[Zig]

I took this crossing the Rialto when in Venice(man, I just love how cool that sounds).
I've shot for a particular emotional effect here as you can see. However, do not be fooled: this lady(and several others like her) is considerably(much) younger than her attire would suggest and I saw here in different garb in another part of the city earlier, spritely and strident. The fullness of covering is an adept way of concealing their identity, so I am told. The "camera never lies", and all that...?

[Toad]

I think the composition here is very strong - with the shadow suggesting a person moving to the other side of the sidewalk to avoid the beggar. The processing is very subtle with really only the glint of fleshy hand revealing that this photo is color. I like the little round thing on the sidewalk in front of her - whatever it is.

[matthew]

Interesting photograph and story.

I really like the diagonals in the stairs, which provide a lot of visual interest, and the contrast between the bright wall and the dark clothing, which emphasizes the subject and keeps bringing me back to the beggar.

[Zig]

Many thanks both; it was my intent to reduce and pare down this shot to a sort of "contrasting pairs": the bars of black and white, the foregoing of personal detail in both subjects...and the equidistant randomly perfect duo of throwaway objects: the plastic button thrown by an unsympathetic bypasser and the cigarette butt close to the second shadow. (With hindsight, I should have omitted my behind the scenes exposé and just let the photo talk, but ne'er mind)

[Don Schaeffer]

Great photo. I loved the revelation of the truth too.