Panhandlers, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

Sometimes when you shoot from the hip and don't compose at all, you get compositions that are more interesting and original. I feel that way about this photo. I simply pointed my camera as I walked by and pressed the shutter.

These are pan-handler kids who just hang out on the curb and experiment with different cardboard advertising slogans. This one reads "F*ck you, gimme change". I find irony in the meek face of the boy set against the aggressive text of the sign. What do you think of this strange composition?

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Critiques | Translate

Coyote (457) 2003-07-25 21:17

Different, I'll say that. But it says something, although what I can't figure. If you were merely going on your merry way and got this, you succeeded.

gringofil (0) 2003-07-25 23:20

Different, yes, but if it works, I don't know. OK, I'm gonna be hard on you here...shooting from the hip is a good way to get something different, but IMO 99% of shots taken from the hip are just not up to par (and I’ve taken many myself). Here is an example. I like the angle, very cinematographic, but apart from that I see nothing that holds my interest (even the "F" word has lost it's power to grab attention).

Mike (693) 2003-07-26 2:18

Well, it worked in one respect, it made me go and find out what a panhandler was! it's a word that's not yet arrived in the UK (as far as I know), it makes you wonder how the heck they can expect to be given money with such an agressive sign, very counter productive!

Amos (683) 2003-07-26 11:07

Yeh, I like the picture that carries story or meaning. I can understand your experiment which is interesting.It is a pity that the massage on the board is very limited.

ronners (10) 2003-07-30 12:30

In terms of technique, I hate pointing a camera at people so the approach you use here would be one that I would use as well. Some time ago, I remember talking to another photographer who took a lot of shots on the London Underground. His technique was to use a wide angle, and just shoot at will with his eye to the viewfinder. If anyone looked at him he would just continue to shoot - and they guessed that he wasn't shooting at them. He had many shots of people literally sitting inches from him who didn't even know that they were part of the shot.