Thanks, Stan, and thanks to everyone who waded in on this one. Lots of thoughtful and thought-provoking comments.
I think I agree with the majority. He was in public and my portrayal of him wasn't demeaning or insulting. For me it's a different situation if one sleeping in a doorway or on a sidewalk grate; my feeling is that's their "bedroom" and is as close to privacy as they may ever get. I will always ask before photographing in that situation. I will agree with Dan: the vast majority of those sleeping in the streets have serious substance addictions, a major mental illness or (more likely) both. Because they don't have a fixed address they can't get welfare, without a home or place to become presentable they will never get a job and the downward spiral is inevitable. I want to portray such people with dignity and compassion and frankly I think I succeeded here. Thanks again for all the thoughts. Cheers, frank --- Original Message --- From: Stan Halpin <s...@stans-photography.info> Sent: November 1, 2012 11/1/12 To: "Pentax-Discuss Mail List" <pdml@pdml.net> Subject: Re: PESO - Bloor Station, Rush Hour I generally do not like street people or beggar photos because of the "exploitation" factor. There seems to be a fine line between legitimate social commentary and "hey, look at the funny bag lady." However I really like this shot Frank. I wouldn't want to hang it on my wall, but think it would be a good candidate for your People of Toronto book. What makes it for me is that the shot doesn't just show the man, but also the reaction of all those around him, turning their heads away, rushing on about their business. stan On Nov 1, 2012, at 12:20 PM, Don Guthrie wrote: > The man is in a public place doing what he does. I don't think it is > exploiting to take and post the photo. > > That said I don't think the picture works for me as a because I see people > but I don't see their reaction to him. > > > > pdml-requ...@pdml.net wrote: >> Message: 14 >> Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2012 03:01:29 +0000 (UTC) >> From:"knarftheria...@gmail.com" <knarftheria...@gmail.com> >> To:PDML@pdml.net >> Subject: PESO - Bloor Station, Rush Hour >> Message-ID: >> >> <1900588578.228339.1351738900501.javamail.se...@ap0.p2.fra.samsungsocialhub.net> >> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 >> >> Well, I have a dilemma here and your opinion would help me. I do take photos >> of beggars from time to time but I try not to exploit them and do try to >> show them in a very "human" way. >> >> So here's today's PESO: >> >> http://knarfinthecity.blogspot.ca/2012/10/bloor-station-rush-hour.html?m=0 >> >> Exploiting or no? It's obviously a jarring image and one that many will find >> uncomfortable to look at (indeed one ~should~ feel uncomfortable). >> >> However my thoughts are, firstly, that I take pictures of all sorts of >> people from business people to firefighters to construction workers; beggars >> are as much a part of a city as anyone else. Secondly, I think there's a >> story here that goes beyond simply, "here's a beggar, let's gawk." I won't >> tell you what I think that story is; if the viewer can't see stories then >> the photo obviously isn't working (for that viewer). >> >> So if you have thoughts on this photo and whether I should display it I >> would love to hear them. >> >> And comments on the photo itself are welcome. >> >> Thanks, >> frank -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
