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Karen Stuebing | all galleries >> PAD Again >> A Photo A Day - January 2006 > Will Work For...
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12-JAN-2006 Karen Stuebing

Will Work For...

West Virginia

These guys are a new sight at the entrance to Walmart. Seems to be a different one every day. Judging from his tan in the middle of January, I'd say he's logged some hours doing this.

I wonder what he would have said if I offered him a bowl of beans to rake my yard.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5
1/800s f/5.6 at 34.8mm iso80 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
comment
Robbie D7031-Aug-2014 20:55
This is a good photograph because it makes the viewer pause and think.
He is asking for work not money and he is holding a card not a bottle.
He looks clean cares about himself but who knows the true situation, what he states could be true and he does not want the situation to get worse.
I suppose talking to the man is risky in the US he may have a gun ?
It is sad he cant get work the usual way also sad this happens in life.
Guest 02-Feb-2006 12:48
A harsh reality of life, very well captured Karen
jypsee27-Jan-2006 06:16
Thank goodness for James Peless; how are we to know what his story is? People have all sorts of reasons for being hungry and out of work....
katwilkens15-Jan-2006 19:22
Good shot. Did he know you were taking it? Just curious. He actually looks rather well-groomed, healthy and not destitute, but he must be to look for work in this way.
DeMorcan15-Jan-2006 02:39
By Walmart? Perhaps he was one of the many who worked for one of the companies Walmart put out of business when they could not lower their prices enough to keep selling to Walmart. Maybe somewhere in China are 10 people glad to be splitting his former pay. As he misses more meals his stomach will shrink and he will quit noticing the hunger. Then again, he may be an out of work actor on a bad day.
Focus14-Jan-2006 18:47
Excellent image Karen.......but I'll not be the judge of this man. "But for the sake of the Lord, there goes I". I normally err on his side and give him some money.......if I'm wrong, I still feel right.

Looks cold there, but w/o snow......I'm surprised that the gentleman doesn't have a hat to prevent his head from burning........
Ray :)14-Jan-2006 14:09
Hungry? He looks fine to me - has he seen the people in Africa?
laine8214-Jan-2006 07:40
If he's in the position as many men here in medium to high level jobs and found themselves out of work also found themselves "over qualified" when looking for employment.
This may not be his choice, but his only option.
Anyway, you have a good candid here Karen.
Elaine (etfitz)14-Jan-2006 03:28
Wonderful image! Hope he is able to find work!
Karen Leaf14-Jan-2006 02:09
Who knows what his story is?? He can't be standing there for the enjoyment of it.
Too many vets that have problems caused by their service to not give him the benefit of the doubt.
Keep 'em coming Karen, you get people thinking and talking.
joanteno14-Jan-2006 00:53
Interesting shot!
Breland14-Jan-2006 00:46
There is always a story behind a scene like this. I wonder what his is?
Dan Chusid13-Jan-2006 23:23
Wonder if he takes a good picture behind the camera?
Barb13-Jan-2006 22:20
Tragic. He is asking for work and not money. Will not judge him.
Clear and crisp shot
1105191213-Jan-2006 22:02
Interesting photograph. I am not going to comment on his dress or the amount of homeless we have
in my city. What is striking is that many of the homeless on our streets are veterans. There are already
many from the wars in Iraq and many need psychological counseling and help with substance abuse.
Buz Kiefer13-Jan-2006 17:38
Have to agree with Sheila who said, "He looks warm and clean and... shifty."
He also looks very well fed.
Excellent photo though.
Gayle P. Clement13-Jan-2006 17:34
It may sound cynical, but I'm never sure whether to trust or believe something like this.

Bright, clear photo.
Guest 13-Jan-2006 17:11
I feel ashamed for all this tragedy even if I'm not involved directly to this mess
Iannis
Beverly Wickersham13-Jan-2006 15:40
We get a lot of these too. It's a shame, because people who really need help don't get the attention they deserve.
These guys usually won't accept any work, because of some claimed malady or the other.
Coleen Perilloux Landry13-Jan-2006 14:52
Hopefully, he will find a job. If he truly is a military veteran it's a shame that we can't take care of our own.
Sheila13-Jan-2006 14:16
He looks warm and clean and... shifty.
Looking at his nails, (which we can see because of the fine detail in your photo) he hasn't done manual labour for a while.
Guest 13-Jan-2006 13:48
You have an eye for an interesting subject and your commentary hit the nail on the head.
Herb 13-Jan-2006 13:42
We see a lot of those here in the warmer climate
royalld13-Jan-2006 13:22
Pretty well-dressed, seems well-fed, has a decent haircut.
Hopefully, his dilemma is just temporary.
Great focus and lighting on this shot.
Gary Hebert13-Jan-2006 13:09
interesting documentary Karen... very bright and sharp...
virginiacoastline13-Jan-2006 12:58
he doesn't seem too pleased to see your camera . . . . will work for fotos?