So here’s the complete take on what I submitted for the 2009 AAJA Convention Dith Pran Photo Shootout, which featured the theme “The Freedom Trail.” Growing up in Boston, I never experienced the Freedom Trail from the point of view as a tourist. I always just saw it as something that tourists would flock to in the summer, and so that’s kind of the approach I took in shooting it for the contest — to shoot it from the outside in, looking at the marginal people around the Trail.
So here we go:
8/13/2009 — BOSTON — Timmy Gammon, 20, left, Gabby, 20, and Steve, 20, play music in Boston Common along the Freedom Trail for money on Aug. 13, 2009.
8/13/2009 — BOSTON — Steve Chaplisk, who is homeless, feeds dozens of birds outside the State House at the head of the Freedom Trail while commuters head home from their jobs on Aug. 13, 2009.
8/13/2009 — BOSTON — Street vendor, Juan, gets some reading time next to his stand along the Freedom Trail on Washington Street on Aug. 13, 2009. With cloudy skies, business was slow, he said.
8/13/2009 — BOSTON — A homeless woman watches tourists pass by along the Freedom Trail on Congress Street near Faneuil Hall on Aug. 13, 2009.
And of course, the award winner:
8/13/2009 — BOSTON — College student Sam Hines, 21, gives out 'Free Hugs' at the corner outside the Park Street T station for the simple reason that, 'It makes people happy!' on Aug. 13, 2009. It was Hines' first day at the spot at the head of the Freedom Trail this summer, though she said she spent a number of days out there last summer.
Kelvin,
Beth and I happened to be in Boston on Aug. 13 for the Sox game. We saw that Free Hugs girl at the Common. I was riveted, actually; we passed on by (of course), but I kept watching to see if anyone would take her up on it. No one did while we were there, so I’m glad to see your photo.
Funny, too, that you and Beth (another Boston native) have the same philosophy re. the Freedom Trail. As a history nut, I eat that stuff up. I’ve crept along every inch of that line of red brick/red paint and I love to go back. When Beth and I were there last week, I was stunned to find out she had never been to the Granary Burial Ground, even though she was born in Boston and lived there until her late 20s. She didn’t even know Jahn Hancock and Samuel Adams were buried there. We went there Thursday, and she was fascinated.
I love Boston, and I love your theme. Thanks for posting these shots.
Carter