Photographer's Note
I have no idea if this man is a Swede who fell on hard times and somehow slipped through the social safety net, or if he is an unfortunate migrant from somewhere in Europe.
Sadly beggars are a fairly common view in Swedish cities. They have become such a normal sight that I would not have bothered to take a photo in a different place. But seeing him sitting outside this shop called Normal I just couldn't resist the temptation.
Actually, the number of beggars seems to have gone down slightly the last couple of years. It may partly be because of Covid-19 which made travelling across borders difficult, but probably more because fewer persons carry any cash. There are estimates that less than 10 percent of Swedes use cash regularly. I haven't touched a banknote or a coin for more than two years.
Normal is a Danish chain of low cost general stores in the Nordic countries, as well as in France and the Netherlands.
In case anyone wonders, "Vårklar", written on the sign above the man, means "Ready for spring" (literally Spring ready). "Alltid billigt" means "Always cheap".
aliabazari, pajaran, ikeharel, Fis2, Royaldevon, jean113, pierrefonds, ChrisJ, mcmtanyel, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, adramad, worldcitizen ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile
Critiques | Translate
aliabazari
(22175) 2022-05-23 0:23
Hello Gert
You documented a social problem. Grief and breaking a man's pride can be read in his face. Clarity and lighting did well. Thanks for sharing
pajaran
(115891) 2022-05-23 0:27
Pozdrav.
Interesantan pogled i trenutak, dobar tekst ...
Lep izlog radnje i covek umotan sa cebetom, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i uhvacenim trenutkom.
Teska su vremena dosla sa mnogo problema i velikim siromastvom.
Dobar rad, lepa fotografija.
Zelim vam lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela.
Paja
GyurMaster
(24830) 2022-05-23 0:49
Dear Gert,
I can understand why you made this photo. I would have taken this myself proudly, as it has an absurd atmosphere. You spotted well.
PS: Some beggars are keeping up with modern trends as the below video shows at 0:30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwBk8nLEG2k
ikeharel
(113345) 2022-05-23 0:54
Well Gert, this man is not in spring mood and definitely not ready for spring.
A good capture, though the subject is far away from charming - but a daily life photo par-excellence, something we can see almost everywhere.
Have a nice new week,
Ike
Fis2
(170747) 2022-05-23 1:05
Witaj Gert my neighbour today :)!
A very interesting street photo.
This scene makes impression.
Excellent reportage shot.
Well done.
Good morning.
Krzysztof
Silvio1953
(221593) 2022-05-23 2:26
Ciao Gert, sad view of pop e man, excellent clarity, fine details, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
Royaldevon
(85932) 2022-05-23 2:54
Hello Gert,
You were very alert to notice the sign and the beggar, creating a link which certainly made us think about the connection!
As always, the composition is very nicely created, with shapes and lines making a strong b/g for the featured elements.
My warm regards,
Bev :-)
jean113
(27853) 2022-05-23 4:25
Hello Gert, an opportunity not to be missed, and of course with your observational skills, you took it.
This young man looks very miserable. Wrapped up in a blanket and with his begging cup, it is immediately obvious as to the story of this shot.
Thanks for your interesting note too.
Kind regards, Jean.
pierrefonds
(114448) 2022-05-23 4:45
Hi Gert,
You have captured well the sad expression of the man. The point of view is showing the details of the facade of the store. The light is bringing out the colors. There are a lot of homeless persons in Montreal. Have a nice day.
Pierre
ChrisJ
(171822) 2022-05-23 8:27
Hej Gert
A good daily life scene from Stockholm of the beggar outside the thrifty Danish grocery store. Superb sharpness and excellent warm cold colour contrasts. Tfs!
jmdias
(115156) 2022-05-23 8:55
gert
I am surprise the social system of your rich country didn't find him in the streets. most of people who live in the streets have problems of mind, drugs, alcohol or are explored sexually. a person in such situation try to go to a normal life after some time. excellent image showing the man in a hard moment of his life.
some years ago it was more usual to see beggars here in my town, most of them was drunk people.
take care
jorge
lousat
(139266) 2022-05-23 12:40
Hi Gert,a very touching photo, I did not think there were so many beggars in your city, while in Milan it is a very common thing also due to the strong immigration from Africa. The composition is very successful, the discount sign seems to almost endorse the situation of man as if it were now normal, and in fact it is. I am also surprised to read that for two years you have not touched cash, think that in Italy the POS for shops will be mandatory only this year from July ... hehehe ... but even in my bar 98% still pays cash. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano
Tue
(92360) 2022-05-23 12:52
Hej Gert,
Antallet af hjemmeløse er også steget ret voldsomt i Holland de sidste år, men der er ikke så mange mennesker der sidder og tigger i gaderne som den her mand. Du fangede ham meget godt lige foran butiksvinduet. Jeg kender butikken ikke, men jeg kunne se på deres hjemmeside at de findes et par steder i de større byer i Holland også.
Lars
mcmtanyel
(68503) 2022-05-23 20:38
Hello Gert,
This should not be the norm. Everyone deserves to work in dignity.
Regards,
MT
COSTANTINO
(116490) 2022-05-23 22:31
Hello dear Gert and have a nice day
and a happy evening
sometimes one shot is one
thousand words...
your thoughts about this man who fell on hard times
are reals I suppose...a usual scene in our days
regards
costantino
ifege
(48085) 2022-05-23 22:37
Hi Gert
Unfortunately beggars are a fairly common sight in most countries and certainly western ones. We have our "share" as well. A good street photo of the very sad looking man in front of a roughly appropriate shop.
The lack of cash these days is also a big problem for buskers.
cheers
Ian
jemaflor
(147128) 2022-05-23 23:55
Hi Gert,
well observed, this word and the sad attitude of this man, well done this street scene and photography, perfect quality for sharpness and light, tfs.
foxy
(3461) 2022-05-24 7:27
Hello Gert,
This poor man lives a 'normal' vagabond life ... begging is the only way to survive for this man. Judging from his facial appearance , totally unhappy with it.
Happy or not, he has indeed found a good spot to beg ... saying , I am just a 'normal' guy , 'always cheap' just a few cents will do me ...
I have not heard of this Danish chain but what I do know is the Flying Tiger Copenhagen ... very popular here.
Tfs ... this well 'normal' common scene ... everyday life.
Loong
dedee
(3073) 2022-05-25 9:24
Hi Gert
Such a sad poignant image. He appears to have the worries of the world on his shoulders.
David
adramad
(72978) 2022-05-29 8:25
Hi Gert.
Unfortunately this image is becoming more common everywhere and I think it will increase, with the high rise in fuels and all other products.
In Spain with the pandemic and so many people left without work, there are many thousands and thousands who need help from the Red Cross and other Organizations, it is all so sad and this war is going to end up making us poorer.
It is certainly a good image that highlights a problem that the rulers are not capable of solving.
Excellent POV, with very good lighting, color and sharpness to enjoy the details.
Very good work. I like it
Enjoy a happy Sunday.
Very best regards.
Luis.
worldcitizen
(16072) 2022-06-12 16:16
Hello Gert,
Your photo is a sad commentary on homelessness being more "normal" these days, and your note raises some questions for me once again. You mention the social safety net. What exactly does that entail in Sweden? How does Sweden deal with people who have chronic mental illness or long-term drug addiction? You also mentioned that beggars have decreased, possibly because of COVID, and I was surprised to read that. Here in NYC it's the exact opposite. The number of people living on the streets has exploded, and crime has risen steadily. Sorry, I didn't mean to turn this critique into a social commentary essay... The photo itself is depressing, but well-noticed and presented. Take care...
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Gert Holmertz (holmertz)
(102700)
- Genre: Persone
- Medium: Colore
- Date Taken: 2022-05-10
- Versione Foto: Versione Originale
- Date Submitted: 2022-05-23 0:19
Discussions
- To worldcitizen: social commentary essay (1)
by holmertz, last updated 2022-06-13 06:48