Homeless NYC Photo Gallery by mashuga at pbase.com

Homeless NYC

These are some of the photos from a project I have been working on for the last five years called "Essential Humanity" They are taken with permission, on the streets of New York City.
There is a short write up on each person I have photographed at my other log located at:
http://www.fotolog.net/mashuga/

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Vinny	Ian	Junior	Laddie
Larry w scope	Mitchell	Nancy	Rabbit

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comment |

Naz		09-Jun-2011 22:39
Hi, how did you get the permission and from whom? I have always been struggling on how to do street photography..

Guest		23-Sep-2010 19:45
to whome it may concern I found this website very introsting . Its my first tme ,i would really like to keep incontact. I want to help young help ,be there for them. I'm a child of god and its my ministry to speak 2 young people. I'm revke my contact details:0744057755 än my email address revke@sandown.co.za 6666

Ashley Hockenberry		15-Sep-2010 01:37
Excellent work !

Diane		06-Jul-2010 15:50
It is wonderful that you include their names reminding us they are people too with a past present and future just like those viewing your work. So many of us look the other way and continue on with our lives. These photos make us stop, look and think

kiki miller		19-Oct-2009 21:58
Check out Jacob Holdt..his pictures of the homeless in the 70's. Very graphic but pictures that I cant keep out of my head! I was homeless in NYC in 1974, for a short period of time. I cant imagine living this way for a very long time. My heart goes out to all of these people! They all at one time were innocent little babies, and some how their life took a bad turn. What Happened? They all have mothers, fathers, sisters, cousins, children who loved them. Makes my heart so sad!

therealbeenthere		24-Jun-2009 23:31
Oh yeah, and by the way... everybody ought to know that THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS "MENTAL ILLNESS" & so you REALLY need to come up off of referring to that brainwash -- psychiatric persecution is beyond victimizing behavior -- it's TORTURE -- Psychiatry is the Gestapo and people are being kidnapped, tortured and criminalized for LIFE - FOR NO REASON AT ALL... You best be thanking God it isn't you, and you best be readin' some Thomas Szasz books! CCHR is a much needed organization that actually is doing something to "help" -- check them out on YouTube, Facebook, MySpace... even on eBay

therealbeenthere		24-Jun-2009 23:21
Yo, "been there done that" - you LIE, LIE, LIE & you know it, because if you REALLY had been there you would KNOW THAT SOME OF US REALLY DON't HAVE ANY WAY OUT & THAT TO SAY THAT THERE IS PLACES TO GO TO "GET HELP" MAKES YOU THE ABSOLUTE VICTIMIZING AH* THAT CREATED THIS SITUATION FOR US IN THE FIRST PLACE! SOME OF US ARE NOT WILLING TO SELL OUR SEX OR BECOME DRUG ADDICTS OR ALCOHOLICS OR MAKE BAD DECISIONS & THAT IS THE VERY REASON WHY #1 WE END UP OUT THERE & #2 WE ARE FORCED BY AH*S LIKE YOU TO STAY OUT THERE FOR DECADES. GET OVER YOUR MANIACAL EGO & STOP FELLING SORRY FOR YOURSELF THAT YOU'RE THE ONE THAT WASTED A CHUNK OF YOUR OWN LIFE MAKING (and obviously continuing to make) BAD DECISIONS!!!

(joe) O		07-Dec-2008 23:49
Thank you for this gallery!

Joel		27-Sep-2008 16:23
Excellent collection! Thank you for posting these beautiful photos. So often, homelessness as a subject is ignored or turned into a sideshow, yet these depictions treat the subjects with the respect and dignity they deserve. Pay no attention to the naysayers, they are only stung by a need to defend their own affluence when faced with images of poverty... stubbornly insisting that they not love or respect their fellow human beings because they are so afraid of what they represent. Good work.

debip		20-Jun-2008 12:48
Myths about the homeless: ********************************************************************* Myth: Not many children are homeless. ******************************************************************* Fact: Children make up about 15% of the homeless population. Families with children is the fastest growing group of homeless. One child in five in the United States lives below the poverty line. Many homeless children are alone and homeless, either runaways or "throwaways". ******************************************************************* Myth: Most of them are mentally ill. ******************************************************************* Fact: The mentally ill comprise about 25% of the national total homeless. It should be noted that this number includes those who are suffering from depression, some of which may be situational rather than a true disorder. ******************************************************************* Myth: They are heavy drug and alcohol users. ******************************************************************* Fact: Some homeless are substance abusers; research suggests one in four. Many of these are included in the 25% who are mentally ill. ******************************************************************* Myth: They want to be that way. ******************************************************************* Fact: Less than six percent of the homeless are homeless by choice. ******************************************************************* Myth: They don't work. ******************************************************************* Fact: 30% of the homeless are employed on a full-time or part-time basis. Someone who works full-time at a minimum-wage job actually takes home about $600.00 per month and is at great risk for homelessness. ******************************************************************* Myth: They are to blame for their own situation. ******************************************************************* Fact: Most homeless people are victims. Some have suffered from child abuse or violence. 15% are children. Many have lost their jobs after years of employment. All have lost their homes. ******************************************************************* Myth: They are dangerous. ******************************************************************* Fact: In general, the homeless are among the least threatening group in our society. If anything, they are the victims of crimes, not the perpetrators. ******************************************************************* Myth: The homeless are only in large urban areas. ******************************************************************* Fact: The homeless are found not only in large cities, but in small towns, rural areas, and affluent suburbs. ******************************************************************* Myth: The homeless are uneducated and unemployable. ******************************************************************* Fact: Many homeless people have completed high school; some have attended college and even graduate school. *********************************************************************

php coach		13-Jun-2008 21:31
Coach: If a homeless person is found because of your site it is your gift to that man, woman or child's family. Your site is a priceless contribution. thank you.

Keith J Fitzell		03-Jul-2007 16:22
I was there in NYC and know some of thies people .....God bless them I am a new yorker who lives now in Portland Maine (Life is good) and own a 97' Fishing Vessel named T&A Morningstar....check us out in Portland Maine, Hobsons Pier

Elena Kalis		14-Jun-2007 18:36
Life is a very strange place.Thank you for sharing this images.They make me think...

Guest		23-Nov-2006 21:59
see my homeless gallery http://www.pbase.com/stevehuff/the_homeless Thanks and great stuff here!

Guest		14-Sep-2006 08:16
hello

Guest		14-Sep-2006 08:15
haha

Guest		08-Sep-2006 23:33
I teacher a group of 9-12 year olds, at the church that I attened. We have a few famileis that visit us that are homless. This whole month we are learning about servent hood. I came aross these pictures and I plan on showing them to the sudents. To show that we must reach ALL people, and to share the love of God. These pictures are VERY powerful it shows us the reality of life.

Joe		27-Aug-2006 15:06
I know most of these people since I was once 1 of them.I must say it is very sad... Too know their hearts and live with them on the streets on made ohhhh so humble. Great job and I still visit a few to explain that in order to get help never give up,even our Lord was homeless yet he succeded with his mission.

Guest		01-Jun-2006 14:53
Imagine some of these respondents talking about camera angles!This gallery shows more about us than them.

Konica Minolta Users		29-May-2006 13:38
please keep on doing this! keep our concience going! We need to get a reminder!! great work!

Kat		11-Mar-2006 17:32
So totally for the GRACE OF GOD...go I! Thank you for reminding me to be GRATEFUL today!

guest		10-Mar-2006 06:31
This gallery discusts me. Every picture may have an excellent story, but this is just absolutely horrible to corrupt people like that. How can this world be so fucking heartless.

Henry Taitano		02-Mar-2006 22:29
voted :) good job.

Henry Taitano		02-Mar-2006 22:29
This is a wonderful gallery. Your photos tell quite a story. I would guess you paid them in some way to get their photos also theres a couple of faces that to me may be recently homeless. Some pretty faces too.

Lina Cardona		14-Feb-2006 05:32
clearly a great work. Did you talk to any of these people. do you know anyone with a great story to share>?....

WonG		25-Nov-2005 22:56
increible me impresionaron mucho tus fotos buen trabajo aunque capten tanta tristeza en sus rostros

Guest		29-Aug-2005 09:15
Nothing about languages, borders or foreing dictatorial governments... All of us must work every day to bring a home, food and a job for our neighbours, those who are a mile arround us. When we success we will be able to multiply those miles for two, three, four... a thousand miles if necessary. Don't waste money on wars, don't waste others lifes. Use your own life to give life to others

Fil		27-Aug-2005 09:00
I Still Doesn´t understand why you have been doing this? ... but it´s a great work!!!

Angel		26-Aug-2005 14:47
Sad, beautiful and real.

Steve Brennan		04-Aug-2005 00:14
Beautiful pix! These are wonderful examples of street photography, technically superb and aesthetically transcendent. Most of these individuals are, at once, dignified yet hurting. This is an important record of that segment of humanity unable to cope with the challenges that, by the grace of God, many of us manage to get through. These galleries deserve to be in print. My congratulations to the photographer!

scott clarke		20-Jul-2005 18:09
Stranger You are for sure allowed your opinion, however these are much more than head and shoulder shots. This persons work is amazing, subject matter aside. They have a unique style of using fill flash and available light for perfection. The colour is washed and flat, this works well with this subject matter. As for subject matter, unless you have done alot of street photography, I have. You have no idea what the photographer is up against.Regards.

Stranger		19-Jul-2005 15:09
The subjects are interesting only in a rubber-necking sort of way (Oh! Look at the homeless! They're so dirty and have rotten teeth but they're so - like - us!) But the compositions and executions are blah. Very snapshot and plain looking. Then again, I'm not much of a fan of the head and shoulders 'driver's license' look.

Guest		19-Jul-2005 07:40
Quite a collection Mashuga and congrats on your PBase pop status. I'm sure there's a story with each one, which would be interesting to know. Had you thought about including a snippet with each one, or at least some of them? Maybe you did, but I haven't checked them all. It's a sad situation, but your efforts will no doubt help to highight the plight of these poor people. John

Konica Minolta Users		18-Jul-2005 16:37
Thanks for sharing your photos. Rudi

William Brennan		18-Jul-2005 01:47
Thanks for the portraits. A look at a world of pathos, pain and yet dignity. And nothing artsy fartsy. Life on the street, straight up, no chaser.

Cindy		17-Jul-2005 19:50
Emotion-evoking and thought-provoking images! Good project. I wonder if you've done any survey on whether these people actually chose to be homeless or had to be so. It's not surprising that some people like being homeless as they may enjoy the so-called "freedom". If they have to be homeless and still don't seek help from Houses of Compassion or other charity organization, it might have sth to do with the mental health? Just wonder if the rich companies and rich personalities and the government can do more to help and render useful those don't choose to but have to be homeless.

Guest		17-Jul-2005 19:09
Great gallery but very sad at the same time. ---------------- ray karman It is so black and white, so easy - just do it. Simple. BS! Sadly, people suffer problems of all kinds some of which they cannot themselves either understand or solve - psychologists and psychiatrists exist because of this. People get stuck and sidelined and need help to get out of it - if they can. Soicety has a resposibility to all of us. We have hospitals, doctors and so on to help people - not simply to make money Anyone who imagines he is in full control of his behaviour is a fool. It is simply not that simple. We all have deep-seated impulses, drives, etc., which we largely simply act on without knowing why. Just as much as you did not choose your path, they did not choose theirs.

ray karaman		17-Jul-2005 12:15
"Too many cameras and not enough food, this is what we've seen." Sting, 1980

Been there-Done that		17-Jul-2005 04:39
Before blaming "society" for their plight, ask yourself what sort of bad decisions, bad choices these people must have made to have landed, and STAYED homeless. There are so many places these people could go to for help, but THEY choose not to. Many seem to be on the streets a long time. Some are drug addicts (needle tracks), some alchoholics, some just not very bright. Get real. Maybe YOU are one paycheck away from homelessness, but as for me, I'll get out there and hustle for another job, any job, to keep me off the streets. I came close once and I will never be there again. Quit blaming Bush, Reagan, Clinton, Carter, and whomever for these people's self-created problems.

Guest		16-Jul-2005 20:06
I can't help but wonder just how long some of these people have to live...a sad but honest portrayal of how society can be so negligent. Good photos all the same.

Guest		16-Jul-2005 17:37
One can almost smell the reek of urine-soaked clothing through the screen. Thank you, oh sensitive photoartiste, for bringing us such wonderful images of these bums.

Tom		15-Jul-2005 23:44
Hello, my compliments for your nice photos! Please come see my photos sometime? Best regards, Tom from The Netherlands. ;-) http://tomjutte.fotopic.net .

Guest		15-Jul-2005 18:51
Thought provoking, well done

Andreas Weber		15-Jul-2005 10:15
Bilder, die unter die Haut gehen. 1000 mal besser als in der Fremde exotische Gesichter einzufangen. Andreas

scott clarke		15-Jul-2005 00:40
THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG IF THIS GALLERY DOES NOT GO TO # 1.

Donald Verger		14-Jul-2005 23:11
powerful images... haunting and thought and feeling provoking... thank you, voted, don

Guest		14-Jul-2005 17:13
This is where BUSH is heading all American I am not American but it will be a sad and ugly situation i wish I as a single sould could do something

Guest		14-Jul-2005 01:02
nice pics www.pbase.com/jeffersoncua

Guest		13-Jul-2005 20:32
Great album,thanks for sharing.

victor valle		13-Jul-2005 18:54
I've often wondered if anyone else noticed the homeless, realizing that many of us are one paycheck away from joining them. Many stories, faces, unfortunate situations. Perhaps your project will someday make a difference. I'll pray that it does. Thank you for providing a window into the world of the forgotten. Idea.... send them all to Mr. Bush!

Guest		13-Jul-2005 11:35
Outstanding gallery. I couldn't help feeling how dignified they look, unafraid of the reality they have seen.

Guest		13-Jul-2005 07:48
Excellent. Voted.

Emie from France		12-Jul-2005 20:04
Merci d'avoir pensé à ces personnes que l'on ne comprend qu'avec le coeur...

Peter Chou		12-Jul-2005 11:52
Excellent social documentary and a portrait of a group of people that are forgotten by society. Voted!

Guest		12-Jul-2005 02:34
Some excellent images. The images themselves tell many stories and I find myself wishing that I new the true stories behing the pictures and the lives of those people in the images. Great work !!

Jaime Serrano		10-Jul-2005 23:56
Great gallery with a strong social contents. Thanks!!.

murat		10-Jul-2005 22:29
new york is not the great city as the movies..you show us ny's real face

Guest		10-Jul-2005 08:59
Photographs of the far side of the world… A strong comment on your own culture, the one that thinks Ronald Reagan is the most important American… These photographs plumbs the area between the work of art, free of purpose and removed from reality – and the object, purpose-bound and functional… You are expanding consciousness beyond the individual. (I think we have a match :http://www.pbase.com/rvbulck/nobody )

Guest		09-Jul-2005 18:05
what a world !

Guest		09-Jul-2005 18:05
What a world !

Barri Olson		09-Jul-2005 14:05
Very powerful collection...very.

scott clarke		09-Jul-2005 02:23
Amazing gallery. Some of the best stuff that I have seen in a long time.Regards!

Jim Cassatt		08-Jul-2005 00:43
Well done. You did a great job capturing the character of these people.

Norman		05-Jul-2005 04:14
Great subject and photos.

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