Jen Fawkes, EPSA, SPSA
November 2024 - Living in the laneway
About the Image(s)
Hosier Lane, in central Melbourne, is usually known for its street art graffiti, but it is also an area that provides services and food to the local homeless community. Each day they congregate in the laneways waiting for the services to open, and several will have slept in this area overnight. I have photographed this area quite a lot, getting to know some of the regulars, buying the occasional coffee for them (they get provided with food) and always asking for permission if I photograph near them. They are a resilient lot.
I think this image shows a little about their lifestyle as well as their attitude to life.
Settings; Olympus EM1 Mk2 with Oly 12-100 lens @ 100m
F9, SS 1/200 ISO 4000 (yes the laneways are dark).
5 comments posted
Hi Jen. A very moving photo that shows that not all Australians get "a fair go mate". The two characters just showing their legs is for me the highlight of the photo as it asks you to wonder what the remainder of them must be like. To complete the picture, you have a man on a mobile phone with ear phones he does not appear as down and out as these two other characters, perhaps he is just their for the free food, after all he can afford a mobile phone with a plan? The graffiti backdrop provides an unusual atmosphere that perhaps these characters may be connected to this work. A very thought provoking photo that captures the extreme variation in wealth and life styles of our modern western society. Posted: 11/06/2024 13:50:15
Thanks Ron, I have to say that working with homeless people is interesting, and many of the myths around homelessness are just not true. They are not all drug users or alcoholics, and many do have mobile phones, they just don't have a space they call home. I have always found this lot to be polite and non threatening, perhaps because they are already linked in with homeless services. Posted: 11/08/2024 23:46:57
Colors captivating, story compelling, focus and cropping good. I'd believe the feet belong to over-nighters.
With our new government coming in January, we'll no doubt have a lot more people living on the street. Many of us are devastated by the election results. (Sorry, couldn't help myself.) Posted: 11/07/2024 11:51:19
With our new government coming in January, we'll no doubt have a lot more people living on the street. Many of us are devastated by the election results. (Sorry, couldn't help myself.) Posted: 11/07/2024 11:51:19
Thanks Leslie, yes I agree that the number of homeless people is rising dramatically and that has serious problems for everyone. The situation is the same here in Austalia. I've sat with this image for a while, I'm not sure it's competition worthy, but I do like it. Posted: 11/08/2024 23:49:42
(Groups 2 & 5)
I think the colors and gritty textures of this kind of photography really do evoke an emotional reaction. I think this is well composed to illustrate life on the street.
Leslie, can't help myself from saying I agree with your worry about what is coming for the U.S. in January. (I live in Loveland.) Homelessness is such a major issue in almost every country, but when an economy goes downhill, the number of people who lose their homes really goes up, and then as Jen says, the issue not always because of drug or alcohol use. And of course most of the time the wealthy don't have to worry so much about losing their homes! Posted: 11/11/2024 17:19:32
Leslie, can't help myself from saying I agree with your worry about what is coming for the U.S. in January. (I live in Loveland.) Homelessness is such a major issue in almost every country, but when an economy goes downhill, the number of people who lose their homes really goes up, and then as Jen says, the issue not always because of drug or alcohol use. And of course most of the time the wealthy don't have to worry so much about losing their homes! Posted: 11/11/2024 17:19:32