A sad photo, in past generations their families would have taken them in an dealt with the variety of issues. Now, society and “the community” is expected to resolve every issue, I’m not sure which method is better.
….and a lot of them DO choose this way of life!
I know; I can try to help so many of them.. most get food stamps, and alot of free meals, and locals in Walnut Creek are pretty kind with their cash.. And I found a good number of them have relatives living close by, but they don’t wish live by the rules of thier homes.
I help when I can, when the spirit prompts, but ive really lost a lot of compassion. Our doting kindness has actually enabled them .
Our local authorities need to offer mental health and/or addiction counseling to the vulnerable in situations like this. If they decline and still occupy public space, arrest them for the laws we have on the books and compel them into treatment. They have an illness, perhaps several at the same time. We must accept that reality and do our best to treat the sick rather than perpetuate their illness.
I’d like to learn more about this picture. Seems posed to me, too perfect. Somehow the addict decides to sit exactly framed under the light, his clothes seem to match the artifacts to his right which are a very odd color/pattern, and the photographer stands right in front of him waiting for the moment he sparks? If I’m wrong I guess I’m giving a compliment to the shooter!
Ha! We’ll let the maker answer up if they’re of a mind to but you’re laboring under a few misconceptions, JackD. One is that there’s a difference between run of the mill street photography and that captured by an artist. For starters, for now, we’ll just say that this photo is very, very real… and was made by someone very good at their craft.
And here’s a response from the maker:
Thank you for your comment and interest in the photo.
The image was not staged in any way. The female subject was set back in the alcove and taking various positions in a somewhat nervous manner varying between laying down and sitting up with activities ranging from grooming to almost chain-smoking cigarettes one after another. Occasionally engaging passersby in conversation. That location near the corner of Lacassie and N. California, provides an easy vantage point for photographing without being all that noticeable.
It is not obvious in the photo but she was wearing a greenish tank top and black shorts and frequently fidgeting with the yellow/gold scarf she has draped over her head. Her belongings were stored in the two camo backpacks and the blue item on her right was a water bottle she would drink from between cigarettes.
As for the composition it was just one of those things that came together.
Thanks for the response, what a fantastic shot. And most importantly it captures a part of humanity that most of us drive by at 30+ miles an hour with little reflection. Or maybe we mutter to ourselves that someone needs to clean the streets up, without fully contemplating the souls we want to stop seeing.
Most welcome, JackD. We would wager that most people have no idea what goes into making a picture of this type. And we agree it provides perspective and insight into lives most of us are happy to drive past without a second thought.
Totally Banksy.
A sad photo, in past generations their families would have taken them in an dealt with the variety of issues. Now, society and “the community” is expected to resolve every issue, I’m not sure which method is better.
Firestone 11R
An artistic rendering of a sad scene.
….and a lot of them DO choose this way of life!
I know; I can try to help so many of them.. most get food stamps, and alot of free meals, and locals in Walnut Creek are pretty kind with their cash.. And I found a good number of them have relatives living close by, but they don’t wish live by the rules of thier homes.
I help when I can, when the spirit prompts, but ive really lost a lot of compassion. Our doting kindness has actually enabled them .
Not wanting to live with relatives or a shelter does not equal choosing to be homeless in my mind. Many more variables at play.
Our local authorities need to offer mental health and/or addiction counseling to the vulnerable in situations like this. If they decline and still occupy public space, arrest them for the laws we have on the books and compel them into treatment. They have an illness, perhaps several at the same time. We must accept that reality and do our best to treat the sick rather than perpetuate their illness.
I’d like to learn more about this picture. Seems posed to me, too perfect. Somehow the addict decides to sit exactly framed under the light, his clothes seem to match the artifacts to his right which are a very odd color/pattern, and the photographer stands right in front of him waiting for the moment he sparks? If I’m wrong I guess I’m giving a compliment to the shooter!
Ha! We’ll let the maker answer up if they’re of a mind to but you’re laboring under a few misconceptions, JackD. One is that there’s a difference between run of the mill street photography and that captured by an artist. For starters, for now, we’ll just say that this photo is very, very real… and was made by someone very good at their craft.
And here’s a response from the maker:
Thank you for your comment and interest in the photo.
The image was not staged in any way. The female subject was set back in the alcove and taking various positions in a somewhat nervous manner varying between laying down and sitting up with activities ranging from grooming to almost chain-smoking cigarettes one after another. Occasionally engaging passersby in conversation. That location near the corner of Lacassie and N. California, provides an easy vantage point for photographing without being all that noticeable.
It is not obvious in the photo but she was wearing a greenish tank top and black shorts and frequently fidgeting with the yellow/gold scarf she has draped over her head. Her belongings were stored in the two camo backpacks and the blue item on her right was a water bottle she would drink from between cigarettes.
As for the composition it was just one of those things that came together.
Thanks for the response, what a fantastic shot. And most importantly it captures a part of humanity that most of us drive by at 30+ miles an hour with little reflection. Or maybe we mutter to ourselves that someone needs to clean the streets up, without fully contemplating the souls we want to stop seeing.
Most welcome, JackD. We would wager that most people have no idea what goes into making a picture of this type. And we agree it provides perspective and insight into lives most of us are happy to drive past without a second thought.