Two scenes outside the art gallery

[Mike Buckley]

It was a cold day in January 2008. My wife and I had just exited the art gallery when we saw the long line of people still waiting to get inside. Just around the corner and still on the gallery's property, we saw a very different scene that the people standing in line were oblivious to: the man sleeping at the steam vents to stay warm.

Converted to black-and-white today. C&C encouraged as always, though I don't have anything to ask.

[smcrews]

I absolutely love #2. Well done Mike!

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, Shawn!

[Bobobird]

I am intrigued by the sign in #1. So they sold out their regular customers... Hmmm, seems the ways of corp USA and CA are catching up.

#2 for sure.

[Mike Buckley]

So they sold out their regular customers...

Your Fest series has twisted your mind! Thanks for the nod to #2.

[jeeperman]

#2 for me as well, I have seen a similar scene many times but never with quite the look and feel of yours. Nicely seen, Mike.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, Paul. I hate homelessness, so this image speaks to me as well.

[Daisy Mae]

I find photographs of the homeless difficult..after all they have nowhere to escape from the cameras and some shot's I heve seen are downright intrusive.

That said, the homeless need to be kept in the public eye so that Governments can't pretend there isn't a poverty problem out there on our streets and photography is one ofthe best ways to do this.

So I am torn on the subject in general.

This shot however, is a cracker..great contrasts and a brilliant capture of both the man the steam. I would be proud to have taken this and it documents without intruding.

[Mike Buckley]

I also am torn for the reasons that you mention, Sharon. Glad to know that you feel this photo walks the fine line.

[Donald]

As others have suggested above - an absolutely outstanding social documentary image.

The triangle created by the angle man's body and then the metal railings going away and across the image, taking us into an indistinct (and therefore uncertain and unclear) background (caused by the steam) - fantastic.

The light-toned blanket harmonising with the background and contrasting with the man's dark-toned clothing and skin - wonderful.

Oh, you hit the bullseye with this one, Mike.

[Bobobird]

Your Fest series has twisted your mind! Thanks for the nod to #2.

Not quite yet, but close.

[Mike Buckley]

Very kind of you, Donald. The hard part was waiting for the steam to fill the frame sufficiently while leaving the area around the man's face free of steam for clear visibility.

[mknittle]

Nice images Mike,
Around here there are a lot of homeless that choose that "lifestyle" They have no bills are given debet cards and cell phones
free medical and shelters. most won't use the shelters because they have to check in their meds{ most are addicts thanks to county clinics.} and they are very pushy in their panhandling! Not all are this way but most are.

[Mike Buckley]

There's no question, Mark, that it is a very complex issue. Thanks for your comments!

[terrib]

I'm late to commenting as I've been gone awhile but wanted to say I am wowed by that second photo. It's especially impressing to me at this point because I tried doing some "street" photography in Jamaica last week and I just don't have the eye for it or the skill. You, however, have demonstrated once again with this photo that you definitely do have the skill. Very impressive!

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks for the compliment, Terri, but most street photography is far more difficult than this. Photographing a man lying on the ground is a lot less difficult than making your wonderful photos of foxes.