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Street Vendors
Street Vendors
JimiRose


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Date Uploaded: Apr 5, 2008

Viewed: 250
Comments: 19
Favorites: 0

 POMT day 5.

These guys are 2 of several black street vendors that operate in Ferrara. They sell anything from fake sunglasses, lighters, tissues and razors to handbags and tripods. It has been suggested that their operations and products are organised by the local Mafia. They can be very useful, but they live a sad existence, most are refugees or illegal immigrants from places like Sierra Leone and northern Africa. They also suffer from antiquated feelings of racism which still exist throughout Italy. Although of course in theory and largely in practice Italy is as anti-racist as any other western European country, there is still a distrust of black people, and they are not widely accepted into the community. These street vendors are referred to as "negri" by way of attracting their attention, and are genuinely surprised and touched when you ask them about themselves.

While I believe this phenomenon to be more a case of an outdated way of thinking more than a deep seeded hatred, it still catches me off guard from time to time.

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AuthorThread
 04/09/2008 03:12:47 PM
Thank you for that informative narrative. Your compassion for these two is obvious, and it is sad that Italy still experiences racism (as does most of the rest of the world). After reading your story I went back and looked at these two with different eyes. I appreciate the opportunity for growth. Excellent photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/09/2008 02:58:07 PM
They look intense -- great bw conversion!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/06/2008 10:56:59 PM
Originally posted by annig:
when you can see the soul of a person, color disappears

nicely captured and great details with conversion to B&W


Man, oh man. I'm grabbing onto Anni's comment because it is DEAD ON and exactly mirrors what I was thinking (only she said it perfectly).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/06/2008 09:40:44 PM
when you can see the soul of a person, color disappears

nicely captured and great details with conversion to B&W

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/06/2008 03:28:45 PM
I like the way their expressions mimic each other. Maybe a bit bright on the shirt collar, but very good tonal range for the conditions you were shooting. Again, I very much enjoy the stories you include with these. It's quite interesting to see your town this way!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/06/2008 06:55:45 AM
Nice B & W Jimi - it certainly must be a hard existence. The facial expressions you've captured here are definitely of uncertainty.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/06/2008 05:13:12 AM
Excellent street candid...and wonderful post processing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/06/2008 12:10:20 AM
The light on their face is really nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/05/2008 11:15:11 PM
Nice honest capture. The focus is just right and the BW processing is beautiful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/05/2008 09:22:26 PM
A very emotive street candid shot that really captures the moment.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/05/2008 09:11:56 PM
I like the lighting!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/05/2008 06:15:27 PM
I love the stories that go along with your images - it's so nice to see your town through you eyes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/05/2008 05:35:20 PM
You really captured a lot of emotion. Quite moving.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/05/2008 05:18:44 PM
you have caught so amazingly everything you write of in your comments .. incredible really .. i saw this photograph and the first thing i thought of was anger and discontent .. i nearly didnt read wot you had written, but i'm so glad i have ..
i too am caught of guard by racial discrimination .. fortunately there are many ppl who concentrate on our similarities rather than our differences .. ppl like yourself who will connect with these ppl who have been so affected by other's prejudice .. :)
its a very striking photograph that shows exactly the emotions of these two ppl .. so powerful .. so excellent .. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/05/2008 05:01:44 PM
Nice contrast here. They facial expressions are good, but makes me think they did nto have very good sales this day.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/05/2008 04:42:05 PM
Very emotive shot. I love the B/W processing which makes it that more dramatic. Composition, lighting and focus is superb. Nicely done. I like your theme and look foward to seeing more.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/05/2008 04:18:58 PM
This is so good.

The facial expressions, the tight composition, the BW tones. Love it all.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/05/2008 04:07:11 PM
I'm enjoying this series a lot. Very good work, and thank you for sharing it with us.

Message edited by author 2008-04-05 16:07:30.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/05/2008 03:42:16 PM
Great shot and a thought provoking back story. Thanks for this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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