Dave Chinn

Would you, could you, will you?

(Download)

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

Nope. Too many of these folks are scammers. I watched a guy at a Walmart parking lot go into his trunk (of a new Chevy Aveo) and pull out one (of many) cardboard signs among an array of old tatty clothes. There may be some legit ones but I'm not falling for it. Every Christmas I give a new bike to the local police and then I divvy up $1000 to different charities with most going to Make-a-Wish.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Yeah- I know or heard about groups of "professional panhandlers" who work the streets and pool there takes each day..some are fact and some are urban legends. My own experience in my city proves otherwise in many situations.

I will say that my city has incredible resources for unfortunate people and in most cases NOBODY needs to live on the street and go entirely homeless. There are countless charities, shelters, social workers, church and grovenemtnal organizations, veterans gorups and services. The people that are actually homeless are usually suffering from serious emotional, psychological, major addictions or untreated medical disorders and perhaps don't want to be helped or just to down and out and disabled to seek out assistance. Some of theses are young folks and that is absolutely tragic. Among theses "street people" are victims that have been devistatigly abused, veterans with untreated disorders, older folks suffering from dementia and some circumstances that I won't even discuss here- almost unbelievable! So some legitimately needy people just, as the say, "fall through the cracks" into deep abyss! Most of theses people are not out to sacm anyone and sadly enough, many are found suffering from hypothermia, exposure or discovered frozen to death- it's cold in the Winter up here in Canada.

When I a stopped on the street by some of those people, believe me, I can look in their eyes and see the pain in their faces and know the are not driving home to their condo in a luxury car. I can tell if the are looking for a handout for a "fix" or if the really need a meal. I bought a good number of Big Macs in my line and I don't eat fast food!

Obviously, I can't give everyone money or food all the time but I can support some of the charitable organizations. I regularly do free photography for theses groups. On a few documentary jobs I have seen some pretty rough stuff- folks living under the steps of a shopping center and doing desperate and self destructive things. I can take someone into my warm car and drive them to a shelter or an emergency room, I can call an ambulance or the police service. I always have some old warm blankets in the car- they can save a life.

There are lots of "do-gooders" around who will throw money at causes (it's tax deductible) but protest whe the Salvation Army want to build a shelter in their neighborhood or if the health service wands to install a supervised injection site- it lowers the real estate values. Perhaps they would rather find poor dead folks behind their upscale apartment buildings- that happens.The go thereto eat out of dumpsters and seek shelter in garbage sheds and die there.

I am not playing Mr. Hero- I don't patrol the street looking for trouble and tragedy but if you live in an urban environment, unless you are blind, invisible or totally withou sympathy you are gonna see theses things, be approached by theses terribly neglected and desperate people and you gotta do something. Bad guys and scammers?- that's for the police to look after.

Unless I am on a documentary job, I don't photograph theses people. I know there is no entitlement to privacy in public spaces as if people were in their own home or on their private property. These folks have no property and sadly enough, the street is their home. If someone else want to make "art" out of them- that's their business. If I want to make a "character" portrait, I'll hire an actor or a model or wait for a client with a weathered complexion.

canadaboy

Its almost sad to say but the plight of needy often make very good images. More so if extreme post processing is used. Its how comfortable one feels taking these images. For sure its not journalism and will do nothing to ease the conditions for the subject. Those who roam urban streets with a camera are always faced with the dilemma of should I show this or not? The homeless will always be with us as will the thorny question of whether it is right to make art from their circumstances.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Crop left and bottom... crop tight to the message. Debating why he is panhandling is not the issue, the image is.

Tight Crop ... To The Message

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

It’s a good shot Dave and well processed, as we have come to expect from you.
Not sure this is the place to get into long discussions about what we do or don’t think of their problems or, indeed, donate on a personal basis, but homelessness is an awful sign of our modern times. Your picture highlights it well. I also like Don’s crop.

Stephan G

This particular person? No. The sign is similar to many other signs I've seen. There are people who are in the business of printing such signs. Also, there are several cues that indicate that he is not what he presents himself to be.

I have taken some people over the years to the local restaurant and paid for their meal. And I gave them an ear to their stories. Leaving with almost tearful thanks from them. Small actions do make big differences.

My daughter works with chronic homeless people for her chosen career. Her choice.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

Aside from the power of the image, the lighting looks really ideal. The mans placement in the composition does work neatly to hold it in check, from being in-your-face in both the subject, and viewers perspective. I am wondering if your camera was somewhere other than up to your eye. Im trying to imagine that you are making eye contact with him.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Art? Photojournalism? What is it?

Anyone who studied the history of photography and the bodies of work from the Farm Security Administration photo essay of the 1930s and the Appalachia photo project of the 1960s well understands the impact of raw, realistic imagery that exposes poverty and human suffering. Hopefully, theses images create public awareness and some actions are taken to help to correct some of theses tragic circumstances. It is said that a "picture is worth a thousand words" and old adage, but sometimes that are no words that will tell the story as succinctly, shockingly and impactfully as photographic images.

In my own life experience I did some documentary photography in a war zone and did try my hand a photojournalism- after my military service I worked as a press photographer on a daily newspaper. In both circumstances I witnessed and photographed people in some extremely and devastating events. The only way I coud bring the camera to my eye and point it at tragedy and shoot theses things is with the thought that my images would eventually "help" or do some good- perha prevent further misfortune, accidents, fires, neglect and apathy... etc. I never was incentified to shoot this stuff to get "brownie points" with my editors, get accolades from my associations, create art or make more money. Without this mindset I would probably throw up and run off somewhere! Sadly, many of theses kids of images end up as "tabloid fodder"- sensationalism. Folks get too used to it and after a while it becomes commonplace on newsstands and in"pulp" magazines and the impact is gone- it becomes sick entertainment for the morbidly curious. Well- eventually, I did run off and decided to continue my career as a commercial photgraher, however, my past experience left me with an indelible impression and a deep sense of compassion for people in dire circumstances.

I can still carry out a documentary assignment that illustrates impoverished, victimized or afflicted people. I do that for several charitable organization and donate all of my services.The photographs are used for creating public awareness, making presentations to secure assistance and funding to government representatives and general fundraising. I do not, however, do this for the sake of art. If my "artistry" makes for more telling images- so be it!

So friends, this is why I disagree with some of the reactions here that the story behind the subject is not as important as the photographic technicalities. Critiquing this image as if it were a "portrait" as to lighing and composition is rather ludicrous. If it is actually a true photojournalistic image the lighting placement or direction is not entirely within the photographers control so it is what it is! The composition in the original version is better in that it reveals all of the message on the sign and includes what looks like the subject's hand, there to receive the donation. The background suggests some kind of street location. Cropping it as a portrait with the "title" "homeless" as if it were a caption- well- y'all tell me!

Definitely "for you consideration"?

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Whilst far from disagreeing regarding the importance of homelessness and all that goes with it as a subject that we should all be aware of, in my opinion FYC is not the place for an in depth discussion and/or disclosure of what one may or may not do about the problem - see the Intro to the section, this is a photography and artwork forum. If we open up to every and any important issue in our world we become a discussion forum with the widest of briefs.

Stephan G

I will agree we should focus on the techniques. However, does that mean that we limit the subject matter and our reaction to the photograph? Any presentation has so many tangents to it. And it is possible, and probable, to have a free-wheeling discussion (or debate) as a result. I suggest that we temper ourselves and stay close to the focus of the particular forum. When it comes to the tangents, we can move that particular discussion to a more proper forum. Though sometimes the commentary goes directly to the effect of the shot. How successfully the message is carried over. Comments can indicate the success of the technique in taking the shot.

In my earlier posting, I replied to the questions asked. The shot was well put together. However, when compared to the real life, I found it lacking in its statement. My opinion, mind you.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Perhaps I am operating under a misconception. I thought FYC was indeed a place for deeper discussions about motivations and philosophies besides the aesthetics and technicalities of photography and again perhas an escape from the incessant preoccupation with gear and so-called rules of composition and lighting that appear in copious quantities all over this site. If I am wrong in my observations or attitude, please accept my apologies and carry on.

I mean we spend so much time, ink, effort. study and money to "perfect" our images, should we then not care ("CONSIDER") how theses image affect people and the message they send about our subjects and ourselves?

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

From your response, and whilst our views may not be far apart or dissimilar in regard to homeless folk, I doubt we will agree in regard to what makes a suitable use of the FYC section. I believe the section should be used as a critique forum which can, of course, extend to the impact felt by the viewer or, if it is the case, the impact the image has had upon society as a whole. Please understand, I am not being critical of you personally, I respect the contributions you have made to FYC, I simply feel this is not a general discussion section.

canadaboy

Surely if one just requires straight critique of work one would post in the Critique Forum and one would not expect side issues to be brought up. The interest of this section seems that areas such as motivations and philosophies are regularly carried over into the conversation and learning the views of others only widens our perspective.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Thank you for your response, it is appreciated. There is nothing wrong with civil debate and differences of opinion. No personal, political or philosophical offense taken. Perhaps some of theses ethical issues should be discussed, here or elsewhere on the forum. Discussion, back and forth, meeting of the minds and compromise is always a good thing and othere good things can result.

Compliments of the season!