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Too Tired to Play

© Michelle Alton

Too Tired to Play

Uploaded: April 22, 2014 | Entered: April 22, 2014 13:14:12

Description


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This little boy doesn't smile very often. He lives with his grandmother, several half siblings (all with mystery dads), a handful of fostered teenagers, and Mittens, the cat. His mother and uncle have issues with substance abuse and mental illness and show up only occasionally--to collect their Welfare checks.
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It's Easter Sunday here, and the neighborhood kids are playing on the street--you can see them in his eyes. He is too little to keep up, and at this moment, too tired to try.
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North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/200 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 60.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Comments

John Connolly April 22, 2014

A wonderful portrait of this unhappy lad Michelle! What a sad story for the Easter season! #1570811

Mike F. Anderson April 22, 2014

Great Title, Great Story, Great Photo, Michelle! The photo and your story goes past the surface and looks into his soul. #11028399

Bonnie C. Lackey level-classic April 22, 2014

Makes me want to scoop him up and share a rocking chair with him while reading a book or two. You have done a beautiful job telling his story both in words and in pictures. #11028404

Ken Smith level-classic April 22, 2014

Hey Michelle, I like both your recent portraits. Love the tones in it. Super work..both! #11028414

Terry Cervi level-deluxe April 22, 2014

What a handsome little guy! Poor thing though. That's quite a story. I love his portrait, really excellent work, Michelle! #11028442

Jeffrey R. Bange April 22, 2014

What a truly outstanding portrait Michelle and as always your storyline is truly heart warming, really makes you think long and hard as to how fortunate we truly are. A definite winner in my books and one that I hope will be wearing GOLD. #11028495

Joannie Bertucci level-classic April 22, 2014

Grand Prize winner Michelle! The most amazing portrait work I've ever seen! You've proven in this outstanding image that "the eyes are truly the windows to our souls"! #11028526

Tiia Vissak April 23, 2014

great tones, light & mood! #11028568

Neal D. Hatcher April 23, 2014

Awesome capture-As always your photos of people capture the essence of life be it happy or sad-Great work #11028817

Kathy Reeves April 23, 2014

Your portraits of this young boy are very moving. You have a way of capturing the essence of your subject. This is outstanding work, as always. #11028905

Laura E. Swan level-classic April 23, 2014

OM GOSH. This is so sad and tragically typical. Your honesty in telling his story is what sends this image over the top for me and his face lines up in accordance.

I wish kids like this could just get swooped up and given a good life from this day forward. If he cannot smile now he never will if he is always stuck in this situation!! Maybe that is negative of me. I hope he discovers the likes of Anthony Robins as soon as he is old enough to understand him. He need a miracle in his life.

God Bless Him. I will definitely remember all the children in my prayers tonight. The ones that get forgotten. I am glad you didn't.

Excellent job, Michelle!
-Laura #11029108

Carol L. Fowler April 23, 2014

Fantastic portrait! Love the processing #11029130

Candace M. Cleveland April 25, 2014

Stunning!! #11030107

Marilyn K. Lincecum level-classic May 02, 2014

Awesome portrait and such expressive eyes. Such a sad story though. Hope to see this one again. #11037054

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