Denizens of the Street. Share a street story.

[kbg32]

If you live in a place for a long time, photograph inside/outside of your neighborhood, you are bound to run into characters, celebrities, the famous, the infamous... People who become familiar fixtures as you navigate around making imagery. In all due respect and not meaning to insult anyone, Ugly George was one of those people.

Last week I was walking up Broadway from 34th Street to Times Square. As I was crossing an intersection I saw a gentleman walking in the same direction who looked strangely familiar. I noticed how he was dressed - black army boots, green fatigue cargo pants, a black wool watch cap, a heavy tan canvas jacket, with a tan canvas bag over his shoulder. He had a very deliberate walk. I also noticed he was carrying a Leica or a XPan. He had it covered in both hands. He had a blond grayish beard and was wearing round wire rim glasses. Instantly, Josef Koudelka came to mind. Could it really be??

I followed behind for a couple of blocks trying to get a better direct look. I tried to Google his picture on my cell phone, but couldn't get a connection. I called my wife who was in her office and she instantly text me a recent portrait of him. It was him!

I waited until he finished taking a picture. As I slowly approached him, I asked, "Are you Josef?". I immediately became aware before he even spoke that it wasn't him. This man was at least 10 years too young and much thinner. As he spoke, "Sorry, no I am not", he had no trace of an accent. It was perfect American English. I was somewhat disappointed and a little embarrassed. But my word, this could have been him 10-15 years ago!

Oh well. This is my recent street story.

Do any have one to share??

 

[Ko.Fe.]

While walking on the streets I look at the people always. And if I see them twice, I'll remember it.

Only few people who are capable of walking in my medium suburban density neighborhood (a.k.a cookie cutters houses). New person is noticeable right away.

My outside is Toronto Downtown, where I like to walk for miles and miles.
Here is one person who likes to walk as me, but for different reason.
I see him all year around on different streets. I call him - "the Accounter".

Nice and quiet person, he smiles and does it kind of quietly too.

One of his pictures.


by Ko.Fe., on Flickr

 

[Calzone]

One summer in Harlem I was underneath the elevated freight line on the westside on 125th Street. I came upon two men: one was asleep on the sidewalk and another sat in a lounge chair next to him wearing no shirt.

To break the ice I asked about the yellow whistle that the one sitting man wore, and his response was that this whistle was to protect him from"Stop and Frisk." If Tyrone, a black man, got hassled by the NYPD the idea was that by alerting the public in a black community so that the general public would use their cell phone cameras and other means to protect him from police abuse.

I talked with Tyrone a bit and got to know him. He was an ex felon who was imprisoned through the Rock-A-fella Drug Laws. Although Tyrone was not a young man anymore he had a youthful body, so I aked to take his portrait. I was carrying a Rollie 3.5F and took a rather close shot from about 6 feet away.

When I developed the film I somehow inadvertantly took the shot right in front of a wrought iron fence that resembled prison bars. This was not my intent, but what a great shot.

Cal

 

[kbg32]

I would love to see that image Cal!

 

[rbsinto]

This shot was taken about ten years ago while I spent about a year of my weekends meeting and photographing a group of homeless people who lived on a street corner in downtown Toronto.
The young woman's name is Karen, and she was in effect the Spokesperson for the group, and the one I had to negotiate with before I could photograph them. She always asked me for incredibly large amounts of money which invariably ended up being about five dollars.
One day when she and I were talking, in the midst of the conversation she turned and pointed to another person in the group and told me very casually that he had raped her. I was shocked, but she acted as if that was simply a normal occurance and didn't even express anger that it had happened.
On this particular day she was sitting together with a friend, who as I recall had been a boxer in his previous life.
And they let me take this informal portrait.

 

[Calzone]

Keith,

Another image was taken the day of the Trevar Martin verdict. John and I did a dumb thing and were wandering around in Harlem noth knowing about the high tension that existed all around us. Somewhere near 138th Street this guy named "Orlando" kinda got in our face. He self proclaimed that he was a "Gang Banger" because he had little choice. "I have to do what I have to do," he said. Orlando seemed drugged out on something I never used. His affect was way off. He wore a t-shirt that had had a taser like from Star Trek with the caption, "Don't tase me bro." It seemed that John being the white guy with a shaved head was his primary target of engagement.

I had my Monochrom with 28 Cron set up and stopped down and started shooting really close. at one point somehow in my shooting away while I held the camera vertically Johns right hand points up towards Orlando's head like a gun, while Orlando's index finger is pursed to his lips like another gun. The title of this picture is "Three Guns: John's hand; Orlando's hand, and the phasor on Orlando's T-shirt.

Something about this shot captures racial tension. Looks like anything could happen.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

I remember both of those times Cal. I'd love to see the photos as well.

 

[Calzone]

I remember both of those times Cal. I'd love to see the photos as well.

John,

Now that I'm printing digitally I'll make a print of you and Orlando going gladiator on each other. It is a disturbing photo, and that's what makes it great.

On an aside, at work this black IT guy who came to fix my computer asked me if I lived in Harlem. After I told him that I live in Spanish Harlem, I asked him why he thought I might live in Harlem.

"I see you around so much where I live that I though you lived in Harlem," he said.

Cal

 

[emraphoto]

i was working in the 'streets' of Mokoko, a very large and some say dangerous slum in Lagos, Nigeria. i ran into a group of area boys (Nigerian gangsters) and we began to shoot the breeze. they invited me to their 'house' and said they would take me to see some music later. at the 'house' was the largest pile of marijuana i have ever seen. after smoking about half of the pile with them, over the course of an afternoon, we jumped on some Okadas and they took me, for my first time, to the Shrine. this is the building where Fela Kuti used to live, record and play. Fela's son was playing. outstanding time!

 

[emraphoto]

here are the fellows i hung out with

 

[kbg32]

Great story John! They could have easily robbed you.... or worse!

 

[JChrome]

I was on my way to pick out china for my wedding registry with my fiancee when I happened across a man rolling a cigarette. He wore a fisherman's hat and a sweatshirt. His clothes were somewhat clean but he was sitting on a milk crate so I wasn't sure if he was homeless. The scene and the subject looked to make a good photo to me though. The camera was an R4M along with the 21mm Zeiss 2.8. The wide angle made me get close (4 feet).

I walked up to him, snapped the shot and he tried grabbing my camera. I just walked away (somewhat quickly) and didn't think much more about it. Well he came running. I had turned a corner around a truck and didn't see him, but he came after me and grabbed my arm.

He held on tight, yelling at me that I broke the law and I took his picture. I had a camera in one hand, a bag in the other and flip flops on. Running wasn't going to work.

I yelled at him to let me go, he wouldn't so I started yelling for some help. A construction worker came out and told him to let me go. He said he would as long as I didn't run and I waited for the police to come. I said I would wait for the police.

We waited. And waited. For about a hour this guy told me I had broken the law and was wondering why I wanted to take his picture. He was kind enough to tell me I was a "Faggot" and that that was the basis of my photographic motivations.

The law arrived and split us up. I told the office my story and he said I was free to go. But cautioned that homeless people are completely unpredictable. Then he told me a story about a homeless man throwing feces on him and subsequently being on a drug cocktail due to hepatitis.

I went to Bloomingdales shortly thereafter to pick out China for our registry. My fiancee was upset but glad I was ok.

This happened on 45th Street and Vanderbilt, the north western corner of Grand Central Station. I used to be fearless when taking photos. I'd get as close as I wanted and not worry about the person being shot. Well, you guessed it, I am more cautious since then.

It's one of my lesser proud moments. But I thought I would share it, nevertheless. Also.. the photo didn't turn out that great. I'll look for it and post it...

 

[back alley]

not photo related but...any new yorkers remember the guy who sat in front of dempsey's restaurant on broadway and 50th?
he yelled the most obscene things to the women who walked by...and no one paid any attention to him!

 

[Calzone]

I was on my way to pick out china for my wedding registry with my fiancee when I happened across a man rolling a cigarette. He wore a fisherman's hat and a sweatshirt. His clothes were somewhat clean but he was sitting on a milk crate so I wasn't sure if he was homeless. The scene and the subject looked to make a good photo to me though. The camera was an R4M along with the 21mm Zeiss 2.8. The wide angle made me get close (4 feet).

I walked up to him, snapped the shot and he tried grabbing my camera. I just walked away (somewhat quickly) and didn't think much more about it. Well he came running. I had turned a corner around a truck and didn't see him, but he came after me and grabbed my arm.

He held on tight, yelling at me that I broke the law and I took his picture. I had a camera in one hand, a bag in the other and flip flops on. Running wasn't going to work.

I yelled at him to let me go, he wouldn't so I started yelling for some help. A construction worker came out and told him to let me go. He said he would as long as I didn't run and I waited for the police to come. I said I would wait for the police.

We waited. And waited. For about a hour this guy told me I had broken the law and was wondering why I wanted to take his picture. He was kind enough to tell me I was a "Faggot" and that that was the basis of my photographic motivations.

The law arrived and split us up. I told the office my story and he said I was free to go. But cautioned that homeless people are completely unpredictable. Then he told me a story about a homeless man throwing feces on him and subsequently being on a drug cocktail due to hepatitis.

I went to Bloomingdales shortly thereafter to pick out China for our registry. My fiancee was upset but glad I was ok.

This happened on 45th Street and Vanderbilt, the north western corner of Grand Central Station. I used to be fearless when taking photos. I'd get as close as I wanted and not worry about the person being shot. Well, you guessed it, I am more cautious since then.

It's one of my lesser proud moments. But I thought I would share it, nevertheless. Also.. the photo didn't turn out that great. I'll look for it and post it...

J,

I generally wear combat/construction boots most of the time when shooting, otherwise I'm wearing sneakers. With heavy boots I'm wearing weapons in plain sight, and flip-flops project vulnerability. I too often shoot with wides, but at least I'm prepared for the worse.

Also if someone grabbed me I know what I would do to defend myself which would of been kinda automatic. I think a more ready posture would of prevented the confrontation because you exposed yourself and promoted vulnerability.

You also have to understand that you did invade his space by getting in close and by using a 21. Might I suggest that a 28 is still wide, but safer. All I'm saying is that you kinda got in his face, and what do you expect? If you are a street shooter you have to be prepared for the worse and know how to respond to other people's aggression.

Wednesday this week, on my way to work walking through a construction zone that had the sidewalks narroved by Jersey Barriers a woman was walking towards me. At the same time I see this 16 year old running full speed heading right for me. From playing Lacross and Football I already knew that I was likely going to get hit, and I understood the physics. It was simply a reflex that I lowered my body to coil like a spring, and I sprung like a spring uncoiling throwing my elbow into this kid's shoulder. Because he was running at full speed he really kinda hurt himself, I'm sure I hurt him, and I am sure that he would be later bruised, but he kept on running.

Only later did I remember that I was carrying my Monochrom with my chrome 50 Lux ASPH in my LV bookbag. If my reflexes did not kick in my camera might of possibly been damaged by impact of someone rudely running full speed into me without any reguard.

Understand that I come from a time when New York was not so different than what Detroit is today (70's). Furthermore I've had to defend myself from racial attacks. I grew up ready for violence.

Cal

 

[kbg32]

I've learned that sometimes even a Leica is not small or quiet enough, but it does make for a hefty weapon. On one occaission I had the opportunity to check that out, on Canal Street. Leica/rangefinder fine, head of attacker who I did not take a picture of, not so fine.

 

[kbg32]

Here is a recent interview with Koudelka circa 2014 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts=1421914688&x-yt-cl=84503534&v=z_D5hLeQqHM#t=36

The image attached is close to who I saw, but wearing a black watch cap. An image of Koudelka from 2001.

Update - Ya know, the more I think about it and the more I look at these videos, it was him.

 

[Calzone]

I've learned that sometimes even a Leica is not small or quiet enough, but it does make for a hefty weapon. On one occaission I had the opportunity to check that out, on Canal Street. Leica/rangefinder fine, head of attacker who I did not take a picture of, not so fine.

Keith,

Just curious: eye, nose or teeth?

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Last summer I went for a long walk that started very near East 100th Street in Spanish Harlem where I live. I ventured along the east side scoping out possible places to go night shooting. Something about being all by myself reminded me of how I grew up, where I wandered around, and I embraced danger to discover who I am and what I am capable of doing. Last year I was 56 years old and was not some teenager, but I was regressing.

I carried a Leica Monochrom and three lenses which is very different for me. Generally I don't change lenses and would rather carry two fully rigged cameras. I used a LV bookbag to carry my lenses and to stow my MM from sight. I wore my combat shoe boots, knickers and a muscle shirt that displayed my muscular yet skinny build in an openly aggressive manner.

In my wandering I somehow had entered the section that is known as the Polo Grounds, that at one time was Giants Stadium, but now is this rather large public housing complex that is geographically remote due to a cliff. I stood out as an outsider, a feeling I grew up with in the suburbs, that was so familure. I saw some stuff go down, took some shots, but all this was just an exploration on the way to my goal of exploring High Bridge Park in its entirety alone.

Somehow I discovered a pedestrian bridge to a promanade that ran alongside the Harlem River Drive. I soon discovered that I was the only jerk walking as only cyclists past me and left me behind. It took a while to discover the reasion I was the only person walking is that basically there is just the beginning and then the end way uptown at Dykeman.

I finally got to the northern entrance to High Bridge Park. Andre had told me that it was spooky and more or less was a rather large abandoned NYC city park.

Beyond the entrance was the usual kids playground and picnic areas, but what were great shots were all the local residents of Washington Heights bar-B-Quing right next to the "No Barbi-que" signs. Further into the park there was an abrupt transition where it was clear that you were entering a ferel area and leaving civilization behind. The park lighting was overgrown, the glass was missing and many either leaned or were knocked down. It was a lonely place and as I walked south I did not see anyone.

I was in "Gladiator Mode" I kinda knew it was kill or be killed if any hassle happened. There was no help, no police, and no one to help me if I got into trouble. Likewise if some evil happened there would be no witness.

Before the George Washington Bridge I did see a man in his late 20's. He was a young muscular buck in his prime. We stood 20 feet apart eyeing each other. I knew if he took a step or two closer that it meant an attack was eminent. I imagine this young buck thought that this older man does not look afraid, and that he is rather lean and muscular in a way that he might get the jump on me if I hassle him. We stepped away from each other without speaking a word. We understood.

Somewhere further south we some how stumbled into each other again after going seperate ways, and again were kept our distance. Around the George Washington bridge were structures that made for interesting photography on both the Madhattan and Bronx side. I was glad I gad a 90mm lens for the reach. It was kinda mid afternoon at this point. Also I ran into a skate board park, but beyond the skate board park again I was alone.

It is interesting to know that people who have experienced trauma and violence at times need to assert themselves and have a real need to confirm that they have power to avoid feeling like victums. Sometimes it is in these lonely places that I discover who I am, what I've become, and what I might be. Not really about photography, although I got some good shots (the lighting was good near the GWB).

Because I revisited my past, I have no time for fear, and when trouble could of happened it was because of my past I already knew to be in the moment, face the danger, and know it was real: kill or be killed.

Cal

 

[MrFujicaman]

Calzone....Walmart has steel-toed sneakers in stock-$25 last I checked. You kick somebody in the knee with those, they won't bother you anymore.

 

[Calzone]

Calzone....Walmart has steel-toed sneakers in stock-$25 last I checked. You kick somebody in the knee with those, they won't bother you anymore.

I twice worked at National labs, and one of the work requirements was steel toe shoes. Definately great weapons you can wear in plain sight. They would give me a chit for $100.00 to buy steel toes. Had a pair of steel toed cowboy boots, they even sold steel toed dress shoes to wear with a suit.

If you get a chance look up "Liver Punch." An easy way to end any fight. Worse than getting kicked in the jewels. Will stop any sized man.

Best way of course is to avoid any fight at all costs, but if you have to make sure you take the guy out decisively. Long fights are not in one's favor.

Cal