Homeless on the Beach

[Plan9]

For some reason, I just enjoy photographing the homeless. They usually have very unique characters, and it really shows in photographs. Plus, there are a ton of them around here. Hopefully one day I'll get the chance to do a real photo essay and follow one around for a couple of weeks...

But anyway, here's another homeless series by me...

1
http://static.flickr.com/109/302522839_79489a8da3_o.jpg


2
http://static.flickr.com/106/302522888_4a3ec5c690_o.jpg


3
http://static.flickr.com/105/302522649_c25c620c14_o.jpg


4
http://static.flickr.com/122/302522784_487655596d_o.jpg


5
http://static.flickr.com/106/302522735_fd61f5e7a1_o.jpg


6
http://static.flickr.com/118/302522692_c601f38a7b_o.jpg

A different homeless guy, just thought this one was slightly humorous:
http://static.flickr.com/119/302544667_7352799170_o.jpg

And, the obligatory pretty picture:
http://static.flickr.com/108/302523159_3bfb391f54_o.jpg

[AlexK]

Great series! Thanks for sharing!

I love your B&W. Did you shoot B&W or converted? I'm still learning and trying to do some B&W stuff, but nothing good comes out yet.

I think I see some reddish/orange spot on #5 under his right eye, or maybe it's my monitor?

#1 makes me think of Fidel Castro after resignation:)

[joegolf68]

Very nice. Your pictures tell a story. One of my goals is to go downtown and take some shots of street people. Sad stories.

[ootsk]

Looks a lot like Ventura. Nice pictures, by the way.

[Darryl Baptista]

All excellent,I love the B& W photos Darryl

[Plan9]

Great series! Thanks for sharing!

I love your B&W. Did you shoot B&W or converted? I'm still learning and trying to do some B&W stuff, but nothing good comes out yet.

I think I see some reddish/orange spot on #5 under his right eye, or maybe it's my monitor?

#1 makes me think of Fidel Castro after resignation:)

I shoot color and convert to black and white, and reccomend you always do the same. FOr one, the in-camera conversion is not very good anyway, so you will end up PPing them anyway. Plus, whenever you have the camera set to in-camera B+W, you will invariably shoot a picture that you will wish you had in color and will end up kicking yourself, since there's no going back.

And I think it must be your monitor - I don't see a spot on mine.

Looks a lot like Ventura. Nice pictures, by the way.

Thank you, and good call. It most certainly is Ventura.

[Carzee]

Ripple city. Is that a lake?

I like number 4; 'Pharmacy' (except the fingers).

[WxGuesser]

If you're gonna be homeless.. might as well have beachfront property!

[cgratti]

For some reason, I just enjoy photographing the homeless. They usually have very unique characters, and it really shows in photographs. Plus, there are a ton of them around here. Hopefully one day I'll get the chance to do a real photo essay and follow one around for a couple of weeks...



Why dont you ask one if you can follow him around for a while, maybe buy him a lunch or two in return, or give them some of the clothes you have that you don't want or fit into anymore.

[Plan9]

Why dont you ask one if you can follow him around for a while, maybe buy him a lunch or two in return, or give them some of the clothes you have that you don't want or fit into anymore.

Oh, I will. I have one in mind, namely the guy I shot for this series (http://flickr.com/photos/plan9/sets/72157594241549734/). The problem isn't getting his permission, I'm sure he'd allow me too...it's just waiting til I have enough time and energy to do the project properly instead of half assing it

[Plan9]

Ripple city. Is that a lake?

I like number 4; 'Pharmacy' (except the fingers).

no sir, that's the Pacific ocean.
And yeah, #4 is my favorite as well.

[ashleymcnamara]

I like number 1 a lot.

[jsphotos]

I like #5

[kclancy]

Very nice. Your pictures tell a story. One of my goals is to go downtown and take some shots of street people. Sad stories.

Actually you'd be shocked. I've met some really nice guys that actually like the lifestyle they live. Being a fishermen i've met some great people that are homeless and they know a lot about fishing and help me out a lot. Great pictures i like the eye contact one a lot!

[Plan9]

Actually you'd be shocked. I've met some really nice guys that actually like the lifestyle they live. Being a fishermen i've met some great people that are homeless and they know a lot about fishing and help me out a lot. Great pictures i like the eye contact one a lot!

Sadly they are the minority. The majority of homeless people have a substance abuse problem or mental health issues - many times both.

[ghibli99]

I see the color spot under his eye in 5, too.

That picture that you thought was humorous (7) actually comes across as sad to me... it's like he's thinking about his own past. This one evokes the most emotion in me.

-Mike

[grego]

WHen i first saw, my message was going to be get closer, which you did. I'd like to see more of that since you seem to have this man's trust to some degree.

Oh, I will. I have one in mind, namely the guy I shot for this series (http://flickr.com/photos/plan9/sets/72157594241549734/). The problem isn't getting his permission, I'm sure he'd allow me too...it's just waiting til I have enough time and energy to do the project properly instead of half assing it

I think once you get started, you'll get into it and forget about the "half assing" it part.

Sadly they are the minority. The majority of homeless people have a substance abuse problem or mental health issues - many times both.

Yeah, a big homeless surge occured after the country started closing the mental institues in the 80's. I've studied about the homeless in some of my anthropology classes. Very sad.

very good photo essays by LA Times people. Very chilling.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lopez16oct16-series-2,0,7749507.special

[Chris]

I like #5 and the stubby cigarette reminds me of the homeless I see in downtown Chicago that pick up discarded cigarettes off the sidewalk.

[Miyagi-san]

Candids are my favorite shoots to venture out on...and the homeless are high on my list as well...great shots...keep sharing!

not my best...but one of my favs... :)
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/wolfgang7/newkbsize.jpg

[SBCmetroguy]

Excellent, I really like these!

Question: How do you get homeless people to warm up to you?

I'm not necessarily looking to get shots of them, but homeless people are always running me off when I'm taking urban shots in the downtown area.

[Plan9]

Excellent, I really like these!

Question: How do you get homeless people to warm up to you?

I'm not necessarily looking to get shots of them, but homeless people are always running me off when I'm taking urban shots in the downtown area.

Just talk to them like they are normal people. I just approach them like I'd approach anyone else, and converse with them like I would and other friend or acquiantance. It all depends on the person though. Some will be friendly right off the bat, some will take some warming up to, and some will never be friendly.

[SBCmetroguy]

Just talk to them like they are normal people. I just approach them like I'd approach anyone else, and converse with them like I would and other friend or acquiantance. It all depends on the person though. Some will be friendly right off the bat, some will take some warming up to, and some will never be friendly.

Thanks. I've had some totally freak out when I had the camera pointed toward subjects behind them or above them, and no amount of talking would change their minds. They'd chase me out of the area.

I've had a couple others ask me for money while I was shooting beside them. I'm always nice when I say I don't have any but they never believe me because I'm carrying around a couple thousand bucks worth of equipment. I can see why they'd not believe me, but I've had one try to mug me afterward. I had to fight him off and then jump in my car and leave.

I don't want to have to carry a gun with me, but the homeless here seem very mean. I'm going to continue trying to get them warmed up to my presence, because I'm going to get my urban shots one way or another.

Thanks again for the info. :) You seem to have a way with them, which I hope I someday can as well.

[LithiumNitrate]

That picture that you thought was humorous (7) actually comes across as sad to me... it's like he's thinking about his own past. This one evokes the most emotion in me.

-Mike


ditto.

i liked 4-6 best. i would print these out, like 3x5 maybe, and give it to the guy as a thanks. that wedding pic says the most, tho, i think.

[SBCmetroguy]

The photos were touching, to me at least.

[Plan9]

Thanks. I've had some totally freak out when I had the camera pointed toward subjects behind them or above them, and no amount of talking would change their minds. They'd chase me out of the area.

I've had a couple others ask me for money while I was shooting beside them. I'm always nice when I say I don't have any but they never believe me because I'm carrying around a couple thousand bucks worth of equipment. I can see why they'd not believe me, but I've had one try to mug me afterward. I had to fight him off and then jump in my car and leave.

I don't want to have to carry a gun with me, but the homeless here seem very mean. I'm going to continue trying to get them warmed up to my presence, because I'm going to get my urban shots one way or another.

Thanks again for the info. :) You seem to have a way with them, which I hope I someday can as well.

Hah, well it sounds like your mistake might be that you're trying to shoot the really mentally ill ones. Honestly, I haven't had many run ins with these types of homeless, but from the ones I have encountered I learned it is usually best to leave them well enough alone.

[SBCmetroguy]

Un-friggin-believable!

I've looked through your Flickr page and your photography is most excellent. I hope to one day be that good. :D

[macroshooter]

there is something about the pictures that I like, but I'm not sure what it is.

[Familia]

lovely!

[chuckvanhalen]

Nice portraits.

[Cleo199]

Beautiful series. We have a huge homeless problem here too, but no beaches to sit at.

Oh, and I too see the pink spot on #5.

[Shutter22]

They're all very very excellent.

How do you like Brooks? I'm in high school now and looking at schools. I've looked at it before, so you're opinion would be awesome.

[coreypolis]

They're all very very excellent.

How do you like Brooks? I'm in high school now and looking at schools. I've looked at it before, so you're opinion would be awesome.
If you want some more info on brooks PM me any ?'s

[Plan9]

Thank you for all the compliments on this series as well! And while I like the shots alot, I don't think it is anywhere close to my 'best' work with the homeless.

This series right here (http://flickr.com/photos/plan9/sets/72157594241549734/) was one in which I actually got to spend a little more time with the gentlemen being photographed. I actually had the chance to buy them lunch and tobacco from a nearby mini-mart, and talk with them for a few hours (which, to tlc, I think should be proof enough to you that I am not 'exploiting' these men!). This worked out well as I talked with them throughout the 'golden hour' (right before sunset) and ended up getting what I consider to be one of the best photos I've ever taken because of that. This is the photo:

http://static.flickr.com/61/227972249_58e7850c92.jpg?v=0

[Velocity]

Very emotive shots. Well done.

[StealthLude]

he seems like a good sport for letting you take his picture. I hope you threw him a few bucks for HIS time. =)

[birmphoto]

sorry i didnt read through the whole thread! nice shot!, ventura im sure? you go to brooks? im a VJ at brooks.

[LCF]

Plan 9,
Very striking portraits you did of this old man, very sad, at least it doesn't seem to be as cold there as it is here.

[Skip Souza]

OK boys and girls we now resume with our regularly scheduled programming.

Please do not run with scissors or throw sand in the face of your playmates or this playground will be permanently closed.

[Miyagi-san]

very nice work...

[Plan9]

OK boys and girls we now resume with our regularly scheduled programming.

Please do not run with scissors or throw sand in the face of your playmates or this playground will be permanently closed.

Thank you for saving my thread Skip, it had turned in to quite a train wreck! :) Just further proof that this is one of, if not the best moderated boards out there!

Anyway, that was the first time I've ever been told I was exploiting anyone with my photos, and hopefully the last. It really burns me up to think someone would have the nerve to claimI was exploiting the homeless in this series! I am completely open to critique of my work, but I feel that was just taking it too far.

I care about all the subjects I photograph, and I think (or at least I hope) that shows in my work. That's why I chose to study photojournalism, rather than still photography: I love getting the chance to meet new and interesting people, and do my best to capture their spirit and personality in photographs, and I hope that one day I will be able to share that with the world (and, of course, the wonderful people @ POTN).

[coreypolis]

It was a worth while post. Its funny, I post pictures from the 3rd world and every raves at them, but show the same conditions in the US and every gets up in arms about it. Guess it hits to close to home for some.

[Plan9]

They're all very very excellent.

How do you like Brooks? I'm in high school now and looking at schools. I've looked at it before, so you're opinion would be awesome.

It's great, I love it. Expensive and lots of work, but you'll learn A LOT!
PM me if you want more info :]

[PhotosGuy]

Thank you for saving my thread Skip, it had turned in to quite a train wreck! Well, your username is a trainwreck in itself? http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/smilies/rotfl2.gif

I looked at the series in your gallery & it's very nice work. I'd use a Layer Mask to bring out their eyes a bit more?