Paul Crespel

There only ONE homeless person in any of the photos. If you look hard enough, think a lot, and ask questions - that's what people aren't doing - you will understand that there is only one homeless lady. This set of photos covers racism, obesity, a man trying to beat kids with a big stick, disabled, child slave labour, priest kissing a nun, urinating in public (not by a homeless man, but a man who lives only 100 metres from there, who was just to lazy to hold it until he got home), and other challenging subjects. People aren't curious, they are not asking themselves, or others, questions. Without curiosity and questioning, there cannot be good photos. It seems that people these days can only concentrate on one image at a time, and even then they all fail to see what's in the image. The above images aren't just chosen at random, they all have something that needs questioning, and many are not what they seem at first glance, but studying them, questioning what is wrong in the photos, or what is missing, can often tell you more than what is there. That is the same for all documentary photographs I have thousands like this, possibly half a million archived on negatives. Maybe homeless is easy to discuss and photograph because generally the homeless can't fight back. What about the 4 black guys sheltering from the snow under a tree, by chance behind a bench with "white / colored" graffiti.... that is at least as good as Elliott Erwitt's famous "White / Colored" drinking fountain shot. It was not posed - none of my photos are posed. People are scared of confronting or discussing anything controversial, and even with homeless, which is the most easily discussed, the discussion never goes beyond "It's cliché and doesn't help their situation", or at best "somebody has to do it to record it for future generations". My exhibitions really provoke, and I am often there to provoke discussion, and I see how uncomfortable people are, but often, with discussion, they go away with a new view on an issue. Given what's been in the news in recent years, nobody even seems to have the courage to even look at the new thread "kids and teenagers". Disabled.... that's just as bad. NOBODY takes photos of people in wheelchairs.... why? As far as I know, that photo is the only wheelchair photo I've ever seen in a photography forum. Why? People just feel too uncomfortable around certain subjects, and prefer to ignore them instead of treating them as normal. This thread is not about the photographs, it is about people's attitudes to certain subjects If photographers don't study other people's photographs, not just look at them, but really study them, they will never be photographers. Go and look at the controversial set again, there really is only one homeless, poor person there. Look also at photos from 30 years ago or more, by Erwitt, Berengo-Gardin, Maier etc., they had no fear of photographing what the world now sees as embarrassing subjects. Why?

Can we try to keep this from becoming a discussion purely about homeless people?

and some more.... Autograph please? by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Verona, city of Romeo and Juliet by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

Some more: Stars 'n Stripes by Paul Crespel, on Flickr A Spin in Venice by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Young Italians by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Shaken, not stirredi by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Skateboarding by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

Sadly I don't think it's something you can teach. Everybody is born with a talent, a gift..... the lucky ones get to discover what their talent is, but others search their whole lives for what they want to do, instead of what they CAN do. Schumacher, Pavarotti, Pelé, Mohammed Ali, and so many others were born with abilities. None of them can or could really explain how they do it, they just know they were born to do it, and none of them could ever achieve success in another's field. Just follow your instincts, wherever they lead. I can't explain how, but I can share what I can do, and hopefully others will be encouraged by my photos. Photography was my trade for about 23 years until I gave up in 1997. I didn't intend to ever touch another camera, but about 4 or 5 years ago I wanted to see what digital was all about, so I bought a camera, and photography got me back. I can't explain, but I can try to encourage

Another thread to lure you all out of your comfort zones.... Loggia del Consiglio Verona by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Skipping Rope by Paul Crespel, on Flickr New Year's Eve by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Streetlight adventure by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Verona Kids Teasing Man by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Infinity by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Innsbruck Curiosity by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Venice Christmas 2014 by Paul Crespel, on Flickr [url=https://flic.kr/p/qQL7xn]

Casualty of Life's Wars by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

I keep finding more Tocatì 2014 by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

Some more.... Verona Kiss by Paul Crespel, on Flickr If you look carefully at the photo below, you will see the man behind the mirror exerting a huge effort to pull something.... and if you look above the man in the mirror's head, you will see that the man behind the mirror appears to be trying to remove the top of his head... I call this one BRAIN SURGERY Reflections of a Brain Surgeon by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Nutella by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Milan Cloak & Dagger by Paul Crespel, on Flickr il Duce by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

Another thread for people to join in and share their best images. Street markets, in this case mainly Verona and Milan in Italy. Life Reflections by Paul Crespel, on Flickr A Dose of the Smurfs by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Dutch Coffee Shop by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Curiosity by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Head Investigators by Paul Crespel, on Flickr African Crafts by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

Hi erwiuewurwehu, all of my photos are spontaneous, none are posed. I don't really "create" them.... I steal them but don't tell anybody Street photography is not art, it is theft You can see a lot more of my work if you click the links below, or visit one of my exhibitions.

Another theme that others might like to contribute to.... people at windows Venice girl on phone by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Verona Via Pigna Window-1 by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Verona Window by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Verona Window by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Outlook by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Parma news kiosk by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Night Train by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

Caught in flagrante delitto Verona Statue of Giulietta by Paul Crespel, on Flickr And the story hit the news! Newspaper l'Arena Verona www.streetphotography.international by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

It was a cold, blowy day at the beach Cold, Blowy Day by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

What is he filming? Best Seat in the Arena by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

What are those girls doing? Verona Lungadige Cangrande by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

This child, watched over by his "minder", was 9 years old when I took the photograph. Instead of being at school he was being made to work the tables and earn money. The expression on his face, and that on his "minder's" face tell the story. Forced Child Labour by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

What are the pigeons doing? Fuc*ing Pigeons by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

I've started this thread to try and encourage people to come out of their comfort zone, and to think more when they photograph street scenes. Some of these images may be viewed as controversial or provocative. None are criticisms of the subjects, but rather they are criticisms of the society and mentality in which the subjects live, and perhaps a criticism our our own judgement of others. Some of the images here appear also in other threads; be patient with me, each is a useful illustration for more than one subject. You're Welcome To Verona! by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Verona Kids Teasing Man by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Homeless in Verona by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Verona right of way? by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Verona Curiosity by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Verona antisocial behaviour by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Dignity by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Nutella by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Curia Curiosa by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

Hi Guillaume I'm not sure what to advise, but I will try. You should follow your instincts. It's something you either have or you don't have, and I don't think it's something that is easily learned from somebody else.... you have to use your own judgement. You will know when you get it right. I have the advantage of having spent over 20 years as a photoreporter, many years ago now, but I don't know how to explain or advise others, as every situation is different. Some of the work I did caused me to have to live in less than ideal conditions for extended periods, so in a way I've been where they are now, and maybe that shows in my approach to them.... I don't really know. The one very important thing you might want to keep in mind is that no matter how difficult a person's situation seems to be, you must always allow them dignity, and treat them as fellow human beings; treat everybody as you would treat your own parents or grandparents. Lonely or homeless people are PEOPLE. They aren't tramps, or vagabonds, or criminals... they are people who, for one reason or another, are facing difficulties. Maybe another point to consider is WHY you want to photograph them. Is it just to get a great photo? Is it just a personal challenge? Those aren't always the best reasons to document social issues. Think long and hard about why you want to do it. If you think you're up to making a statement on their behalf, and if you're sure that they would approve of the way you approach it, then go ahead. But also consider that even with the best intentions in the world, you could end up humiliating them. It's not the easiest subject, but a degree in psychology might help, as would a thorough examination of your motives for wanting to cover such issues. Good luck

Towns and cities are places where you can feel very lonely, even surrounded by so many people. Sometimes you choose to be alone for a while, but not everybody is fortunate enough to have such a choice. Bardolino sky by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Dignity by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Mara's Bar Cembra by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Outlook by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Verona Curiosity by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Homeless in Verona by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

Changing Heads by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Curia Curiosa by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Innsbruck Curiosity by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Curiosity by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Shaken, not stirredi by Paul Crespel, on Flickr il Duce by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Window Dressing by Paul Crespel, on Flickr A hard seat by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

Milan - Italy Milan Tattoos by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Verona - Italy Tattoos and dog by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

Window Dresser (or undresser) - Verona - Italy Window Dressing by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Washing her own face - Milan - Italy Washing Her Face by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Closed down ice cream shop - Verona - Italy Looking through the newspapers by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Newspaper kiosk window - Parma - Italy Parma news kiosk by Paul Crespel, on Flickr Carnival Mask Shop (and owner) - Venice - Italy Venice Mask Shop by Paul Crespel, on Flickr

Ciao Paolo, I did the same I gave up photography completely in 1997, and returned at the end of 2009, but to digital. It's good! Let's meet for a coffee sometime in my Milan "office" MILAN PERMANENT STREET PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION Paul