"The Mean Streets: LA's Eviction Twins - Karen and Sharon"

When I first met the very aged twins on Los Angeles streets and asked

to take their photograph, they were terrified because their landlord said

when they returned home the would find themselves packlocked out by

him and the police. This is how they looked that early evening in their

terror to return to the place they had called home and anticipating their

goods on the sidewalk. These aged identical twins, were often

squabbling furiously because of anxiety over how their lives would finally

turn out. Your ratings, critiques and remarks are invited and most

welcome. If you rate harshl, very critically or wish to make an

observation, please submit a helpful and constructive comment; please

share your photographic knowledge to help improve my photography.

Thanks! Enjoy or at least be edified! john

I took a bunch of photos of this pair, and among them is the photo you seem interested in.

However, this photo tells the story of their terror.

It also tells a story of suspicion (see eyes left seeming to look at them) and finally the last two letters, right, spell the name of their town in abbraviation (L.A.)

I assure you I did not overlook the photo you were hoping I would take -- it's there and already worked up, but I won't add it on here.

It may easily appear here or in another forum for critique.  I found ths one 'told the story' better than just isolating the two subjects . . . . . and that was my 'artistic' goal  -- and it fits with the 'Request for Critique' but if it's too busy for you, then it may be for others, too.

However, I was prepared for both evantualities and I happen to like this one because of their bug-eyed look -- the look of total fear, anxiety and terror at their futures when they are near the 'end of the line'.

I appreciate your comment.  I won't rework this photo, as I have many others that reflect these two men, though they no longer in those photos, appear to have terror.

There's a long story there.

Maybe I'll tell it as time goes by.

john

John (Crosley)

In general, much older people voluntarily tell their age - many are proud to have achieved one landmark of age or another.

Not so Karen and Sharon (or Sharon and Karen as I have not figured out which is which and they offer no clues, even still dressing alike t their advanced age.

Their hope, a hope that is predominant in a place like LA, populated with actors, is that they appear in commercials (reclamen). 

However a probably cancerous nose on one and bad teeth on both probably foreclose that effort.

 Hope springs eternal, even among those facing a place in life that could be the end of them as a couple, or at least a free couple, not shackled by a guardian.

And above all else, they cherish their freedom, riding the bus to and fro on Los Angeles' West Side, recognized by every bus driver -- in part because they seldom have the fare.  For them the bus is their private vehicle, and they can often be seen as bus stops along a certain route.

;~))

john

John (Crosley)

As stark and gritty as this photo may seem and as grim as its message, this photo actually has a happy ending.

;~))

Hope springs eternal, and I (and a neighbor) helped change their direction and eventual history.

john

John (Crosley)

Phoe.., what should one say. I'm only silent and watching back, yes already for minutes. Eyes, eyes, eyes. Eyes packed in different faces, faces packed in different clothing. Both the extremes in manhood. The smelling and observing yup and the nearly brutal, yes the still brutal, excentric and the used to manipulating twins. John, what an image. Crushing..! This could be you first image "where the photographer nothing had to say." Obviously you did your best, but in fact they got you..! Crushing..! With this, in fact your shooting has been done. There's noting more to prove John. What is congrats.

With silence and respect, Olaf.   

Above are my first thoughts. I didn't read the comments before in staying objective. Minor point: I only have to get used to the format, that's all. :)

Best regards John! 

PDE

Another powerful image.  I like the image of the eyes behind and to the left.  It serves as stark contrast to the reality of these 2 women.  The women probably are more close to the everyday reality than the marketed photo attached to those eyes.

I hope things can work out for these 2 and I honestly hope the one forward can get some attention to that sore.

I agree, this is one powerful image. The looks on both of their faces are so different - and tell so much. What a tough life they must have. The must be very strong women.

Twins - still dressing the same too.

I know that you already commented on this, but the man's face on the background photo just does not seem to fit. This is such a good intense photo, this distraction seems to take a little away.

This is a touching double portrait, which shows very well their difficult lives.

Somewhere, someone suggested I take photos of the poor in Ukraine, where admittedly more (and a greater percentage) are poor than in the United States.

However, I can move with any crowd.  This is Los Angeles, one of the three largest metropolises in the United States and simply dwarfs Kiev in size and population when one considers the entire Los Angeles/Orange county/Riverside County Metropolitan area.

The day you wrote this, I was sitting in First Class on a jetliner inside the US (on a $5 ticket) talking with one of three experts in the world on nonflammable plastics used in parts of your computer, and we had a wonderful conversation.  I have sat similarly in the past with the United States Attorney General.

I doubt that very nice fellow who travels internationally almost for a living, would ever have a chance to meet these two twins let alone learn of them, however, I photoshopped subsequent photos of them in front of him (and opened his eyes, I am sure).

Yet he is only one degree of separation from them -- through me.

I met them several times while in Los Angeles, and heard their crushing news, but in fact, was able to save most of their problem through my legal knowledge, within a half hour (without becoming their attorney).

The landlord had NOT had them served with court papers, which in the United States is a prerequisite to evicting them.  In fact, with proper legal help, they may have MONTHS before they actually are evicted, and if they don't pay the landlord, have a skillful anti-eviction attorney (usually free through Senior Service or some similar agency), and they save their pensions, they will be able to move into another flat.

I only fear they need a financial guardian -- even a legal guardian -- to protect themselves..All subsequent photos (and their are many) are smiling happily.

On the second day of rent nonpayment in Ukraine, the landlord can lock you out or evict you I understand, not so in the United States and especially in California.  The landlord may end up paying THEM to leave -- and I told them that, provided they do what they were told by me and a neighbor who happened by.

This the look I found as these two women bickered and squabbled  -- all apparently from the anxiety of losing their long-time home at such an advanced age.

It would not be long, I think, if they were evicted, before they'd die.

I think personally I was able to help them (without again becoming their attorney) by getting them directed toward one AND for recognizing that the papers the landlord gave them (without more) were insufficient for him to evict them without a Court joining in, and that action COULD be forestalled for months.

Whether they will be able to carry through without a financial guardian is anybody's guess.

In the meantime, I have come across them several times and they were mostly smiles when they met me.

;~)))

It may have been a Cinderella ending (or partial ending) to what started out as a photo showing their stark terror at losing their home.

I do not always just sit back and take photos -- and those I help are not always my photo subjects.  Here the two coincide.

Svetlana, thanks for your kind comment. I do not just shoot the poor and homeless. I shot what I think is interesting, no matter what the country.

(this excells also as a color photo, but the bright colors contrasted with the starkness of their circumstance, and I felt made a mixed message)

john

John (Crosley) 

In general I take one photo from any encounter or just post one photo from any encounter.

In this photo I meant to tell a 'story' and the man's eyes are important to that story.  Otherwise there's less story, with his suspicious eyes not onlooking and the 'LA' in the background bus bench billboard, giving this photo a geographic location.

I agree that this photo, without those, also would have stood alone and been a strong photo.

It is one of those times when I got a comment on this photo in a photo store from the man who often sold Herb Ritts his equipment . . . . 'nice photo' he said when he looked it on my digital screen.  From him, and his clientèle, that's a huge compliment.  (Look at Herb Ritts' body of work and his finesse, and you'll see why I took that as such a huge compliment and it was NOT an offhanded compliment I think).

Another friend, a photography expert, simply could not look at this photo -- it was TOO powerful for him for reasons that to me are a little inexplicable.

Sid, your view is well taken, discussed above, and one in which I agree - I had an artist's choice which photo to post, and this was it.

Thanks for contributing - your opinion means something to me.

john

John (Crosley)

Thank you for the fine compliment.

Sometimes the photo gods smile.

Sometimes I get a chance to help people.

Other times, however seldom, I get a chance to do both at once, and this is one such time.

Oh, that sore -- over a week or so -- did not diminish. I suspect it's cancer - the relatively benign but invasive 'basal cell carcinoma' -- it was certainly NOT melanoma, or she would have died in six weeks.

Thanks for an encouraging remark.  (As you can see, by prior of my comments, I provided some help -- if they keep it.)

john

John (Crosley)

'With silence and respect'

There really is no higher compliment, and we know that you are no sycophant.

Thank you so much.

(I won't remark on the rest of your comment, and just commend it to readers.)

john

John (Crosley)

This is what those cute Hollywood starlets, twins even, turn out when they turn much older and stay together.

I make no distinction between taking photos of beautiful nudes and stark photos like this, old people, middle-aged people, younger people and kids.

They're all the subjects of my entire energy and varying and diverse artistic intent when in front of my camera . . . . or recently were until I stopped photographing recently.

(not voluntarily).

john

John (Crosley)

My caption says it all, and is actually a repeat of all that has been discussed above.

I see that there have been a couple of differing viewpoints with regard to the background. I personally think the man's face works well for 1. as you have explained, it is symbolic of people looking at them/scrutinising them either from their physical appearances or state of affairs or both; 2. being symbolic also of the slick and polished capitalism which creates the have/have not divide; and 3. providing us some idea of where they are (not certainly in a nice, comfy home) and therefore has added value.

If the twins were photographed singly or together with a washed out background, it would still have made a powerful photograph. However, the man's face in the background provides a little extra scope/imagination to interprete the photo. If the twins were not there but in front of some bland signboard, then we'd have had to accept that.

Thank you for letting us know there was a happy ending. It is as important as the photograph itself. Regards.

Thank you for a thorough discussion - and, as usual, right on the mark.

And as said before, this could have been posted with, or without the man, left and the letters, 'LA' at the right.

Artist's choice.

I'm afraid that except for combing through my archives, that's it for the future.

You may see regular postings, but nothing newly taken far into the forseeable center, not that I haven't seen such things of course, as you may fathom.  I'm just out of the active taking photograph taking business for reasons you know until I once again get something capable in my hands.

I do appreciate the able critiques through such a long, interesting time in my life, which in the past to now you have helped keep vital. 

john

John (Crosley)

Thanks for the compliment.

This is indeed a 'life photo', isn't it?

john

John (Crosley)

Keep up the good work.  I'm very often inspired by your submissions.  It may not be directly reflected in my own works but it gives me the encouragement to shoot in my own comfort zone and beyond.

What a very nice compliment.

Thank you so much.

Maybe it takes one (bum) to know one, or get inside the heart of those on the street.

Definitely I think few could take this photo -- ever.

As to 'comfort zone' just take a camera with you everywhere.

I did not have one recently (involuntarily) and missed taking what I am sure would have been a 'world class shot' - among the best of the best of my best -- really 'world class' -- would have belonged in a gallery.

Oh, well!

I couldn't avoid not having a camera, but 'jus goes ta show ya'.

[just goes to show you, for our non-USA readers]

john

John (Crosley)

It seems you getting better by each new photo I see from you.

John this is exellent in any way.

Even the background, how he is looking over her shoulder.

WOW, that is one hell of a good shot!!!

Greetings,

Joke

WOW!  What a great comment!

;~))

You outta see it in color (I'm saving that one -- they're dressed in purple with matching blue hats)

Thanks Joke.

Ever so much.

You brightened an otherwise dismal morning.

john

John (Crosley)

This photo seems to have great staying power, as it seems to keep drawing in comments long after most photos have given up the ghost.

Wim,I just keep trying and in trying I 'get around' a bit, and everywhere I go, I try to do two things (1) photograph whatever I see that interesting to me, and (2) improve my photography.

If your comment is any judge, my work is getting better.

That's success in my book, and justification for those shoes with holes in their souls and the aches from carrying sometimes more than two cameras and sometimes very large lenses (not here)

In fact, this lens was not expensive at all, though it pretends to be a 'pro' not a 'kit' lens, but just barely so.

A photoshopper I met said there was one main thing to doing a great job of photoshopping:  'First start with a great photo'.

I photoshop very little to put me in the situation where it's the photo, not the photoshopping, that counts.

john

John (Crosley)