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C.M. Kwan | all galleries >> Galleries >> The Back Alleys in Hong Kong > Arguing
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23-MAR-2008

Arguing

Hong Kong view map

These two ladies were arguing bitterly over the ownership of aluminum (soft drink) cans they found.

In Hong Kong, Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) was implemented in late 1990s.
Most of the elderly didn't have a chance to participated in the MPF scheme.
They're only supported by their own savings after retirement.
A lot of the elderly in Hong Kong are earning their livings by picking up and
reselling abandoned paper boxes and aluminum cans.

Posted on 27 March 2008
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Nikon D2Xs ,Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
1/50s f/5.0 at 14.0mm iso400 full exif

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Walter Otto Koenig12-May-2008 02:13
A hard life at old age. Excellent documentation. "V"
Guy Dube02-Apr-2008 13:46
A very nice b&w CM, very well done! V
Char30-Mar-2008 12:31
Hi CM,
This is a wonderful candid shot! Great black and white. \/
Guest 29-Mar-2008 15:19
Sad to see this happen... really hope your work can help this situation by sending to local newspaper.
Robert Strachan29-Mar-2008 06:52
Wonderfully evocative image. The narrative behind the picture helps to set the scene nicely.
Guest 28-Mar-2008 10:49
Excellent street shot, CM! It is very sad to see the elderly having to pick up aluminum cans.
Debbie Blackburn Beierle28-Mar-2008 06:53
Excellent composition, contrast. Wonderful in B&W.
Guest 28-Mar-2008 03:43
Excellent shot !!
Yves Pinsonneault. Photographe27-Mar-2008 23:42
Excellent street photography scene ...
Tomasz Dziubinski - Photography27-Mar-2008 23:04
Excellent and interesting, Vote.
XiaoBernard9927-Mar-2008 17:48
cM KWAN it is very interesting.When I lived in China it xas the same I seen a lot of old Persons who made this Job!And not only the paper or aluminium ;plastic bottle,iron...When In china a house is dismantled in perhaps 2 or 3 days nothing stayed in place all went in recycled way .(pipe,electrical cable,stones,brickes,wood ..) and the most important part of this job was made by the retriever....
Liz Bickel27-Mar-2008 16:57
A strong photograph!
Raymond27-Mar-2008 16:39
Here in Quebec City, an empty aluminum pop can gets 5 cents in the return machines. We find these machines by the front door of just about every food stores.
As for the pensions, anyone over 65 years old gets at least $1200 to $1400/month, I think ! It's so amazing to see how others live... your backstreet images show us a wonderful part of the world, warts and all. What strikes me is how clean the back alley is...
DL 27-Mar-2008 14:31
Really like to see & know more about people living in the other corner. The colour tone of the picture really match with the theme of the Back Alley. Maybe you can try the rust colour next time.
TuTmin27-Mar-2008 14:14
excellent thematic shot.expressive work.well seen dear CM.
voted
Guest 27-Mar-2008 13:52
A great candid CM! Here in Russia we also see many old persons looking into garbage cans to find glass beer bottles and aluminium cans...