stevem7 Posted November 20, 2006 Share #1 Posted November 20, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Took a walk and met Rodney today. A homeless man who has been on the street for only 30 days. Bought him some food and helped him out with a few bucks and learned about his life and what got him to where he is today. The day before he was beat over the head and robbed on the street. These are from a continuing series I am doing around Phx, AZ on the homeless. I speak with these guys daily and help them when I can. They have no problem with me taking their photos. Im learning quite a bit as I go as well. MP, Ilford Delta 400 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/9657-meet-rodney/?do=findComment&comment=98699'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 20, 2006 Posted November 20, 2006 Hi stevem7, Take a look here Meet Rodney. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stevem7 Posted November 20, 2006 Author Share #2 Posted November 20, 2006 BTW, for the life of me I can never get clean negs. I process at home, but they always have white specs when I scan. When I print they are fine. The Nikon V picks up every flaw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinop Posted November 20, 2006 Share #3 Posted November 20, 2006 Interesting shots of a person having tough times. Did he confide to you what drove him to the streets?. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted November 20, 2006 Share #4 Posted November 20, 2006 i would like to see more of this series on the homeless. thanks, thomas w Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzo Posted November 20, 2006 Share #5 Posted November 20, 2006 INTENSE images Steve, honestly. You're doing a great job with these guys, well done. Re specs, could it be that they are in your scanner ? Had a similar problem myself. Best Azzo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted November 20, 2006 Share #6 Posted November 20, 2006 Great series, thanks for sharing. Have you turned OFF the Infra-Red cleaning function on the scanner? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPS3000 Posted November 20, 2006 Share #7 Posted November 20, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Great pictures – capturing a strong sense of reality, especially in our modern – so called – society. Thank you for sharing! Greetings HP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem7 Posted November 20, 2006 Author Share #8 Posted November 20, 2006 Thanks so much for the kind comments. I started this project for a final photo class assignment and when I told my teacher what I was doing the final on, she told me not to do it. Said it would be too hard, too dangerous, and some would say i am exploiting the homeless. Since starting this 2-3 weeks ago I have learned so much about these guys and feel I am better for it. I talk to them, help them, and always ask permission for the photos before I take them. I hear their stories and learn about the steps they took in life that got them were they are today. I'm having fun doing this project and while many people turn their nose at this sort of thing, I feel I am documenting the reality and grit of these guys and helping them along the way. Thanks again! 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/9657-meet-rodney/?do=findComment&comment=98828'>More sharing options...
stuny Posted November 20, 2006 Share #9 Posted November 20, 2006 Steve - Excellent series, handled with sensitivity. Please keep them coming. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzo Posted November 20, 2006 Share #10 Posted November 20, 2006 Another EXCELLENT series of touching images Steve. IMHO..expertly captured. Best Azzo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 21, 2006 Share #11 Posted November 21, 2006 Tragic yet compelling images. Truly excellent work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem7 Posted November 21, 2006 Author Share #12 Posted November 21, 2006 Wow, thank you all! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
franklinh Posted November 21, 2006 Share #13 Posted November 21, 2006 To focus on these men, makes them visible to all of us. They are touching photos. Thank you. Franklin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted November 21, 2006 Share #14 Posted November 21, 2006 These are very good images but I wonder just how are you helping these forgotten and even despised members of society? Are you becoming an advocate for the homeless? Did you say you were having fun taking these shots? Wilfredo Benitez-Rivera Photography Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzo Posted November 21, 2006 Share #15 Posted November 21, 2006 Wilfredo, i think, what Steve meant by having fun, is that by talking and spending time, giving them food and handouts to these people, is actually making him happy and that he is having fun doing this. Best Azzo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
baloo Posted November 21, 2006 Share #16 Posted November 21, 2006 Hi! Great series! regard, Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem7 Posted November 21, 2006 Author Share #17 Posted November 21, 2006 Yes, thanks Azzo, that IS what I meant. I feel like it is a learning experience and it makes me feel good to sit andtalk with these guys as they seem to get really happy just that I am paying attention to them. These guys all say they have NO friends and when I approach they are always thrilled and just start telling me about their life. What is better? To walk by, talk with them and help them out or to walk by like most people do and ignore them? For a few years now I have helped out many of these guys. It seems sometimes this can be a touchy subject as you have many who say I am exploiting them. That is RIDICULOUS. I feel it is exploiting them NOT to acknowledge them. NOT to help them or ignore them. Just outside of my neighborhood it is almost epidemic and it is a real problem which has gotten worse over the years. I am gaining nothing by taking their photos except it does make me feel good to help them, talk with them and if I make their day by doing that, then its even better. They are human after all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted November 21, 2006 Share #18 Posted November 21, 2006 Steve, I am encouraged by your response, I can hear the humanitarian concern in your words. Reaching out to the outcasts of our society is a very noble thing. Your images are not just very good, they are actually very disturbing, as they should be, because there is nothing romantic about life on the streets for these people who have no where to turn for help, and live in a world where they are mostly blamed for their tragedy. Granted, some of these folks are hopeless drug and alcohol addicts, but not all, some are mentally ill, and many just down on their luck, but what ever their situation, they all deserve compassion. These photographs are an indictment of the world and system we live in today. Please don't take it personally if I challeneged you, I think clarifying your intention is very helpful on a thread like this where some will look at the images you present and only see the technical merits, lighting, tones, composition, etc. These images are very powerful and go beyond technical merit. I think you have a very sensitive eye and a good heart. I would encourage you to move beyond charity to advocacy, perhaps that will be the value of your work here. I would also caution you to be careful, we serve meals on a weekly basis to the homeless at my church and things can get out of hand some times and violent, this is not to be taken lightly. Wilfredo Benitez-Rivera Photography Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted November 21, 2006 Share #19 Posted November 21, 2006 Great series, thanks for sharing. Have you turned OFF the Infra-Red cleaning function on the scanner? The Digital Ice in the Nikon scanners doesn't work with b&w films, Andy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted November 21, 2006 Share #20 Posted November 21, 2006 I think all major US cities in the have experienced an increase in homeless populations over the past several years as the disparity between the wealthy and poor segments of society become more severe and pronounced. When walking a few blocks in our downtown, one is constantly panhandled to the point where simply ignoring becomes the only way to deal with it. As a result, the irony is that as the problem gets worse, we actually see it less. That's the real value of pictures like these--they force us to see and acknowledge that people are living these meager, often painful existances. The only consolation is that where these photographs were made, the homeless generally can stay warm. Around here, where winter temperatures are bitterly cold, I don't know how people survive on the streets. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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