The King of Eutaw Street

Image I referenced.

I have two questions. The first is the usual aesthetics of the

image. The second is what are you thoughts on photographing the

homeless and poor in America? After taking the image below with the

sign another individual asked me why I had taken the gentleman's

photograph. It really caught me off guard and made me think about

the appropriateness of making such images. In the book "Willy Ronis

55" by Paul Ryan, the author writes, "Ronis Honours the easily

mocked, the easily pitied, by refusing to photograph them. Choosing

when not to take a photograph is a mark of integrity, but a hard one

to illustrate."

They have no home, they have no voice either. That's why I would say: take and make public the pictures of these people if these will speak what they would like to say. But if the pictures don't, or worthier if these are judging (better said "pre-judging") them in any way, than better don't take any picture of these people or don't make them public. Of course, these people are still americans, so first of all you have to get their agreement to take their picture. But what's important begins only after that. Integrity and moral issues are concerned with keeping their dignity of human beings untouched. Or, as it looks you fulfill these "conditions", I agree with you to show this face of the reality too.

As for aesthetics, this is a great picture. Not original, but very nice and very well done.

First, I'll say that I like the aesthetic of the shot a great deal. The close crop is a nice vehicle for confronting us and making us try and perceive the guy as he is. I think the tonality of the image is very pleasant but perhaps slightly flat. As a portrait, I think it works very well overall.

The second issue about the appropriateness of such photography is, I think, dependent on the way in which it is presented. Like any subject matter, I think you need to ascertain whether the image contains anything compelling that would prompt a viewer to probe and understand the subject. I have one such image in my portfolio. The decision to make it into a print and to post it was based on my feeling that the guy had something to say through his facial expression. What was being said I leave to the viewer but the ultimate question for me was, "Is there something there that speaks to the viewer?" And not in a maudlin or patronizing way... Here I see someone whose facial lines and eyes speak of loss or pain or just a plain old hard life, but not in an undignified way. To me, the decision to share this image, Erik, was the right one. Good job.