Shoot the Homeless!

[ch1]

I posted this as a response on one thread....but I think it deserves a separate discussion:

"I'm not sure why there is any sentiment amongst most of us to NOT shoot the homeless.

Yes, I understand that the "good impulse" stems from a desire to not exploit their status.

But I think there is a darker side to such an attitude that is behind this concept. In these relatively prosperous times, perhaps those that would have us believe that all of us are "doing well" are the ones behind the "don't shoot the homeless" concept?

Why was it okay to photograph poverty in the past? It was so, because the idea was to "afflict the comfortable, and comfort the afflicted"!

By not shooting the homeless, the less-fortunate, the needful etc. you are conspiring to hide them from the comfortable and self-satisfied.

"Do not shoot the homeless" is a command to ignore them and their status.

That is wrong! "

 

[rover]

In a journalistic sense there is a story that has to be told, a story that may lead to change or at least action. Perhaps the reluctance is that 99% of us are not journalist. Sure, my photos will be viewed by a circle of my friends who may be called to some action, but that is based on my presentation and "ownership" of my images and message. For some who may be more casual the message may be different, less palatable, exploitative.

There is a fine line between exploitation and respect. Of course there is a question if you can legislate respect, or if by doing so you are exploitative of another. In this case a photographer.

Another non black and white issue that can only be resolved by the courtesy and integrity of the photographer towards his subject.

 

[Andy K]

It is no different to Governments hiding the truth.

In Britain recently there has been a chronic shortage of NHS (National Health Service) dentists, which means those who cannot afford dentistry privately have to go without. This resulted in enormous queues of people lining up around the block outside dental surgeries every time they announced they were taking on NHS patients. These made great photo ops condemning the Government's lack of investment in financing NHS dentists.
So what did the Government do? Did they invest in training more NHS dentists? No. They made queueing to register for an NHS dentist illegal and made it compulsory that people had to telephone the surgeries to register. Thus not solving anything, just hiding the problem from the cameras.

 

[Nikon Bob]

In the past and in the present some well known and respected photographers have done work that stood a significant chance of influencing enough people to maybe make a difference. I do not believe that the average run of the mill photographer has a chance at that. I do not believe that I stand that chance with regard to altering the circumstance of the homeless for the better through my taking photos of their plight. To do so might give me bragging rights to a very small group of people for an interesting photo and nothing more. That would be merely exploitive with no possible benefit to the exploited. So my choice is not to. Others may feel differently and that is fine too as it is a personal call. The politics of why certain segments in a society do not want such photos to be taken is beyond me other than it serves their purposes whatever that may be. I do not believe it is a command just a personal choice for everyone to make inline with their personal beliefs.

Nikon Bob

 

[RayPA]

Entering into the weekend, this thread has that feeling to it. It's not going to be another one of "those" is it? 🙂 🙂


🙂

 

[sunsworth]

George, all I would ask is why would you want to shoot homeless people, to help their plight or to get a 'cool' shot? If it's the former then it's admirable, if it's the latter you're an exploitative wanker.

Steve

 

[Nikon Bob]

Yup, it will be one of those threads where it may be impossible to keep politics out of it.

Nikon Bob

 

[photogdave]

Without looking at it from a moral perspective, but solely from a photographic one, shooting the homeless is simply not challenging. It's been done before many, many times.
I interpret "the commandment" as a suggestion to find a new subject also worthy of exploration.

 

[ch1]

Uh...Uh...

No politics.

But I live in and walk to work every day through midtown Manhattan. And I encounter some of the most diginfied and proud people imaginable - and some of them are wealthy and some of them are homeless.

I don't take photos of "the homeless" by and large because I don't have a message to send by doing so.

But these folks are my neighbors.

So I just object to someone saying I should not "shoot" them but it's okay if I shoot the young ingenue or austere "suit" as a street shot instead.

The homeless and the tycoon are a regular part of my daily life- are they part of yours?

I don't want to have any subject "excluded" because of their status - whatever that is.

That's the only point.

 

[harmsr]

Copake_ham - Well said and Thank You.

The other view is sensorship and forcing someone elses values or beliefs on me.

If you don't believe in photographing the homeless or the elite, then don't. However, you should not attempt to force someone else not to either. You are welcom to your belief, as long it only affects you.

If there is a subject in photograpy or life that you object to, then don't patronize it or view it. Once again, you should not restrict others from doing so as that is not freedom but rather imposing your beliefs on someone else.

Personally, I don't take photos of the homeless. However, I believe that restricting someone from doing so is very wrong.

Best,

Ray

 

[Nikon Bob]

George

I think most posters on this thread have already agreed with you in the sense that a certain subject is not "excluded" from being photographed because of what they are. Nobody is saying you can't shoot homeless people. Do what you want, I do. There are enough other subjects that you cannot photograph anymore by various laws without adding to the list.

Nikon Bob

 

[RayPA]

Self-moderate people, self-moderate! 😉



🙂

.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

1) the other thread was a link to a joke.

2) the thread title sounds very violent.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Anyway, because of the greed from the power elite, we have thousands and thousands of homeless in the streets of Vancouver. It's shameful and disgusting and what's worse is people stealing their last ounce of dignity by taking their pictures. 😡

I can't speak for Vancouver but a good majority of homeless here in Houston are on the street due to an addiction to drugs, alcohol and in many, many cases mental illness ( off their meds), they weren't kicked to the curb by the "power elite". I suggest you speak with some of these guys once and a while, ask them how they became homeless, they'll tell you straight up.

As far as taking pics of them I see nothing wrong with it, I have always wanted to do a short folio of portraits with some words spoken from these guys, respectful of course.

Todd

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I think it will be one of "those." 😎

Hey Frankie baby, how about not posting anymore of those funny little cartoons there and this won't become one of "those" threads.


peace out
todd

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Ah...a Gipper apprentice. You are opening a can of jelly worms here...

 

[RJBender]

I can't speak for Vancouver but a good majority of homeless here in Houston are on the street due to an addiction to drugs, alcohol and in many, many cases mental illness ( off their meds), they weren't kicked to the curb by the "power elite". I suggest you speak with some of these guys once and a while, ask them how they became homeless, they'll tell you straight up.

As far as taking pics of them I see nothing wrong with it, I have always wanted to do a short folio of portraits with some words spoken from these guys, respectful of course.

Todd

Meet Milton. He resides in a "cubby" off of 12th Street in St. Louis. He recently stayed in a Christian shelter where his meals consisted of bologna or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The cots were not cleaned properly and he once got a case of the crabs. When he stayed there, he had to participate in the program. Apparently, life on the street beats crabs, baloney and the program.

According to Milton, the police arrested a group of homeless in Kiener Plaza last year. An attorney represented the group that was arrested and he was expecting a $1,000 settlement. He planned to rent an apartment after he received his settlement.

I didn't verify his story. My BS detector didn't go off. I think he was telling the truth.

R.J.


i took the photo out - it was too big!
joe

 

[RJBender]

Joe, thanks for stating your reason for deleting the image tag.
The image, however, was not uploaded to the RFF site. It was on one of my sites and thereby used none of Jorge's space. Is it ok with you if I use a smaller image?

R.J.

 

[ch1]

Meet Milton. He resides in a "cubby" off of 12th Street in St. Louis. He recently stayed in a Christian shelter where his meals consisted of bologna or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The cots were not cleaned properly and he once got a case of the crabs. When he stayed there, he had to participate in the program. Apparently, life on the street beats crabs, baloney and the program.

According to Milton, the police arrested a group of homeless in Kiener Plaza last year. An attorney represented the group that was arrested and he was expecting a $1,000 settlement. He planned to rent an apartment after he received his settlement.

I didn't verify his story. My BS detector didn't go off. I think he was telling the truth.

R.J.


i took the photo out - it was too big!
joe

I've always been curious about communities that "arrest" the homeless (i.e. vagrants) - regardless of why they are in that state.

After all, then they get clean sheets and three squares (m/l).

If your town arrests and imprisons the homeless - do they then retain the status of being homeless?

😕

 

[rpsawin]

I'm should pass on this as ny answer is just going to start a silly argument. But, as long as you don't use live ammo when you "shoot the homeless" I don't see an issue.

BTW...FWIW...some of the homeles will shoot back so be careful out there.

Bob