faith & grace

if eyes could speak , this would be a dictionary
amazing work!

(homeless woman, sf, 2/19/06)

homeless robin from sonoma sitting in a doorway on the outskirts of hayes valley; she has two grown sons still there (one 22 and one 35). she doesn't see them much; but they speak often.

she recently got caught in the cross fire of a gang shooting. one bullet went through her arm. the other went through her groin and is lodged near her spine.

she says it's only by god's grace that she survived.

she lives on her SSI benefits; she chooses to live on the street rather than give it all over for housing.

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Comments

bahia simons-morton says:

wow. this shot really captures a human essence.

3-2-1
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

ManonManon says:

O,excellent portrait!!!:)

(1-2-3)
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

VickiVale says:

Such a range of thoughts and feelings are evoked by this shot. Nicely done in B&W...perfect.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

jehwriter says:

Wow. What a picture, what a statement.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

ToBNot2B says:

sharp!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

BrittanyS says:

Her eyes drew me in from the thumbnail, and keep me staring at this image even now. An amazing capture, and an amazing story.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Araleya says:

Sensational
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

tchtch says:

lovely eyes
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

always a spring says:

thank you for the story behind her eyes. 123
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

WAYNE HIEBERT says:

A haunting photograph...If only God had a bit more grace.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

JPuck says:

Very difficult to discribe this one. Her distant eyes and leathery face are indeed haunting.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

memaxmarz (Janis) says:

yes, her eyes are speaking volumes, excellent photograph.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

sahst23 says:

Chills up my spine. My God - what are her sons doing? Did you get the sense that they have tried to help her?
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

humphreyphotography says:

This shot is absolutely amazing. You've really outdone yourself here! kudos!!!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

roger_alcantara says:

oh my! very powerful! you can see the story of her life in her eyes... and in the details on her face.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

pierre pouliquin says:

Very nice portrait, thanks for putting it in context. Respect! (it seems a bit ridiculous here, but: 1-2-3)
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Claude Renault says:

a moving portrait..
beautiful
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Nekominn says:

You have amazing portraits, just spent last hour looking over them while I should be working.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Molly Merrick says:

fabulous. I love it.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

lafemmeritz says:

wow, it's really touching and beautiful
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

surplusparts says:

This is definately worth a thousand words.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

nailbender says:

So very touching.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Mario Marcante says:

total strange
great shot and edition
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

iderah says:

oh, I have no words. moving.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

soleá says:

this foto has a soul.. very very impressive
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Juzzz says:

Love it!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

NickDD says:

Stunning!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Evren Sahin says:

great portrait..
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

n8wood says:

Amazing shot, nothing else to say.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

brewpez says:

Wow ! Intense. Keep up the good work !
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Michelle Miramontes says:

this is an amazing portrait, her expression can say so much, congratulations!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Fack to Bront says:

:: applause ::

Again!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Christian Grosch says:

Woooooooow!!

Congratulations, nice shot, good Portrait!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

auwa says:

I'm speechless!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

alight says:

there is no barrier between her eyes and her soul...
thank you, stoneth .. by your acknowledgment of her, you honor her worth..
(this image could have been photographed by Edward S. Curtis circa 1900..)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

'SeraphimC says:

Stunning. Simply stunning work and story.
Amazing.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

A@lbi says:

Simply amazing. What a portrait!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

stoneth says:

lauren bahia: thanx!

MaronManon: :))))

VickiVale: Appreciated!

jehwriter: :))) !

ToBNot2B: :)

BrittanyS: Thx so much!

Aralyeya: :)))!!!

eric9660773: :) :) :)

always a spring: certainly!

WAYNE HIEBERT: we can all do with more grace :))

JPuck: Indeed!

memaxmarz: danka!

sahst23: they talk; but i guess they just do their own thing... not anything i can comprehend (???!!!???!!!???!!!)

humphreyphotography: danka danka!!! :)))

roger_alcantara: yes you can... when we look :)

pierre pouliquin: Thank you!!! :)))

Claude Renault: thanks for stopping by!!! and thanks!!!

Nekominn: Coooool! :))))

molly_merrick: :))) :)

lafemmeritz: thk u :)))

surplusparts: :))

nailbender: :) !

MARIO MARCANTE: good to see you back about!!! thanks!

iderah: :)))))) !!!

solea: thankx! but just a poor copy :)

Juzzz: :))

NickDD: :) :)) :))

Evren Sahin: :) Thanks :)

n8wood: Thank You! .

brewpez: thanks!!!

Michelle Miramontes: :) I'm glad u like :) Thanks!

Fack to Bront: You're awesome... again! (Thanks!!!)

Christian Grosch: Thx!!! :)

auwa: :))))))))

alight: wow! kind! thank you much!

SeraphimC: Thk YOU!!!! :)))

@lbi: Thanks a lot! :))))
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Susan B. [deleted] says:

exceptional.
So soulful and powerful. Cuts right through the bone.

Your street portraits are superb.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

sbaracchina says:

She reminds me of a character from an Eisenstein film. Amazing shot & set.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

dvaires says:

Sad but not exploitative. Wonderfully empathetic. Thanks.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

txiribiton says:

ok i think that i have found a mine cfull of gem portraits, nice to meet you & your photos!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Unhindered by Talent says:

A spectacular portrait. The beauty and depth in her face is quite remarkable.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Ravi Vora says:

fantastic values!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

btezra [deleted] says:

~your continued pursuit of honest, true, powerful, emotional street portraiture moves me, inspires me, deserves recognition...would you please add this image to the BRAVO group pool, it would be a fine addition!~

BRAVO!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Gale Franey says:

Very moving photo, and troubling story!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

hyonle says:

hidden away behind those eye lies a heartfelt tale. i'm sure of it. a sad and beautiful shot.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

chichi banana says:

this is an amazing photograph.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Taigah says:

I was immmediately reminded of the National Geographic photo of the Afghani woman with the breathtaking eyes and expression.
I think you did something great in this photo.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Huda. says:

Amazing shot !
Just looking at her eyes you can see she's been through a lot of pain :(
~ FaV ~
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

jorgedbbt says:

Stunning photo!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

The Grand Duchess says:

Reminds me of a face straight out of a Bergman film...very penetrating & intense
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

LOlandeseVolante says:

It is hard to pick one, but this is the most intense portrait for me. What is the color of her eyes? Do you know Tracy Chapman song "Subcity"? Do you mind if I post it?

Subcity
(From the album "CROSSROADS")

People say it doesn't exist
'Cause no one would like to admit
That there is a city underground
Where people live everyday
Off the waste and decay
Off the discards of their fellow man

Here in subcity life is hard
We can't receive any government relief
I'd like to please give Mr. President my honest regards
For disregarding me

They say there's too much crime in these city streets
My sentiments exactly
Government and big business hold the purse strings
When I worked I worked in the factories
I'm at the mercy of the world
I guess I'm lucky to be alive

They say we've fallen through the cracks
They say the system works
But we won't let it
Help
I guess they never stop to think
We might not just want handouts
But a way to make an honest living
Living this ain't living

What did I do deserve this
Had my trust in god
Worked everyday of my life
Thought I had some guarantees
That's what I thought
At least that's what I thought

Last night I had another restless sleep
Wondering what tomorrow might bring
Last night I dreamed
A cold blue light was shining down on me
I screamed myself awake
Thought I must be dying
Thought I must be dying
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Ilaria Maccari says:

This is my favourite
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

humphreyphotography says:

I still find myself coming back to this shot time and again! It's truly outstanding.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

a+x says:

So much suffering in her eyes
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

ignacio_lpm says:

Preeminent.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Erika Lujano says:

wow! what face! it's impressive!
you have excellent portraits of urban life!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

kiddharma says:

Just now stumbling onto your set; can't say much more than other have already said in praise for these potraits. This one--in fact, several of these--remind me of Edward Curtis' indian portraits; just something about the light...
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Kashklick says:

I love your portraits, very real and very beautiful.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

eyewash says:

Upon first sight in thumbnail, I thought this was that photo of the woman & her children made famous during the Great Depression.

How interesting that this tiny thumbnail evoked this particular time period? In a country where the gap between excess & poverty seems immense, many, many, many of us are only a few steps away from Robin's life. It is amazing that she says, "it's only by god's grace that she survived" the shooting! We have much to learn from this strong woman. Bravo!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Irina [deleted] says:

I would die for seeing this one in colour...just because of those eyes! Such an expressive portrait!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

miquelet says:

your work is really excellent
sometimes, like in this one
it reminds me a lot
the italian neo-realism
;-)
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Pierre-Elie de Pibrac says:

for all your photos (homeless) i can only say: FANTASTIC , BRILLIANT, we can see your subject's soul!! how do you do it ? do you ask them ?
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

getedgy says:

Your work has great depth. Powerful!!!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Solitaire Miles says:

SSI benefits are nothing to live on. Most times it's around $600 a month. Nobody lives high off the hog on disability. There are no easy free rides for these people. Some states have better social packages, some don't. It's disgusting, how America takes care of it's disabled and mentally ill. Other First World Countries with higher standards of living, (Canada, UK, Austrailia, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland), don't have so much of this. Mentally ill people get the medical and psyhciatric support they need. There's no money here in the US for them, it's all going to Iraq and big business welfare programs.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

sahst23 says:

Please add this photo to the BRAVO Group. It is fantastic!!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

little_stitcher says:

She looks like Vanessa Redgrave-the British actress
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

guzzie says:

Oh yeah!
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

mandyonearth [deleted] says:

Made me sad for hours, beautifull pictures.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

sahst23 says:

when i was in SF a few weeks ago, i don't know why, but i thought i might see this woman. i don't know where hayes valley is located. i didn't end up seeing her but your collective poverty work really has documented this social ill (for lack of a better phrase).

oh, and excuse me if i didn't see your shot in the bravo group before. i now see that craig, btezra, had already invited you...
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

MarthaRiley says:

I just discovered your work. I am so glad for you and your work. Thank you for the faces and the stories.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

bike queen says:

Robin..has wonderful eyes,glimpse of light there i see...they must be blue..reminds me of Dutch 16th century paintings...long faces,typical hats for that time...looking like these sculptures of saints you see in churches...stone faces....
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Fayyaz Ahmed says:

amazing amazing shot!! Wat a subject and wat great tones!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

fotonstudio says:

your portraits are absolutely amazing, a great work full of human essences, fantastic!!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

johnpiercy says:

Stoneth ... all your portraits are very moving , particularly this one ,,
You can feel the hurt , through her eyes

Do you offer assistance when you see them ,, or do they ask for cash or food ?

amazing work ,,
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

JakeBrewer says:

I'm at a loss.

Your work is extraordinary. In each photo I feel as though I'm looking into the soul of your subjects. That sense is perhaps best captured in this portrait.

Thank you for doing the work that you do and sharing it with the world.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

oOXsavedXOo says:

I've found no one on Flickr, or anywhere else online for that matter, that can capture emotion in a single glance as you do.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

✪ patric shaw says:

this is a very beautifully human portrait well done
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Richard R. says:

Amazing shot.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Rafael Pieroni [deleted] says:

You give them back their faces that our struggling system insist to take away.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Athenamama says:

Your work is so reminiscent of Dorothea Lange. Had I seen this particular shot anywhere else I would have sworn it was the work of Lange.

Hardly have I ever seen such touching, dramatic work in all of my flickr experience.

What you posses is more than just "talent".
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

decembre says:

♥Thank you too for your post in
"Portrait★Faces"
Continue !
--
Seen in your poverty (all) set. (?)
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

bill4pics says:

Rivals the well known Afghan woman's picture in National Geographic! Terrific!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Debbie C.B.'s says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called BEST in B&W photography, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

my favorite poem RINALDO AREANAS

My Lover the Sea
I am that child with the round, dirty face
who on every corner bothers you with his
"can you spare a quarter?"
I am that child with the dirty face
no doubt unwanted
that from far away contemplates coaches
where other children
emit laughter and jump up and down considerably

I am that unlikeable child
definitely unwanted
with the round dirty face
who before the giant street lights or
under the grandames also illuminated
or in front of the little girls that seem to levitate
projects the insult of his dirty face

I am that angry and lonely child of always,
that throws you the insult of that angry child of always
and warns you:
if hypocritically you pat me on the head
I would take that opportunity to steal your wallet.

I am that child of always
before the panorama of imminent terror,
imminent leprosy, imminent fleas,
of offenses and the imminent crime.

I am that repulsive child that improvises a bed
out of an old cardboard box and waits,
certain that you will accompany me
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

SuperKarmen says:

..the life.. is so hard.
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

thedeming says:

Poor lady! Makes me angry to think no one would help her, no one would care. We walk through life not caring about the next person, maybe that should change.
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

thedeming says:

She seems as though she's had sadness beyond tears. Her heart aches to the point of pain. She feels so alone. She's given up after fighting many rounds, battling life. For some of us are lucky others are not. But the fact is, any of us could be in her shoes. Sometimes life is tough and we're so lucky.
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

De_humo (extorre2202) says:

i ve found your flickr today. its so beautiful serious and important work.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

brancusi7 says:

because you show their innate dignity it becomes, for me, a gallery of saints.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

lightizerous [deleted] says:

I'm too weak to realize how much pain in this photo !!!
I wish everyone sees this photo !
It's the best portrait I've ever seen, full of emotion.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

d0.0b says:

your entire set on poverty is very interesting. there are some truly great portraits. some of them remind me of Dorothea Lange's work.
Posted 6 months ago. ( permalink )

pcorp2009 says:

This is amazing
Posted 6 weeks ago. ( permalink )

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Taken on February 19, 2006

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faith & grace

Comments

bahia simons-morton says:

ManonManon says:

VickiVale says:

jehwriter says:

ToBNot2B says:

BrittanyS says:

Araleya says:

tchtch says:

always a spring says:

WAYNE HIEBERT says:

JPuck says:

memaxmarz (Janis) says:

sahst23 says:

humphreyphotography says:

roger_alcantara says:

pierre pouliquin says:

Claude Renault says:

Nekominn says:

Molly Merrick says:

lafemmeritz says:

surplusparts says:

nailbender says:

Mario Marcante says:

iderah says:

soleá says:

Juzzz says:

NickDD says:

Evren Sahin says:

n8wood says:

brewpez says:

Michelle Miramontes says:

Fack to Bront says:

Christian Grosch says:

auwa says:

alight says:

'SeraphimC says:

A@lbi says:

stoneth says:

Susan B. [deleted] says:

sbaracchina says:

dvaires says:

txiribiton says:

Unhindered by Talent says:

Ravi Vora says:

btezra [deleted] says:

Gale Franey says:

hyonle says:

chichi banana says:

Taigah says:

Huda. says:

jorgedbbt says:

The Grand Duchess says:

LOlandeseVolante says:

Ilaria Maccari says:

humphreyphotography says:

a+x says:

ignacio_lpm says:

Erika Lujano says:

kiddharma says:

Kashklick says:

eyewash says:

*Irina* [deleted] says:

miquelet says:

Pierre-Elie de Pibrac says:

getedgy says:

Solitaire Miles says:

sahst23 says:

little_stitcher says:

guzzie says:

mandyonearth [deleted] says:

sahst23 says:

MarthaRiley says:

bike queen says:

Fayyaz Ahmed says:

fotonstudio says:

johnpiercy says:

JakeBrewer says:

oOXsavedXOo says:

Irina [deleted] says: