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10/08/2006 05:32:03 PM · #26 |
Joey, Please accept my sincere apology for participating in this thread hijack. Interestingly I had a fascination for photographing homeless people and didn't think twice about it until I asked a particular man if I might take his picture. His vehement refusal caused me to consider that he might have a reason for not wanting his image publicized.
My journey into the exploration of homelessness (including interviewing the head of a large shelter) led me to a similar conclusion as KevinG. This was about the same time I became a Rush Limbaugh listening, hard core republican who believed that everyone should just pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
Now I've evolved into the understanding that nothing is black and white and that there are many layers of causes for people's behavior that cannot be changed overnight. |
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10/08/2006 05:35:12 PM · #27 |
Kevin,
I wish I had time to respond to your post; especially the parts where you put words in my mouth that I didn't even say. For now, I'll have to let it go; since I've got company for dinner.
Maybe later.
Cheers,
Roxanne |
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10/08/2006 05:36:38 PM · #28 |
Originally posted by greatandsmall:
... My reading comprehension skills are quite good, thank you. I understand your meaning of the phrase "in general" I also understand that you have determined who is not deserving of human compassion. ... |
Roxanne - Save your breath. You're on the right track IMO with your thinking, but this is a lose/lose scenario engaging with a certain instigator in this thread.
FWIW, I'm rather conservative - but my wife leans the other way - both of us Christians, and both have helped out at our local shelter with "soup kitchens".
Now, wasn't someone talking about whether or not it's exploiting the homeless when taking their photo? :D |
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10/08/2006 05:38:08 PM · #29 |
Originally posted by greatandsmall:
Joey, Please accept my sincere apology for participating in this thread hijack. Interestingly I had a fascination for photographing homeless people and didn't think twice about it until I asked a particular man if I might take his picture. His vehement refusal caused me to consider that he might have a reason for not wanting his image publicized.
My journey into the exploration of homelessness (including interviewing the head of a large shelter) led me to a similar conclusion as KevinG. This was about the same time I became a Rush Limbaugh listening, hard core republican who believed that everyone should just pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
Now I've evolved into the understanding that nothing is black and white and that there are many layers of causes for people's behavior that cannot be changed overnight. |
Answer me one question before you go. Would you end your beliefs today if you were made aware that they were contributing to the increase in poverty in the future? This is a yes or no question. I'm not saying that your beliefs are or aren't, I just want to know if you would or wouldn't change your strategy.
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10/08/2006 06:00:55 PM · #30 |
Lovely conversation here. :oP Perhaps we can retract the claws and appreciate the people in the images for who they are, ey!? I would think more photographers here could understand that to photograph is to infer importance. Many homeless people have little or no identity in society aside from being thought of as some hopeless man or woman in the gutter, if that. Most passers-by will ignore them completely, like insects. For me, these particular photos give these three men identy; make them important—make them art. Albeit, this is a rather a small group of individuals, but at least more people now know and appreciate these personalities and are a little more aware, rather than the daily 'walk past the homeless guy and don't make eye contact' routine. I commend you Joey, not only for creating such compelling images, but for actually taking the time to know the individual, at least a little. To me, the best photography is not about the photograph or photographer, but the subject it portrays.
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10/08/2006 09:31:06 PM · #31 |
Well I didn't expect my thread to go this way.
It would be quite different if I were to take these pictures secretively and post them. I am most interested in their story, the portrait comes later with permission.
To answer an earlier question, I am part of social justice group at school. This is a group who raises charity for several projects. At the moment we are helping the local homeless shelter "A Place Called Home." My photographs will be showcased for awareness and campaign.
Canada has a very large homeless problem even compared to the United States, both are considered developed countries. If you take photographs of everything else except these people, you are being ignorant to the truth. |
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10/08/2006 09:38:48 PM · #32 |
*Pouts* We don't have homeless people here
Maybe I should shoot some when I go to Sydney next week?
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10/08/2006 09:42:12 PM · #33 |
I'm a big believer in social evolutionary processes, but rather than opening the can of worms even more I thought I'd just suggest people read this book.
If you are interested in the plight of folks such as these, you will enjoy it. If you think they are living the life they have made on their own, you will still enjoy it.
Back to your regularly scheduled forum battle. |
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10/08/2006 09:54:43 PM · #34 |
Great photos Joey. I also have taken photos of a large number of homeless, everyone of them after sitting down, getting to know them, learning about them and even driving a couple to the store to get some things they needed. None in exchange for the right to take their photos. When I tell them about me and my photography interest everyone of them have been very happy to allow me to photograph them. Several of them, I have taken prints back and given to them. Everyone of them have been grateful just to have someone too talk to. Those who feel this is wrong please leave your camera home and go down to the homeless shelter. Talk to them, put your hand on their shoulder and just give them a chance to talk. Most are not upset at society at all. Ya stay away from the drug sellers and users, you can tell who they are pretty easily.
Next week the local real estate community along with other corporate sponsors are having their 2nd annual homeless golf outing, Fore the Homeless. Last year it earned over $50,000 and this year they expect to earn upto or over $100,000 that goes to the Sam Shelter and other homeless shelters. I have talked with a couple of my homeless friends and they are very happy and have given permission to use their photos in anyway to help. What a great opportunity, if everyone here would contact their local homeless shelter and see if your photography skill could help support their service ... WOW!
Yes I photograph the homeless, never with long telephoto lenses and always after talking to them. Be a friend and show your courage.
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10/08/2006 09:55:52 PM · #35 |
Brilliant book written about the realities of Poverty here in Canada..
its called Pay the Rent or Feed the Kids..by Mel Hurtig. I went to a symposium on poverty a couple of years ago and he was the key speaker.. what he said astounded me and opened my eyes in huge ways. *I was a social worker in my previous life predominately street level work* That being said:
From the first moment I started paying attention to Joey's work.. I felt he needed to use it for awareness. People need to see these people as they are.. they need to open their eyes to what is happening in our society. I've seen alot of campaigns for various social causes and agencies and by far and large Joey's work rips to the heart.. set up or shots of people in their actual environments.
I value Joeys resolve to bring the people who are typically swept under the carpet (or should I say into the alleys and unseen doorways of our towns and cities) up front and bare witness to the human beings they are.
not once have I felt any of these people were being exploited by him.. and having met Joey you would know how sincere he is.. and that he values and accepts people for exactly who they are and where they are in their own journey... truth is powerful.. not everyone wants to face it or see it. Joey also has often added some very profound statements or comments with his images.. more than once i've been moved by his experiences with people and his bravery in posting them. Majority of people now are so wrapped up in their own issues / worlds that they rarely take the time to even look you in the eye..let alone sit down and talk to you... JL shows compassion, love, acceptance and educates all at once.. i'm proud to know him.
AND... Mr. Lawrence man, I still say you need to get your work out to the marketing depts. of the big city agencies that deal with street issues.. I think I said that last year too :P
Message edited by author 2006-10-08 22:11:04. |
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10/09/2006 04:10:08 PM · #36 |
These are great images ... as usual, JL. This thread has turned into a commentary on opinions regarding the homeless population - which is not necessarilly a bad thing.
During college I would make trips to Chicago during the summer and was social enough to get some time from people who lived on the streets. Usually I'd try to give them a snack or a dollar or two if they'd tell me their "story". These images bring that back for me - thanks.
Message edited by author 2006-10-09 16:27:59.
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10/09/2006 05:03:09 PM · #37 |
Originally posted by Joey Lawrence:
Since the challenge is over, I thought I'd share some homeless portraits I took in the same day. |
I think these photos are excellent. As for the critics of the idea, I don't think there is anything wrong here. You have taken the same approach that I would. You interacted with the people in the photos rather than shooting from a distance. That's commendable. Lots of these people have a story to tell and don't mind telling it to you. They are often ignored and avoided. I'm sure that your interaction with them brightened their day to an extent. I haven't tried this myself. There aren't a LOT of homeless people where I live but there are some. I know where they are. I suppose it could be a good project for me in the not-so-distant future. We have quite a few people around here that are beggars but aren't homeless. It's hard to differentiate them from the real homeless people. I might take my digital voice recorder out with me one day and talk to a few of these people and shoot some photos if they allow me to do so. I have only approached one homeless person about a photograph before and they woudln't let me take a photo. I haven't tried it again since... Maybe it's time to try again.
Thanks for this post.. it's inspiring :)
John SEtzler
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10/09/2006 05:46:15 PM · #38 |
Wow, that guy in the second and third photos...
I had no idea Mel Gibson had hit rock bottom!
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