Tell Me Who You See.
by Julie on Nov.03, 2009
I met Payroll Slim yesterday while on my walk down Mission Street towards SF MOMA.
He approached me, hands full of CDs of his music, and asked me if I wanted to buy one. He flashed a gold plated grin. Underneath the heavy jacket, the oversized clothes and the tattoos, all I could really see was the little boy.
We made a trade, artist to artist. I did purchase a CD, but with the condition that he would let me photograph him. The layers of clothing and stage presence fell away as I took photos of him in a small alley off of Mission. A security guard came out of the nearby building and gave us five minutes, politely—but we understood we were on borrowed time there.
I feel like having a camera strips away the layers, both in myself and in the person I’m looking at. It’s possible to instantly connect with someone who, from all outward appearances, could not be any more different from myself. I like that… the camera being an equalizer of humanity.
At the end of it, he was so excited to see himself in my viewfinder. We were two creative people, comparing notes.
He hugged me goodbye.
(Two more selected photos here and here.)
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November 3rd, 2009 on 4:12 pmSocial comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by marycray: @tangobabyinSF, helluvan effect you have (ur CD came w/a bit of a, ahem, show)”Tell Me Who You See.” http://bit.ly/425ANY [via @calibersf]…
November 3rd, 2009 on 8:47 am
Wow!!! What awesome presence. Great story too…
November 3rd, 2009 on 9:06 am
I’m sure the real pay-off for Payroll-Slim was in the hug…
Beautiful story…
November 3rd, 2009 on 1:11 pm
You know, he was very sweet. And the one who initiated it. I was touched and a little surprised.
November 3rd, 2009 on 10:09 am
I’ve seen him selling CDs near the ballpark during baseball season. Maybe next April I’ll make the same trade.
One other thing I’ve noticed about carrying a camera — especially with the $2 Portrait project — is that it gives you a sense of safety that you might not otherwise have. It’s one thing to just interact with people on the street, but when taking their pictures becomes part of the equation, the dynamic changes. People seem to open up more (most of the time) when you ask them questions and express an interest in them. Many times they want to see the picture right away (which is why shooting digital is so great in those situations). It’s a way to bond with people that you probably wouldn’t have any other way.
November 3rd, 2009 on 1:13 pm
I think you have hit it exactly. It doesn’t take much to give someone just a little attention and care, but the camera helps act as a catalyst… or a reminder. Great observation.
November 3rd, 2009 on 11:14 am
Nice. I really like it. Having him in the center lined up with the corner of the building really works.
November 3rd, 2009 on 1:14 pm
The sun was so intense yesterday so finding a place where I wasn’t blinded was difficult. I also felt the building made a strong backdrop and it helped reflect some of the ambient light back. I also liked that he was on the platform above me, looking down.
November 5th, 2009 on 8:34 am
As a Black woman with a young Black son (with ink), who from time to time is left explaining why you mustn’t be afraid white lady, all I can say about this beautiful shot and this remarkable story: “See there.” That’s all I can say.