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10/26/2004 09:14:14 PM · #1 |
While walking to work yesterday morning I saw a homeless guy sleeping in the doorway of a recently-closed cell phone store, and this was not the first time he had slept there. I remembered that one of our current challenges here is 'poverty' and thought 'there's a picture which may give me a really high score but I don't have my camera with me'. This morning he was sleeping in the doorway again and I got mad at myself for not bringing my camera with me (who takes their camera to work?).
Well, on Tuesdays I pick up my clothes from the cleaners at lunch time and walk home for lunch. I'll be doggoned if the poor guy wasn't STILL sleeping in the doorway. I said to myself "this is great, I'll just bring my camera with me when I walk back to work, take his picture, post it just under the deadline, and get a good score". But while I was eating my lunch I was thinking that maybe I really shouldn't be taking the guy's picture; it just didn't seem right. A person isn't getting much privacy sleeping in a doorway but he's entitled to what little bit may be available and shouldn't have his unfortunate current circumstances used to further somebody else's creative ambitions. I know I wouldn't like it if somebody took my picture without my knowledge or consent while I was sleeping and then posted it on the internet. So I just didn't take the picture. |
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10/26/2004 09:16:21 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by frychikn:
(who takes their camera to work?) |
I do!
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10/26/2004 09:28:41 PM · #3 |
| I had a similar situation/circumstance this week... one of the families I work with at school immediately came to mind when I saw the poverty challenge. This family has six daughters and 12 grandchildren, all of whom live in the same three bedroom trailer. Their property is littered with old appliances, wrecked vehicles, trash, and at least a half-dozen old dogs. The children are always unkempt and dirty, and the house is a wreck. There is even the burned-out hull of another trailer in front of it, where they lived a few years ago. I simply couldn't bring myself to photograph any aspect of their lives for a challenge... it just seemed wrong. Maybe because I know them, but I couldn't do it. So you aren't alone. |
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10/26/2004 09:39:42 PM · #4 |
| I agree with you guys. I could have found quite a few opportunities to photograph people in less fortunate situations for whatever reasons. But I was once in that same situation, single mother, on welfare, etc. And I thought to myself, would I appreciate a stranger taking my picture and posting it. I answered my own question and decided to go another direction with my picture. I don't know how it'll do, but I will feel okay about what I did. |
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10/26/2004 09:42:33 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by frychikn:
A person isn't getting much privacy sleeping in a doorway but he's entitled to what little bit may be available and shouldn't have his unfortunate current circumstances used to further somebody else's creative ambitions. I know I wouldn't like it if somebody took my picture without my knowledge or consent while I was sleeping and then posted it on the internet. So I just didn't take the picture. |
Good call. I would have done the same. I admire your sense of values.
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10/26/2004 10:01:06 PM · #6 |
I totally agree! I couldn't do it either. I tried to take a few today, and couldn't make myself do it. So please don't punish me for my lame non-homeless person entry.
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10/26/2004 10:01:40 PM · #7 |
| I applaud all of you who resisted the urge to exploit those who are less fortunate. I was afraid the announcement of this challenge was going to result on a photographic assault on the the homeless and destitute. I'm hope I'm wrong - we'll see when the voting begins. Personally, I'm hoping to see a lot of photos that are out of that all too cliché style and that portray poverty in a less intrusive manner. |
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10/26/2004 10:04:27 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by dartompkins:
I totally agree! I couldn't do it either. I tried to take a few today, and couldn't make myself do it. So please don't punish me for my lame non-homeless person entry. |
Poverty doesn't have to mean homeless. Photographing homeless people is the easy, less creative way to meet the challenge. I'll be giving extra points for those who are more creative in their portrayal of this idea. |
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10/26/2004 10:05:11 PM · #9 |
I agree to a certain extent, however you may want to next time consider taking the shot, and then later when you had time, or then if you have it, talk to the person, and offer them a meal, or some other assistance they may not have, maybe an old sweatshirt.
Sometimes even the smallest measure can do some good to balance the use of their image.
Worst case, is he's a jerk, and you dont' want to use his image anyway. |
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10/26/2004 10:17:54 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by eckoe:
.... maybe an old sweatshirt. |
how 'bout a NEW sweatshirt? |
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10/26/2004 10:24:39 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by frychikn:
..A person isn't getting much privacy sleeping in a doorway but he's entitled to what little bit may be available and shouldn't have his unfortunate current circumstances used to further somebody else's creative ambitions. I know I wouldn't like it if somebody took my picture without my knowledge or consent while I was sleeping and then posted it on the internet. So I just didn't take the picture. |
I would do the same as you. It is a commendable decision. |
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10/26/2004 10:32:47 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Gatorguy:
Originally posted by eckoe:
.... maybe an old sweatshirt. |
how 'bout a NEW sweatshirt? |
Yeah, or that. |
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10/26/2004 10:39:01 PM · #13 |
If no one takes thier picture, how are they remembered? How do you get the message out that this situation exists when they're ignored by people who walk past them everyday? How do you put an end to poverty, if no one acknowledges it? Putting it in "art", puts it in everyone's face, and makes them take notice. That's what our job as artists is.
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10/26/2004 10:53:11 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by eckoe:
I agree to a certain extent, however you may want to next time consider taking the shot, and then later when you had time, or then if you have it, talk to the person, and offer them a meal, or some other assistance they may not have, maybe an old sweatshirt.
Sometimes even the smallest measure can do some good to balance the use of their image.
Worst case, is he's a jerk, and you dont' want to use his image anyway. |
I totally agree with this approach. There's nothing wrong with offering them some clothes, food or even money. I can't tell my story right now because I don't want to give my photo away. I learned a lot from this challenge and it made me stop and be thankful for what I have.
Message edited by author 2004-10-26 22:54:12.
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10/26/2004 11:12:37 PM · #15 |
Hopping up on the stump: We as photographers have (IMHO) an obligation to our audiences to show the world the way things are. We can do this a couple of ways. One way is exploitive. You snap away with no regard to a person's feelings or situation. This could be considered a photojournalistic approach. Another way is mutually beneficial. In the first case, (frychikn's situation) take the shot. Later, hang out around where the person sleeps. Show him the print. Explain why you took it. Ask permission to use the shot and offer the individual compensation, be it a hot meal, some clothing, a hot bath... (I would personally rather take the person to a restaurant and give them something to eat instead of money. I don't wanna support someone elses habbits. I have a hard enough time supporting my own!) If they are really as bad off as they seem, you will be giving this individual something they need! Is that exploitive? In Laurie's case, if you (requesting permission first if it makes you feel better) presented this person with a little piece of art that is created from their world, do you think that might make them feel better in their situation? Something that you hand crafted for them out of love? Most people would appreciate it I would hope! This might be a harder project than the first, but with your skills, I'm sure you could pull it off!
In this challenge I believe that the second approach is the best. It makes us as photographers feel better because we maybe made someones life a little better for our craft!
Jumping off the stump and dusting it off, waiting to see what babblings come out of the next stump jumper...
Message edited by author 2004-10-26 23:14:22.
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10/26/2004 11:35:45 PM · #16 |
I applaud those photographers all around the world who take photos of all walks of life. Just on this site alone, I have seen all over the world. Such beautiful things that you sometimes forget exists or have never seen. Having said that, there are also the photographers who take photos of things that are not so beautiful but are TRUE and REAL. These photos teach us about the world and make you feel like you are RIGHT THERE too. While you set at home eating your dinner and taking your second bath for the day in clean water.
I'm going off track here......
Let me just say I think it is important for these photos, but i also believe you should respect the person you are photographing. |
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10/26/2004 11:36:35 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by TooCool:
Originally posted by frychikn:
(who takes their camera to work?) |
I do! |
I do too! |
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10/26/2004 11:38:38 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by dartompkins:
I do too! |
You're wierd! :-P
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10/26/2004 11:40:18 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by frychikn:
While walking to work yesterday morning I saw a homeless guy sleeping in the doorway of a recently-closed cell phone store, and this was not the first time he had slept there. I remembered that one of our current challenges here is 'poverty' and thought 'there's a picture which may give me a really high score but I don't have my camera with me'. This morning he was sleeping in the doorway again and I got mad at myself for not bringing my camera with me (who takes their camera to work?).
Well, on Tuesdays I pick up my clothes from the cleaners at lunch time and walk home for lunch. I'll be doggoned if the poor guy wasn't STILL sleeping in the doorway. I said to myself "this is great, I'll just bring my camera with me when I walk back to work, take his picture, post it just under the deadline, and get a good score". But while I was eating my lunch I was thinking that maybe I really shouldn't be taking the guy's picture; it just didn't seem right. A person isn't getting much privacy sleeping in a doorway but he's entitled to what little bit may be available and shouldn't have his unfortunate current circumstances used to further somebody else's creative ambitions. I know I wouldn't like it if somebody took my picture without my knowledge or consent while I was sleeping and then posted it on the internet. So I just didn't take the picture. |
I have to admit, while reading this the first time, I wondered if it was going to end with the man passing away in the doorway. Was he OK? |
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10/27/2004 03:52:33 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by TooCool:
Originally posted by dartompkins:
I do too! |
You're wierd! :-P |
No, we're photographers. And what I've found, is undoubtedly, whenever I don't bring my camera with me, there's a missed opportunity. Being a photographer means having the B*lls to drive off the road for that shot. To risk looking stupid taking a picture of something that to others looks pointless.
The other week I was walking back to my car after parking it on the shoulder before a bridge that I thought would look interesting photographed and edited towards sepia tones.
on my way back, there was a State Trooper (police officer) parked behind me, and getting out walking towards me.
I asked him if everything was ok, and apologized - mentioned that I'm a photographer, and hoped I didn't cause any problems by pulling over where I did. He said, and I quote:
"I was just going to tell you that if you wanted to jump, to use the other bridge, because it's higher."
I nearly wet myself. Those are the experiences I live for.
Message edited by author 2004-10-27 15:53:28.
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10/27/2004 04:24:01 PM · #21 |
When the Poverty challenge was first posted I had a lot of ideas. Actually drove to a neighboring state and shot a couple dozen "impoverished dwellings". I decided not to enter because of the same reasons mentioned earlier in this thread. I applaud all of you for your senstivity to the plight of less fortunate others.
I haven't finished voting Implied Lines so haven't gotten to the Poverty images yet. But I am, at the same time, leary of what I might find there (as a relatively affluent bunch can we dpc'ers interpret poverty?) and also looking forward to it because of what I have read in this thread. Thanks. |
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10/27/2004 04:30:26 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by coolhar:
(as a relatively affluent bunch can we dpc'ers interpret poverty?) and also looking forward to it because of what I have read in this thread. Thanks. |
Being affluent doesn't make you ignorant. Sometimes it makes you incensitive, or unwilling to look around you, but you know it's there. It's just whether or not you choose to acknowledge it. And unfortunately, the more affluent some people are, the more they stand by and say, "it's not me, so why should I care".
Hopefully, none of us here leans that way.
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10/27/2004 07:58:31 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by dartompkins:
Originally posted by frychikn:
While walking to work yesterday morning I saw a homeless guy sleeping in the doorway of a recently-closed cell phone store, and this was not the first time he had slept there. I remembered that one of our current challenges here is 'poverty' and thought 'there's a picture which may give me a really high score but I don't have my camera with me'. This morning he was sleeping in the doorway again and I got mad at myself for not bringing my camera with me (who takes their camera to work?).
Well, on Tuesdays I pick up my clothes from the cleaners at lunch time and walk home for lunch. I'll be doggoned if the poor guy wasn't STILL sleeping in the doorway. I said to myself "this is great, I'll just bring my camera with me when I walk back to work, take his picture, post it just under the deadline, and get a good score". But while I was eating my lunch I was thinking that maybe I really shouldn't be taking the guy's picture; it just didn't seem right. A person isn't getting much privacy sleeping in a doorway but he's entitled to what little bit may be available and shouldn't have his unfortunate current circumstances used to further somebody else's creative ambitions. I know I wouldn't like it if somebody took my picture without my knowledge or consent while I was sleeping and then posted it on the internet. So I just didn't take the picture. |
I have to admit, while reading this the first time, I wondered if it was going to end with the man passing away in the doorway. Was he OK? |
The guy was OK, he was sleeping, and he didn't look to be drunk or 'drugged' or anything like that. He was sleeping in the doorway again this morning. He won't be able to sleep outside too much longer; we have had mild weather in Chicago the last few days but still the temperature drops down to about 45 at night. Before it gets too cold the police will probably take him to a homeless shelter. |
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10/28/2004 10:05:42 AM · #24 |
I live in a rich country but with poor people... lots of them. I could take hundreds of pictures and none of them with the same subject. But I din't.. even if it was clear I'll have had a very good submission. I hate every piece of bastard that rules our country everytime I see a begger, an old woman crying in the street asking for money to eat or to take their life supporting medicine. I hate them all and I wish them to feel at least one day what this poor people feel everyday: misery, poverty, lack of love...
regards to all and be kind with humans...
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10/31/2004 02:19:16 AM · #25 |
And me this way we both get a bit of exersize.!!Originally posted by dartompkins:
Originally posted by TooCool:
Originally posted by frychikn:
(who takes their camera to work?) |
I do! |
I do too! |
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