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13-JAN-2007 Collin Baxter

Faceless Shame
by Collin Baxter

I saw this homeless man standing in the middle of the road and picked up the camera to take a shot through the windscreen. When he saw the camera he covered his eyes with the placard. When I drove past I saw shame and qestions on his face. Which begs the question was i fair to have taken this picture?

Olympus E-500
1/320s f/6.3 at 180.0mm iso200 full exif

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Collin Baxter15-Jan-2007 08:41
Thanks for the comments I feel a bit better about taking the picture. When he looked at me and I could see his eye’s I felt quiet a heel. I could not stop as this is a major intersection (only thing that works in some cars here is the hotter/horn) I am sure I will see him again and slip him a couple of Rands as these people unfortunately often remain homeless.
Guest 14-Jan-2007 14:27
the photo is better as is, faceless, instead of revealing who he is. He had an option and took this one, so I'd not feel bad about taking the photo. I've wanted to take one like this too, but am not very successful with street photography.. I like how you can just see his eyebrows, and how the background is timeless, so it could be the 30's for all we know. Katherine
Guest 13-Jan-2007 19:01
That is about as close as I have come to tears in a long time. Hard for me as a street shooter to know or say what is fair. FWIW I would have pulled over and given him $5.00 You have really captured a full story and touched on everyones emotions involved. I would be lying if I said I never felt guilty about taking and using images of people in public, but I just can't seem to stop and doubt I ever will.

Heavy duty stuff Collin

Charlie
Leica Forum Challenge13-Jan-2007 18:44
A hard question to answer Collin but I think you were(are). As a photographer you capture what's there, you don't have to justify it IMO. Great shot.

Frank