Street Sleeper

I'm with Martin on this one. I'm sure people who have been successful in life don't mind having their photograph taken, but can't imagine why anyone who is living rough would want theirs taken.

I felt uneasy about the film Slumdog Millionaire, some people have made millions out of it and the people that it was based on are still living exactly the same in India and no doubt the tourists will now be flocking to take their photographs all because of the film.

shim

Shim, these homeless people in London can make money from it, which I always give them as stated in one of my earlier posts.

In my other street portrait George - Homeless, this guy asked me to take his picture for some change, before I had a chance to ask him.

I refuse to tell anyone on here what I did after I took the photo of this guy sleepin' rough! I don't need to divulge that, for certain reasons.

I thank you Shim, for your non-attackin' and constructive criticism.

I do agree with you on this, but sometimes things have to be pointed out there and then if someone finds a comment offensive...nip it in the bud.

Thank you for your comments and understanding.


Just to say that I did not want this to turn into a row Paulyrichard, I was merely saying that I found it offensive. Just for you to acknowledge that fact would have been fine.

Paul

Now I am going to make a comment on your image and your website.

I grew up in West London, 28 years in fact, and although I really didn't like London (to crowded for my liking) I did in fact like the people and had a lot of respect for them.
It was very hard not to notice the homeless people and the downright rudeness of city folk ignoring and the general abuse that they gave both verbally and physically.

What I am trying to get at here is your photographs do, in fact, portray the lifestyles of those who live rough on the street. The image in question looks bad taste, but is in fact....Life.

Your website is very good and I will look more into it later.

Only thing I will say that might upset is that you have to take critisim of your photo's a little better than you do at the moment. I know it's hard, but that's how we all learn. Even the most experienced on this site are still learning from each other.

I am a professional and today I have learnt something from another forum.

Stopping here as I am rambling

Paul

I don't like it when Martin came on here and started to paint a negative picture of me not knowin' nothin' when he's already shown his ignorance in regard to the masters of this type of photography, and by jus' goin' through the motions, and attackin' me.

His first post was all over the place. Street photography doesn't have any borders, only those that surround the image.
Then all of you accusin' and assumin' me of not showin' any sympathy or concern for the subject, was so wide of the mark.

The image is paramount, and is a document. Photography is about catchin' a moment in time.

No one seems to have any groundin' in the nature of this type of photography.
You all seem to be completely happy only shootin' and viewin' flowers, birds and bees. But that is OK with me.

I am learnin' too, Paul. But i've done some of my learnin' from viewin' hundreds and hundreds of photos by these masters mentioned above.
It is the image you should be commentin' on, not me and my actions.

Personally I didn't see anything wrong with Martins initial comments, they seemed an honest opinion of what he thought, in no way did I read them as derogatory, he even apologised at the end of those comments for how he felt. You yourself however have been quite offensive in some of your replies, your reply to Mr Bugs for instance calling him pathetic was IMHO extremely rude and uncalled for, do everyone a favour buy a Canon and join another forum.

Maybe if you supported your image with what you were trying to achieve, like painting a picture for other people who aren't used to this type of work. This isn't having a go, just merely pointing something out

There are so many different aspects of photography and everyone has their own speciality. I for one love portraits and wildlife and like the content on this site, you though have a uniqueness where you are able to capture London (or any city for that matter) in it's "real" state.
Some people may not see what you see on a day to day basis, to some that can be quite shocking.
No you don't have to tell people what you do to get the shots, but it is obvious to me that you show respect to those on the street and you know how to treat them.
Keep up the good work as you do have a talent here

Paul

Pauly, I am now happier you have informed us all of your views and what you are trying to do for the homeless,commendable. However thats the whole point, if you had not described the two images as homeless no one would have known what they were or what you were trying to convey without any ambience,surroundings to lead the viewer into this the actual theme was lost on me. When you compare yourself to other street/reportage photographers as in crime scenes, accidents, Iraqi soldiers etc, those images are set in a sourounding which emphasise the stark reality/horror and the viewer instantly knows what is trying to be portrayed. This view is based purely on your images submitted as they stand. As for the blasphemy bits, I can see why some people would take offence as well, if it were any other religion the political correctness brigade would come into play, anyhow it is just plain bad manners. I no longer wish to get involved in this discussion any further.