Yvon
Established
I feel guilty when I shoot a vagrant, and that sense of guilty comes much stronger when I upload the photo to a website. Is that wrong?
I feel guilty
- Thread starter Yvon
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ruby.monkey
Veteran
Stop killing the homeless; and if you must continue, then stop publishing the evidence. 😉
More seriously, your feelings of guilt are neither right or wrong. They just reflect whether or not you feel it personally acceptable to do what you do. 'tis up to you if and how you resolve your feelings.
More seriously, your feelings of guilt are neither right or wrong. They just reflect whether or not you feel it personally acceptable to do what you do. 'tis up to you if and how you resolve your feelings.
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squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Lock the thread! It has achieved perfection!
Seriously, I believe there was a photographing-the-homeless debate here recently, but in general, if you feel guilty about it, then stop doing it. Personally, I don't like to do it unless I talk to the person, get their name, make it a kind of interview. It feels a little strange to sneak pics of disenfranchised people without making some effort to enfranchise them. That's just me, though--there are compelling arguments, I'm sure, for the opposite view.
Seriously, I believe there was a photographing-the-homeless debate here recently, but in general, if you feel guilty about it, then stop doing it. Personally, I don't like to do it unless I talk to the person, get their name, make it a kind of interview. It feels a little strange to sneak pics of disenfranchised people without making some effort to enfranchise them. That's just me, though--there are compelling arguments, I'm sure, for the opposite view.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
What is your reason for photographing a vagrant? If you could identify what need of yours you are trying to fulfill in this way, maybe you would no longer need to take this type of photo.
I can't know without knowing you, but as food for thought, I wonder if you are trying to learn more about homelessness; perhaps out of fear that this could happen to you. Or, trying to gain control to make sure it does not happen to you. (Since you are the one with the camera, who gets to photograph someone who has little power to stop you, that might give you a feeling of being in control.)
I can't know without knowing you, but as food for thought, I wonder if you are trying to learn more about homelessness; perhaps out of fear that this could happen to you. Or, trying to gain control to make sure it does not happen to you. (Since you are the one with the camera, who gets to photograph someone who has little power to stop you, that might give you a feeling of being in control.)
literiter
Well-known
Why does this come to mind?
Why does this come to mind?
[SIZE=+1]"It seems a shame," the Walrus said,
"To play them such a trick,
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick!"
The Carpenter said nothing but
"The butter's spread too thick!"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]"I weep for you," the Walrus said:
"I deeply sympathize."
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.[/SIZE]
Why does this come to mind?
[SIZE=+1]"It seems a shame," the Walrus said,
"To play them such a trick,
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick!"
The Carpenter said nothing but
"The butter's spread too thick!"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]"I weep for you," the Walrus said:
"I deeply sympathize."
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.[/SIZE]
Yvon
Established
Please don't get me wrong. If I ever had the idea of gaining control of someones I have better ways of doing it. I carry a camera all day long no matter what I do on the day. This is sort of a habit. Yes, taking photo of a vagrant might make people think I am abusing them and this comes to wrose when I upload the photo. That is what I am worrying about. I don't shoot vagrant only, just happen that there are lots of vagrants in the places I go these days. Also, I don't think ignoring them as if they don't exist is a good idea because after all they are human beings, subjects in front of camera like everyone else. Seeing and treating them differently with clear personal intention is a discrimination in my point of view. Many of them are still trying to help themselves out by picking up cans from trashbins on streets and selling them. I post here because I recently have encountered a lot of vagrants and my attitude about them has changed. I start to sympathise them, well they might need not sympathy. Is that sympathy guilty?
paulfish4570
Veteran
unless you're selling the photos, why not? perhaps publishing them on a web site wll raise someone else's conciousness about the issue. yet i would be cautious. here in the states, many vagrants are people who do not take their prescribed anti-depressants and other drugs. they can be mean when provoked. some are alcoholics, who can be mean when provoked. most of these people choose to live a vagrant's life, i believe, but they still maintain a sense of personal space, even if it is no larger than the space their bodies occupy. you might offer a dollar or two for a "posing" fee just a little conversation might be sufficient ...
MCTuomey
Veteran
The question of portraying a person's state of being, however perceived, in pain or in pleasure or in between, demands sensitivity of maybe an extraordinary kind that few possess. It also seems to imply a special kind of responsibility. What it is isn't clear to me. Great documentary photographers like Salgado and Nachtwey have this responsiveness and, for me, their art reflects it inspirationally.
I have taken a number of pictures of people on the streets of the area where I live, some of whom appear distressed. Some just beg for a bit of money, others ask for a cigarette or other favor or are willing to talk. I've given money, bought meals, just sat and chatted, before or after taking a picture. Sometimes I take no picture at all. I've also taken "running" shots without even pausing.
I don't feel guilty but I do often feel curious to know more about these folks. They are interesting to me. Perhaps this is just voyeurism on my part and I'm ignorant or unwilling to admit it.
I have taken a number of pictures of people on the streets of the area where I live, some of whom appear distressed. Some just beg for a bit of money, others ask for a cigarette or other favor or are willing to talk. I've given money, bought meals, just sat and chatted, before or after taking a picture. Sometimes I take no picture at all. I've also taken "running" shots without even pausing.
I don't feel guilty but I do often feel curious to know more about these folks. They are interesting to me. Perhaps this is just voyeurism on my part and I'm ignorant or unwilling to admit it.
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dfoo
Well-known
So if you are selling the photos its somehow more objectionable?
paulfish4570
Veteran
oh, i thought that if the OP is selling them, it might be the cause of his shame because the vagrants don't get a cut. nothing more than that.
literiter
Well-known
I think if the pictures would be used to somehow invoke more concern for these people, as may be done in a newspaper or magazine article I'd feel a lot better for it.
To show the images, no matter how sensitive or how well the individuals are portrayed seems just a tad self serving.
A photo essay, examining the issues and evoking concern would be a excellent ambition.
To show the images, no matter how sensitive or how well the individuals are portrayed seems just a tad self serving.
A photo essay, examining the issues and evoking concern would be a excellent ambition.
Spoks
Well-known
Yvon,
I notice that your pictures are taken in Singapore, one of the richest countries in the world. Singapore is also a country known for a fair wealth distribution (Well, it always can be better). Often vagrancy is a result of mental illness and lack of relatives that can follow up. Examples of this can be found everywhere. - Even in Singapore or here in Oslo.
Real poverty has something far more frantic about it. Like hopelessness, begging children and desperate crimes.
I notice that your pictures are taken in Singapore, one of the richest countries in the world. Singapore is also a country known for a fair wealth distribution (Well, it always can be better). Often vagrancy is a result of mental illness and lack of relatives that can follow up. Examples of this can be found everywhere. - Even in Singapore or here in Oslo.
Real poverty has something far more frantic about it. Like hopelessness, begging children and desperate crimes.
MCTuomey
Veteran
Good point. The street people I've talked with often have some support: a meal a day at a shelter or church, a shower at a city center, a place to sleep with a trusted group at an abandoned building (Detroit has many), a day kitchen for an occasional meal or beverage, etc. Many have recounted how they were "marginalized" through loss of a low-paying but steady job, family disintegration, an illness, drug use, etc. I don't have the impression that mental illness is unusually prevalent among the street people I've met, though I'm not sure I'm capable of identifying its presence.
Sometimes I think that I'm only a salary away from their experience, actually.
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MCTuomey
Veteran
well put, shane
paulfish4570
Veteran
you guys are correct; discernment is critical in such photography ...
