The ones who can eat anything...

Photography \ Figure | 05/24/05 @591 | Madanapale | critiques (186) | views (22512)

Do not copy, modify, distribute or sell the whole or parts of the image above without permission of the creator. More.

Description

PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU COMMENT..

"The ones who can eat anything"....."Los Cómelo todo"....the hardest words of "Love Poem" by Roque Dalton.... a description of the poor people of El Salvador.

I wouldn’t publish this picture if this would be a curiosity or an isolated event….This happens daily on the streets of San Salvador….
Not only the insane,but also normal poor people and children dig into garbage cans to get some food.

Vito Guarato a Franciscan priest founded “The Home of the abandoned disable Children” in 1994….he was motivated because he found children eating from the garbage….The “Home” is very near to the place I live.
http://www.hogarvitoguarato.org/fhp/paginas/hogar.asp

I have asked many of my patients their opinion about this picture……and all said “I see that daily”…..There are some religious and private organizations who help……my mother in law belongs to one of them….They go at 5 am on the morning to serve a free breakfast to the homeless…..you have to go under protection because downtown San Salvador is not a safe place at that hour.

The picture was taken at a central plaza in front of San Salvador cathedral about a month ago….As a photographer I enjoy taking pictures of beautiful places….but as a human being living in a third world country…I feel is a duty for me to publish this events so the rest of the world will know the poverty and lack of sotial security of the poor people.

I feel bad posting this picture…but I would feel worse if I hide it.

How many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn't see
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind

“Blowing in the wind” by Bob Dylan

DONATIONS
Thanks....Donations would be welcome to Vito Guarato “The Home of the abandoned disable Children”....Link Spanish
http://www.hogarvitoguarato.org/fhp/paginas/hogar.asp

English
http://www.sahf.org/

Thanks to you all!!!!
Carlos

PS
Other works with titles of the Poem..."Los tristes más tristes del mundo" link
Los Tristes más Tristes del Mundo by

Madanapale

"Los Véndelo Todo"....link
Los Véndelo Todo by

Madanapale

Vote statistics

Recent: 0 votes, 0 points

Total: 204 votes, 1533 points

Cast your vote

You have to be logged in to vote

Voting? Read the faq

Options

None

Additional Downloads

BW Version [716x1152 px] [468k]

Comments (186)

Taintra

05/24/05 @596

u have a very good point about publishing these. people should be more aware of this. i feel sorry for the guy...

Kurlowski

05/24/05 @596

Carlos, you have really done well with this set. The emotions you capture tell more than a thousand words* scuse me. Excellent technically as well... you did very well. Top marks.

headhake

05/24/05 @597

It is said that we live in the world's village but seing this pictures and being aware of this, it's just a stupid thing to say...We talk about this so called "village" when we talk about technology and internet all over the world, the flow of information everywhere...But there are some differences between people and this one is the most seen...Do the poor care about hi-tech? We all talk about cars, computers, on going on holidays and all this people care are a BREAD, a simple one...We take for granted food, They take for granted MISERY, day by day...I'm among the people that take everything for granted and I admit that most of the times i don't think about them, many times i pretend i don't see them...But I know I have to stop being like that...The new world only think of money, money, money...And one thing is for certain, the wealth people are getting richer and the poor ones are becoming poorer...

About the photo, you have capture great emotions and great feeling that many people are unaware, me too...This transmites lots of thing...You a true photographer...I love it...photos are not only about beauty but about transmit feelings to people and you did it well my friend...Sorry for this long comment...
(+5 can't give more

)

your friend, Hugo Zenha

viridi

05/24/05 @598

inner life breakman, misunderstood, to lose patience fight against world ........

ohce

05/24/05 @600

yes... sometimes we only see the beautiful things and forgot about the ugly or bad things....
I like this shot as you really tell us a story behind it... it's sad.... but need to let ppls know about it.....

flowjoe

05/24/05 @602

This is an extreamly powerfull image with a very powerfull msg. Unfortunally it is not only in El Salvador. Since they have closed down many care facilities in Sweden this is now a common site in Stockholm too and it makes me very sad. In ways I think that it is the greates sign of our failing comunity that people have to eat from garbage cans when there are so many people with money. So much food gets thrown away from homes and stores every day.

I concider this to be one of the best photos I have seen sofar on this site and certainly one of the most important and one that touched me very much. You did the right thing when you uploaded this, it is not something we should turn away from or ignore

Well done my friend

Madanapale

05/24/05 @609

Johannes.... Flowjoe....I am really sad for your words...I can not believe it also happens in Sweden....we in our poor countries...look up to Sweden as a model of sotial security....That really makes me sad.!!!...I just wrote a message to you.
Carlos

CzarBote

05/24/05 @610

nice photos. feel sad for the guy.

headhake

05/24/05 @612

Madanapale this happens everywhere and on organized countries too...The country is not important...Poor people are everywhere...

Madanapale

05/24/05 @616

I am really sad!....I thought it was only in poor counties!!!....That is really frustrating!!...
Carlos

mesci

05/24/05 @618

I am not agree headhake. Certainly there are poor people all country. As me, important ratio of poor people in a country.

I congratulate for this sad work.
7/7
Levent

PaulJohns

05/24/05 @620

great work. my heart breaks for these people. i live in L.A. and there are tons of homeless and hungry here, when i have any extra money i always stop by the grocery store or a restaraunt and pick up something for the local homeless. but i really hate the fact we live in a world where we, the people with money can just pass by these homeless people as if they were just a piece of trash blowing in the breeze that we try to avoid coming into contact with. keep taking pics like these, get the word out, and refuse to hide this horrible thing that we need to put and end to. 5/5

AshSammy

05/24/05 @620

This sucks, just leave him alone, he's trying to make his own way, I am sure he wouldn't appreciate your petty.
But is this what it takes, to make you appreciate what you already own?
So I assume you never knew what is of value afterall, until "this". Oh did I mention? I've seen cats and dogs dig into rubbish, who also seem to be fighting for survival and trying to extend the lives of their kind but I couldn't feel for that cause they weren't of mine, so I rathered invest thought in extending mine, lets take pictures of these, should we? Why not? But why this man? There's only one thing only men can take from this, and make thee own, which is that "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at your self and make a change".
Take whatever you can take from these pictures and make your own, if still not sure what is of value, I can tell you wisdom is, but "this" isn't what anybody needs to share with anybody else.
One guy on GFX noted how underminded things are usually taken on the site, and I am starting to spend less time around here.

SSemerdjian

05/24/05 @627

Nice series man...
Here in Brazil that's very common...
But people here is realizing that many of these poor people are part of a mafia to get money...specially using children...
But I'm sure that's not the situation of the man above...
7/7!

cupcake

05/24/05 @638

Very Sad!
Carlos this can be found every where-------
Cupcake

Abstractor

05/24/05 @643

Carlos, my entire life, my passion has been hungry children, hungry people. this photo is stricking, moving, very deeply touching for me. I have had an idea for some time. it came to me this last saturday what to do with it. I will pm you and tell you.
Keith

Beckett

05/24/05 @646

This one makes me sad to see that people have to live like this to survive, then I realised how lucky I am, thank you for sharing this with us Carlos.

dragonrojo

05/24/05 @659

0_o too sad, in mexico this is very common too

beatrizmatar

05/24/05 @673

Carlos, Buenos Aires are full of people like that. I call the the new Robinson Crusoe, because they live in the island of poverty in the middle of the beautiful city.
Your photo is such and extraordinary work. I think, That you must make a book with all your works. Are real. Tough and with the beauty of horror.
You are a great artist and a special man. One who really cares about the others.

Diane

05/24/05 @680

It is so sad

Very well done, full of emotion

+5/5

Empty

05/24/05 @687

Very sad that people see this every day in your country. Stunning capture Carlos. 8/8

audentia

05/24/05 @707

"I feel bad posting this picture…but I would feel worse if I hide it". You're right Carlos. Thank you, for your big heart! I think it's our duty, for the us to show the rest of the World what we know, what we can do. I'm so happy to hear about your mother in law! I've heard people asking why God is letting this happen. He doesn't. It's human ignoranze and failure, humans run by the evil power. Publishing this is one way to make awarness of what's going on. I live in a rich country, where most people arn't concerned about these issues. Their fault? No, I don't think so. If you havn't experienced this, face to face with it, you cannot understand. I've seen this, I lived in Madagascar for one year. I went to the Norwegian Missionary School. A new life for me began, but most young people have been safe all their lives, which is great of course, but it's hard to understand how other people don't have this. However, I wish we could learn about real issues in the world in school, in media, on tv, everywhere. Maths, computers... it's all a part of the society, but love for other humans should come first. I think it is the rich countries's duty to share some of their wealth! A world with no feelings for others, no respect or no moral has no future anyway. May God bless this world!

Stardreamer

05/24/05 @725

Very moving. I wish more people saw images like this. People can become homeless very quickly in life without knowing which way to turn or what to do. Excellent photos... that remind me of daily life in NYC, SF & Hawaii.

Medrano

05/24/05 @729

.....................I have no words for this........

CalinnVojnngat

05/24/05 @743

ç_ç

native29

05/24/05 @745

This is just too much sir
Exaggerating sadness
I cant stand it
+10 !!!

Dax

05/24/05 @790

...Full marks!

IDEMWOLF

05/24/05 @796

....I found it very difficult to say something. Really moving. I wish rich people saw this. Even in the richest countries you can see people searching for some food in the garbage.
Thanks for including the extract of blowin´ in the wind, love this song, thanks fo your photo, thanks for your comment.

Direcly to my favorite artists. max points.
Sorry for my English :$

bellas

05/24/05 @797

poor men

you captured very well the real world

SailorDidi

05/24/05 @799

This is really powerful, strong.
I just think the second picture would have been enough to make something strong.
I really feel sad for him.

+9/9 of course

Stratos

05/24/05 @811

Oh wow.. your words and the pictures of this man is so touching.. i think nr two is the 'best' one..his expression when he's looking on that food-thing he eats.. wish i could give him some food and clean clothes through the screen.
I noticed that he has Fila's on his feet..what a contrast...
excellent shot,Carlos!!

zanzibar

05/24/05 @820

strong picture, indeed...
i saw a lot of this situation in the east europe countries.

SolidAhmed

05/24/05 @829

so sad , but needed to be tell

Sven

05/24/05 @838

Sad? In San Salvador? Maybe maybe...but this really is a world wide problem. Today we were on our way tot the market to buy something to eat and we saw these three men sitting near the thrash cans and collecting some food for their hunger. We felt really bad since they dont have any food and we got maybe little bit too much... it makes you really think....
This is really powerful photo! Cant say nothing else!
Sad...

Top marks!

ThruMyEyez

05/24/05 @844

This is photo-journalism at its finest, showing the true nature of aspects of the human condition. A very sad commentary on how some can be so very rich while others can be so very poor. Even in the "rich" United States we have some people in similar situations. A prime example of how societies priorities can be so unjust. You were correct in posting this. It should be on the front page of publications like the Wall Street Journal, Gourmet Dining, or maybe Better Homes and Gardens, to show the other side of life to the greedy, consuming, and self-absorbed ways of so many people today.

ARTYESTILO

05/24/05 @851

Great Photo... Great moment!
Sad situation.
+ 10

fateofdesign

05/24/05 @876

wonderful photo. real world is this. we always see good thing.(nature,flowers, etc.). but i like to life indeed photo.
Cong.

ClaraSoto

05/24/05 @882

It is indeed a great capture my lovely friend.... not because is in El Salvador... is the human condition that is in play here !!!!!The development of society is not exactly the best for most of the human being if we see that 90% is poor in a way. We, the ones who have access to a computer or own a computer are the 8% of the whole world !!!! And you know we are not in our best economical situation!!! So... this is just as part of our reallity as everything else. We have to modify the way we see things to understand the need to become better souls !!!

ARTOONATOR

05/24/05 @903

Carlos, every time I see your pictures it is obvious to me what a caring man you are. You don't need words to prove it, your images show it. And that is what makes a good 'real life' photographer. Respect!

Madanapale

05/24/05 @912

Thanks to you All for your comments...My sadness is larger now that I know that is not only in El Salvador.....I don't know what to say....Just that I love you all people who cares about this situation!!
God bless you all!!
Carlos

shifty

05/24/05 @919

Carlos, this picture bring a tear to my eye, in the local city, there are many homeless people, doing similar things, and unfortunately we let it pass us by, thanks for sharing this with us.

skulpturro

05/24/05 @924

We see in the streets a fraction of the horror that lives behind closed doors. What screams for our attention is not this man's hunger, but what has probably happened to him in his life to bring him to this. I am so moved by the plight of the ugly, the dead, and the abandoned that I incorporate it into everything that I do. I just seem to always gravitate toward the plight of non-humans. So it seems we have one more thing in common, you watch out for the human side with compassion I have rarely seen in anyone. Eremita must be so proud of you that he is ready to explode, I know that I feel that way.
10+

tchoupitoula

05/24/05 @942

It's amazing what some people must go through just to live.

noth1ng

05/25/05 @968

just talk and talk... dont see anyone doing nothinG !!

arizma

05/25/05 @974

wow, i am aware of this problem, but i have no idea what living like this is like. When i see pictures like this, i feel it a duty to help but i have no idea how, and after thinking about it for a while and having no solution i go back to my life and these problems drift to the back of my mind. Just because we don't live in such circumstances does not mean we have no business trying to figure ways out for other people. We cannot afford ignorance. Thank you for posting this picture.

omni

05/25/05 @991

AshSammy, wtf!! your comment is completely pointless. and you say:
So I assume you never knew what is of value afterall, until "this".
no, but its good to be reminded of it.

anyhow i think its an awesome pic, very expressive, very dramatic, very sad. +9/9

Madanapale

05/25/05 @008

I feel unconfortable to explain.....I am 61 years old....Pediatrician and neonatologyst.....I was the head of the Dpt of Neonatology of the Maternity Charity hospital for 10 years......at that time the deficiencies of our hospital was so great that many newborns died because of lack of equipment....So we went public and payed several publications on the local newspaper denouncing the poor condition of our hospital....after the fight we managed to get 1 million dollars from the government....and I personally designed our Neonatal Intensive care unit...that is still the best of its kind on Central America....Only poor people is attended......our mortality rate dropped dramatically.

I have been all my life in touch with the poor people of my country...and I feel satisfied that I have done my share to help them......I am at this time dedicated only to private practice.....but my pupils are taking care of the newborns of the poor people....
Carlos

Xris

05/25/05 @037

It's not the first time you have evoked a cascade of emotion from my spirit through your photos Carlos - and I'm 100% certain that it won't be the last time...

'Nuff said my friend...

Max-out - Xris

oguzman

05/25/05 @076

What a beautifully strong picture. The US who is one of the richest countries spends all of its natural resource on the military and senate wasted expendatures. Most government programs or the ones that do not aid social circumstances cost tax payers here so many millions even billions per year. Not to mention many unneccassary military test programs and government funded lab tests. Our government could easily redirect money into good sources to help the needy here but we dont. We rely on charities to help syphon the money to people who are in need. We could have a stronger "World Bank" if every country mainly the US tried a bit harder to give to those who need it than use money to take things from people who need to be left alone. Your piece helps reminds us we need to stop forgetting problems outside of our own bubbles of fantasy.

I admire your photography style. Its both emotional and colorfully striking. If you wanted to, you can use this work of yours to help propel small movements to help the needy near your area or in other aspects. As an artist you have that power to use your talent to instigate waves in complacent waters.

Keep it up and use that camera to say what you want.

Sincerely,
Oscar!

P.S. AshSammy use your online prowess to create a better thought out critique. Pathetic attempts at half-wit rants like that only make you out to be the simple one.

rbx

05/25/05 @163

Very sad indeed. I hope this is not a reality....
Great shot!

kittyKat

05/25/05 @179

Madanapale great photo

minchu

05/25/05 @224

Think twice before you waste food from today

Almost-Human

05/25/05 @301

"god"

Mugil

05/25/05 @307

Carlos, great shots as usual. I think that this happens everywere, and every day is more usual in rich countries, where you have rich people and very poor ones. Slovenia is not out of this, so I can daily see poor people (for now not children, thanks god) dig into garbage cans to get some food.

eowyn

05/25/05 @320

I see this everyday Papito. And like you have said, it is also very unsafe for me to shoot them, because I see them early in the morning and late at night in empty and private street that I had never have the courage to potrait them. I applaud you for your courage and sweet heart to post this. This is already an art, because without you explaining them, we all understood

Not like mine, you have to read the description first to understand my work. Yours are real and they spoke so much without your description....10000/10

GrandStilov

05/25/05 @371

Madanapale in our country ( Belarus) there are many poor people like your guy. I live in the capital of our republic - Minsk... many poor people have they rest, walk, eat in the center of MInsk. They ask you about money, they eat all that found, they sleep near the trash , they collect bottles and after they go to the glass store ... gives the bottles and store man gives them money... it's very bad ... realy bad... these peole called BOMZH.

Abut picture ... you catch exellent moments.... very like it... but this man... very bad
B.O.M.ZH in english it means W.P.O.L (Without Place Of Living)

MsMichelleLynn

05/25/05 @378

Yes, this does happen everywhere. Most cities and towns have a full range of social classes. I see homeless people almost every day. I am sure the percentages are lower here. One may fail to realize that many homeless people were not always this way. These people had families and homes, loved ones and friends. They may have become ill and lost their careers starting a downward spiral. During the great depression, many once wealthy people who lost everything in the stock market crash met a similar fate. Many of us are one tragedy away from such a future. Intelligent, loving, caring people whose interior is hidden by ragged clothes and filthy skin. I only hope that you offered this man a few dollars for a warm meal after taking his photo Carlos.
Thank you for sharing this sad reminder of social reality.

hady

05/25/05 @381

very sad ........it`s a great shot and i to respect your think and for the purpose of this old man ....keeop going 10+

eremita

05/25/05 @388

This is true art with social conciense... The Poor people will allways exist, the difference can be made by those who can make something to help them, no matter how goverments work, bad or worse the poor will allways exist, the difference is in our hands, if we really care for pain and suffering then we must do something..... Excellent Job Dad..... Love you......

xunling

05/25/05 @415

well done - try to give you 5

cant you create a paypal account and we all give 5?

should i? may i?

Nyhtmare

05/25/05 @498

The photo itself has a high level of skill and impact, but the comments written here have impacted me even more. To see all these unique people converge on one photo and share their thoughts and feelings is an amazing thing. People that cover the breadth of this world, not just one country. Madanaple, you yourself amaze me with your life...doctor And outstanding photographer. What a strange place this world can be...thank you for sharing this important picture in a public place. The sad part is that it's so hard to do something about it for life is so short and people like us are only people. But everyone should make their own small effort.

daveymonster

05/25/05 @505

beautifull strong but sad picture.
It's more commen in live but we refuse to see them.

maham

05/25/05 @524

Very sad picture.

kazagrande

05/25/05 @530

Hi Carlos, the images the times do not appear because I house in multiply and it walks giving problems direct, are looking to some server free pra to house my images placed the image of the guitarist in new link of the one looked at there
thanks =]

GOLDENHORSE

05/25/05 @723

the shot is kind of disturbing....but Necessary in order to make something to change this facts of the real life ..!!

GReat shot..but I repeat..sad.. Well done Carlos !!

JohnDoe

05/25/05 @748

welcome to the real world....

this is really sad... I knew it existed in many countries but I wasn't aware that it was really that bad... In all the cities I've visited all over the world I never saw anything this bad... I think very few people know about things like this... Students here in the Netherlands always complain that their allowance is too small and that they are poor, well.... if I see images like this I suddenly realize that we are richer than we think we are

I think the idea of XUNLING is a good attempt to so something, even though you give a small amount of money, it is just something we/I can do to lighten the load of these people... so maybe you can do something with the idea...

I think that every time I walk past a homeless person at the train station, I have to think about this picture, because you kindof opened my eyes to see what live is like, I really appreciate it that you posted this image!!!

I think you are a really good man! all the things you did for the hospital and like making pictures like this...well done!

Madanapale

05/25/05 @769

Thanks....Donations would be welcome to Vito Guarato “The Home of the abandoned disable Children”....Link Spanish
http://www.hogarvitoguarato.org/fhp/paginas/hogar.asp

English
http://www.sahf.org/

Thanks to you all!!!!
Carlos

JohnDoe

05/25/05 @810

ok, thank you! I'll check the websites right now...!

brainstormingin

05/26/05 @963

I see these things every where in my country. Still that guy has boots on his feet.
NAture evolves as survival of the fittest. Thats the scenerio here in this part of the world. Had i not been backed up by my family i would have to do the same. So this is the thin line. What would you have done if you were stronger and the other person was weaker and there was only one loaf of bread left in the world ? you would have killed the other person else he would have killed you. So its a chain reaction . The rich becomes richer, the poor becomes poorer. All because everyone needs more.

Here in india as a developing country lot of work is being done for the upliftment of the poor people. But everyone has his own reason. There are various organisations carrying out these things with the help of NGOs . Again that is one way of moving foreigh intelligence inside the country and one way of funding secret organisations. It is behind the closed doors of the politicians that decissions are made whether you have food to eat or not.
Sorry for the long comment .

ps.
All the things i said here are ficticious and does not have any resemblence to the real world.

vprivat

05/26/05 @105

Another work full of details and wonderful concept..

I am speechless!

TOP MARKS!!
+10000000000/8

maytree

05/26/05 @377

good documentary photography Carlos. no other comments...

DANKA

05/26/05 @449

Thanx Carlos for this outstanding document...great shot
top marks

nod423

05/26/05 @458

Man I love all your photos but this one is the best ever, there are a lot of people in my country like this, but the way you capture it makes this one the BEST!!!

Hope the administrator would allow me to vote for a ten coz this photo dont deserve a seven!!! You touch so many lives with this!!! WELL DONE!!!

Hxkraft

05/26/05 @733

This is to be shown and not to hide it. Technically it's perfect and the message is surely a punch in the face of many people. Good job.

DigitalDust

05/26/05 @934

Painful to even look at the photographs...

bluemonkey

05/27/05 @098

o man....

Yadira

05/27/05 @136

Sad and tragic...but a reality that can not be hide!

valkirye

05/28/05 @525

I don't know what to say.. sad. You captured it so good.
Yasmina

bbreeze

05/28/05 @722

MY GOD!

FakeIllusion

05/29/05 @658

Very powerful. Also love your descriptions. Keep the good work going.

Madilynnn

05/29/05 @712

Powerful indeed!

Very good work Carlos.

- Rene

Nenne

05/30/05 @317

good work my friend.

lullaby

05/30/05 @853

so sad...

reilanchan

06/01/05 @999

I think this is one of your most touching pieces.... I have many thoughts about this but I cannot say them

storyin

06/02/05 @652

BRAVE HEART

BrainForest

06/03/05 @313

Proposition for another titel:
NO NEWS FROM GOD.

FabioMeschini

06/03/05 @723

hello Carlos
again, I would like to express how much I appreciate your postings here, but It's hard for me to find the right words: I'm happy that you're here.
Fabio

pancho

06/04/05 @424

Carlos, I live with my grandmother, my grandfather died in July 2004 of cáncer de páncreas (Sorry, I don´t know the english translation). He was a doctor, neumonologist and specialized in tuberculosis also... This introductory comment is to tell you that I found your point of view very similar to that of my grandfather, he never worked in privated clinics, always publics hospitals, people said of him that was "uno de los que ya no quedan" because of his way of seeing the medicine.
I think that ways is the same that you reflect in this pictture...
I personally think that is a good thing to post this, for the people to realize the reality of most countries of thirld world

dragiona

06/12/05 @106

Very deep topic,the photography make me feel heart-struck.
Great works!

RizzoMattos