dis-respectful shooting him, yet I knew his misery would convey onto the camera, and for public awareness I felt we could all benefit by this image.

I think I will re-enter it today. :)

-Laura #9352350

Ellen Hodges April 21, 2011

VERY strong image that goes right to the heart, Laura! Excellent work and commentary, too! Wow Spring is taking a long time to come in this year. Hope that you don't get too much snow!! #9361384

Kathleen K. Parker April 21, 2011

Great journalistic photo, LE!! I know homeless people here. Sitting down and talking and listening to them can be an interesting, helpful, and always heart searing moment. But sometimes you actually can do them some good...
Just listening helps! Over the years I have come to be known as "the photographer woman." :))) #9361629

Lydia Williams April 21, 2011

Just hoping for him will help. So sad that this is happening in our world. Everyone needs hope...Great image! #9362025

Robert K. Bemus April 22, 2011

Very touching and powerful image, Laura... #9362703

Laura E. Swan April 22, 2011

Hi Ellen, KK, Lydia and Robert.

I agree. Awareness comes first. Then hope and if we can reach out and listen, talk and help in this way or other ways we have truly been part of the solution!

For us all it's truly "one day at a time", but especially for the homeless. I can only imagine the ongoing dispair. To feel less than ABLE or less than human is to feel less than alive. No one should feel this way.

Thank you all so much! I really value your input.

-Laura :) #9363549

Mitch Spence July 24, 2011

Great character study, Laura. The texturing adds much to the mood of the study as well. #9551210

Stephen Zacker July 24, 2011

I liked this the first time. Just a suggestion, try in it B & W #9551339

JO ANN CLEVELAND September 30, 2011

Wow! Fantastic capture Laura! Very touching, sooo sad...

jo ann c. #9707216

Laura E. Swan October 01, 2011

Hi Mitch! Great to see you. It's been a while!!! :))) Thanks so much for all that you said!

Steve, I will! This one is a re-sub. I'll have to dig out the original from my external F: drive and change it over. Thank you SO MUCH for that suggestion!!!

Jo Ann, I almost couldn't take this photo as I help my camera up. It seemed intrusive of me, but I got brave and just did it. Now I am glad that I did.

Thank you all. :)

-Laura #9710027

Graham Robards October 01, 2011

Love this little sister.

xxx #9710186

Reynaldo D. Reyes October 02, 2011

So touhing, my heart goes out to them. #9711099

Laura E. Swan October 02, 2011

Thank you Big Sister Pat xxxxxxxx

Thank you Rey. I know. It is very sad and we will be seeing more and more of this as the economy gets worse. :( #9711205

Emile Abbott October 04, 2011

Emotional capture Laura. #9715800

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