ouch!did that jsut happen or does it always look like that?

mikhail: apparently it had happened the night before in a fight.

I see your point about the additional shot, it is a bit weird, kinda like a shot that says look i was there, i did see him, if you get what i mean. I know you didnt mean it like that but thats just how it looks.

As for your main picture, it kind of shows the same image of him as yesterdays. Good little series to you and John.

He's definitely a multi-faceted character. I'm a little confused about whether or not you (and John) ever felt genuinely threatened by this man, or did you just recognise when the time was right to move on a leave him to get on with whatever he was doing before you met him.

Dave I really like this portrait - I think it does sit well inbetween the others, in fact it nicely rounds off a series.

To Owen: No,I never felt threatened at all by this subject ,and I am so glad that Dave has put up that other portrait as an extra because it should go some way to proving that I would not and will not ever ridicule or otherwise present this type of work simply to gain cheap acclaim. I am sure that this goes for djn as well.

Photographing people or should I say strangers is perhaps not for everyone. There is no denying that it not without risk and that is why so little tution to be found about 'how to do it'

I for one think it is good to see chromasia tackle some different subjects - Dave is obviously known for his own unique brand of art but I'm sure he enjoyed this little outing.

regards all

John Washington

Hmm, I think it is a shame to show this one. Alongside yesterday's shot and the two from John, I had empathy with the subject. Now it feels as though he's been put in a zoo. Joe

Owen: no, I didn't feel threatened.

Joe: it's a shame it's come across that way. I guess that I felt as though it was a strong enough shot such that not putting it up seemed a shame. He was happy to chat to us, and to be photographed, so it almost feels as though it would be a disservice to him not to post it ... if that makes sense.

It's amazing how the loss of a few teeth make such a dramatic change, the biggest difference between the 1st shot ond these 2 are the teeth.

That is a fantastic shot Dave. It's so candid and powerful! I love it :)

OMG :-D It's very nice smile ... :(

Very candid of the fella, If I'd just had my front teeth knocked out I think I'd have been more reticent to have my pic taken!

He's getting sadder every day for me. I'm glad you're moving on after this one. Personally, i think you should have put the additional one up today and left this one out.

:( i dont like this! social prejudice i guess

The contrast between your shots and John's is shocking, yet interesting at the same time. When I looked at yours I saw a harmless worse-for-the-wear type of guy. When I looked at John's, I envisioned an angry drunk. Heh.

Let's hope he's already registered with an NHS dentist, otherwise he's going to be without those teeth for a while.

It hurts! I used to tell myself lately that going through new pains is a measure of my strength. Posing to a photo like that is like saying "Look what happened to me! I am real!"

With the series of shots you and John posted, I see how choosing a deviation from the norm gives you some lessons in photography. This is not your normal work, and it is just as good, but it brings up discussion which is always positive.

I would not feel threatened, most of these people are actually harmless and friendly so long as you treat them with respect.

Dave,

I think this is probably the strongest picture among the five (three you've shown and two on your friend's site). I find it a very difficult picture to look at, for obvious reasons, and yet I keep finding myself drawn to it. I also think the gap between the expression and the injury/missing teeth just creates so many questions.

Whether or not you have the answers to those questions, I don't know -- it's not clear to me if this is a homeless man you met randomly or someone you know or see more often. But the image, this one, creates a lot of questions. His eyes have this look of peace, and he seems to be smiling; he's freshly-shaved. And yet you know this isn't the whole story.

Apologies if I missed an explanation of who he is.

Anyways, this is a really nice image and in my mind, the most powerful shot you've posted in a while.

Robert

I liked the series and didn't find this one quite as disturbing or "zoo-like" as others, but then my son knocked out three teeth when he was four and couldn't have a bridge. It got me thinking about how much reaction to dental appearance is hardwired into our brains.

I think the visual conflict for me was that the injury to his teeth, lack of a shirt and completely shaved appearance made me think of an inmate. But then there is the smile and the deep laugh lines around his eyes, and relaxed posture.

I think the conflict of the elements made this the most successful of the images I've seen.

scarey as hell

I looked at shots that both you and John took of this man. This picture by far is quite unsettling. Yet of course, even with my discomfort I cannot turn away from what I've seen. While each photo I saw made me wonder about this guy, I think you definitely hit the mark because I believe a good portrait should make you think and leave a mark on one's psyche long after you've looked at it.

This photo series reminds me of that story (proverb?) about the 8 blind men each holding onto a different part of the elephant and claiming to know the truth about that elephant. I guess no one can know the absolute truth about someone or something, but these photos show a truth that might have remained hidden. I love the moment art or life awakens me to another piece of the elephant. Thank you!

it is interesting image, however i am very surprised you didn't make this b/w? i think b/w image would be even more powerful and more dramatic than in colour.

Thanks everyone, and apologies to those of you who thought that this was one too many of this bloke but I did think it was worth putting up.

sanjin: it didn't work in black and white - not enough contrast.

Yes, a very much necessary shot. Confirms the point I made yesterday.

As photos I don't know what these achieve though really. Perhaps a black & white, more cropped portrait may have given the images more?

What can I say!
What a powerful portrait, full of open reading possibilities.
I can feel the effect of it in my chest! Congratulations Dave, you succeed in making that young man so natural that make me think he is also enjoying the moment (or maybe this is what i want to read in his face!) wonderful job!

unsettling. but interesting that he's smiling so broadly with such bad teeth. maybe he has the ultimate devil may care attitude.

This guy looks really funny to me. :)
It seems to me as if he has forgotten all the pains.
his wounds looks fresh - it must be happened some days ago.
But the contrast to the nature in background is funny.
He also looks shy - he is pointing his eyes to the ground - like a child.
He seemed to be amused :O)

from Germany
Hans Wurst

I think this is an totally beauitful shot. I think the gap where his teeth are knocked actually accentuates the serenity and calmness I see in his eyes. Favourite photo here