His name is Lite Earl Gossage. I asked him if I could take his picture, and his eyes lit up and he got out his harmonica and started playing for me :) In talking to him afterwards, he told me he was hungry. He lives on the street and plays his harmonica for change. I didn't have any change (or bills for that matter), but I was happy to walk with him a couple of blocks to Fuddruckers and buy him the full pounder Cheeseburger and fries with my debit card -- all the while hearing some amazing stories :). It was all another street experience that I thought was very cool and I'll remember for a long time :)
[Jan. 6th, 2009 08:57:31 PM]
Post: I am so happy this did so well! I wish I could go find ol' Lite Earl Gossage and tell him how successful our picture was. And buy him another cheeseburger :)
Oh and Tanguera, this is for you. I liked your idea as well -- but didn't think it would do as well in a "Portrait" challenge because of his pose and more candid look.
Statistics
Place: 1 out of 79 Avg (all users): 7.6496 Avg (commenters): 8.5652 Avg (participants): 7.0882 Avg (non-participants): 7.7364 Views since voting: 7321 Views during voting: 504 Votes: 254 Comments: 102 Favorites: 18 (view)
Sandy, you truly have a gift when it comes to this type of photography; part of what makes these shots so successful is the fact that the subjects are obvously very comfortable with you, fully trusting, etc., and that is reflected in the image. Wonderful display of character in this amazing story telling shot; love the tones; outstanding! Nina
Congrats on the ribbon! This photo tells a great story on it's own, but your story is what makes it special. Many of us don't even have the nerve to even ask a homeless person if we can take their picture, yet you engage them and treat them with kindness. You're a class act, Sandy.
Congratulations Sandy! This challenge had your name all over it, so it's absolutely wonderful to see you take the blue! As always, such character and emotion captured and conveyed.
VERY WELL DESERVED, SANDY!! This photo received my highest score given. :) I not only love the beautiful images you create, but the stories that go with some of these shots are equally beautiful! Congrats!
Congratulations Sandy on an outstanding image. You have an amzing eye. I wish I could say that this was my new fav of yours but in all honesty, your 'Captured From Another Time' will always remain one of the most gripping images I've seen. All the best.
I was so taken with this image. It is nice to have read the history. People come into our lives in so many strange ways. I think I might like the second one even better. You can almost hear the music. Great work.
Ahhhhh Sandy! Your hallmark and astounding ability to connect with people and endear us to your subject in a truthful, intimate and rather profound way...shines through in yet another masterpiece. Congrats on your Blue!!!
Ahhhhh Sandy! Your hallmark and astounding ability to connect with people and endear us to your subject in a truthful, intimate and rather profound way...shines through in yet another masterpiece. Congrats on your Blue!!!
strange why nobody has mentioned this and wondered why he has ear phones? i mean a homeless guy with an mp3 player and ear phones? not that i doubt the fact that he's homeless, just think it's kinda weird...lol
awesome portrait anyways, and that outtake sure is a stunner, too! congrats!
Sandy,
Congratulations!!! You are so good at portraiture and this is no exception. What a wonderful piece - and I'm really glad you posted his story as well.
Congratulations Sandy!!! There was no doubt in my mind that this photo would be in "First Place", but your story that goes with this photo, puts you as a first place winner, for the kindness and love that you always give to others.
Sandy! This is wonderful! I'm so, so thrilled that you got the Blue! And thanks bunches for including the story. You obviously put people at ease with your sweet spirit in person just as you do here on the internet. Congratulations on your win and for being so kind. :)
Congratulations Sandy!!!! I knew I could come here and see another wonderful story to go with the photo. Your ability to meet complete strangers and pull out this artistry is such a gift. I hope that you are able to find him again and maybe even give him a framed pic. Then he can set it out as a little marquee for himself. Yay for the blue!!!!
Well look at you now. This is really so well done Sandy. You have the ability to have an immediate connection with every person you photograph. Fabulous. Congratulations.
Oh Sandy,
What a fantastic shot. I'm so glad it was yours. Your inside beauty reflects our world's outside beauty to perfection.
Way to GO!!! Awesome and Congrats.
Sandy, your picture is amazingly wonderful, and your story 'moving'. Technically it is a good as one can get, and emotively straight-and-transparent (I use this term often, for lack of vocabulary, to describe the pictures to which I am able to connect with ease).
One day, I am going to invite you to India, and let you loose on the streets. I am sure you will love it. Also, you are going to be one popular person here. :-))).
Well done Sandy.
A great start to the New Year:-)and what a lovely story and memories!!
Hope you manage to catch up again with Lite Earl Gossage,he deserves another cheeseburger:-)
TOTALLY AWESOME my dear Sandy, and so deserved the BLUE..... I love it and I also love the story behind the image..... You ROCK when it comes to 'Emotive Candids' like this one.....love shez
Congratulations Sandy you have a great way of producing the best of people in their character for photography, this and the prologue are very interesting.
Oh Sandy!!! this is terrific. A HUGE congrats on your blue ribbon. What a terrific image, and such a kind gesture of you to buy him that cheesburger. Whoo Hoo!
Oh Sandy, this is absolutely wonderful! I was going to enter something but decided not to because I figured someone would submit a perfectly stunning portrait like this fellow and I was right! You definitely nailed it with this charmer. And made a new friend as well, lol! You are amazing. Many congrats for a very well deserved blue ribbon!!!
how excellent is this .. !!!
an absolutely amazing portrait ..
a killer process ..
a fantastic sandy type story ..
a PB ..
AND A BLUE RIBBON .. !!!!
i dont think it gets much better than this on dpc .. !!
CONGRATULATIONS MY FRIEND .. :)
Wonderful shot! B&W works great to emphasize form and detail. Nice expression. Good to see the hand and harmonica. Nice composition as well. One of my favorites so far.
you seem to have hit all the points of the "compass" of good great photography on this one. A great looking model with lots of character. something more than just staring at the camera. a crisp b&w conversion and a dof that really gives it some punch. excellent work. i have an entry in this challenge but unlike a lot of people i have no problem voting in an unbiased manner, because i love photography. i fully expect to see this on the front page. /10
The only photo I rated a 10 in this challenge. Every part of the guy is rich in texture and detail, and it looks great in black and white. Love the position of the guy in the frame, and the crop to the edges of the hat. This has got to be a contender for the number 1 spot :-)
The Old Song Man
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