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Foreclosure Photo is World Press Photo of 2008

Date:February 16, 2009 | Author:Diane Tuman | Category:Real Estate Industry

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A photo of a sheriff moving through a foreclosed house with his gun aimed and ready to fire by Time magazine photographer Anthony Suau was voted the World Press Photo of 2008. According to Reuters, the sheriff was from the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department and he was going through a home in Cleveland, after its residents were evicted.

Jury chair MaryAnne Golon said:

The strength of the picture is in its opposites. It’s a double entendre. It looks like a classic conflict photograph, but it is simply the eviction of people from a house following foreclosure. Now war in its classic sense is coming into people’s houses because they can’t pay their mortgages.

(See more of Suau’s photos “Tough Times in Cleveland.”)

Ohio has been hit hard by foreclosures and Cleveland’s home values have dropped like most Americans’ according to Zillow’s Q4 Real Estate Market Reports. Hopefully, the proposed $8000 tax credit and low mortgage rates will get things moving again.

See homes for sale in Cleveland.

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Responses (12)

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Susan Bean 11:38 AM - Feb 17,2009

This picture makes me want to cry. I feel for the family.
Scott Pierce 3:25 PM - Feb 17,2009

Just playing devils advocate….maybe it is a crack house where someone was found dead just a moment before this photograph was taken. The news media has been known to pull stunts like that before.

There are lots of cases where people go into foreclosed homes and ‘set-up shop’ to put it mildly.
Prince William Homes 7:05 PM - Mar 1,2009

This is ashame. America is starting to look like a third world war zone!
M 2:41 PM - Sep 27,2009

You have missed the vital part about this photo…the house used to house drug owners. So they were only harmful to the community they deserved to be kicked out. Look at the state of the housing complex its disgusting if they cant keep it well mannered they definately do not deserve it.
Locaweb 9:52 AM - Oct 16,2009

picture makes me want to cry
Valleri 9:41 AM - Dec 19,2009

Diane, I live in the Cleveland area and it is sad to drive down some streets. When you see four houses boarded up because they are vacant, it leaves a pit in your stomach. Many of the newly vacant homes have been taken over by the homeless and even criminals. The impact of this economic downturn is well beyond homes in Cleveland. Many storefronts sit empty and business parking lots are sadly absent of cars. With Cleveland having such a large population of those skilled in manufacturing, it is my hope that the politicians will quickly address the trade policies that have harmed this region and our country as a whole. Unless these trade agreements are dealt with, it will take many generations before the people of this region can become employable in a different industry. Because at the present time many can barely pay their mortgage and are unable to pay for education to move forward.
AlexsaZ 1:27 PM - Feb 18,2010

Very expressive photo. Neither want to experience such sensations which it passes
plastic nail polish display racks 9:37 PM - Jul 7,2010

I don’t know what to make of this photo. For the banks to order these foreclosures in trying financial times is absolutely ridiculous. Was it not enough that we bailed them out in the first place? We wouldn’t have to see pictures like this if the banks supressed their greed and gave out mortgages to those who really qualified.
portrait photography omaha 5:34 AM - Aug 26,2010

There are lots of cases where people go into foreclosed homes and ’set-up shop’ to put it mildly.
Gerald @ Fotograf 3:26 AM - Oct 18,2010

that photo seem to be more expressive…and it looks like America is now on war.
blunethost 3:18 PM - Oct 23,2010

picture makes me want to cry it is very sick…