mrb
Established
I like to photograph rich people, but they don't hang out on the streets in my neighborhood, and they tend to get aggressive if I shoot them through the windows of their homes.
Photographing the Homeless.
- Thread starter samoksner
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Chris101
summicronia
I will photograph a person who has no permanent address if there is some reason for me to do so. But I don't go out looking for ugly, disheveled, poor people - that's what I have a mirror for.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
I photograph all kinds of people on the street, but I generally don't photograph homeless people (sleeping on park benches, etc).
Having said that, one of my favourite photos I've taken is of a person who used to live in Lafayette Park in DC. It was part of a story for the Toronto Star newspaper on Lafayette Park, and the reporter interviewed him, and he was totally cool with being photographed (the tourist in the background just wandered into the shot, and was not staged). Very nice guy and interesting to talk with.....
Elijah
Having said that, one of my favourite photos I've taken is of a person who used to live in Lafayette Park in DC. It was part of a story for the Toronto Star newspaper on Lafayette Park, and the reporter interviewed him, and he was totally cool with being photographed (the tourist in the background just wandered into the shot, and was not staged). Very nice guy and interesting to talk with.....
Elijah
.ken
I like pictures
@Vince: that's definitely a good photograph and does not say "homeless" to me. He seem like he could be just an interesting character or person.
As a photographer If a very unique moment arises then I will take a photo.A genuine moment that is compelling, visually or content wise... something new that does not just showcase their condition. I have taken a few photos in the past but rarely do I find it interesting to print or show.
As a photographer If a very unique moment arises then I will take a photo.A genuine moment that is compelling, visually or content wise... something new that does not just showcase their condition. I have taken a few photos in the past but rarely do I find it interesting to print or show.
As the homeless are being photographed,
I wonder how many are thinking:
"Damn, I wish I had camera to take a picture of this bozo."
Stephen
I wonder how many are thinking:
"Damn, I wish I had camera to take a picture of this bozo."
Stephen
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Nikon Bob
Guest
My personal choice is not to take photos of homeless people simply because it would serve no useful purpose such as improving their situation. If your photos of homeless people can make a substantive difference and improve their lives, why not. If you can't improve their lot with your photography you are,IMHO, simply gathering trophies, testing new equipment at the human zoo or some other such equally note worthy reason. Anyway it is a personal choice and I just want to leave the homeless with what little privacy they still have.
Bob
Bob
FS Vontz
Aspirer
Here's something to try, set the settings, and have them take the picture of you. Might be interesting.
dave lackey
Veteran
Bob, you and I are of the same mind on this one.
Dignity. That is what it boils down to with me.
Has anyone ever photographed "DIGNITY"?
Has anyone seen "DIGNITY" lately?🙁
Dignity. That is what it boils down to with me.
Has anyone ever photographed "DIGNITY"?
Has anyone seen "DIGNITY" lately?🙁
emraphoto
Veteran
Why don't you look at some of the work of people who have posted "yes"? I think you will find dignity.
Spoks
Well-known
What homeless...?
What homeless...?
There is more than one million homeless people in USA, and foreclosures are still rampant - and increasing. How can you Americans avoid taking pictures of homeless people? They must be all over.
What homeless...?
There is more than one million homeless people in USA, and foreclosures are still rampant - and increasing. How can you Americans avoid taking pictures of homeless people? They must be all over.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Dave,
Not really.It's an abstract noun. At best you can personify or symbolize it, but you can't really photograph dignity qua dignity.
(Sorry if I'm missing the point).
Cheers,
R.
Bob Michaels
nobody special
"homeless" is just another label that means nothing in describing people except in the minds of those doing the describing.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Well, I guess that is part of it for me. I expect privacy in my own home and just because the homeless don't have fixed physical home they are SOL? This is another question that has no right or wrong answer and we do what we feel comfortable with.
Bob
TWoK
Well-known
I don't go bursting in the tents of the homeless, but if they're breaking electronics all over the park, like one of them loves to do here, he's as fair game as a scenic sunset, a woman peeing in public, etc.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Everyone has their own interpretation on what exactly "in public" is and what may or may not constitute a home or "being at home". You could say living under a bridge is being at home but then there are no doors or tent flaps to burst open. Not saying you or anyone else is wrong and are free to rationalize why to do or not to do.
Bob
nonot
Well-known
If you're suggesting that we shouldn't think of the homeless as any less than us well, I have your back. I think a lot of people need to perhaps ask themselves how vulnerable to every form of intrusion they might feel if they actually lived on the streets. I think it's at least worth the argument that one should ask a person to take their photo in general and probably much more so when that person doesn't have a door they can close to keep people out.
Praxis Unitas
Established
I'm no Dorthea Lange, but some of my better work has been of homeless people. I would have checked the first option, "yes, I'll photograph anything on the street" except that people are not the same as things on the street, whether they are homeless or not. I'm not comfortable photographing any stranger unless I'm treating them with dignity, even anonymously or without interaction.
A
AnalogForever
Guest
I think it's better if you use props.
For example, pouring gasoline (or petrol, for Brits) on the homeless and then igniting them.
This works even better if the homeless are sleeping. You need quick reflexes to capture "the decisive moment", when they open their eyes and realize that they're roasting. That instant of shock and alarm is priceless.
Then you need your "follow-up" shots.....rolling on the ground with flames shooting everywhere, smoldering in the dirt, howling, grotesque gyrations, crowd reaction (as suggested by Cameraquest) and so forth.
Also interesting is capturing the homeless dead drunk, or simply dead. You can get in for some very good close-up work without anyone making any protest or fuss.
And speaking of "captures", how about doing just that? Capture one or two, tie 'em up, and then "capture" the scene. Very arty.
Leave them tied up on a cold night, well hidden, and come back warmly dressed the next day. If they're still kicking, taunt them with some warm coffee and bologna sandwiches, but don't actually give them the food.
You'll get some astonishing photo essays. Good luck and good shooting!
For example, pouring gasoline (or petrol, for Brits) on the homeless and then igniting them.
This works even better if the homeless are sleeping. You need quick reflexes to capture "the decisive moment", when they open their eyes and realize that they're roasting. That instant of shock and alarm is priceless.
Then you need your "follow-up" shots.....rolling on the ground with flames shooting everywhere, smoldering in the dirt, howling, grotesque gyrations, crowd reaction (as suggested by Cameraquest) and so forth.
Also interesting is capturing the homeless dead drunk, or simply dead. You can get in for some very good close-up work without anyone making any protest or fuss.
And speaking of "captures", how about doing just that? Capture one or two, tie 'em up, and then "capture" the scene. Very arty.
Leave them tied up on a cold night, well hidden, and come back warmly dressed the next day. If they're still kicking, taunt them with some warm coffee and bologna sandwiches, but don't actually give them the food.
You'll get some astonishing photo essays. Good luck and good shooting!
leighmarrin
Established
FWIW, I posted this same photograph on www.largeformatphotography and several people found it offensive, and one gentleman started a seperate thread to tell of his objections. I thought RFFers might be interested in the comments my photo generated:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=56532
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=56532
Yes, I photograph homeless people, usually with their permission. I'm slightly acquainted with several local homeless folks.
Attached is a photo I took several years ago of a homeless man on the Promenade street mall in Santa Monica, Calif. He asked for money; I gave him a dollar and asked to take his photograph. (9x12cm Certo "BeeBee" plate camera + Efke sheet film.)
--Leigh in Santa Barbara, Calif.
A
