16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Altered Images
Francisco Morán, Plaza Libertad

“In 2005, the Ministry of Work did not want to give vocational training to seniors. So I was unable to find work anywhere. My last employer told me that I should get work unofficially without a license, but I didn’t want to. I was just one year short of 60 years old. The Inspector came and gave me a license so that I could do business. I started out with 2 boxes, one for cigarettes and gum, and the other to shine shoes. I make my shoe shine boxes out of old tomato boxes. Someone bought this one for me, and I haven’t sold it. It is my sustenance.”

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2016
Date Uploaded: 07.2018
Photo Location: San Salvador, El Salvador
Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T5
Copyright: © Rodrigo Silva