Day 50.

Equipments: Canon 5D Mark II. Sigma EX 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM.

 

It is not unusual that some homeless, or sometimes even street performers, ask you for change when you ask them for a picture. I almost never give them money; I am just not comfortable with it.

 

Well, things change. Today, I saw Chris on the corner, with his "birthday sign" (I highly doubt it's his birthday, though) and asking passer-bys for change. I thought, it will make a good picture and it has a good story. C'mon, the guy is shirtless, old and has a birthday sign, it got to be good. So, I went up to him, and this was how the conversation went:

 

"Hi there, I am working on a street photography project, and am just wondering if I can take a picture of you."

 

"You have change?"

 

I hesitated a bit, but thought "what the heck, just give him some change." So I reached into my pocket and see what I have.

 

I gave him a dollar.

 

"If you want a picture, it will be 2 dollars."

 

"Alright, then I will take this dollar back and you have a good day."

 

"Alright alright, just one picture!"

 

So, this is the picture. For the moment, I couldn't figure out who's taking advantage of whom.

 

For the rest of the day, I feel terrible for 4 reasons:

 

1. I broke my principle in order to get a picture.

2. I won't be able to use this picture in the future if I want to make a book out of this project for the charity because, first, I won't be able to track him for a consent; also, he will want more money if I did get a hold of him.

3. I was being "generous" for the wrong reason.

4. And, most importantly, I am a dollar short.

 

I almost didn't post this picture, because I hated it. However, I post it anyway to remind myself of this little encounter, and to share this story to all of you.

Done