My last assignment was a tough one for me. There is a horse racetrack on the outskirts of East St. Louis (that's in Illinios) that is in trouble financially due to gambling legislation and other issues. There is a group of people who both work and live at the track, either in the dorms or in trailers/campers in a lot next door to the track. Next season the track may have to cut the number of races from 90 to 60, which could mean really bad news for the people who count on the races to provide work and shelter. The top photo ran on the front of the Metro section today and the second photo ran inside. Both people are grooms at the track who also live in the dorms. The first photo is of a 20-year old who's parents died in a car/train accident a year ago. The second photo is a mexican immigrant who lives in a 10-by-12-foot dorm room with his wife and two children. It was tough trying to get into the dorms for photos that show the track is more than just a work place, but also a place where people live. But when the light fell on the young groom while he was applying a poultice to the horse's leg it all felt worhtwhile. 
Monday, September 24, 2007
More Horses; Race Horses
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2 comments:
Tom,
Peg said you had some great horse pictures on your blog this week, so of course, I went straight to it. I love both the first and the last. The bottom one captures such a great expression on the horse's face - like he's really thinking.
I also liked the split shot of the hallway and dorm room-shows good insight into internal and external environments. What was the copy like that ran with story?
I am updating my blog this weekend (really neglected it this summer).
Aunt Anne
Hey Mr.. I like what you saw and captured on the 4th one..
makes it feel like split realities.. nice job! Miss you tons.. btw;)
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