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Out by Jim O'Connell.
Maintaining anonymity can be a kindness

OK - a little bit of background on this shot...
This was from last August when Ben was in town and we spent a lot of nights shooting Kabukicho after midnight. We had been talking about ethics and photography and shooting subjects with sympathy and understanding. Not sympathy as in "pity," but an understanding of feeling. The conversation had been more about photographs of the homeless, but as we talked and walked, we eventually turned a corner and came across this gentleman, happily passed out, probably after too many beers on a hot summer night with coworkers.
Ben and I stopped and looked at the scene. After all of our talk of dignity and ethics, I was tempted to walk away with no picture, but here he was, laid out so beautifully on the ground, with the most peaceful expression on his face.
"So how do we shoot this, Ben, without being exploitive and cheap?"
First we focus on composition, since his spread-eagle pose was what drew us to the scene. After all, he hadn't been here long and wouldn't stay long either, as that street gets too much car traffic, so we only had a few moments.

As wonderful an expression as he had, it really wasn't mine to take, not this close, not with him unconscious. Legalities aside, I would lose respect for myself if I took a shot that was purely a cheap shot when someone is down. By getting in low from the feet, I could remove the face from the scene yet still, the viewer can get a sense of who the man is.
I paused here as I noticed the cruciform element emerge, formed by the white of his shirt and the line of the street.

I just scanned this yesterday for the first time. A few weeks ago I printed it in the darkroom in postcard size and I have it with my other cards in a leather folder notebook I carry. When I stop for my morning coffee at Volcan (a café near my apartment) I look through my cards, studying them, editing them and eventually writing a note on the back and mailing them to friends. Because of this process, I eventually returned to the darkroom to print this large and now it's one of ten photos in a small exhibition I am doing. 

Comments

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mjd-s  Pro User  says:

OH MY GOODNESS!

Great catch!
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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The Library Guy says:

He seems to have lost his head.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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migrant  Pro User  says:

I like this one.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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RebeccaMacK  Pro User  says:

ouch! brings back memories.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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'stpiduko' says:

Ha

I feel like that by the time I get to work !!!

Seen in my contacts's photos.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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Cassie FX  Pro User  says:

Great catch - I love the all the movement and detail around him, while he lies there, motionless.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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Briggate.com  Pro User  says:

He should have tried to match you pint for pint
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

Laubscher [deleted] says:

Brilliant, brilliant.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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Wingdingo  Pro User  says:

Spot on.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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alexjdsmith  Pro User  says:

Great. Just great.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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yeled  Pro User  says:

thanks for the insight. nice process.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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villany  Pro User  says:

ditto yeled.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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Jeff's photography  Pro User  says:

what's up? excellant tone, I like it.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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jenbrea  Pro User  says:

I have ethical questions all the time, which is the #1 reason there are so many great photographs I just didn't take. I like your approach to the problem.

(Hey RMacK!)
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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benjamin> says:

This really is a good shot, the white in the shirt is fantastic.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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!!wat_dat!!  Pro User  says:

ethical dilemma aside, this picture tells a story that is volumes long…you are the master…thank you for your continuous inspirations!
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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Franks Wild  Pro User  says:

I think not putting his face in the shot makes for a better composition anyway, great capture. Hope it wasn't me! (joke.) ..... achem.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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Ben O`Connell says:

funny that you post this now, i just came across the negitive of this guy the other day. i havent printed it yet, and probably wont, mostly for the reasons you talked about. looking back at that night, i probably didnt approach that shot with nearly as much respect as i should have. i'm glad to hear your doing a show, let me know how it goes.
-ben
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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Hughes Léglise-Bataille  Pro User  says:

Great story (and photo). Your "moral" / ethical impact on how to take the shot is very interesting. I think the background story, however, is really important here: the guy could have been shot or punched, and there's no way to tell. I guess there's a trade-off: showing his smiling face (as you describe it) would have given us more information, and a different feel for the shot, but he would be recognizeable. Not showing his face, you respect his "intimacy", but the picture by itself could be misleading.

--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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Donnatella G  Pro User  says:

I appreciate hearing about your decision-making process about taking this photo...I still don't end up taking many photos of people currently...oh, and the photo is enjoyable, too.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

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Sue, Toronto  Pro User  says:

Wonderful story and really, really great image!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

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benroberts  Pro User  says:

you did well keeping his right hand in view. without it this shot wouldn't work.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

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Jim O'Connell  Pro User  says:

thanks.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

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orandajin  Pro User  says:

Amazing shot, and interesting topic indeed, thanks for the insight. I have come along a lot of passed out drunks or sleeping homeless in Tokyo, and somehow I am always hesitant to shoot a picture.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

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Rainer Jacob  Pro User  says:

I have to agree with Hugo and I think that question of "morals" is not helping. We have an exhibition of WeeGee's work right now. His shots are extremely direct (without morals?) Time will tell. It is a stunning document of these hard times. I actually see that question about morals as a sign of our "political correctness". You don't have to justify what you do...the ones looking at the shots you did will give you their personal interpretations anyway. If you would have exposed him and have some people passing by, you would have a political statement. Yes, people look and do not care. The question I have is more about: Do people care. Did you leave him there? Why didn't you...? I think you can discuss morals but what does it change. People do look at life in their own way and you can not control it. I like storytelling pictures. Without your comment this one would be open to a lot of speculations. What is wrong with that?
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

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FluidImage  Pro User  says:

Super shot and cool story... The temptation is always there to be cheap... I think that I walk away more often than not, but on occasion it is irresistible!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

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Zebrio  Pro User  says:

Now this is what you call street...Very Jim,...Jim. Its a keeper...Hang it over the fireplace...
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

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★ Firebrand ★ says:

Maybe he died with a smile on his face. did he have a pulse? Great shot!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

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stellalee523  Pro User  says:

What a moment!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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local man says:

really great shot
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

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tempura (hit by lightning) says:

hello I'm an admin for the group b&w street, a selection would appreciate if you added this photo to

www.flickr.com/groups/street_selection/
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

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azli jamil - back in India again :-)  Pro User  says:

Read the caption :-)
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

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omalingue  Pro User  says:

It's a great photo congratulations.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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naugastyle  Pro User  says:

Great story, great composition. I like that it almost looks like a grab shot but you put so much thought into it. Beautiful result.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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Liak's says:

Fantastic concept and execution!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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Straws pulled at random  Pro User  says:

Really nice perspective...Your photostream has some outstanding photos!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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iwishmynamewasmarsha  Pro User  says:

Interesting story, and interesting picture!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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✁☄ KAIRUUINZURO ✁☄  Pro User  says:

i had a few of those nights in shinjuku
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

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.provoke.  Pro User  says:

brilliant, i reckon you did the right thing here no doubt. great atmosphere, great story...
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

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ulunam  Pro User  says:

nice image
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

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Mark_H  Pro User  says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Street Noir, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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wittaman1 says:

great shot
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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Rejetto  Pro User  says:

great street.



--
Seen in a discussion of Hardcore Street Photography (HCSP). (?)
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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Grub Lubbor says:

Incredible capture, and obviously very salient point. I'm still trying to learn to walk a line that you've clearly mastered. It's been a joy to look through your photos.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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Melponeme_k  Pro User  says:

Great photo
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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kykirkwood  Pro User  says:

Your angle offers a good sense of his vulnerability - that hand in the path of oncoming traffic especially. Interesting considerations in your text.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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StudioCB says:

Really excellent shot. I like the composition and angle. Your background info and thought processes, as mentoned, above are interesting.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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i didn't mean to go to Stoke  Pro User  says:

nobody is checking on him to see if he is still alive
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

SISTA_TRISHA [deleted] says:

irie!

excelent picture..
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

SISTA_TRISHA [deleted] says:

sometimes the misfortunes of someone else is the art of others...
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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SunSara says:

It's really great!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're just LUCKYman=D!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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CI▲_▲RT says:

ahahahahahhahaah funny shot
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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mmikaoj says:

Good one! I think you handled the ethical problem in a good way, really. I'd love to be there to see his face though.. yet somethings are ment to be kept secret.

I was really inspired by your postcard-approach to imageediting. I'll propably give it a try, thanks for the tip!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

Cher Wilk [deleted] says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Photomeat: The Prime Cuts, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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Chris__Russell says:

who would have thought that a picture of a man passed out in the street, could be so dramatic, without the drama!!! A very well captured image...
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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Flamenco sketches  Pro User  says:

great photo, and thank you for taking time to describe it so well!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

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SomeWhatLucid  Pro User  says:

Hah...that's japan for you. I actually was in Sapporo this last summer and helped to lift some drunk up off of the street and in to the back of a taxi. Drunk salary men.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

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JJ San  Pro User  says:

I can appreciate your thoughts here. I approached this subject with a similar attitude:
(j/k - she's a friend)
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

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Shutterhack says:

Oh god what happened here... he simply cant wait to get to bed can he?
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

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Peter Cleghorn  Pro User  says:

Did you move him out of the road/ check he was okay?
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

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avp17 says:

fantastic composition.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

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Noah L☮VE J☺Y  Pro User  says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Beauty in a Tragedy, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

Feel free to add anymore photos to the pool :)
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

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nardell  Pro User  says:

Superb shot, and I love hearing your thinking behind the shot. The angle really makes this - fantastic.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

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steve angelkov  Pro User  says:

i love this. suited and booted (minus the jacket) but on his arse. fave.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

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mud_dog  Pro User  says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called ** The Big Sleep **, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

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andy_havens says:

Thought you'd like to know that I wrote a poem inspired by this image.

www.tinkerx.com/2009/04/20/smashing-monday-po etry-1/

Thanks.

- Andy
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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Bethenia252 says:

He's wearing a business suit. It looks like either he just lost his job or was out looking for a job earlier in the day and drunk his way to the pavement. Could almost go into a Stock Photography, Business section.
Posted 6 months ago. ( permalink )

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ʎssǝɾ  Pro User  says:

absolutely great!
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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