Jer Loc: Mesa, Arizona

In Las Vegas you see your see a wide variety of Street people in various locations. This is a photograph of a man asking for money on one of the raised walkways on Las Vegas Boulevard. In the short time that I was there I never saw anyone give him money.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I really think this is an interesting image. You have the steady stream of people and the resignation of the unfortunate person on the sidewalk. I have gotten away from photographing homeless people. If I do, however, photograph one of these people, I pay them for the photo. Seems fair.
Erich

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Making a spectacle of someone as a way to exploit their unfortunate situation for the benefit of getting a "dramatic" photograph lacks ethical awareness.

My own standard is pretty simple. I may or may not talk to the subject, but my criteria is no picture if I would not be very pleased to sit and talk about the picture with the subject and their immediate family... and if possible give them a print. If I don't think the family/subject would be just as happy with an image as I would be, I don't take it.

I also apply a similar standard to posting images, here or on my website. The biggest problem is the vast differences in value systems around not just the world but also in much smaller areas too. If people in other places will mistake things such as dress or general environment as signs of inferiority rather than examples of differing reality, I tend to avoid displaying an image in locations where it is inappropriately understood. That applies to people's homes and possessions too, not just to their persons.

The OP in this case has posted a series of technically well executed images. None of them meet common standards for ethics. I would suggest a Google search on 'street photography ethics' as a starter, but also that it be expanded specifically to people photography and then generally to the ethics of all photography. Read "On Photography" by Susan Sontag. (I'm not able to provide quotes right now, but might start a separate thread on ethics.)

ejrmaine Loc: South Carolina

We've had many discussions in Street Photography about what's appropriate and where does one cross the line. In my opinion, I like to have my street photography provide thought or emotion, you can do that with empathy, without being critical of the subject.

My reasons for my images of Street Photography are rather basic, I capture scenes or people experiencing life as they are. All of these images tell a story, and the interpretation of that image is where the intrigue is.

Regarding the subject image, I like it. It certainly proves thought and emotion, and I expect that was Jer's intent.

Jer Loc: Mesa, Arizona

You're absolutely correct. The plight of the homeless is something people consistently overlooked because they're afraid to deal with it. I'm a photojournalist. Documenting the lives of people is extremely important so we can see how others live and interact with society. We have far too many homeless people in this country. Just like this photograph shows, people ignore our problems and just walk on by.
I've been working on this series of photos for a couple of years now. I'm not sure what I'm going to eventually do with the photographs and I'm hoping it will make people look at the tragic plight of homeless was far more compassion then we are doing now.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Your intent is to be commended. However, the pictures you are showing are exactly as you say above, "this photograph shows, people ignore our problems and just walk on by." Nothing is accomplished, and demonstrating what is happening does not demonstrate that it should or could change. These photographs re-enforce the problem by showing us exactly what it is we want to ignore.

They show that "we" are lucky not to be one of "them". They are down and out, we aren't. They are lonely, we aren't. The images show the things we don't want to be, and if you get too close it might rub off? A great example for Mother to use when telling Child to do as she says, or else.

I would highly suggest you focus not on how they are treated, but rather on showing what they really are and how they can be treated. Show them as human, with feelings, with hopes, and with helpful friends and with love. Sit down with them and get to know the person. They can laugh, they can smile, they can be happy, and your photography can show that! Show people helping, and the effect that has.

In the process you can become part of their community, and make them a part of yours too.

Jer Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Limits of photography is that you don't get to see exactly who some of these people are. Written coffee or video interviews would help accomplish that. I'm hoping when I finish the project and a couple of years and various cities that the total impact may have an effect on those that see it. However, I'm not that optimistic. Just like in the photograph people will just look at it and Walk On By.