I expect no such thing. I neither expect nor want you to feel any particular way. The pic is just a snapshot, with no explanation given about the people or their circumstances. I never said, nor implied, one word about the situation of the young man and woman portrayed in the photo. It succeeds or fails on its own merits. It is you (individually and collectively) that have decided the guy is pimping the woman, that she's a victim of one sort or another, that they are impoverished, that they are using drugs, that they are students play acting, that they have just come in from the suburbs for a day of recreation, and whatever other conclusions and assumptions have been drawn. It is you who started the thread on social policies and homelessness in the US.
I've captured and presented but 1/125th of a second of their lives that one afternoon ...whatever you see in the photo comes from within you, is based on your own experiences and prejudices. Whatever you see, feel, or experience from this - or any - photograph, comes from within yourself. If you choose to make this a photo of a serious social problem, so be it. If you see it as a humorous photo, that's fine. If you see it as an indictment of a particular lifestyle, then that's what it is. Shel > [Original Message] > From: Alin Flaider <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > All this crucifying of Valentin made me have a look to the pic, > something I rarely have time to do. I've seen this kind of people > both in Romania and US and frankly, I am not impressed. Romania is > full of beggars like these and most of them live this way by choice > while many are syndicated. > On the other hand there is extreme poverty, of people struggling to > make a living, proud people that would never beg but rather help you > with the little they can. These should be portrayed: their hard work > despite nil perspectives, the impact of western culture over > their traditions, their joy over simple things. And Shel comes up > with this and expect me to fill pity and compassion? Puah.
