Photographer's Note
Life is so much easier when you have a bank account and don't have to beg for your survival.
I took this photo in Götgatan, a busy street on the island of Södermalm. It shows a typical scene from Stockholm and many other Swedish cities, where poor people from EU countries try to make a living from begging or collecting refundable bottles and cans, sometimes also trying to sell wooden spoons or bunches of flowers.
Since some countries in what used to be called eastern Europe entered the EU in the early 2000's their standard of living has generally increased considerably thanks to the tens of millions of Euros that have been sent by the richer member states. But some citizens have hardly seen any improvement at all, so they use their freedom of movement to travel across the entire European continent to Sweden, and probably other countries. If this is a better life, imagine how bad it is in their home country. It's a disgrace to the entire EU, and to the concerned governments in particular, that some citizens are so deeply neglected.
Here is a larger version.
One of the many TE bugs once again stopped me from adding the map coordinators.
papagolf21, ikeharel, alvaraalto, jhm, Fis2, Cricri, worldcitizen, ChrisJ, danos, clic, gervaso, saxo042, delpeoples, mcmtanyel, macjake, adramad, ourania, tyro, Lidka Ý÷ïõí(åé) åðéëÝîåé áõôÞ ôç óçìåßùóç ùò ÷ñÞóéìç
Critiques | Translate
papagolf21
(152607) 2016-07-13 0:58
Bonjour, cher Gert,
Un très bon reportage à travers cette note et cette photographie. Les mots sont inutiles, l'image dit tout !
Amitiés.
Philippe
lousat
(139220) 2016-07-13 1:02
Hi Gert, I can see that the problem is present in Sweden, but certainly not heard that in Italy, where every day we have hundreds of new immigrants from the wars that our good politicians have created and have not been able to handle. I am convinced that if Saddam and Gheddafi were still in place, would not exist the ISIS and all this great migration. The photo is really strong, speaks for itself, indeed a high-level journalistic document.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano
Tue
(92322) 2016-07-13 1:20
Hello Gert,
I am reading a Swedish novel at the moment (in Dutch, I must admit) and one of the characters made a remark about the increase of the number of beggars in Sweden in recent years. This photo gives a good impression of this new reality. It is a striking and sad contrast that you captured here in the streets of Stockholm.
Lars
dkmurphys
(79209) 2016-07-13 1:21
Hi Gert,
This is a discussion from different parts...yours from outside, mine from the inside. I only can tell you that this kind of people refuse to work here and prefer to get the social help from the government, to beg or to steal. The normal honest people, even they face the same hard conditions of poverty, are working (here or everywhere in EU or in the world). Anyway, nice shot of a common everyday scene.
D
alvaraalto
(42804) 2016-07-13 1:24
Hello Gert,
Humor is a very strong weapon in many circumstances. Even in TE-photography. The title says enough and your picture is the perfect illustration. You cropped the scene perfectly with the blue banken in top.
Groet Rob
P.s. I must confess, Cranach was for me in the category “O yes, of course” but the Renaissance isn’t my strongest period.
jhm
(211736) 2016-07-13 3:27
Hello Gert,
I don't know but Europe has much people poor made, also I find this since I am retired.
The head of Europe is too big and too costly.
But the second lady on the seat has certainly always hungry.
Handelsbanken it seem a Dutch word, my unknown
An excellent daily life picture with the both ladies on the same picture.
Very well done, TFS.
Best regards,
John.
mjw364
(1466) 2016-07-13 3:35
Hello Gert
Nice juxtaposition of inequality, which works on many levels as you allude to in your note.
It is perhaps one of the frustrations shared by all that the governance of such issues has effectively failed to address those issues. Possibly an underlying dynamic informing the Brexit vote too.
The impact of inequalities of many kinds and on many levels is possibly going to define the politics of our times more than ever but wasn't it ever thus?
Have a good day.
Mike
Sergiom
(117241) 2016-07-13 4:59
Bonjour Gert,
Cela devient presque gênant de passer à côté et rien ne lui donner. Quoique elle ne sembla pas mourir de faim cette dame qui dort sur la job.Beau moment de la vie quotidienne dans une ville moderne.
Amicalement
Serge
Nicou
(193806) 2016-07-13 5:52
Hlelo
quelle image et constate la dame bien enrobée qui a l'air de dormir et l'autre dame au bancomat deux monde différent quelle vue superbe.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou
Fis2
(170693) 2016-07-13 5:57
Witaj Gert!
Excellent scene from street.
Wonderful reportage shot.
Good frame and colors.
Well done.
Nice afternoon.
Krzysztof
GyurMaster
(24818) 2016-07-13 8:07
Dear Gert,
Not having a bank account means that you don't have a dept either. One more think you should't stress your-self. Sorry for my dark/ill-bred humour. :)
Joke apart: It's not only the EU's shame, there are two other factors you should take into consideration: Firstly, most of this money have been stolen by corrupt political systems. A recent scandal here in Hungary that leaders of Roma organizations misappropriated funds for Roma education/scholarships etc. They stole the future of their own people. Not if non-Roma politicians would't do the same. The second problem is what Daniel noted that some them doesn't even want to work. I'm not racist, before anyone would claim. One of my best friends is a half-Roma guy, coming from a miserable childhood. We graduated together as lawyers, and shared a flat during our university years. His family didn't really supported him, because they said its useless to learn and read stupid books. So he found a workplace to finance his studies. What I want to say that giving these people a lot of money wouldn't change anything it is a dead well in itself. The change has to come from the inside: 'Fortune comes to those who make a genuine effort to accomplish things.'
Thanks for sharing this picture, it created an interesting debate.
Best Wishes,
Gy.
Cricri
(176) 2016-07-13 8:33
Hi Gert
La vie en Europe est devenue très cher, il y a beaucoup de personnes dans chaque pays ou l'on voit malheureusement la même situation, triste vie pour cette dame, grand contraste ave la dame au bancontact , super bon cadrage et intéressante note
belle soirée
cricri
pajaran
(115831) 2016-07-13 10:06
Dobro vece.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad, kompozicija, kontrast i ostrina, lepe boje.
Lepo uhvacen trenutak.
Dosla su nova moderna vremena i brze usluge.
Prijatno vece i sve najbolje.
Paja.
Good evening.
Beautiful view and the moment, interesting and good text ...
Good work, composition, contrast and sharpness, beautiful colors.
Beautifully captured the moment.
There came a new modern times and fast service.
Good evening and all the best.
Paja.
worldcitizen
(16048) 2016-07-13 13:59
Hello Gert,
Sadly, homeless people asking for money seem to be getting even more prevalent in most big cities. I've noticed an increase here in NYC, too. This photo has irony to it, with the begging woman seated right beside the ATM. I guess she thinks she'll earn more money that way. It saddens me to see the number of people in need, and, in some cases, it is also a quality of life problem. Some of the homeless are unpredictable due to mental illness or drugs. It's a sad commentary for society in general...
PiotrF
(54602) 2016-07-13 14:02
Hello Gert,
Good picture street, nice reportage shot. You showed you described and important issue of migration in the EU. Fine presentation
Regards
Piotr
emka
(158092) 2016-07-13 14:19
hello Gert,
Some have and some haven't. But also better to be young, slim and blond than old ... It would be difficult to find the two women so different. Well spotted scene on the street and presented here with a thoughtful note. When you mention former eastern European countries you have in mind Poland. I am ashamed for my government and many of my compatriots. On the other hand, I read often that the refugees are given help but do not appreciate it and want to get many things for free. What is the truth? The best thing is when they assimilate, work for their living. But how to achieve it?
WArm regrads Malgo
carlo62
(81265) 2016-07-13 15:32
Ciao Gert
la foto è emblematica, anche se l'opulenza della mendicante contrasta con il suo stato economico.
Questi problemi sono vecchi come il mondo, purtroppo non c'è nessuna volontà di risolverli, in qualche modo i poveri fanno comodo a qualcuno e chi ha di più ha paura di avere meno...
Saluti
Carlo
ChrisJ
(171822) 2016-07-14 5:48
Hi Gert,
The blue text and the bankomat contrast well with the yellow lights and orange wall to give a nice warm cold color contrast. Good sharpness and the woman using the machine contrasts well with the overweight woman to her right. Tfs!
danos
(110407) 2016-07-14 6:28
Hello Gert,
i have never believed to see a scene like this in Sweden!! I thought that in the country the people are not rich but all the have money to live and the most important the government benefits will protect all these pour people....
I good documentary shot from Sweden.
Regards,Danos
clic
(76) 2016-07-14 8:38
Hallo Gert Quite a touching scenery you show today because the poor woman will have to wait a long time sleeping; it is well known that rich people tend to ignore poverty. You have good eye and swift reflexes for "decisive moment" takes!
Viele Grusse. Robert
mkamionka
(74351) 2016-07-14 12:59
Hi Gert,
on top of what you have said, there is a group of people who are "professional" beggars. Some "Easter European" countries have social groups which declare that working is not in their culture. They frequently move from one place to another. Women or children of these social groups are begging because it is very easy way to collect substantial money in rich western countries. We are quite used to this phenomenon in Poland, but I remember when Romania (which has quite a problem in this regard) was accepted in the EU a big wave of beggars arrived in Ireland where I lived. Out of pity Irish were sharing what they could with them. That was a time when Poles without any education were able to find simple jobs in Ireland and they were able to earn decent money... I believe in this photo you have captured such a professional beggar.
Accepting new countries to the EU was not to help the poorest but it was a business deal: western companies were able to cheaply purchase companies in the new member states, they got access to new large markets for their products which are still much more EU-subsidized than the same products in new member states, finally they got access to a cheap labor force. The new countries were able to get rid of the unemployment, and got some money to improve the infrastructure, roads etc so that the better subsidized products from the west could reach remote destinations.
Reading what people in the Western Europe say, even politicians, I realize that that deal was advertised in the west quite differently as a type of "solidarity" which now on every occasion is used against the not so new anymore member states, saying that "you only want to take money but if you don't do what we tell you to do you will be punished". Obviously those people forget about the other side of the deal. New member states didn't get anything for free.
Sorry for such an extensive comment. You did touch a serious issue of inequality but I believe it was to some extent a simplification.
Nice photo to illustrate it though :)
M
Silvio1953
(221525) 2016-07-14 13:12
Ciao Gert, beasutiful reportage, difficoult life for one of the womanexcellent clarity, wonderful colors, splendid light and fine details, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
ikeharel
(113291) 2016-07-15 0:43
Good morning Gert,
A daily scene around any big city nowadays, pitty - but this is an actuallity-photo.
We all wishing for a better world, reallity is something different: both with personal-relative wealth, health and as we realize very recently - personal security.
I am still optimitic.
Have a nice new day,
Ike
*** The city-light-train in Jerusalem is new, and the only one in operation throughout Israel.
gervaso
(28177) 2016-07-15 9:13
Hello, Gert!
It's a scene we see so often (I believe that here in Latin America much more than in any European country), that we are used to ignore it, but this image is very strong, calling the attention for that! And the quality of the photo is also great, with excellent colors and sharpness! Very nice job! Well done!
Periko
(9107) 2016-07-15 11:09
Hi Gert
This is a significant scene. The attitude of the sitting lady says a lot.
Once I read that Norway refused to be a member of the EU to avoid finance to immigrants.
Good composition, excellent exposure.
Regards
Pedro
saxo042
(38078) 2016-07-16 1:48
Hej Gert,
Definitivt en bild i kategorin "daily life". Bra fäger och snygg komposition, intressant innehåll i bilden. Också mycket intressant att läsa alla kommentarerna här.
Hälsningar
Gunnar
abmdsudi
(95869) 2016-07-16 4:30
Hi Gert
This reality of everyday life illustrates the complexity, contradictions and juxtapositions of a very disturbing social issue and imbalance of wealth from the two subjects as it plays before your eyes. An 'ugly' beautiful sight which is normally swept under thick red carpet so well taken....
Congrats
Best wishes
delpeoples
(60342) 2016-07-16 19:00
Ciao dear Gert
Yes, one wonders the horrors they are fleeing from if this kind of life is better. I saw a quote from an activist recently that said, "Do not fear the refugee, fear the people that made them refugees". To me, the fear of "the other" or "different" is not rational, and is based on half-truths and lack of education. At least that is what I want to believe as I would hope that it is not based on gratuitous cruelty. But unfortunately it is the feeling of many. Not the majority and even if it was, the majority is not always correct. Nazi Germany is testament to that. I find it interesting how quickly those people forget the lessons of less than a century ago, when in so many cases, their people were the "different" or "the other". It is sad, so very sad.
A thoughtful posting from you. A horrible juxtaposition of the "haves" and the "have nots". And interestingly there is a third juxtaposition: the two humans and the banks: the 1% against the rest of us. I see who the real enemy is, and it is neither of the two human beings depicted in this photo. It is the faceless corporation and the men who hide behind it. Those who wish to divide us. And who are succeeding it seems.
Warmest wishes
Lisa
jmdias
(115100) 2016-07-17 2:29
gert
I know about many people from those countries who are professional beggars, I saw many of them in Italy. Sometimes those ones who really need don't ask for help.
nice image showing the scene.
hugs
jorge
claudeD
(47754) 2016-07-18 9:50
Hello Gert,
you are right (absoéutely) with your title. You were at the right moment at the right place and you had the photographers eye, really. I like the shot very much.TFS.
With regards from Luxembourg
JC
mcmtanyel
(68447) 2016-07-20 19:26
Hello Gert,
This is a great journalistic photo symbolizing the contrast between the lives of haves and have-nots. It is well composed and the colors are vivid. The slope of the street makes it look like the thinner woman at the ATM is heavier, another symbolic contradiction.
Regards,
MT
macjake
(98438) 2016-07-27 0:46
Hi Gert
I remember viewing this photo a few days ago, I could have sworn I made a comment on it but I suppose not.
hmmm....seems like you have stirred up a bit of a hot topic debate here with our TE members!
i like Malgo's comments the most, I think she hit the nail on the head.
just to keep the mood on the lighter side of things, trying not to get political or religious etc...isn't it odd how the lady with no or little money is overweight, while the lady with money is slim. think about that for a second.
as for the EU and all its countries or non countries, its not something I tend to follow - being from the West.
Maybe its just me, I dont' tend to follow politics closely, so perhaps i'm just out of touch with world economic news and such...Being from Canada, I find it quite confusing, this whole EU, and who belongs in it, who doesn't, all the underground politics and laws surrounding it.
Throw in the recent UK vote with England/Ireland/Scotland...my goodness, it seems life is so much more simple living in Canada. No such rules or votes to belong or NOT to belong to some larger collection of countries which separate them from others. I just dont' get it.
sorry, thats my rant for the day :)
as for the photo itself, i honestly think its fantastic.
the juxtaposition is a 10 out of 10. well spotted and executed
cheers
craig
adramad
(72970) 2016-07-30 9:33
Hello Gert.
A magnificent introductory note to this image, with which I fully agree.
It is certainly a very striking image, a reality of our cities, where live two worlds. These two women are the symbol of it, while a sack money from the bank teller, the other is begging to survive. Great image of the day.
Color, sharpness and brightness are excellently captured.
Very good composition, great presentation.
Have a good weekend.
Warm greetings.
Luis.
ourania
(51103) 2016-08-05 8:40
Hello Gert,
this image looks so familiar, I guess we often notice such scenes with the corner of our eye while going through the streets of a city, but it's striking when you make us stop and actually observe them, like you did with this picture. What I've learned from the already long Greek crisis is that the distance between the two ladies could be much much smaller than that in your picture. It's getting even harder for the Greek people this year, it's sad to see the adverse conditions spreading. What a contrast the warm and bright tones make. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great weekend,
Ourania
tyro
(30513) 2016-08-07 9:38
Hello Gert,
I'm sorry I missed this one when you first published it - but, in a way, I'm quite pleased that I did as I have managed to side-step any political discussions which are rarely conducive to the normal convivial atmosphere of TE! So I shall confine my comments entirely to ones regarding photography. ;)
This is indeed a fine candid shot and perfectly tallies with your photograph's title. The two ladies could not be different - one young, fit-looking and active, taking money from an autoteller, the other sluggish, probably depressed and grossly obese, of indeterminate age and squatting by the roadside begging.
It tells a very sad tale of which we are all too familiar and the scene has been captured here perfectly in a fine composition with lovely light and colours, perfect exposure and exquisite details and sharpness.
Excellent!
Kind Regards,
John.
PaulVDV
(62880) 2016-08-13 13:44
Hello Gert,
With this picture and with the note you really hit a lot of sensitivities. I have read carefully all the comments and your answers. TE is as divided as the EU.
I admire your faith in the goodness in man and your constant concern for your less fortunate fellowmen.
However, I believe that Mariusz is right on some subjects.
The different enlargements of the EU were based on economic motives for the big capital.
I remember well how the enlargement with the 10 new member states in 2004 was explained in my country. The story was that we were one big European family that was sadly divided by the Nazis with the second world war and by the Soviets with the cold war and in 2004 we had that wonderful opportunity to unite us.
The people here felt some solidarity and accepted the story. Just as they had accepted the story in 1981 and in 1986 of fragile democracies in the south of Europe that had to be protected. But many people do not accept just any extension. The ongoing story of the Turkish entry is quite clear, I believe.
I totally agree with solidarity with the less fortunate but with regard to what we see on this picture, all I can say is ‘Very poor EU’ or better ‘Very poor policy of the EU’.
Is this really the best they can do ? Under the pretext of ‘freedom’ and ‘no borders’ these people are offered a life as a pariah in the streets of those countries with better job opportunities, countries where the 'haves' do have a thousand times more than those in the Balkan and where the social inequality today is even bigger.
If you reply that they don’t lead a pariah life in Sweden, I have no information whatsoever to dispute that and I do believe you. But the EU is bigger than Sweden.
Sorry that I can’t be optimistic when seeing this picture. But for sure it’s a very real image of the contemporary European daily life.
Best regards, Paul
Lidka
(527) 2017-12-30 1:51
Dear Gert!
Fine scene.
Fine two different women.
Superb background.
Interesting picture.
Picture like story.
Good POV.
Perfect take.
Original effect.
Well done!
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Gert Holmertz (holmertz)
(102650)
- Genre: ¢íèñùðïé
- Medium: ¸ã÷ñùìï
- Date Taken: 2016-07-03
- Categories: Êáèçìåñéíüôçôá
- ¸êäïóç öùôïãñáößáò: Ðñùôüôõðç Ýêäïóç
- Date Submitted: 2016-07-13 0:55
Discussions
- To dkmurphys: thanks (3)
by holmertz, last updated 2016-07-13 06:45 - To jhm: language (1)
by holmertz, last updated 2016-07-13 06:58 - To alvaraalto: embassy (1)
by holmertz, last updated 2016-07-13 07:03 - To lousat: refugees (1)
by holmertz, last updated 2016-07-13 07:09 - To GyurMaster: change (2)
by holmertz, last updated 2016-07-13 12:03 - To emka: To Gert (2)
by emka, last updated 2016-07-14 01:40 - To danos: beggars (1)
by holmertz, last updated 2016-07-14 06:45 - To mkamionka: ? (6)
by holmertz, last updated 2016-07-15 05:57 - To saxo042: tack (1)
by holmertz, last updated 2016-07-16 02:01 - To macjake: thanks craig (1)
by holmertz, last updated 2016-07-27 01:58 - To tyro: thanks John (2)
by holmertz, last updated 2016-08-07 10:42 - To PaulVDV: thank you Paul (1)
by holmertz, last updated 2016-08-14 02:00