Meet Walter.
Walter is a Father, a Grandfather, an American hero.
Walter is the name that seemed to fit his character, and honestly know nothing about the man. I saw him sitting on a bench, eating his lunch, and from the amount of personal effects beside him, can only assume he was homeless.
I didn't have the guts that day to aproach him, so I walked by several times, camera at chest level, and acted like I was fiddling with my camera, when I was in fact taking burst-mode candids, hoping to have captured the character I saw in his face.
I said he was a hero. I'm sure he is to someone, perhaps a Niece, a Nephew, a Grandchild, maybe even a person he rescued from a burning building, but we will never know, because I didn't have the guts that day to meet the man behind the face of a thousand tales.
Perhaps our paths will cross again one day, and that will be a day when I hope to hear of few of his memories, and meet "Walter".
On a side note, this is Kodak's POTD for June 27th, 2006
It is a very good photo, but until I scrolled down and saw the half-eaten sandwich I mentally hadn't formed an opinion as to who he was. For me it was the half-eaten sandwich in his hand that made me understand this photo.
What an amazing photo. Saw it a while ago and couldn't figure out what really made it so eye catching for me. Then I remembered Yousuf Karsh's photo of Ernest Hemmingway.
A cool story Brad and a great shot to go with it. I wish we could all just photograph people anytime just as we see them. I know I pass by at least twenty people every week wishing I could take their picture. Everyone of them has a story. Just like you and Walter, I will never get to hear it.
Maybe that POTD might trigger with someone out there who has been looking for Walter. Brad...this is an amazing photograph and story. It is spoken from the heart and cannot be told any better. It tells of a fear that we all face from time to time...both from the photographer and from Walters side.
The fact that it has made POTD is for a reason. I believe there is more to come with this story. Please keep us informed.
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
