justin_zepeda

<p>But I agree with all of you, maybe I should spend more time helping and spending time with my subjects, rather than photographing. It would most likely help me understand how to do it affectively.<br>

Thanks to all for the responses by the way, all great. I appreciate.</p>

<p>Well I have been working with this gay homeless couple by the names of Rich and Rey both 49 years of age and a african american woman by the name of Wilma. I honestly have spent time with my subjects. I like to get to know who I work with before I even take a photograph of them. I have gotten to know these people who I work with well, up to a certain point, but I just don't feel like I'm photographing them succesfullly and the way my intentions are. <br>

Most of the people I have worked with don't have many activities to do during their regular routine day. I realize that more now so then before after time spent with them. Either they observe or pan handle or fly signs, which I understand.<br>

I just still get that same sobb story photo. I realize that their life is not easy and I don't degrade or look down upon them like theyre any different from me. Maybe just my idea is ignorant or not realistic. I just don't know how to portray them in a different way. I don't want people to view them that way.<br>

Unfortunately, yes these people live a life they don't like and some mostly forced into. I just can't find a way to do what I want without going to extreme measures and making them pose or do something they do not want to do. It would not make the photo real and the emotion real it would be fake. And I want the emotion and feeling of the viewer to see the photo of this person as a normal regular human being. After all each person who has lived a life of hardship started out somewhere like everyone else. </p>

<p>Hi all,<br>

I was just wondering if anyone had any tips or advice on photographing the homeless. I know I don't want to take your cliche portrait that portrays sympathy or any photograph that gives off any mood of that nature. I want to photograph the homeless in a way that can let an audience perceive them as a normal human being and not as an outcast or someone lower in our society. I'm just not finding ways to successfully get this idea across, although I know it would be difficult. Any help is appreciated.<br>

Thanks</p>