Local Neighborhood Bottle Picker's Hands

Posted by blistr (Edmonton, Canada) on 10 October 2008 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.

This is the second photo of the bottle picker. He told me he worked at night picking through garbage bins looking for bottles. Working nights has it's advantages; no wasps, less traffic, cooler temperatures. He said his only belongings were the clothes on his back and the bicycle he was riding. When he finds newer clothes in the garbage, he trades up.

I was attracted to his hands which were in rough shape likely due to picking through garbage and lack of regular hygiene. And if you are homeless, you are less likely to seek out medical care or a specialist like a dermatologist.

This photo is not altered,; that's the true colour and texture of this man's hands.

The marvels of daily life are exciting; no movie director can arrange the unexpected that you find in the street.
:: Robert Doisneau