1x.com - Photos

Photos Artists Forum Tutorials Critique Books Buy Prints About

Stumble 1X

Tour

Join

Sign in

Click on the photo to see another

Salvation at Hand

For this Gringo, salvation is at hand, in the form of the Salvation Army lady; but does he see it like that?

Taken on the streets of Amsterdam.

Related photos

Write

Willem de Vlaming 2 years ago

Hi Colmar

This is a picture that really has a bigger story to it than you might have guessed. Ricky already mentioned it.

Majoor Bosshardt was a bit of a national icon... known to almost everybody in the Netherlands, with the aura of a Dutch 'Mother Theresa"

As a salvation Army worker she worked in the Amsterdam Red light District among the prostitutes, homeless, drug addicts and alcoholics.... In 1965 she guided princess Beatrix (in disguise) around this work area... But a photographer recognized the princess and the picture of the princess in disguise together with Bosshart on "De Wallen" made the frontpages.

Like I said Bosshardt was sort of a national Icon and held in high esteem by the people she worked with cared for.
She died in 2007 age 94.... and the funeral service went live on television.

I don't know if this "Gringo" knows about the story of woman in the picture he is standing behind. But he could be living on the edge of society where she did her work....

So this is a great capture without the story, but even greater for those who know the story ...

Great shot!

PS... the text under her picture translates "To serve God is to serve people"

Colmar Wocke Willem,

So nice of you, not only to leave a comment, but also to really "fill in" this story so well here. When I took the picture I certainly did not know Majoor Bosshardts history as you sketched here. Your text certainly adds to the picture and I thank you for doing so.

Thanks very much and also for translating her "Life Motto" for others who do not read/understand Dutch. I am South African so I am aware of the meaning.

Go well and good luck with your single-picture upload from your Slideshow.

Colmar

iavor 2 years ago

I also was surfing through your pictures and stoped at this one. While looking at it I've found a lot of tellings stories. Probably after some time I will come back and will see another one. Everything here is made by human for humans just to remember, which is one of the essential features of photography over the time - to be a true document of the time.
The position of the man looking straight at us makes connection with us, viewers, stronger and I like your image, as it is. This gringo speaks to me with mouth closed...

Congrats for this moment!
Best regards, Iavor

Colmar Wocke iavor,

Thank you very much for taking the time to write a considered opinion and appreciation here.

I'm pleased that you find favour in the picture!

Go well.

Colmar

Robert 2 years ago

I just surfing through your portfolio and find that i missed this one:-( So bad from me! But luckily now i found this gorgeous picture! I hope you will forgive my failing:-)

Robert

Colmar Wocke Robert,

Thanks for the nice comment - much appreciated.

I am late in my reply - I have just returned from holiday.

Colmar

Mike Stössel 3 years ago

Colmar, this is a very nice shot.
Congratulations!
Cheers Mike

Colmar Wocke Mike,

Just seen this - thanks for the nice comment.

A shot with "lots of message". Just hope the Gringo realises the message!

Colmar

Ellen 3 years ago

The lady is Majoor Boshardt, what a beautiful photo!

Colmar Wocke Ellen,

Dank Uw - I of course never knew this when I took the picture.

Ricky Siegers has also drawn my attention to this.

Thank you for your visiting my picture and also leaving your lovely comment here.

Go well.

Colmar

Jure Kravanja 3 years ago

superb

Colmar Wocke Jure,

This comment - I mean it, has really lifted me on this picture today.

Specifically because it comes from you. Thanks so much!

Go well.

Colmar

oona 3 years ago

Colmar, wonderful, and strong! Yes, this is good!
Best regards Oona :-)

Colmar Wocke Oona,

Thanks for the comment. Street shot where one just has to sum it up quickly and hope for some luck also.

You just keep me enthused with your own special kind of picture.

Thanks for leaving me the comment.

Go well.

Colmar

Cupcake 3 years ago

Very Good capture.

Colmar Wocke Cupcake,

Thanks for the comment and please keep your own wonderful artistic eye.

Colmar

Cupcake Thank You Colmar.

Andre du Plessis 3 years ago

Wonderful capture Colmar! She is looking straight at his eyes! Superb moment, and have I to say this: Love it in mono:)

Colmar Wocke Andre,

You are a specalist at exactly this kind of photography. Both from the motif and Black and White medium point of view.

So, your leaving me this comment has meant a lot to me.

Thanks very much!

Colmar

Phyllis Clarke 3 years ago

What an interesting character you have captured here. I see you can find many things in Amsterdam! Bravo Colmar it is an excellent photo! Phyllis

Colmar Wocke Phyllis,

Thank you very much - Amsterdam seems to have been kind to me.

Nice comment you have left me.

Colmar

Mal Smart 3 years ago

wonderful pairing in the scene, well seen and super shot. mal

Colmar Wocke Mal,

Thank you for leaving me the uplifting comment. This will certainly enthuse me to expand my photography and encourages me for this kind of picture in future.

Go well.

Colmar

moses stell 3 years ago

great capture Colmar

Colmar Wocke Moses,

Thanks - coming from you, especially meaningful. Amsterdam seems to be good for photography.

Colmar

KPK 3 years ago

Hey, you are on a run, aren't you? :-)

Colmar Wocke Peter,

Thanks. Sometimes one is just a little lucky!

Maybe Mayor Bosshardt (the Salvation Army lady, as Ricky Siegers has pointed out) was actually smiling on me that particular day.

Colmar

Richard Ford 3 years ago

Great shot - but for me, it loses a lot by having the guy look at the camera and not look at the image or look to the right as though he was interacting with the urban art...

Colmar Wocke Richard,

Glad you liked the shot - maybe next time I go back I should try and revisit the scene - one never knows!

Thanks for stopping by.

Colmar

storytaylor 3 years ago

a great one.

Colmar Wocke Storytaylor,

Especially eaningful to me, coming from someone who does wonderful Black and White work.

Thanks for leaving the comment!

Colmar

Stefania Cruceru 3 years ago

I like very much!!!

Colmar Wocke Stefania,

Thanks for the heartfelt comment and taking the time to enthuse me with it.

Colmar

Codrin Lupei 3 years ago

An excellent image, Colmar, very well seen and captured, like it a lot!

Colmar Wocke Codrin,

Your comment on the picture to me is extra meaningful. Thank you. It will enthuse me for more.

Go well.

Colmar

Ricky Siegers 3 years ago

I like it this one since in screening, well captured colman. Mayor Bosshardt the name of the lady. She's respectfull citizen in Amsterdam for her social works. She was pass away years ago. So consider this picture atribute for her works.

cheers,

Colmar Wocke Ricky,

I am glad that you liked it in screening - helped to both get it here on OE and to bring a smile to my face today!

Also, thanks for filling-in the details about Mayor Bosshardt, which of course I did not know.

Go well.

Colmar

Stephan Sünderkamp 3 years ago

I have to agree with Balazs. They look so similar and different at the same time. Well seen and perfectly captured.

Colmar Wocke Stephan,

Having met you, I know the sincerity with which it is meant. This in itself, means something to me.

Thank you for leaving the comment.

Colmar

Balazs Pataki 3 years ago

Perfect juxtaposition. And I see you have taken the front page by storm ;)

Colmar Wocke Balasz,

Thanks - your comment has helped to make my day ÂND make the picture itself more special for me.

Getting another one up was nice again after some rejections!

Go well.

Colmar

Codrin Lupei, Andre du Plessis, Stephan Sünderkamp and 5 more people added this to favorites

Add to favorites

Share this image on StumbleUpon: