Homeless: sneak a picture or engage in conversation?

[dunhoy]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Homeless people are an easy and obvious image opportunity for the photographer. In London, or any big city, there are many on the streets who are homeless and there are also some who are no more than con artists trying to beg money to feed their lifestyle. At first glance it's not easy to tell the genuine from the con artist.

 

So, do you sneak a quick picture or do you engage in a conversation? I have done both but it is more rewarding to engage in a conversation, listen to their story, buy them a drink or a meal (it's a small price to pay) and then ask before taking their picture... the genuine are grateful and never say no.

 

This is Daniel who was wandering down Bethnal Green Road (London E2) when we met. Unwashed, scruffy and thin, he had a nervous disposition, a background of mental health problems and used to self harm (he had horrific scars on his forearm to prove it). 

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dunhoy/sets/72157649920947638

 

 

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[earleygallery]

Such a sad image. What hope has he?

 

I'm generally against photos of homeless people - easy prey for budding HCB's who think they're being daring and 'edgy' by exploiting such people for their own satisfaction.

 

There are exceptions of course and your photos are an example of how to treat the issue IMHO.

[alun]

James,  I would normally be in the 'no' camp. I've lost count of the flame wars on this forum and elsewhere provoked by pictures of the "Here's a picture of a homeless person I took with my a la care MP -- the Noctilux really shines, doesn't it" variety. But that is not you. I had a look at the project over on Flicker and it is humane and has a social conscience. I suspect that in the final analysis, however, one still has to ask of such pictures: what will they achieve? That's harder. But you have a project there that does have the potential to be used for a social purpose. Well done.

[jdlaing]

I don't take pictures of the homeless and disadvantaged. 

 

However......

 

It does not make one infinitesimal rat spit of a difference what the price of the camera is that was used to take the photograph. It is not the photographer's fault the person is homeless or disadvantaged.

[A miller]

Generally speaking, I am very much against "sneaking a picture" or otherwise taking a photograph of a disadvantaged person without their consent

The photo you posted is wonderful and very deep

[earleygallery]

It is not the photographer's fault the person is homeless or disadvantaged.

 

 

You're missing the point I think.

[wattsy]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

It does not make one infinitesimal rat spit of a difference what the price of the camera is that was used to take the photograph. It is not the photographer's fault the person is homeless or disadvantaged.

 

On a crude simplistic level, of course not, but there are significant structural issues at play and the question of the distribution of extra-personal resources (of which both housing and cameras are part) is very relevant.

[jdlaing]

On a crude simplistic level, of course not, but there are significant structural issues at play and the question of the distribution of extra-personal resources (of which both housing and cameras are part) is very relevant.

Please explain.

[topoxforddoc]

It's a great image. I'm not going to get involved in the morality or not.

[wilfredo]

That is a portrait of human suffering presented with care, and the quality of the portrait speaks volumes.  It seems to me that you approached this person with sensitivity.  I avoid the sneak shots. I had an opportunity for one yesterday, a homeless person sleeping in the street under an umbrella with a print of the American flag on it.  It would have made a statement, but I could not bring myself to take the picture.  I deal with homeless people on a regular basis.  I recently had an awful experience dealing with the Department of Homeless Services of the City of New York, while helping one of my parishioners who is homeless (I'm the Vicar of Flushing).  I was left aghast at the lack of humanity I experienced from a shelter director.   I think what's paramount in any kind of photos of the disenfranchised, is that you respect their dignity as a human being.