The Street Photography That Reveals a Harsh Reality: Is It Ethical to Capture the Lives of Homeless People?

Hi everyone, dear readers!

Today I want to share with you a powerful and historically rich photograph. When you look at this image, it's clear that it's not contemporary, not only because of the reduced street traffic but also due to the old vehicles featured. However, if it weren't for these details, it could easily pass as a scene from any city in the world today.

Personally, I don't usually photograph homeless people, although I must admit that I have worked on a documentary photography project on this subject. It's an intimate project, from which I've shown some photos, but never in its entirety. It's personal work, done for myself.

The photograph I'm presenting to you today was taken by Ernest Cole in New York in 1971. More than 50 years later, we still see similar scenes on the streets, which leads us to reflect on the persistence of certain social issues.

The Ethics of Photographing Homeless People

The ethics of street photography, especially when it involves homeless people, is a complex and delicate subject. Here are some points to consider:

1. Respect and Dignity: It's essential to treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Photographing a person in a vulnerable situation can be intrusive and dehumanizing if not done with due sensitivity.

2. Consent: Whenever possible, obtaining the subject's consent is crucial. However, in street photography, this is not always feasible. In such cases, it's important to assess whether the image could harm the person being photographed.

3. Intention and Purpose: Reflect on the intention behind the photograph. Is it to raise awareness about a social issue, or simply to satisfy an aesthetic curiosity? Photographs that aim to generate awareness and promote social change can have significant value.

4. Impact and Consequences: Consider the impact the image may have on the subject and the audience. A photograph can perpetuate negative stereotypes or, conversely, humanize and generate empathy.

Juxtaposition in Ernest Cole’s Photography

In this photograph by Ernest Cole, juxtaposition plays a crucial role in conveying a powerful message. Juxtaposition is a photographic technique that involves placing two contrasting elements in the same image to highlight their differences or to create a new meaning from their relationship.

Elements of Juxtaposition

1. The Homeless Man vs. the Urban Environment:

• Homeless Man: The central figure of the image is a homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk. His posture, worn-out clothing, and vulnerable position starkly contrast with the urban environment around him.

• Urban Environment: The street, tall buildings, and old vehicles suggest a city in full operation. The presence of people walking and daily activities highlight the indifference of the environment to the man's situation.

1. The Woman Walking By:

• On the right side of the image, a well-dressed woman walks along the sidewalk. Her expression and attitude appear indifferent or disconnected from the man's situation lying on the ground. This juxtaposition emphasizes the disparity between two coexisting realities in the same urban space.

The Photographer's Intention

Ernest Cole’s photograph likely had several intentions:

1. Documenting Social Reality: Cole, known for his documentary work, probably sought to capture the harsh reality of life in New York at that time. By including both the homeless man and the walking woman, Cole underscores the coexistence of extreme poverty and social indifference in the same scene.

2. Generating Reflection and Empathy: By juxtaposing these elements, Cole invites the viewer to reflect on inequality and the lack of empathy in society. The image provokes an emotional response, questioning the normalization of poverty and homelessness in urban life.

3. Making the Invisible Visible: Photographing people in vulnerable situations can be a way to give them visibility and bring to public attention issues that are often ignored. Cole may have wanted his photograph to act as a catalyst for social change by making visible what many prefer not to see.

Final Reflection

In my experience, photographing homeless people has made me question my own motivations and the purpose of my work. Although I have addressed this topic as part of a documentary project, I have always felt the responsibility to do so with the utmost respect and sensitivity.

Ernest Cole’s photograph reminds us that, although time passes, certain realities persist. It challenges us to look beyond aesthetics and question the world we live in. What can we do to change these situations? How can we use the power of photography to promote justice and empathy?

I hope you found this reflection interesting and I invite you to share your own thoughts on the ethics of street photography. Thanks for reading and see you next time!

Miguelitor