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Photographic the homeless
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In response to steveb’s thread on photographing the homeless I’m posting a few that I have up on Flickr. I don’t believe that certain subject matters should be taboo for photographers but it is up to each person’s conscience as to how the subject is approached.
The-Doors-are-Closed-to-me by Ger208k, on Flickr
The Liberator by Ger208k, on Flickr
Our eyes refuse to see by Ger208k, on Flickr
Step Away by Ger208k, on Flickr
Just-a-Step-Away by Ger208k, on FlickrNice set of images, the long lens on 2 and 5 work really well and i think they would be my favourite along with No4, I agree with what you say about the subject and have posted on it in the G&A section, it is down to the individual, really good photos
I personally do not see anything wrong with photographing homeless people. I’m capturing the street scene and they are simply a part of it.
Some of my street shots with homeless people are currently at the Pearse St. library as a part of an exhibition.
Love these images – set the tone extremely well with the impression of the general public whizzing past getting on with life while leaving the homeless almost at a standstill in their current circumstances in the last two images
Some day i’ll be able to capture a moment as well as this!
Steveb here
That discussion was some time ago, and I somehow missed this thread. Well, now I have seen it and can comment on it.
This is exactly the type of photography I was complaining about. You have photographed some homeless people in a heavy stylised manner and posted them on here to show off. In no way is the viewer informed on the matter of homelessness, or the diffculties they face. Even within the category of street photography it is cliched and opportunistic, and offers nothing other than the fact that you can take some snazzy shots. Maybe I will concede that sometimes a street shot of homeless people can work but these do not, nor do any others I have seen on here. And it certainly is not documentary. If it is to be that, you need better access than grap shots on the street. And you need to work with charities and social workers who work with them. And you need hard graft research done before, during and after. I dont know what you are calling this (street or docu) but sorry, it is simply cheap. I stress again (in contradiction to almost all the memebers on here I realise) – using people in vulnerable situations as subjects for snap shots and them posting here, or flickr or other such sites, is unethical.
Again, If you want photography to help them, and not just to show off your technique, make connections, network, and do an extended study of the situation with proper access and with proper peer reviewed research as a solid background.
Sorry, but that is where I stand on this.
SteveExcellent set of images. Loving the processing on these.
I took a shot of a homeless drunk a few weeks back and a few builders (sitting in the van you can see the shadow of in this image) started giving me grief and beeping the horn. So, I guess that some people still get hung about this and I am sure this will piss of SteveB as this was an oppurtunist shot (shooting for a shadows theme) but this does not mean I do not care. Its a way of also doucmenting what we see whilst I do realise it would be good to helpI always find it easier to take pics of homeless people in other countries, here is one from Paris.
Cheers. Dee
Folks not sure if this is a taboo subject everywhere but there is currently an exhibition in Belfast at the Red Barn Gallery which is specifically pictures of the homeless.
Soda
steveb wrote:
Steveb here
That discussion was some time ago, and I somehow missed this thread. Well, now I have seen it and can comment on it.
This is exactly the type of photography I was complaining about. You have photographed some homeless people in a heavy stylised manner and posted them on here to show off. In no way is the viewer informed on the matter of homelessness, or the diffculties they face. Even within the category of street photography it is cliched and opportunistic, and offers nothing other than the fact that you can take some snazzy shots. Maybe I will concede that sometimes a street shot of homeless people can work but these do not, nor do any others I have seen on here. And it certainly is not documentary. If it is to be that, you need better access than grap shots on the street. And you need to work with charities and social workers who work with them. And you need hard graft research done before, during and after. I dont know what you are calling this (street or docu) but sorry, it is simply cheap. I stress again (in contradiction to almost all the memebers on here I realise) – using people in vulnerable situations as subjects for snap shots and them posting here, or flickr or other such sites, is unethical.
Again, If you want photography to help them, and not just to show off your technique, make connections, network, and do an extended study of the situation with proper access and with proper peer reviewed research as a solid background.
Sorry, but that is where I stand on this.
SteveWhere were you when I was arguing about the photographs taken in Norway?
Two sides to every argument I suppose but I can only assume that you have experience
in working or dealing with the homeless? I personally cannot see what the problem is in taking
these images. In my view it highlights the plight of these people & it brings it across to a broad
network of viewers who might be unaware of their circumstances! Just my view!Where were you when I was arguing about the photographs taken in Norway?
Actually I was following that particular amusing bust up, but decided that not to comment as I know the guy quite well (he was in our street photography group for about 8 months) and knew where it would go if I got involved, and also the photos were not particularly good and spoke for themselves really (sorry Andy if reading this :? ).
I can only assume that you have experience in working or dealing with the homeless?
Not really, but I have a relative who was homeless for a while before he was rescued. I work (photographically speaking) mostly with migrants and I do occasionally come across a few who are forced into homelessness, especially in Greece. I feel very sorry for them thats all, I just feel the power of photography should be used in a more targeted manner to help them, although I know ultimately its probably not photography that will do that.
Cheers Steve!
It was funny & I still read it an odd time, keeps me amused!
It’s the new year & we’ll say no more regarding AWC!
Probably gone on to bigger & better things.Lovely set of images Ger208k.
I have no problem in photographing the homeless but I would ask the person if I could take a picture and I always give them something.
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