I think the wall sums it up pretty nicely...

Alright, take a look at this photo - what do you see?

If you are like me, you'll see a lush green field and a dilapidated building (which is almost at the point of collapse). In Detroit, an abandoned building like this would sometimes be referred to as a nest for the homeless ... In short, it's an "eye-sore". 


I don't know what was the name of this building or it's significance. To be perfectly honest, the only reason why I took this photo was because this run-down building provides a great visual contrast to the high-rise buildings in the background. 


In fact, when I took this shot, what goes on in my mind was ... "how to make this building as small as possible & the skyscrapers as tall as possible". I was trying to provide a visual contrast by making this building look as "out of place" as possible. 


Never have I imagined that what comes out of the post-processing would be completely different...


You see, I sometimes take a photo with a preconceived idea of how I want the picture to turn out. Sometimes while taking the shot, I would have already decided what kind of post-processing I would do. The shot above was no different - just do a simple visual contrast... *clicked!


It wasn't until I started processing the photo that a different message came through. I started reading the graffiti on the walls. Usually, in my experience with graffiti, around 60% are random signatures of street kids with a spray can (and too much time) on their hands and the remaining 40% are a variety of "street art" (ranging from aliens, spaceships, monsters... to flowers and trees).


This one was different. 


As I read, it felt like the writings on the wall verbalized the yearnings, hopes and dreams of many Detroiters. Here, have a closer look.

Some of the writings include "Rebuilding... Keep God in America... My Family Safe... Bringing the Troops Back... The Price of Gas... My Father's Cancer... The Working Class... Being Able to Retire at a Reasonable Age... Supporting Local Merchants ... A Good Coat for Winter... a better childhood... I care that so few people care." And the writings go on.


Strangely, as I read, my original intention to provide a visual contrast slowly melts away. This wall that carries the yearnings, hopes and dreams of so many Detroiters deserves to be the "hero" of the shot. 


Lastly, "someone's aching Lord... kumbayah..."