Smithsonian.com

This telling photo says to me, Detroit is on it's way to becoming the wonderful city it once was. This photographer is showing us how many shoes we need to fill before it happens which in turn gives us the hope to make it happen. Yes, Michele, the title does say it all.

The comments that the image seems "contrived," "fake", or "cheating" strike me as off the mark. Two points: 1. The photo is of a real thing...a public art installation. In that sense it is "literal." nothing contrived of faked about it. The power of the image is the thing it is reporting on...the public art installation. 2. Photographs manipulate reality all of the time. First, we select what is to be seen, then we select an angle in which to view it, we crop out that which distracts from the central idea of the image, we play with color and lighting, etc., etc. We also make images which are collections of different elements...much as would a painter, AS WE WISH. So, I think the judgment of the image being "fake" manifests a very limited vision for what photography should be, especially since it has long since broken literalist boundaries.

I myself find this interesting maybe new age aftermath of the holcoust

as it is a temporary public art installation the photographer is not the sole author and does not have all rights to the picture. It is first of all the work of the arrangeur of the shoes, because it is his idea. But sure, the photographer did a good job too.

this is too clean for the Detroit I know; East Detroit, East Grand Blvd....near the river...everything is broken and burned down...abandoned and neglected; what was once beautiful homes and thriving happy family communities

Amazing, Brian! Congratulations!

Has anyone noticed the person on the sidewalk to the left of the picture? It's like the last person leaving Detroit and the grim reaper is at hand to close the city. I understand the meaning of the photo of all the people who once lived there and have long since been gone but it is a staged photo. It does give me a since of once life was there and now it is dead without people. Anyway I do like black and white shots. I just don't like staged to get the point across. I think an empty street would have achieved the same effect with all the abondon homes and overgrown yards. I think a bunch of tires and junk in the street, like most of Detroits abondon blocks look could achieve the same effect also. Brian needs to think of how to keep it natural before he takes the shot.

This wasn't staged by the photographer. It was a temporary public art installation. The barrier is up to keep people from driving over it, especially at night. I love the saturation of the black.

vERY DRAMATIC & CUTE BLACK & WHITE SHOT...

I do agree with the "fake and contrived" comment. The street barrier in the background ruins the entire shot. Still, I'm a fan of his work in general.

What it is - is a propped shot... like the type you would see in an advertising campaign> I do not know the shooter but imagine he has done commercial work too. However, I do like it a lot. It's just not 'natural.' PS. I read the back story in the link provided but still don't see it as 'natural... you don't see this everyday.

This isn't even a contest. This shot should win hands down.

Sorry, I think the photo looks fake and contrived.
I know this sounds silly, but if he arranged the shoes himself, that seems like "cheating." Or else, what everdid happen?

Amazing!!!

congrats B well deserved

Amazing. Detroit is coming out of a very dark time. I see a very diverse group of people finding their strength. The title says it all.

This is my vote for the BEST...a symbol of the sadness left behind each time a human leaves its unique place in our world! For the moment of our glance, we 'walk in that person's shoes.' Beautiful work...from an amazingly creative mind!

It's got my vote!

You have my vote too, Brian. Congratulations for everything so far, and good luck with the rest!

@T. Scott: Yes, while this forum doesn't exactly allow space for me to talk much about the image, I have posted extensively on the backstory of this photo. You can read about it here: You can read about it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianday/5609151420/in/set-72157623576249730. Thanks.

So many times I open up Brian's photos and I gasp. They always move me. I sit and stare and soak it all in. He's just so good. He deserves to win this and much more. The man is so talented and very consistent. Cheers, Brian - from one of your biggest fans.

I've been following Brian's work for a while, and he's a fantastic photographer. This is of course one of my favorites - part of a fantastic Time Traveler series that he does (an on-going series).

I think it important to recognize the artist who's installation project this was... (I refer to the shoes). It is the work of Detroit artist Tyree Guyton ... the same artist known for the world famous Heidelberg Project on Detroit's eastside ...

It strikes me as a statement about the number of murder victims in Michigan from all walks of life ... a pair of shoes in the streets representing a grave marker of one who walks no more.

best' congrats b

This man is a genius. Period.

I love this photo. I've seen your Flickr photo stream and was a fan even before coming across this. I'm from your hometown area and appreciate the creative way you display our city. The whole series this pic belongs to is great. Good Luck!

"looks like someone through a shoe"

Fantastic. My vote for reader's choice award. You deserve it.