Andrew Gould's Images
The good life (2)
Posted by Andrew Gould (Sydney, Australia) on 23 May 2008 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
Taken yesterday in the Sydney city centre. See yesterday for the for the first one in this series if you haven't already.
I know that today's photo is cluttered, but it was not possible to get a really clear background in those circumstances. I'm posting it more for its documentary value than anything else, and because it follows on from the previous shot quite naturally.
I would like to keep in touch with members of the aminus3 community.
Please see my new photojournal where I am now mostly posting, here:
http://www.andrewgouldphotography.com/Galleries/Photojournal
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Cluttered? Andrew it's phenomenal, showing several aspect of life instead of a single moment :)
23 May 2008 8:31am
@Lorraine: Thanks, Lorraine. Glad you approve of it.
Ron from Saint Louis, United States
Yesterday's post and today's really speak to me ... and the B&W really strips it to its very essence.
I work in ministry and because of my vocation I interact with homeless people and those in need quite often. There have been times when this interaction has become a tremendously difficult burden to bear. A friend suggested I read The Miracle of Mindfulness, written by Thich Nhat Hanh (a Vietnamese Zen monk, poet, and peacemaker) as a manual for young nuns and monks who were facing death every day in war-torn Vietnam. In this book Brother Thich Nhat Hanh explores the spiritual discipline of mindfulness ... tangibly affecting suffering in the world by facing it in oneself and in others.
If we (as individuals and community) are to address the needs of the homeless (and our own suffering in response to the homeless) then we have to acknowledge it and the suffering that accompanies it. That is what this image does. It acknowledges a difficult and painful truth of the world in which we live. It reaches somewhere deep within us to stir an emotional response. That is what good photography does.
23 May 2008 11:11am
@Ron: I'm so glad you see that much in the photo, Ron, because my aim was to try to "go beyond the surface", so to speak.
As can be seen from the focal length used here, and in yesterday's photo, I moved in fairly close. I took several shots in quite quick secession, not wishing to attract attention, and luckily, I was able to remain "invisible". In all my street photography, my overriding aim is to avoid producing voyeuristic images, and I feel this is especially important when the subjects are the homeless. I've avoided photographing them in the past, as I was not sure I could do it successfully. The positive feedback I've been getting from everyone on these two photos is very reassuring.
You mention Thich Nhat Hanh, who is a favourite author of mine. I was introduced to his writings many years ago by a Vietnamese social worker friend who knows him well.
I wish you all the best in what you're doing.
Sergio Vargas from Kumamoto, Japan
Thanks for your comment Andrew , I love street and documentary photography , sometimes it doesn´t matter the processing as a shot speaks by itself , and this one certainly does it.
23 May 2008 11:20am
@Sergio Vargas: Thanks for your kind words, Sergio.
Sergio Vargas from Kumamoto, Japan
Acabo de leer tu about , la próxima vez comentaré en español...
Saludos!
23 May 2008 11:23am
@Sergio Vargas: Podemos utilizar los dos idiomas. Saludos a ti, también.
@lidia: Muchas gracias, Lidia.
Tracey from White Hall, United States
I like the "cluttered" background in the street scene. It is interesting to see what all of the people are doing, how they exist without relating to each other...except the foreground folks, which is where our focus should be. The dog in the sweater steals the scene!
23 May 2008 12:01pm
@Tracey: Thanks for your words on this one, Tracey. By the way, when I look at my TIFF of this at full size, I can see that the first words on the cardboard sign say, " The dog and I are on the street...". I can't make out the rest clearly, but it says something about not being able to get a room.
dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa
Incredible photo - it stirs all sorts of emotions - mainly helplessness about this massive issue and a desire to find a way to do something positive for these folk. Even with all their hardship they still find the means to care for their animals! Sadly most of us are like the other people in the image, not even noticing or even consciously avoiding the situation.
23 May 2008 12:21pm
@dobbino: Thanks, Rob. I really appreciate your comment.
alex centrella from California, United States
i dont find the background cluttered at all, in fact it adds alot to the image,
23 May 2008 1:08pm
@alex centrella: Thanks for your confirmation of this.
Ken McCoy from Orlando-Daytona Beach, FL, United States
It's the "five faces," each focused on different places, and for different actions - I'm including the dog :) One very compelling message I see here is that homeless doesn't mean friendless.
23 May 2008 8:31pm
@Ken McCoy: Thanks for your insightful analysis, Ken.
Alisa Walton from Toronto, Canada
this is a WONDERFUL picture! so many layers, focal point be damned......Great capture.
23 May 2008 8:34pm
@Alisa Walton: Thank you so much, Alisa!
Graham Russon from Cape Town, South Africa
Great shot Andrew. I like the social commentary in this and yesterday's, thought provoking stuff.
23 May 2008 8:59pm
@Graham Russon: I do appreciate your views on this, Graham.
Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France
Super, je viens de lire dans "about" que tu comprends le français, donc pour moi cela va être plus facile !! Cette photo est un témoignage dur mais lucide de la vie dans la rue de ces laisser-pour-compte de nos sociétés modernes. Ils sont là dans la rue et nous autres continuons tranquillement nos vies confortables comme le suggèrent les personnes en arrière plan. Et ce tout petit chien doit être le seul être vivant à leur donner du réconfort et de la tendresse. Ca donne à réfléchir...
23 May 2008 9:52pm
@Evelyne Dubos: Merci, Evelyne!
Helen from Melbourne, Australia
Fabulous Andrew. I think everyone has said everything that went through my mind already, so I'll just say congratulations.
24 May 2008 4:40am
@Helen: Thank you for that, Helen!
Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom
A very strong social statement shot. Only the dog looks truly happy.
24 May 2008 1:30pm
@Ronnie 2¢: Thanks for your comment, Lilly and Ronnie!
danthro from Suburbia, United States
i'm kind of speechless at these shots, but they make me wonder about who these people are as people and their stories.
24 May 2008 11:38pm
Arash from Dubai, United Arab Emirates
It's fantastic! nice in BW, I like different layers here, always street photo impressed me.
27 May 2008 6:35am
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
I didn't remember leaving a comment, but my reaction was the same LOL it's so brilliant :)
7 Jul 2008 7:46am
Canon EOS 40D
1/400 second
F/4.5
ISO 1600
42 mm