Hungry...

[nicmo]

A disabled and homeless Vet, Edward Martinez gazes through the sandwich shop window longing for a meal that would shortly come.
http://www.sportsplanet.com/pont/20071120/20070707-8210.jpg

[rowdyred94]

It's a nice shot, though the conversion needs work. It's pretty flat. I'd probably crop it tighter, too, to make him more the focus and eliminate the half-body on the right.

[nicmo]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll give it a try.

[Mike-DT6]

Nice photo. He doesn't look too unhappy, despite his circumstances. I wonder what his story is.

Mike

:-)

[marie]

his expression looks great in your picture

I see he carries the bag with his toes
it looks fairly heavy

:eek:
was his disability caused by anything to do with his job with animals

[Mike-DT6]

Marie, I think his bag is hanging off his foot rest :-)

I take it your second comment was a joke! It was, wasn't it?

Mike

[marie]

Marie, I think his bag is hanging off his foot rest :-)

I take it your second comment was a joke! It was, wasn't it?

Mike
so sorry
no it wasn't a joke.

I saw the black plastic seemly tied around his toes and thought then that he rested his leg and bag on or against the extender when the chair was in motion

but thats not plastic (tied) on his toes ..........
& there is also black markings on his foot

A disabled and homeless Vet, Edward Martinez gazes through the sandwich shop window longing for a meal that would shortly come

did he hurt himself at his job as a vet ?
and where did all his earnings go

[Mike-DT6]

Sorry Marie, I assumed you were having a joke about the term 'vet' as it is sometimes deliberately misinterpreted in that context by comedians, so they can make a joke based on confusion of the term.

I may be wrong, but I'm assuming that 'vet' in the case of the person photographed refers to 'Vietnam vet', which is an American term short for 'veteran', or someone who has served in Vietnam (although the term 'vet' can be applied to anyone who has served in the army).

There are a lot of disabled Vietnam veterans around in the US, who are sometimes 'down and out' so I was presuming that he may have been injured in the Vietnam War, rather than working as a 'veterinarian' looking after animals, which is far less likely I think!

Mike

:-)

[marie]

Sorry Marie, I assumed you were having a joke about the term 'vet' as it is sometimes deliberately misinterpreted in that context by comedians, so they can make a joke based on confusion of the term.

I didn't know that
thank you very much for explaining so well Mike

I may be wrong, but I'm assuming that 'vet' in the case of the person photographed refers to 'Vietnam vet', which is an American term short for 'veteran', or someone who has served in Vietnam (although the term 'vet' can be applied to anyone who has served in the army). you're right

never entered my head even though I was thinking of the veterans of the two world wars (and others) in this post a few weeks ago

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=405410

they are all much honoured especially at this time of year
it just never occured to me that the word 'Vet ' on the post was not a Veterinarian
over here we call them Vets for short , probably everywhere else too
the doctors of our animals ... costly business for people with sick pets.....
why I wondered what had happened all of the fellow's wages


There are a lot of disabled Vietnam veterans around in the US, who are sometimes 'down and out' so I was presuming that he may have been injured in the Vietnam War, rather than working as a 'veterinarian' looking after animals, which is far less likely I think!
Mike

:-) again thank you so much. I understand completely
and I really appreciate the trouble you took here
also that you questioned my remark in the first place, as I much rather things asked and explained then left in mid air

:cool:

[Mike-DT6]

No problem :-) Yes, it's the same here; vets are veterinary surgeons, not war veterans!

I suppose it's because we (Britain and Ireland) weren't involved in the Vietnam War that the abbreviated term never entered our vocabulary.

Mike

:-)

[LBaldwin]

The image is very strong, and well executed. Don't worry about the crop, it actually adds to individual elements in the image. His expression is pretty interesting though. The image has plenty of rich contrast in the window as well as the chair parts.

Les

[airfrogusmc]

I think this could be the start of a series? Its a shame the way our country treats disabled vets. Did ya buy him a sandwich and thank him for his service?

Sorry now back to the image I wouldn't change the crop. One thing I find interesting is the reflection of people just walking by. Maybe a little work pumping up the contrast on Mr Martinez but be careful (maybe a quick mask) because you would want to loose the highlights in the rest of the image. Strong image.

[LBaldwin]

I think this could be the start of a series? Its a shame the way our country treats disabled vets. Did ya buy him a sandwich and thank him for his service?

.


Amen Brother!! Too many of your brothers and sisters are defending the country and then for whatever reason end up on the street. Unfortnately this is a historic fact for nearly all of our wars.

Street photography of veterans can be risky and often full of confrontations, speaking from personal experience. Hopefully one day our planet can get it's collective stuff togeather and solve these issues for good. Sorry for the rant. I did have one guy who said he was a veteran and ask for food, work whatever. I complied with a hot meal. Only to find out from the local (homeless) that they have known for sometime that he was never in the military and would lie (big suprise) about his status.

As far as feeding the homeless vs giving money directly to the recipient. I opt for going and getting a meal or hot drink and taking it directly to them. So now most of my giving is through my church and or directly to homeless shelters.
Les

[nicmo]

This was a story I did on the homeless in the small town I live in. By far Edward’s was the most compelling story out of everyone I interviewed. He did serve in Vietnam, but he really did not want to discuss his time in the military or how he was wounded which left him in a wheelchair. He does do odd jobs from time to time, but could never find anything steady he could call a “real job”. I did try to do a six month follow-up with him, but he has since left the area. The rumor was he left to go live with one of his a brothers in Washington. I hope the best for Edward…

One of the main reason for posting this shot was being the time of the year it is, and I was hoping it would get us all thinking of others that are a little less fortunate than some of us.

Thanks for Looking everyone!!!

[Mike-DT6]

Yes, best wishes to him. I hope he has a warm winter and some good company :-)

Mike