Cheers. And yeah, he was a bit. He still has his ticket, so maybe he won. Although I did see him again a while after taking the photo, and he didn’t look like a man who had won…
That’s quite a bleak photograph, and an odd place to hunker down. Though in the past I sat in cool underpasses on occasion to escape the heat. The guy doesn’t look destitute from the state of his clothes, but a gambling tab is never a good sight. It amazes me how may times a random interviews on the Japanese programs I watch (esp Document 72 Hours) reveal an episode of ruinous gambling in the past. Something that annoys me in the UK is the recent explosion of adverts on TV that promote gambling. I’m sure it does quite as much personal and social damage as drinking or smoking which have been banned on TV for years.
It was especially odd as it was outside the racetrack. It was by the station nearby. He wasn’t on his way home though, as not only did he have a betting ticket with him, but I saw him by the track later.
Yes, it’s odd how acceptable such advertising is. There’s also the sponsorship betting firms provide too. That said, the likes of McDonalds and Coca Cola are still allowed to sponsor sporting events…
Huddling against the looming darkness of psychological addiction and ruin – and looking the other way. Man, this photo says it all.
Those two, dim white dots in the darkness look like an approaching monster. This poor fellow’s gonna get eaten.
I was really pleased with the way this came out. Sad as it is, I felt it told some sort of story. So reading your comment was very gratifying. Thank you.
John says
I think a bit of both. Nice composition, but boy is he a sad sight………
Lee says
Cheers. And yeah, he was a bit. He still has his ticket, so maybe he won. Although I did see him again a while after taking the photo, and he didn’t look like a man who had won…
Coli says
I really like this picture.
Lee says
Thank you. Me too. The moment I pressed the shutter I knew it was a keeper. There’s a story there, but not not sure what it is…
Bernadette Loftus says
This is a striking picture. The angle makes him seem even more lost.
Lee says
Thank you very much. One I’m very happy with. It was something I felt, so very pleased that the image conveys that.
GenjiG says
What a sad person this is… 🙁
I bet he could tell some interesting and harsh stories about his life.
Lee says
Yes, I bet he could. More than likely he’s seen and been through a lot.
cdilla says
That’s quite a bleak photograph, and an odd place to hunker down. Though in the past I sat in cool underpasses on occasion to escape the heat. The guy doesn’t look destitute from the state of his clothes, but a gambling tab is never a good sight. It amazes me how may times a random interviews on the Japanese programs I watch (esp Document 72 Hours) reveal an episode of ruinous gambling in the past. Something that annoys me in the UK is the recent explosion of adverts on TV that promote gambling. I’m sure it does quite as much personal and social damage as drinking or smoking which have been banned on TV for years.
Lee says
It was especially odd as it was outside the racetrack. It was by the station nearby. He wasn’t on his way home though, as not only did he have a betting ticket with him, but I saw him by the track later.
Yes, it’s odd how acceptable such advertising is. There’s also the sponsorship betting firms provide too. That said, the likes of McDonalds and Coca Cola are still allowed to sponsor sporting events…
Squidpuppy says
Huddling against the looming darkness of psychological addiction and ruin – and looking the other way. Man, this photo says it all.
Those two, dim white dots in the darkness look like an approaching monster. This poor fellow’s gonna get eaten.
Lee says
I was really pleased with the way this came out. Sad as it is, I felt it told some sort of story. So reading your comment was very gratifying. Thank you.