Invisible People

As someone who worked as a photojournalist in South Africa during the height of that country's turmoil I believe it is imperative that information is presented about the subject of the photograph.
Without that, the person being photographed is not real but merely a caricature of someone who is homeless, oppressed, disenfranchised...take your pick.
If the viewer feels any emotion at all it is likely to be only at a superficial level -- "That's terrible, something really should be done...please pass the sugar."
It's one thing to see an image of a grimy bum but quite another to know his name, that he is a father who hasn't seen his kids for five years and once lived in a nice home and had big dreams.

The posting of images of disadvantaged, homeless, etc. with an emphasis entirely on impact, drama, etc. but completely lacking any subject information, background, or even a name.

The photographs should have the power to stand on their own. I always find the biographical stuff usually comes up when the image does not, you sort of give the work more power from the title and background info (I am sometimes guilty of this). The other thing to consider is that the photographer might simply not have that info, it might be a hit and run type shot (just like others hit and run with other types of photography). A good photographer will often have an extended relationship with his subject and know the background, but not always.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16536699@N07/3224888579/

Great image

Sure. I believe there is some similarity there and it explores some good points that I hadn't considered. Perhaps what bothers me in the discussion I put forth is that these photographers believe (or probably more accurately *say*) they are doing good for these people and that they care about them. I have a hard time completely believing that and speculate deep down they care more about their own visibility rather than their subjects.

depends, what does the photo make you feel? the image you had linked made me feel compassion, so in my view the photo is helping by raising a feeling of compassion for this homeless person.

I will quote the actor Brock Peters " In art there is compassion, in compassion there is humanity, in humanity there is generosity and love".

Let me throw another wrench in the gears here. The EXIF data for the photo reveals that various post details, like contrast, clarity, sharpness, etc. have not only been adjusted (no big deal there) but cranked to the max. Additionally the color has been manipulated so as to unnaturally tint/tone the subject. All of these adjustments fall in line with "dramatic", i.e. high contrast, edgy sharp lines, cold color.

Is this exploitative?

I look at that adobegraph stuff as painting, so if this were a painting would it be exploitive? No I don't think so

People have to be careful when they spot the homeless and make them more visible than necessary. In Japan, often the homeless are subject to all kinds of assults, and many get killed each year. Yes, this is a hate crime that scares them. And this is part of the reason why they do not want to make any contact with strangers like us in the street...