Harsh realities (+1 in comments)
365_315 SOOC + sharpened, with ISO 2000 it had to be done.
Some days my heart just breaks. I adore old wooden buildings although majority is actually non inhabitable or so you would think. I was admiring the beauty hidden beneath the patina of the past of an ex-gorgeous wooden palace now rotting and falling apart, with boarded windows, decidedly abandoned. Yet there was a makeshift blue door with a new(ish) padlock on it. While staring at it and contemplating I attracted attention of the guy nearby, he showed up and invited me in. I called my darling photo buddy over and in we went thinking he'll show us, I don't know, caved-in roof, hidden backyard, view from top floor... We entered and .... got our senses assaulted. Mould, rabble, decay and amongst all this a single room, lovingly made into his home. Fabrics covering the walls, single harsh light and no daylight, a big bed, a bathroom corner, a food corner and lots of memories. He was kind and warm, his home was amazingly clean and yes he spends the daylight hours outside on the street. No, not begging.
He is not the only one in this city of millions. There are so many anonymous, forgotten people here, scraping a living, one day he'll be gone and there will be no trace of him.
For now he is there and he is lonely.
While framing I included the framed portrait of Ataturk, the famous Turkish leader long buried, since he drew attention to him repeatedly. He had several portraits.
My buddy's photo of his room is here: www.flickr.com/photos/17054207@N04/5176447786/
I kept the shot as it is, harsh, ugly colours, too much contrast derived from the lamp overhead - because this is the truth. And this truth is not pretty.
I'll visit him soon to bring him a photo since he wanted one. My heart will break again, I have no happy photo to give him.
Harsh realities (+1 in comments)
365_315 SOOC + sharpened, with ISO 2000 it had to be done.
Some days my heart just breaks. I adore old wooden buildings although majority is actually non inhabitable or so you would think. I was admiring the beauty hidden beneath the patina of the past of an ex-gorgeous wooden palace now rotting and falling apart, with boarded windows, decidedly abandoned. Yet there was a makeshift blue door with a new(ish) padlock on it. While staring at it and contemplating I attracted attention of the guy nearby, he showed up and invited me in. I called my darling photo buddy over and in we went thinking he'll show us, I don't know, caved-in roof, hidden backyard, view from top floor... We entered and .... got our senses assaulted. Mould, rabble, decay and amongst all this a single room, lovingly made into his home. Fabrics covering the walls, single harsh light and no daylight, a big bed, a bathroom corner, a food corner and lots of memories. He was kind and warm, his home was amazingly clean and yes he spends the daylight hours outside on the street. No, not begging.
He is not the only one in this city of millions. There are so many anonymous, forgotten people here, scraping a living, one day he'll be gone and there will be no trace of him.
For now he is there and he is lonely.
While framing I included the framed portrait of Ataturk, the famous Turkish leader long buried, since he drew attention to him repeatedly. He had several portraits.
My buddy's photo of his room is here: www.flickr.com/photos/17054207@N04/5176447786/
I kept the shot as it is, harsh, ugly colours, too much contrast derived from the lamp overhead - because this is the truth. And this truth is not pretty.
I'll visit him soon to bring him a photo since he wanted one. My heart will break again, I have no happy photo to give him.