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Environmental & Standard Portrait · 01:41 PM

I met Chris, a homeless person in London today (01/05/09).

I didn't convert this image 'cos I like the colour coordination between the pedestrians trainers and the homeless guy's blanket.

kevinschoenmakers · 05-01-2009, 01:43 PM

Amazing pictures as allways. I like how the pedestrian's head isn't shown, making him just another anonymous bypasser. And the portrait is just fantastic.

**Rense** · 05-01-2009, 01:45 PM

It's a young guy, isn't it? It is sad, seeing such kids - as well as the older men you showed before - living in the streets. As if we in the Western World don't have enough for everyone..... Provocative, sad, depressing....

kevinschoenmakers · 05-01-2009, 01:57 PM

Originally posted by Rense

As if we in the Western World don't have enough for everyone.....

I don't live in the UK, but I guess they have programmes over there these people could go sign up to and restart their lives. I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of homeless people (in socialist-ish western-europe) ended up this way because of their own mistakes, be it alcohol or drugs or whatever. I remember reading a significant portion of homeless people are so by choice; they like their freedom.

Which doesn't mean I think these shouldn't be helped or deserve to be homeless, but to imply they are being denied western prosperity I think isn't entirely correct.

Do you know the backgrounds of these people paulyrichard?

**Rense** · 05-01-2009, 02:05 PM

Originally posted by kevinschoenmakers

I don't live in the UK, but I guess they have programmes over there these people could go sign up to and restart their lives. I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of homeless people (in socialist-ish western-europe) ended up this way because of their own mistakes, be it alcohol or drugs or whatever. I remember reading a significant portion of homeless people are so by choice; they like their freedom.

Which doesn't mean I think these shouldn't be helped or deserve to be homeless, but to imply they are being denied western prosperity I think isn't entirely correct.

Do you know the backgrounds of these people paulyrichard?

Kevin, you're right of course, but the question remains why we are not able to help those people getting their lifes back in order... Somewhere this has not only to do with *them*, but also with *us*....

paulyrichard · 05-01-2009, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by kevinschoenmakers

I don't live in the UK, but I guess they have programmes over there these people could go sign up to and restart their lives. I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of homeless people (in socialist-ish western-europe) ended up this way because of their own mistakes, be it alcohol or drugs or whatever. I remember reading a significant portion of homeless people are so by choice; they like their freedom.

Which doesn't mean I think these shouldn't be helped or deserve to be homeless, but to imply they are being denied western prosperity I think isn't entirely correct.

Do you know the backgrounds of these people paulyrichard?

Yep, I get to know them and how they've got to be homeless. There are some terrible stories I have heard.

1/ One guy had married a woman and had had a son with her, but by the time the child was eleven he found out the kid was not his and for all this time his wife had been unfaithful. This drove him to drink and drugs, and homelessness.
He had his own hairdressin' business and everythin'.
He now lives in an hostel.

2/ Another guy had lost his firstborn son in an accident that caused his death. He didn't want to talk about it.

3/ Chris, the guy in this shot has run away from home, due to abuse.

I do have a blog site where I write down some of these guys stories.
Its always down to the individual and how they are able to deal with the problems in their lives, I guess.
I am very aware of the 'others', the ones that don't want any help and are happy where they are. These are the ones that have been long-term homeless, they can be very intimidatin'. This is what happens when they don't get any help or they do not seek any help.

axl · 05-01-2009, 03:48 PM

nice shots Paul,
PM sent...

nulla · 05-01-2009, 04:04 PM

Nice shots as per usual

you have captured the moment in the first and I like the colour

Neil

paulyrichard · 05-02-2009, 12:30 AM

Thanks guys.

**Sailor** · 05-02-2009, 05:34 AM

I also like the first shot with color; the festive color constrasts ironically with the poignant look on the poor guy's face.

Jer

daacon · 05-02-2009, 05:39 AM

Well done Paul your photjournalism is epic. It must be heart renching indeed to hear their stories. I think a lot of us have oftern wondered what is the story behind homeless some are tragic, some I am sure as Kevin indicated are by choice.

gawan · 05-02-2009, 12:00 PM

I like the colours comparison in the first shot, but would have cropped it much more heavily myself, in the second you have again captured his life's situation like thousand words!

Jimbo · 05-02-2009, 12:04 PM

Your images tell a story and I am sure all the people you meet appreciate what you are trying to do. All need is a small break but many also carry past that take so much out of a person. Thank you for sharing. JIM

Pentaxtic · 05-02-2009, 12:35 PM

Very interesting about their backgrounds. There should be organizations out there to help them.

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05-01-2009, 01:43 PM	#2
kevinschoenmakers Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shanghai Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,509	Amazing pictures as allways. I like how the pedestrian's head isn't shown, making him just another anonymous bypasser. And the portrait is just fantastic.

05-01-2009, 01:45 PM	#3
Rense Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Zetten - The Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,050	It's a young guy, isn't it? It is sad, seeing such kids - as well as the older men you showed before - living in the streets. As if we in the Western World don't have enough for everyone..... Provocative, sad, depressing....

05-01-2009, 01:57 PM	#4
kevinschoenmakers Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shanghai Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,509	Originally posted by Rense As if we in the Western World don't have enough for everyone..... I don't live in the UK, but I guess they have programmes over there these people could go sign up to and restart their lives. I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of homeless people (in socialist-ish western-europe) ended up this way because of their own mistakes, be it alcohol or drugs or whatever. I remember reading a significant portion of homeless people are so by choice; they like their freedom. Which doesn't mean I think these shouldn't be helped or deserve to be homeless, but to imply they are being denied western prosperity I think isn't entirely correct. Do you know the backgrounds of these people paulyrichard?

05-01-2009, 02:05 PM	#5
Rense Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Zetten - The Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,050	Originally posted by kevinschoenmakers I don't live in the UK, but I guess they have programmes over there these people could go sign up to and restart their lives. I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of homeless people (in socialist-ish western-europe) ended up this way because of their own mistakes, be it alcohol or drugs or whatever. I remember reading a significant portion of homeless people are so by choice; they like their freedom. Which doesn't mean I think these shouldn't be helped or deserve to be homeless, but to imply they are being denied western prosperity I think isn't entirely correct. Do you know the backgrounds of these people paulyrichard? Kevin, you're right of course, but the question remains why we are not able to help those people getting their lifes back in order... Somewhere this has not only to do with them, but also with us....

05-01-2009, 02:18 PM	#6
paulyrichard Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: London, UK Posts: 871 Original Poster	Originally posted by kevinschoenmakers I don't live in the UK, but I guess they have programmes over there these people could go sign up to and restart their lives. I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of homeless people (in socialist-ish western-europe) ended up this way because of their own mistakes, be it alcohol or drugs or whatever. I remember reading a significant portion of homeless people are so by choice; they like their freedom. Which doesn't mean I think these shouldn't be helped or deserve to be homeless, but to imply they are being denied western prosperity I think isn't entirely correct. Do you know the backgrounds of these people paulyrichard? Yep, I get to know them and how they've got to be homeless. There are some terrible stories I have heard. 1/ One guy had married a woman and had had a son with her, but by the time the child was eleven he found out the kid was not his and for all this time his wife had been unfaithful. This drove him to drink and drugs, and homelessness. He had his own hairdressin' business and everythin'. He now lives in an hostel. 2/ Another guy had lost his firstborn son in an accident that caused his death. He didn't want to talk about it. 3/ Chris, the guy in this shot has run away from home, due to abuse. I do have a blog site where I write down some of these guys stories. Its always down to the individual and how they are able to deal with the problems in their lives, I guess. I am very aware of the 'others', the ones that don't want any help and are happy where they are. These are the ones that have been long-term homeless, they can be very intimidatin'. This is what happens when they don't get any help or they do not seek any help.

05-01-2009, 03:48 PM	#7
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	nice shots Paul, PM sent...

05-01-2009, 04:04 PM	#8
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Nice shots as per usual you have captured the moment in the first and I like the colour Neil

05-02-2009, 12:30 AM	#9
paulyrichard Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: London, UK Posts: 871 Original Poster	Thanks guys.

05-02-2009, 05:34 AM	#10
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,203	I also like the first shot with color; the festive color constrasts ironically with the poignant look on the poor guy's face. Jer

05-02-2009, 05:39 AM	#11
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	Well done Paul your photjournalism is epic. It must be heart renching indeed to hear their stories. I think a lot of us have oftern wondered what is the story behind homeless some are tragic, some I am sure as Kevin indicated are by choice.

05-02-2009, 12:00 PM	#12
gawan Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Helsinki Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,400	I like the colours comparison in the first shot, but would have cropped it much more heavily myself, in the second you have again captured his life's situation like thousand words!

05-02-2009, 12:04 PM	#13
Jimbo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maple Ridge BC Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,368	Your images tell a story and I am sure all the people you meet appreciate what you are trying to do. All need is a small break but many also carry past that take so much out of a person. Thank you for sharing. JIM

05-02-2009, 12:35 PM	#14
Pentaxtic Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 417	Very interesting about their backgrounds. There should be organizations out there to help them.

Environmental & Standard Portrait

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