Cruel winter weather by Simon Chandler

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Cruel winter weather

It is sad to know that the extreme cold weather claimed the life of a homeless person in Vancouver on Thursday night.
"Tracey" was a homeless person believed to have paranoid schizophrenia. She lived in a make-shift tent made of cardboards and her shopping cart on a major street for safety . When the temperature was -5C / 23F with strong wind blowing, She was asked to go to a shelter by several police officers and a outreach worker for a total of 4 times, but she refused, probably fearing her belongings in the shopping cart would be stolen as nearby shelters would not allow shopping carts. She asked a police officer for a candle to keep her warm but was refused due to safety concerns. She eventually managed to light a candle to keep herself warm but unforturnately she felt asleep, the candle fell and she was burnt to death.

Tonight, another snow storm is coming with 90 km/h or 55 miles/h wind. The wind chill factor will be -40C / -40F in some areas. Hopefully it does not claim more lives.

Canon EOS 5D ,Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
1/400s f/5.6 at 180.0mm iso400 hide exif

Full EXIF Info
Date/Time	18-Dec-2008 15:31:39
Make	Canon
Model	Canon EOS 5D
Flash Used	No
Focal Length	180 mm
Exposure Time	1/400 sec
Aperture	f/5.6
ISO Equivalent	400
Exposure Bias	1.00
White Balance
Metering Mode	multi spot (3)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program	aperture priority (3)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium original auto

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Sam_C		19-Feb-2009 05:15
Excellent, dark and forboding image to highlight the tragic tale. God Bless "Tracey"

Guest		10-Jan-2009 17:09
Sad story, but your image really captures the feeling of a cold winter storm. V

endre novak		28-Dec-2008 18:49
nice mood.

Giancarlo Guzzardi		27-Dec-2008 16:29
really a cruel event

Giancarlo Guzzardi		27-Dec-2008 16:27
impressive view and weather notes

January Grey		24-Dec-2008 05:37
Sad story sets the mood for this somber image. Lovely tones & composition, Simon. V~

Guest		22-Dec-2008 05:36
I'm so sorry to read your story. I've been thinking about the homeless so much during this cold spell. If you're in Vancouver you're just a little north of us, so I know the weather has been bitter. So sad, but a lovely tribute.

NealyBob		22-Dec-2008 04:16
An unfortunate story! Wonderful light and tone~! V

Jean D		22-Dec-2008 00:02
Nice capture and very dramatic in mono, Simon! Very sad that some homeless will not accept overnight accomodations in times of extreme cold!

Chad Ramsey		21-Dec-2008 21:43
Beautiful moody shot! Gorgeous trees and sky~V

Guest		21-Dec-2008 21:03
It's hard to vote for such a tragic event..I think she would love it..V

marie-jose wolff		21-Dec-2008 19:19
beautiful winter image which reflected this tragic news...V

Matthew Mannell		21-Dec-2008 17:42
Great mood to this dark and brooding photo.

Vince		21-Dec-2008 15:46
A tragedy indeed. A happening that touches the heart. Your shot does portray the cruel winter very well. Vote.

Fong Lam		21-Dec-2008 15:33
A haunting image and a sad story which pricks our conscience... ~V~

Ceya		21-Dec-2008 14:26
Winter and Christmas time is not happy or merry time for many of our neighbors who are put in a difficult situation for various reasons... On the other hand there is limitless luxury, too, and the gap between people is really deep, and growing all the time. Your dark image reminds us of this gap.. V

Bartosz Kotulski		21-Dec-2008 14:04
wonderful mood. well composed too.V

waterfalls man		21-Dec-2008 12:54
Its a sad and chilling story. Simam

Carol Rollins		21-Dec-2008 04:44
I am saddened by this tragic news Simon. We, as a people, need to learn how to help those less fortunate....

Hank Vander Velde		21-Dec-2008 03:55
A very stark, somewhat foreboding image Simon. Beautiful in itself, but reflective of your sad sad story. We are having major storms too, especially in Toronto and towns along the Great Lakes. It's bitter cold here also.

Jess. ( Lady.D.)		21-Dec-2008 03:09
It is also a fact she was asked to go to a shelter, we can provide but we cannot force people to go onto a warm shelter if they wont go. Many homeless prefer not to take this option and it is unfortunate that this winter has been particularly hard on them. Stay warm and safe Simon, we, like you, are bracing for another storm...Lovely winter image with lots of mood...

Char		21-Dec-2008 03:06
Hi Simon, What a sad and chilling story. Tracey finitely lived a life of "quiet desparation." Your shot is forboding with a sense of loss to it. \/

Walter Otto Koenig		21-Dec-2008 02:37
What a sad story. It is such a disgrace that we live in a society that does not provide care for those who need it most. Thank you for reminding us that we need to do our part to help others. You have added a haunting image as well.