minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Last weekend I took a photo that bothered me, and I would appreciate opinions and feedback about the image and/or about the issues I'm raising. Please include your own photos (or not), they are welcome.

I am not a street photographer, but do dabble in it especially when I go to New Orleans. I’ve always taken pictures of interesting local characters, homeless people, tourists - some with their permission, some without their knowing, some candid and some posed. I wouldn't call any of them portraits.

This one seems more of a portrait to me. And, it has been bothering me more than other photos I’ve taken secretly or openly.This young man came by as I got out of the car before 7 AM, asking for money. His trouble was easy to spot. He walked with us a couple of blocks towards an area where others had already congregated or slept the night before. I asked for a photo which he gladly obliged. He is somebody’s child, bogged down on a bad road, and he has made me sad every time I scan past this image. If it makes me feel bad, does that mean I should not have taken it? Why did this one bother me so? Maybe because I have sons and grandsons, maybe because he was so young, or maybe it was the cat...

Technically, I had issues with lens fog, which even with the best precautions is unavoidable immediately after you step into New Orleans in August. I didn’t try to mitigate that in post. I didn’t try to mitigate anything. I will attempt editing improvements if some are suggested.

But the ethical/philosophical question I am asking is if any of you who do street photography feel conflicted about some of the images you take, and what you do about that.

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debbie wrazen Loc: Western New York

I haven't done much street photography but do work with students who have learning challenges. Your photo is beautiful . The young man is smiling and is obviously experiencing a moment of happiness, allowing you to take his photo with his treasured companion. Some people have journeys that may have difficulties but rest easy knowing that you may have eased pain not caused it. You shared your talents . Maybe giving him a hard copy of your photo ( if you can find him again) may help both of you.

carlysue Loc: Columbus

I assist in a 3rd grade classroom and I look at their sweet faces and I know that living on the street is not what they aspire to. So many hopes and dreams. Because this boy is somebody's son whose life is not what he thought it would be is why I struggle with street photography. I'm drawn to those images,tho', and find that those shots are most memorable.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

There is much alienation in modern society, and being down and out, troubled, homeless, etc., makes that worse. People hunger for recognition, connection, interaction more so than they do for anything else. You did good. By taking a photo you said, in effect, "you exist, I see you, you matter."

I like the photo a lot, and I am glad that you took it.

Mike

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

I'm sorry but I have to look at from another viewpoint. Right or Wrong. He is where he because that is where he wants to be. That might sound like cold a heart but it is what is. I will give you a case in point.

I walk in to a McDonald, there is a young man working the counter. He has what some might call arms, but were more like flippers. He was so proud in his work it make me feel proud that he waited on me. This young man had a choice, he choose to go forward in life besides the fact people will be staring, young-ens will be pointing and he still chose to go forward.

The person above chose to live this life style, as crude and ruff as it might appear but the bottom line it's his choice. I don't feel sorry for him.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

You have absolutely no way to know this particular young man's situation. Many are thrown into desperate circumstances through no fault of their own. Yet your automatic default position is that you don't care. Even if it were their fault, that is no excuse for your cruel and callous attitude.

I feel sorry for you, I truly do. But since you are right where you want to be, spiritually, then according to you I should not feel sorry for you.

I apologize for potentially trashing this thread minniev, but I just couldn't let those remarks go unanswered.

Mike

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

She asked for are honest opinion. I gave it. If you wish to be a bleeding heart buy a mini van and bring them home with you have a great time. I'd rather see them get a job. I've parked my share cars, drove a taxi, carried golf clubs, painted fences and never once was my hand out. You are not my judge.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

min living where I do I see and have shared photographs showing people in a much worse condition than this young man. If you treat your model with respect and never undermine their dignity I think you are on safe ground. This fella is reasonably clean looks well fed with no signs of chronic drug abuse. He appears to be a cat lover so in my book he is an OK guy.
How he got where he is or why he lives like he does is not for us to judge. Some choose to live alternative lifestyles especially when young.
To compare him with a young man suffering with a disability working at flipping burgers is unnecessary and almost judgmental. Also assuming his situation is desperate is not the correct thing to do. One photo does not tell us that.
You just recorded a moment in time shared with a stranger living in a different enviroment to yourself. The interaction between you is obvious and shines out of this photo.
A candid shot of a drunk who has passed out on the sidewalk is the sort of thing where their may be a betrayal of the persons dignity. Thats up to the person behind the lens and his or her conscience.
You did nothing wrong here min.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

To give you an idea one of the many reasons for my lack of concern. There was a pan handler in town. My friends wife handed him five bucks as we passed, I told her she was crazy. I listened to her rant, much like yours. About 1/2 latter he had disappeared. Drove around and found him behind a dumpster. Oh the poor man she exclaimed. I told her to look again, he was talking on his IPad. Case closed.

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Hmmmm....I think this brought out emotions in you because you have young men in your life...grandsons. Other than being somewhat dirty looking, he does look healthy and not sad about being in this position. I don't feel overly bad for him, but sad that there has to be people like this.
I have not had any opportunity for street photography like this and I will be anxious to hear what others have to say too.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

You have hit on another reason this probably bothers me. I spent my career working with the Lost Boys, and I know too many of the young men who show up on the local news as victims or perpetrators of crimes, some were referred when they were in kindergarten.

I am glad you saw the beauty, you have obviously had the same practice I have had in watching too many of them go down this sorrowful path.

I have taken hard copies to some of the street performers, but they are easier to find, and less likely to be dead or incarcerated than the ones with these problems.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Thanks for the comments Carlysue. I'm a pretty tough old lady who's seen a lot, but this one got under my defenses for some reason. He had a sweet spirit, and the cat's total trust in him out on a busy street touched me too. My cat would have shredded me!

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Thank you Mike. I've seen more of the younger people on the streets the past couple of years, and more of all ages with track marks like his, a bad sign indeed, that trouble is almost impossible to escape from. But in spite of the downhill run he surely knows he's on, he had a sweet spirit - and a cat that had total confidence in him.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I appreciate having the other side addressed, too, so thanks for responding. I started the thread in hopes of hearing a range of thoughts, so yours is as important as any other. Yes, he has chosen a bad path, and I don't so much feel sorry for him as sorry about him. A person who has made positive choices in the face of adversity is to be admired. But I grieve for those who have a good spirit, which this kid seemed to have, but ran off the road somewhere and may not get back on, for any number of reasons.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

He had enough track marks to convince me he was well acquainted with needles, among other things. But like some of the so called "delinquent" young folks I worked with during my career, he still had a sweet spirit. If a cat trusts you enough to ride on your shoulders through the French Quarter, you must have some gentleness in your soul.

I know you see people in dire conditions every day. And I've certainly seen and photographed folks in far worse difficulty. This one got to me, and though I took his photo with his permission, it has bothered me more than the others. That's why I was asking the question. Maybe it was the cat...