Well…It’s been 1 year….almost to the day….since I met John. I never did post this story in my blog, but I have been thinking about John alot lately, especially with the cold winter we are having here in Toronto, and so I thought I would share this with you now. (Scroll down for story and…
Category Archives: Around the World
I took a 2 week break out in Nova Scotia where the air is fresh! I needed to rest my eyes from computer overload and the craziness of the season. My sister and her family live just outside of Halifax, so it was great to connect again and see how the kids have grown! (Alot…
3 comments
April 11, 2008 - 6:11 am
Thanks!
I was using a Canon SD800 for some of these shots.
April 10, 2008 - 6:34 pm
Great work Silvana! what a wonderful story you are able to tell.. curious.. such great photos with a point and shoot.. what kind were you using if you don’t mind me asking..
January 3, 2008 - 5:21 pm
As always.. A great inspiration to get out and see the world, and capture it with passion, emotion and sensitivity. Such a wonderful story telling.
Happy new year – Look forward to catching up with you sometime.
Dave Biesse
by admin
7 comments
erik clausen - wow silvania,
i love this story. and that first shot of john is wicked!
Jesus says when you feed the poor, you feed Him, right? we should all pay more than a cursory look at the downtrodden.
hi shipra!!
shipra - I don’t know you but am so moved by who you are as shown through this story. You are one of my absolute favorite photographers and it pleases me to no end to realise that you are a spectacular person on the inside too. The images you took of John are so powerful. As always, you have a knack for processing your images to fit the mood.
Maria - Dearest
That is such an inspirational story! To quote mother theresa ” we cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”
You are beautiful in and out.
Much love from Atlanta,
Maria
Daisy - I am so touched by your story. I think you’re an AMAZINGLY gifted + generous person + I only hope more people (including myself) will take the time to step outside of their comfort zone, reach out their hand to help others, and/or just speak to someone they wouldn’t normally speak to. Your story made me realize how “selfish” I can be. I will try harder to think beyond my needs. Thanks Silvana.
jeff - Great story, I think that God really put this man on your heart, and you listened to his cry. What a heartwarming story.
I follow your work as I am also a local to Toronto photographer. Your work is truly inspiring!
Jeff
aboutimage - Great story and beautiful images.
Ryan Rowell - I am so happy to have read this post, as it brings back memories of the time I was stuck in Paris France. Canada 3000 had just gone bankrupt and my return ticket was then void. Looking for the last few drops in my bank account at an ATM machine, I was introduced to Gabriel – a man living on the streets with his puppy. My account had no money left in it and so I was unable to take any, but the man asked in about 4 different languages if I was able to spare some change. Jokingly I admitted that I was in the same situation as he was, and decided to offer him some conversation and cigarettes. I was surprised at how accommodating he was and forthcoming with great conversation. We talked about politics in Canada (to my surprise he knew quite a lot more than I did) and peoples attitudes towards his lifestyle. Gabriel even went as far as to try and get me some help at the local American church, I declined his offer but appreciated his every effort to help. We must have talked for an hour or two, and near the end of our conversations he asked me for a simple favor. He asked me if I was able to stay and hold onto his dogs leash and watch his bag while he went into the bank to use the washroom.
To this day I chuckle every time I think about how silly I must have looked to everyone in the streets of Paris. I was dressed with a nice leather jacket, dress shirt and pants, and nice shoes; sitting on this mans pillow holding his bag in one hand and the leash in the other. I watched people passing by look at the scruffy little dog and spare change cup beside him, then their eyes would follow the leash and reach me. I suppose for begging I wasn’t dressed the part, and the looks received were not pleasant.
It has been since 2001 that I talked with Gabriel and find myself still wondering how he is doing.
Thanks again for this post.
-Ryan