Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I have been a fan of his work for a while or at least his post processing style.

totally exploitive photography
even if he does pay them (which I have no idea if he does or not....)
very sad

How can you say its exploitive? I suppose every photograph is exploitive to some degree or other. Over the years many street people who inhabit Yonge street alone have had interesting stories to tell. Old Rosie sold flowers, some sold pencils, some went home in a limousine after "work". For the most part they are just ignored. I'm betting that after he saw them, and spoke with them, they were more than happy to pose for him, whether it was for money or not.

I kind of see what FrankE is saying. The post processing and lighting makes them look almost menacing and inhuman. From an aesthetic perspective, great shots, I really like the moods and emotions the photos appear to evoke. From a humanistic perspective, I would probably agree with FrankE to a certain extent. No one knows what happened behind the scenes at this shoot, so I wouldn't be too judgmental, but I see where FrankE is coming from.

If he went down to Skid Row and took multiple photos of the same person, as per his website, from that distance without permission and lacking respect....he has super sized gonads. Heck, if he is able to get that level of connection and draw as he steals their photo then sign me up to learn how!

I see strength in his subjects, however, I believe a photograph, the viewer, and subject are always three different things.

His photos certainly dispel any notion that homeless people are scary people not to be approached. Some people in Toronto are terrified to make eye contact with people that aren't homeless...

I tried to replicate with a "dragan effect" action I grabbed off the internet, converted to B+W, and there would have still been miles to go.

It looks like hours of dodging and burning.

Very moving pics!

The photos are very nice. Kind of reminds me of a wet plate look.

However, I would never shoot homeless people personally. The look emphasizes the "weather, life-beaten" life. I wouldn't feel comfortable using them as subjects to emphasize how tough their life can be. I'd feel like i was disrespecting them, but that's just my humble opinion and if others want to use them as subjects, fine, as long as they are respected. I do get upset when i see people on the street just taking photos of homeless without asking their permission.

Sneaking pics of the homeless is not respectful of them or their plight whether its their fate or by choice. But if you talk with them you would be surprised how friendly some can be. Those with mental issues are another story. But for my part in talking with them they are surprisingly friendly. And they dont mind being the subject of a photo shoot at all. Particularly, if there is a couple bucks in it for them. Now is that exploitation? I dont think so.

Although it's not my preference to 'sneak photos' (I usually don't work this way and what exactly is sneaking ? ) of those who are without homes, I won't condemn others photographing someone in this situation without asking permission or talking to them beforehand. At times, I feel photographers only talk to the homeless prior to taking their photos merely to assuage any guilt they may harbour about what they're about to do. Yep, token talk time.


Imo, it is. They have the need for money and you (in the community sense) have the need for photos *BUT* you have the leverage in this situation in that if you don't have a photograph, life goes on samo samo. Indeed, the photographer may come away with a photo to post here or Flickr or wherever and what does the subject get ?

I cross paths with those without homes on a pretty regular basis and while a camera is always with me, and visible, I've never paid (food or cash) for a photo. I usually ask if this is their usual spot and if they want something to drink or eat. Head to the nearest place to find a coffee or sandwich and help make their day just a little bit easier. Wish them luck and I'm gone, without picking up the camera. It's how I try to roll.

ymmv

First thing I thought of was Dickens.

Jeffries has quite an impressive selection of flickr "favorites".

Thanks for sharing the links - I'd be too afraid to approach those subjects with a camera.

As Bynx said, all you have to do is just go up and say hello and go from there. It doesn't have to lead to raising your camera...

The images are intense, and as such make me uncomfortable and troubled as they should. Homeless or for that matter human struggle should make the viewer uneasy.
As for photographing homeless, the majority of them like the conversion and interaction. In this city, I have spent many nights at the bus terminal and other areas making images. I hang an image in my home of a homeless man names Paul whom my path crossed numerous times. As he would drink his Lysol, he would tell me about his journey and dreams. My last encounter with Paul was years ago as he was mounting a bus to Montreal to live out a wish to see his brother. We shook hands, I give him some food for the ride and a few bucks. As he left, he cried, and I realized he too looked forward to seeing me in the middle of the night. Agreed, more then not the camera is never raises, the interaction is everlasting.

Wow.