Concrete Bed

Posted on November 14, 2009 by The Lazy Photographer

HeritageLights-477EDIT3

I said it before, I struggle with the ethical issue of photographing homeless. I think it’s because I am “profiting” from their situation, so to speak. They make provocative subjects, yet to them it’s just life. It’s almost as if I’m exploiting them in some way. I know I’m not, but still… I mentioned this in a comment on Mauro’s blog yesterday. If you want to read some interesting thoughts on photography and see some great black & white images, check out his blog, Never In Colour. Anyway, here’s a photo from last Saturday. I was as much interested in the lighting and shadow effect as I was in the homeless person sleeping on the sidewalk. In the sunlit part of the sidewalk you can see people walking to and from, while in the shaded area is only this homeless person. Sort of the light and dark of life.

UPDATE: Taking the suggestions of Mauro and Wildstorm, I’ve converted this photo to black & white and dialled back the contrast a bit. I think this version is an improvement. Hope you like it.

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5 Responses to Concrete Bed

  1. Mauro Metallo says:
    November 14, 2009 at 8:59 pm

    Thanks for your support, Dave. You are too kind and I truly appreciate.
    The homeless make for a very thorny photographic topic, I know. I seldom shoot them as well: I don’t feel comfortable…
    Anyway, your photo is good for subject, composition and framing, although on my monitor it looks a bit overprocessed…
    Try to convert it in B/W: It may lose its harshness… Just my two cents.
    Keep up the good work.

  2. wildstorm says:
    November 14, 2009 at 11:36 pm

    I agree–try it out in B/W. It’s a great shot though. As for photographing the homeless, I have not done so yet, but I can’t say I struggle with the idea too much unless I am publishing for profit. Then there is an issue. Continue what you are doing. It’s a pleasure to stop by to see what you see.

  3. davecandoit says:
    November 15, 2009 at 10:16 am

    Thanks Mauro and Wildstorm. I converted it to black & white and dialled back the contrast a spec and I think I agree that it looks better like this.

  4. Mauro Metallo says:
    November 15, 2009 at 5:41 pm

    Sure it does…But, then again, I’m “Never In Color” !!!!

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