The Salvation is Near It was during the final days of winter when I found him, around one in the afternoon, resting beside a recycling bin. His right hand had no fingers. When I raised my camera, he was uncomfortable posing in a way that would clearly reveal his injury. I did not want to make him feel exposed, ashamed, or reduced to what had happened to him. So I simply let the moment unfold naturally. As we talked, he shared his story with me. He had once worked in a factory, where his right hand became trapped beneath a press machine. The accident cost him his fingers and, eventually, his livelihood. For years afterward, he remained unemployed. Today, he survives by collecting plastic and other recyclable materials, selling them to recycling centers for whatever they are worth. He also struggles with mental health challenges, carrying burdens that are often invisible to those who pass him on the street. I took this photograph while he was quietly reflecting on our conversation and, perhaps, on the long road his life had taken. For me, this image is not simply about an injury. It is about the person who remains behind it the memories, losses, struggles, and moments of thought that continue long after the world has moved on. Photo By Ebrahim Elmi Edition:1/1 Epilogue II: Love Your Neighbor Among the people I encountered throughout my journey in the Homeless Epilogue series, I met many friends, artists, and art lovers. But the person who was always there with me, standing by my side and supporting this cause, is my dear friend David Chidgey. David shared his visions with me about the concept and offered me the name for the second series: “Love Your Neighbor.” I found the title deeply meaningful and profoundly connected to the spirit of this work. I asked David to share his own thoughts and mindset behind these words, and he kindly honored me by accepting. I have attached his words to this description, not only to give the title another voice, but to preserve a part of our friendship, our shared vision, and this journey forever on the blockchain. "When I first saw Ebrahim’s portraits of people on the streets, I thought of the call to love our neighbor as ourselves. That means paying attention to every person with the same care and dignity you would want for yourself, especially those on the margins the ones who are so easily overlooked. Ebrahim’s compassion allows him to truly see each individual and connect with them. In doing so, he captures the essence of their stories and the struggles they carry." David Chidgey Over the course of nearly two years, I dedicated myself to this collection, immersing myself in the lives of these individuals. What struck me the most was their undeniable kindness and their longing for consideration. All they needed was someone to listen, to lend them an ear. In my encounters with these people, their stories touched me profoundly. I discovered that behind their current circumstances, they were once living a good life, holding steady jobs. However, a specific event or an unfortunate situation had stripped them of everything they held dear. To capture the essence of these individuals, I always carried a black background with me. Through their eyes and hands, I aimed to convey their emotions and invite viewers to feel a connection to these powerful images. What resonated with me the most was the overwhelming generosity of these individuals. Despite their own hardships, they accepted my help with great difficulty. In these moments of communication, I realized that their past lives and present struggles were much more complex than what met the eye. This collection was Nominated in 35Awards International Photography competition in between 400 thousand entries as the best male portraits of the year. License: Primary NFT holder is free to use in display privately and in groups, including virtual galleries, documentaries, and essays by the holder of the NFT, as long as the creator is credited. Provides no rights to create commercial merchandise, commercial distribution, or derivative works. Copyright remains with the creator.