Homeless Removed... - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

08/07/2007 11:40:12 AM · #1

I just knocked out the few homeless images I had in my portfolio with the exception of two Challenge entries that can't be removed and actually do serve some purpose. Otherwise said, I'm done taking them.

Is there are true or pure reason to take these shots? Is there anyone who actually dosen't know that there are people who live on the streets? The images we see on the web are usually of homeless that probably can't be helped...and may not even want help. Out of the top reasons I've been studying as to why people are homeless most images I see posted are of people on the far end...almost career homeless. Nearly impossible to help.

I know JL is involved in a social program that deals with this issue so that I can understand and those images are being used for the cause but for the rest of us, what's the point?

I guess since I've seen way, way, way too many of them these days and am sadded that they have become a staple in what people think is Street Photography. I'm also finding them trite and exploitative. I took them myself, initially because I thought they had some social value but really I was just practicing taking shots of what I thought was a risky subject. Faux Photojournalism is more close to what I think I was doing.

I posted this humorous blog entry making fun of people who take homeless shots becaue it did hit home for me.

I've seen enough. Any thoughts?

Message edited by author 2007-08-08 10:39:58.

08/07/2007 11:55:26 AM · #2

So true. Shots of homeless have become a "crowd pleaser" here on DPC, as have waterfalls, long exposure shots of beaches and insect macros.

Gatorguy

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

08/07/2007 11:57:19 AM · #3

I totally agree with you!

I think it is unimaginative, exploitive and cliche in most instances.

I think (some) people look at the homeless/challenged street people as objects in the urban landscape rather than human beings.

When these street challenges come up I make it a point not to vote as my bias will surely be reflected in my scores.

zaflabout

Nikon D300

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

08/07/2007 11:57:33 AM · #4

Originally posted by eyewave:

So true. Shots of homeless have become a "crowd pleaser" here on DPC, as have waterfalls, long exposure shots of beaches and insect macros.

so let me ask you this , what do you take pictures of ?

AJSullivan

08/07/2007 11:58:11 AM · #5

I honestly dont think it makes a difference if the person is homeless or not. If I see someone on the streets that catches my eye, why not shoot it. Now if I was going around exclusively shooting the homeless, then thats another thing. But if I am shooting the person cause I like the facial expressions, or other aspects of them, who cares about social status?

David Ey

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

08/07/2007 11:59:41 AM · #6

Will you now feature photos of ostrich with their head in the sand?

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/07/2007 12:02:49 PM · #7

I don't think its any more exploitive than taking pictures of war refugees, soldiers, whatever. No one needs to see pictures of bomb victims in Iraq to know they exist either.

Anyone whose heart bleeds for the homeless could sell their expensive camera gear and feed a few of them for quite some time.

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

08/07/2007 12:03:13 PM · #8

There's no rule against voting down images you don't like. If everyone does as you do, then it would appear as though we LOVE images of the homeless as the only people who would vote on them would be those who like them.

I vote down things I don't like, and vote up things I do like

your vote is your voice

Originally posted by Gatorguy:

When these street challenges come up I make it a point not to vote as my bias will surely be reflected in my scores.

08/07/2007 12:04:16 PM · #9

while we're at it, lets stop photographing war images, and images of catastrophic events where people with homes are now without.

lets stop photographing 'real' life and shoot stock shots to be safe and un-offensive.

Message edited by author 2007-08-07 12:05:03.

pawdrix

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

08/07/2007 12:10:55 PM · #10

Originally posted by soup:

That's pertinent news. A big difference, as I see it. For example, seeing the images from Hurricane Katrina or the Tidal Wave that hit the Far East...and the follow-up images a year later, showed great progress ...great failure and were really educational. I'd never seen mother natures wrath like that before...tales of hurt, compassion...lack of compassion and so on.

I'm also finding many...MOST of these homeless images to be terribly ordinary but to people or beginners who are new to viewing this stuff they might seem exciting. Probably expoitative on both ends...lol for both subject and viewer. LOL

Message edited by author 2007-08-07 12:15:12.

08/07/2007 12:15:01 PM · #11

so you have no compassion for the lesser fortunate, unless you have a solid basis for why they are unfortunate?

i'm not disagreeing with you so much as trying to understand where you're coming from...

ETA: homeless is part of modern life, the same as the weather affecting major cities or farm land. to turn a blind eye to that fact serves no purpose IMO. i've never shot a homeless person in my life, but might if they threatened me ;}

Message edited by author 2007-08-07 12:18:03.

08/07/2007 12:19:46 PM · #12

understood.

Originally posted by pawdrix:

I'm also finding many...MOST of these homeless images to be terribly ordinary but to people or beginners who are new to viewing this stuff they might seem exciting. Probably expoitative on both ends...lol for both subject and viewer. LOL

pawdrix

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

08/07/2007 12:21:40 PM · #13

Originally posted by soup:

To be perfectly honest, I'd take it on a case by case basis but that's separtate issue from whether or not I wish to take or view images of them. I just think people are most likely doing it for bulls**t reasons...like myslef in the past.

I'm just asking why? And I'm certain there are some very good reasons but mostly not.

I'm questioning motives and offering my opinion that I think many of these shots are becoming so cliched at this point. I'm certain they will wow the noobs for some time to come...

Bummer for me.

I'll also add that I bet some of these folks that we are photographing might be pretty upset or embarassed to know that their particular situation is being made public or more public than it already is. I've been waved off so many times...even when I wasn't anywhere near taking pictures of them.

Message edited by author 2007-08-07 12:52:17.

Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom

08/07/2007 12:25:43 PM · #14

self gratification, you are in suckville, and i'm not. look what this guy doesn't have...

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

08/07/2007 12:46:39 PM · #15

compassion? taking their photo while they're passed out is compassionate?

Originally posted by soup:

so you have no compassion for the lesser fortunate, unless you have a solid basis for why they are unfortunate?

FireBird

08/07/2007 12:51:45 PM · #16

Originally posted by eyewave:

So true. Shots of homeless have become a "crowd pleaser" here on DPC, as have waterfalls, long exposure shots of beaches and insect macros.

Yup, along with still life flowers, set up shots of cut rope, and toilet-paper corrals that need to be replenished. LOL

Message edited by author 2007-08-07 12:52:00.

fireserpent

Olympus E-3

08/07/2007 01:26:28 PM · #17

Originally posted by David Ey:

Will you now feature photos of ostrich with their head in the sand?

this is a myth... they don't actually do that.

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200 f/2.8L

08/07/2007 01:40:09 PM · #18

Originally posted by fireserpent:

Originally posted by David Ey:
Will you now feature photos of ostrich with their head in the sand?

this is a myth... they don't actually do that.

not if you force them to.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/07/2007 01:45:39 PM · #19

Originally posted by eyewave:

So true. Shots of homeless have become a "crowd pleaser" here on DPC, as have waterfalls, long exposure shots of beaches and insect macros.

Well crap, that pretty well knocks me out. Wait, I don't have any homeless people in my portfolio so I can make fun of those that do.

Ya, people who shoot homeless people are just pandering to the voter. They should be hoisted on their own pitards, or at least hung by their camera straps.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

08/07/2007 01:57:04 PM · #20

Originally posted by zaflabout:

Originally posted by eyewave:
So true. Shots of homeless have become a "crowd pleaser" here on DPC, as have waterfalls, long exposure shots of beaches and insect macros.

so let me ask you this , what do you take pictures of ?

As for these, I have of cause taken an insect macro for the insects challenge, no waterfalls, no beaches, and NO homeless

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

08/07/2007 01:58:26 PM · #21

Yawn

08/07/2007 02:00:15 PM · #22

Originally posted by fir3bird:

Originally posted by eyewave:
So true. Shots of homeless have become a "crowd pleaser" here on DPC, as have waterfalls, long exposure shots of beaches and insect macros.

Yup, along with still life flowers, set up shots of cut rope, and toilet-paper corrals that need to be replenished. LOL

just because I got ribbons for these it dosn't make them "crowd pleasers"

smardaz

08/07/2007 02:01:41 PM · #23

Originally posted by eyewave:

So true. Shots of homeless have become a "crowd pleaser" here on DPC, as have waterfalls, long exposure shots of beaches and insect macros.

it's amazing to me how just about every thread can get tuned to the subject of how people are tired of a particular type of "crowd pleasing" shot on this site. that subject has been discussed ad nauseum in the 6 months i've been joined to this site and its obviously going nowhere. the solution is obvious, go to one of the many other sites that have been mentioned in previous threads, and let those of us who enjoy the site (and the shots) have our fun