Comments on: Berry, berry, red

By: Mary Ann

Mary Ann — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:21:45 +0000

I don’t often give money to individuals to homeless or those who appear to ask for money–but I don’t think you can find fault in doing what you did. You followed your heart and acting humanely. This is a good thing.

By: Earl Moore

Earl Moore — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:17:24 +0000

@don – Thanks. To be honest I know there are better swindlers out there then my intuition could ever detect.

@Paul – I believe to give without reservation is important. Perhaps keeping that part alive will make a difference in our own lives.

@Markus – Thank-you. I agree about DOF, I find it to be a very precise and surgical tool in creating impression and drawing viewpoints within photos. I’m still working to gain some sort of mastery.

Well said about maintaining sensitivity concerning the hardships of our fellow human beings.

@Monte Stevens – Your right, we don’t know and perhaps that’s why we have to follow hearts and give when it feels right.

By: Monte Stevens

Monte Stevens — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:49:34 +0000

It happened to me a couple weeks ago in Savannah. I gave him a couple bucks but feel his story had holes in it. If I didn’t have the 2 bucks, I wouldn’t have given it to him. Yet, we never know!

By: Markus

Markus — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:59:57 +0000

I like the shallow DoF in your picture – for me it is one of the main and genuine photographic techniques to concentrate viewer attention as well as dissolve details and let colors take over. With the reds I had some difficulties for example in my maple image because they are clipping all too easily.

Regarding the one-on-one help: A difficult decision between humanity and caution – both are necessary and there is rarely any verification if it was right or wrong. Here in Germany we have really good social security systems so that there shouldn’t be such a necessity for begging (meaning that the probability for scam could be higher), but there are still significant numbers of homeless people. What I see as important is that we keep that sensitivity for the hardships of our fellow men and women, and recognizing their hardship and not resisting the impulse to help is good.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:36:12 +0000

I have these feelings as well, but sometimes, I really don’t care. I’ll dig into my pocket, pick out a couple of bucks, and give it to the person. Perhaps I got taken, perhaps not, but I did it with a willing heart. The cash that I gave will not even impact my life in the least, but perhaps, just perhaps, it could make a difference in that person’s life. Who knows?

When I worked in downtown Charlotte, there was a period where I would get asked almost daily. In that case, I kept a dollar in my pocket and just handed it out when asked. No big deal, really, but as I said, it might make a difference. Might as well take chance.

By: don

don — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:09:22 +0000

A berry and leaves pictures today. Love the saturated colors. I have the same feeling about those with cardboard signs. It’s difficult to tell the genuine from the fraud, but your intuition is probably a good guide.