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A Soiled Life
A Soiled Life
Blue Moon


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2009-08 (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-40D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM
Location: Haight St, SF, CA
Date: Aug 8, 2009
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 250
Shutter: 1/50
Date Uploaded: Aug 31, 2009

 same girl i entered in an earlier challenge this month, hopefully this different shot of her will score better. i might have gone a bit crazy on the processing, but go big or go home, right? right?? hopefully...

the story:
So I was walking down Haight street in SF with my friends when a hand holding a cup popped out of a trashcan. We all jumped back and then immediately peeked inside to see this girl around our age (maybe younger, but most of the homeless on Haight are around 20) perfectly situated within it. I took a few snapshots of her while I chatted and asked her what it was like to be in a trash can scaring people, etc. Btw, it seems counterintuitive to scare people for their money, but it is actually very profitable, especially if you do it to large groups who like seeing their friends scream :) Anyway, she was very upbeat and friendly and I gave her all the change I had in payment for taking the pics. I wasn't really sure why I was so drawn to her until I reviewed the photos later. It was because even though she was begging for change inside of a garbage can with freshly bleeding cuts, dirt all over her and countless scars...she was still wearing makeup. And not just any makeup, RED lipstick and jet black mascara which looked to be smudged from crying or sweat. I just found her very interesting overall and hopefully I can go back to take more pics of her one day.

Statistics
Place: 306 out of 414
Avg (all users): 5.2137
Avg (commenters): 6.4000
Avg (participants): 5.2136
Avg (non-participants): 5.2143
Views since voting: 671
Views during voting: 229
Votes: 131
Comments: 7
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Sony Alpha a7R III
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
 09/27/2009 08:48:01 AM
Thanks for giving us the back story - it makes the picture, it completes the picture somehow.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sigma DP1x
09/08/2009 08:12:16 PM
Ha! Great story.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital
 09/07/2009 11:45:08 PM
This is an interesting shot. So is it a set-up or is there really a story? I see all the marks on her body so that makes me very curious. I'll be checking back after the challenge - I hope you have some info!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 09/07/2009 11:04:51 PM
I've a feeling you caught the real deal with this picture. Remarkable capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO
 09/06/2009 08:57:07 AM
Is that a trash can she's in?! Looking forward to reading the story behind this entry.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sigma DP1x
09/05/2009 09:47:52 PM
A fun (if somewhat disturbing) composition. The blown highlights take something away...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M5
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 ASPH
 09/03/2009 08:57:13 AM
How did she get into that refuse bin? Unusual to say the least.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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