Deep Thoughts: The Golden Hour

Sunday, August 16, 2009

The Golden Hour

In photography, the golden hour is the first and last hour of sunlight each day. The warm colors are amazing. I shot with a light green filter to capture skin tones. I like the result.

I rarely give to the street corner homeless. Part of me believes it is a scam. Especially when I’ve seen the same guy in the same spot for well over a year. I even witness his attempt to run off another person trying to work the same corner. He was a very angry man. What do you think? Is it a scam?

Technorati Tags: Homelessness,Photography

Comments (18)

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mikespeir · 818 weeks ago

Okay.... It looks black & white to me. Grayscale, anyway.

6 replies · active 818 weeks ago

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Mojoey 107p · 818 weeks ago

oh, it is black and white. I shot with a filter to take advantage of the warm lite.

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guest · 818 weeks ago

Nice Photo. You do great work.

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Mojoey 107p · 818 weeks ago

Thanks.

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guest · 818 weeks ago

I forgot to ask what kind of camera do you use?

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Mojoey 107p · 818 weeks ago

I use a Nikon D300. Love it.

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guest · 818 weeks ago

Nice.

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MichaelSATX · 818 weeks ago

When I was not an Atheist, I would always give to the street corner homeless because I would wonder: Maybe it is jEsus testing me??

Now that I am an Atheist, I still give because I myself am two paychecks away from being a street corner homeless.

Nice photo. Thank you.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Mojoey 107p · 818 weeks ago

Interesting. When I give it is always because I remember being so poor I could not feed myself.� I don't wish that on anyone.

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No2Religion 85p · 818 weeks ago

I think some are scammers. I read an article in my local paper (don't remember when) that interviewed someone that was driving to nearby cities to panhandle on his days off from his job and he was making over $100 a day.

1 reply · active 818 weeks ago

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jen · 817 weeks ago

Local news around here reported on one couple in particular who used to show up at one particular (busy) intersection whenever the weather was nice and pleasant. They were taking home enough to pay the mortgage on their (very nice) home.

After the 2nd report, they stopped showing up there. But I wouldn't at all be surprised if they simply moved elsewhere to beg.

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guest · 818 weeks ago

I agree with you, I read it somewhere too.

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Efrique · 818 weeks ago

My guess would be no, it probably isn't a scam.

What would I do if I were homeless and for whatever reason chose to beg to survive?

(i) I'd find a good spot, one not already occupied, and stay there.
(ii) I'd defend my meagre and uncertain income against people who would reduce it; my survival is at stake
(iii) I would probably be angry. It would tend to be a crappy life.

2 replies · active 818 weeks ago

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Mojoey 107p · 818 weeks ago

That is sound reasoning.

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guest · 818 weeks ago

good point

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Ordinary Girl · 817 weeks ago

I always wonder too. I tell myself I should give because I can and I don't know if someone is scamming. If I think they need help, that's enough.

I still feel like I'm being scammed though. I wish I felt better about giving money to the homeless.

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Tim · 817 weeks ago

Unfortunately, since we cannot be sure of these people, their background and the reason that caused this situation in the first place, it's difficult to take it on a case by case basis.

I suppose this is one of those moments where our skepticism can't fully serve us and we have to make a decision using our instinct and <gasp!> emotions.

I often look for signs of hunger, malnutrition, long-term drug or alcohol abuse or the like. If one looks like my neighbor that has simply put on dirty clothes and smeared some filth onto their face and arms, then my skepticism overpowers me. They're not likely homeless and 7 out of 10 times I am usually correct.

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Buffy 83p · 816 weeks ago

I worked in Human Services for 20 years (including a stint in a shelter for homeless families) so I have a hard time passing needy people by. Undoubtedly some panhandlers are scammers but I give whenever I can anyway. I prefer the thought that some are getting a few of my dollars under false pretenses along with those who truly need it than the thought that I did nothing just to screw the scammers. The only time I'll purposely deny someone (except when I really don't have anything to give) is when a person is rude or intimidating. I refuse to reward that sort of behavior.

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