Is'nt it great that you can afford to shoot him and post his photo for the rest of the world to see and maybe feel a little dirty just by looking at it.
Daily a large portion of the people of Sydney pass the homeless and judge, feel a little dirty and do nothing. Its a largely unspoken reality. Did you know in the year 2000 Sydney in preparation for the Olympic Games embarrassed by its homeless rounded them up and hid them away?
I hope this image makes people think about this situation rather than just try and turn a blind eye or hide it so often happens by the masses in our city.
I agree that these people are generally mentally ill, if you observe the homeless man in this picture he is semi wrapped in a hospital ward blanket.
By taking this image I have done what hundreds do to this man each day, view...and do nothing. In this picture I have put a view. it would seem as though the photographer judges and not favorably. Is it not possible to use the camera to show a viewpoint even if it isn't that of the photographers?
I too see little compassion in this photograph, no regard for the individual with in it. But I created it to reflect an attitude of the masses. not my own personal attitude.
This serves as a reminder of two things:
1. How lucky I am to not be in that situation - currently. Tomorrow it could all change and I could become that person.
2. How unsatisfying my own efforts are in trying to help people that are worse off than me, how egotistic humans are.
Provoking those feelings within I deem this an important photograph for me. Perhaps it touches more people than I.
- Thomas
One or perhaps two decisions separates many of us from this situation. His left eye is, for me, rather piercing/penetrating. It seems to have a certain focus or clarity. Bill Barber
Whew, tough subject. I'm glad you put up this photo, Stephen.
I shot for an article on the homeless back in 2000, walking the streets of a Michigan city day & night for a week looking for people living on the street. A life changing experience for me. Out of respect, I always asked for permission to take a photo. 80% of the time they would say yes. I don't think I could do another article like that again, though. I'm not emotionally strong enough.
Wow and I see this as exploitation. Did you ask this guy if it were ok to post this image on the internet? I read your words, but I'm not seeing them in the photograph. I see a bad shot or at best a snap shot of a guy in a really bad way. I don't doubt that you believe what you are saying, but put yourself in this guys shoes. Do you honestly believe he wants to be your social lesson? He's a freaking person not an object to symbolize your middleclass guilt.
by taking this picture and posting it here you admit doing what everyone does every day or at least that is what you wrote. In fact it is worse you've made him a side show to your convoluted social project. If you want to draw attention to the plight of the homeless take a better photo and try to do it with out victimizing the subject.
Isn't passing the homeless on the streets and casting our opinions on these people without helping them, making them as much as a victim as I have of this man by taking this shot.
Permission was not asked when taking this photograph, Permission would have totally altered the nature of the image i would have captured. altered the composition and the message.
I see this on a similar level to shooting in a war zone, to shoot like this you cant bring your emotion into it (unless your cold hearted) and you cant ask for permission you just need to see and shoot or the moment will be lost.
I think I would be exploiting this man in his situation if i were to be profiting in some way from it. I am very glad this image has raised mixed emotions and is being discussed.