While running errands yesterday I came to an intersection where a man was standing with a cardboard sign which read that he was unemployed, looking for work, had children and a wife to support at home.
In honesty, I’ve often driven by people with similar signs because I thought it was a scam. In this case, I was several cars back so I had time to study the young man. There was something in his eyes, a look of sadness and perhaps hopelessness, that touched me. It looked like he was embarrassed having to beg for help. I didn’t have much money with me, I don’t carry much cash, but as traffic began to move I eased up beside him, rolled down the passenger side window and handed him what I had, telling him I didn’t have a job to offer but perhaps this would help a little. His only words were “thank you so much.”
Now, I don’t know if I got taken or not. There’s a good chance I did. We have to be so on guard to keep from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous people that often we can’t give in to our better nature of helping someone in need, one-on-one–that’s a shame.
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.
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. :-)
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.
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! :-)
@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.
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.