Tag: portrait
$2 Portrait Project: Baby Elmo
by Troy on Nov.05, 2009
You can read more about my $2 Portrait Project here.
A few weeks ago, I was walking around Union Square shooting the mannequins in the windows of the surrounding shops. As I rounded the corner onto Stockton, Baby Elmo asked me for some spare change. I told Baby Elmo about my $2 Portrait Project and he agreed to pose for a few shots.
After I gave Baby Elmo his $2, he asked me for another $1 so he could buy a hot dog. He told me had had not eaten for two days and his stomach was becoming angry with him.
70-year old Baby Elmo moved from Hawaii to San Francisco in July to look for his wife and daughter. A relative had told Baby Elmo to meet his family in front of the Louie Vuitton store. So each day, he stands there on the corner and waits for them to show up. He seemed pretty sad that he had not connected with them yet.
Baby Elmo was most excited about seeing his daughter. He wanted to see how she was doing in school and if she had made any new friends since moving to The City. I told him he could go to the SFPD main branch on Bryant and file a missing persons report for his wife and daughter. He told me that would not be a good idea as he had several warrants for panhandling and one for petty theft.
About this time, another stranger approached Baby Elmo and dropped $1 in his cup. Baby Elmo smiled and thanked us both, as now he had enough money to go buy a hot dog.
And with that, I told Baby Elmo to have a nice day and headed down Stockton towards Market.
You can see the collective whole of $2 Portraits from around the world here.
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Four Former Strangers
by Troy on Nov.02, 2009
Seen above are four strangers that would have remained that way were it not for my camera…
Upper left: Judson True, Director of Media Relations for the SFMTA. I met Judson while pursuing Muni’s elusive photography policy over the summer. Still no word on when that policy will *actually* be delivered.
Upper right: Brad Johnson, professional skateboarder for the Western Addition brand. I’ve known of Brad for years, but met him officially earlier this year at a gallery opening in The Tenderloin. Brad and I have many of the same friends, and after this photo it was great to tie it all together.
Lower left: Sean, a homeless transplant from Spokane, Washington. I’ve seen Sean around The Financial District for years and ignored his presence. A few months ago, I took the chance to say hi to him and found out his story. His physical and mental health are deteriorating and at one point he told me he is “just waiting for his turn to die.” I’ve seen Sean again since first meeting him, and unfortunately his health and attitude towards life have continued to fall apart.
Lower right: Anthony Jenkins, evangelist for The Transitional Age Youth Initiative Task Force. I met Anthony on Powell Street. What began as me asking about his tattoos has turned into plans for using our photography to bring more awareness to the kids and organization he believes so firmly in. Anthony also attended our photowalk on Saturday, picking up a camera for the very first time.
As I continue to walk the streets in search of “The San Franciscans” I will occasionally post more of these. You can see my collection of portraits to date here.
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$2 Portrait Project: Bag Lady Betty
by Troy on Oct.31, 2009
You can read more about my $2 Portrait Project here.
A few days ago, I was shooting in the Upper Haight district with Travis Jensen, looking for stores with Halloween themed window displays. Bag Lady Betty approached us and asked for some beer money. I told Bag Lady Betty about my $2 Portrait Project and he agreed to pose.
Bag Lady Betty had moved to The City from somewhere in the Southern US around 35 years ago. In his earlier days he worked as a sound engineer with The Grateful Dead. Betty told us a lot about doing psychedelic drugs with band. Later he became a teacher at UC Berkley, but was later fired after an incident involving LSD.
Betty had a very hard time remaining still, flailing body in jerky motions and leaning on his shopping cart. He also had a difficult time paying attention to our questions, mostly rambling on about LSD.
After talking for a bit more about rock and roll, Travis and I told Betty goodnight, and headed on our way.
You can see the collective whole of $2 Portraits from around the world here.
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Toph One
by Troy on Oct.29, 2009
Converting an image to black & white is a tricky process, and often the results feel contrived. Having never shot using black & white film, it’s taken me some time to understand lighting and tones when converting the image.
Film noise is interesting in black & white. Because I only shoot using available light, I had to boost the ISO on this image to 1600 — which generated just enough noise to make it look grainy.
I took the above portrait of long-time friend Toph One back in May. After not seeing him for over 5 years, our paths crossed at a gallery opening in The Tenderloin. The best part of this portrait is that Toph has looked relatively the same since we first met, seemingly avoiding the aging process.
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Stand In The Place Where You Live
by Troy on Oct.27, 2009
Over the weekend, my wife and I decided to go to the Farmer’s Market at The Ferry Building for lunch. As we were walking towards the T-Third platform, I noticed these two women standing across the other side of the street. My choice of lens was the 28-135mm, but I wanted to get closer — it felt a little creepy to be sniping from where I was standing.
So we walked across the street and asked if I could snap their image. The dynamic-duo was ripe with high fashion and were more than happy to pose for a second. I banged on the shutter button a couple of times, got my shot, and continued heading towards Third Street.
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$2 Portait Project: Harvey
by Troy on Oct.22, 2009
This portrait is part of a project called “$2 Portraits.” The idea is that anyone who asks me for change, I will give them $2 in exchange for a portrait. While shooting, I will ask them a few questions in hopes of getting to know them better.
A few weeks back, I was headed over to the Coda Jazz Club to check out the David Alan Harvey (Magnum Photos) show along with friends and photographers Jeremy Brooks and Caliber member Julie Michelle.
As I headed towards Mission Street, Harvey approached me and asked for $1 in exchange for a Street Sheet newspaper he was selling. I told Harvey about the $2 Portrait Project and he agreed to let me take a few shots.
Harvey moved to San Francisco by way of Louisiana in the late 1980′s with his mother. He quickly got a construction job, was married, and had 7 kids. Back in those days, Harvey had a pretty nasty drug and alcohol problem, which slowly deteriorated all of his personal relationships. He hasn’t seen his wife or kids in a long time, even though he is sober these days. He seemed pretty upset about the loss of family contact.
Harvey also seemed really upset with the offices of Mayor Newsom and Governor Schwarzenegger for denying him access to SSI and housing. He also seemed to dislike the St. Anthony’s Foundation and especially Cecil Williams of Glide Memorial Church. He called Reverend Williams a “crook and a thief” and told me the reverend steals money from the weekly donations.
Harvey used to live at 19th & Capp, but “got into an argument with some Mexicans” and was evicted from his apartment. He now sleeps on the street and his only possessions are a change of clothes, a disc-man, and all 3 Guns ‘N’ Roses CDs. Harvey asked me if I liked Guns ‘N’ Roses, and I said yeah, they are actually one of my favorite bands.
At this point Harvey started to flag down other passers-by in hopes of selling more Street Sheets. As another stranger handed him $1, I told him to have a nice evening and headed over to Coda to meet my friends.
You can see the collective whole of $2 Portraits from around the world here.
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$2 Portrait Project: Willie
by Troy on Oct.14, 2009
This portrait is part of a project called “$2 Portraits.” The idea is that anyone who asks me for change, I will give them $2 in exchange for a portrait. While shooting, I will ask them a few questions in hopes of getting to know them better.
Last month I met photographers Greenkozi and RumNose for a Friday photowalk up Market Street. We met at Schroeder’s German Pub, and after a liter or two — headed out to make some photos.
As we neared the intersection of Market/Post/Montgomery, I noticed Willie from the corner of my eye. Willie had two tables set up and was selling items ranging from the King James edition of The Bible to pro/anti Obama buttons.
Willie asked me if I wanted to buy a button for $2. I told him I wasn’t really into collecting buttons and instead told him of my $2 Portrait Project. Willie told me he would both agree to a portrait as well as give me a button, so I paid him $2 and began shooting.
57 year old Willie moved to San Francisco in 1975 via the Greyhound Bus. It took about 4 days, but it was one of his best memories to date. Willie moved to San Francisco in because he had heard the weather was nice, the girls were nice, the weed was nice, and the Muni was free (?!?). To this remark we both laughed.
I asked Willie why he had so many Barack Obama buttons for sale, and he told me how much he hated Obama and figured “reverse psychology” was a good way to bring about change.
I didn’t understand what that meant, and decided to talk about music. Like myself, Willie’s favorite bands were Guns N Roses and Tom Petty.
Soon thereafter, another customer approached Willie’s tables. I took the chance to shake his hand and thanked him for the conversation. Willie wished me a good weekend as I headed up Market Street.
You can see the collective whole of $2 Portraits from around the world here.
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Bethany
by Julie on Oct.10, 2009
I met Bethany at the 2009 Pride Parade. She was so beautiful that I couldn’t help asking if I could take her photo.
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Jeff, 27 — Geary & Larkin
by Troy on Oct.08, 2009
I met Jeff one night outside of The Edinburgh Castle in the Tenderloin. I noticed his tattoo out of the corner of my eye and asked him if I could photograph it. He accepted my offer on the condition that we hide his eyes. Sounds good to me, I said.
A few weeks later, 4 Oakland police officers were killed by a convicted felon across The Bay. The public outcry over the incident was intense. What would cause someone to murder 4 individuals in charge of keeping the peace? I remembered this photo and thought about Jeff. He had the words “Fuck The Police” eloquently inked onto his body, which is a pretty powerful statement. I also remembered the killing of Oscar Grant by a BART police officer.
I’ve been in email contact with Jeff since photographing his forearm that night. I’ve asked him a few times to add some color to this lifelong decision, but he has declined to give me a direct answer.
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