the streets
issue one Summer 2016
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Your Street 2 65
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T A B L E
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INTRODUCTION 4 STREET ART 5 6 Thomas Meiss 12 Chris Van Laak 18 Serrone Khan INTERSECTION 45 46 #Hooplah 57 A Cup of Humanity 60 Hope
San Fran, NYC, Vancouver Thailand, Burma, India
Atlanta
C O N T E N T S
24 Missy Tomlin 31 Russell Streur 38 Antonio Dabraio NYC
New Orleans Chicago, Atlanta, Venice
65 Taken Word 74 Autumn. Love. Cycle 78 Your Street
EDITOR and CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Meredith M Howard CREATIVE and DIGITAL ASSISTANT: Eva Howard Special thanks to Dot Paul CONTRIBUTORS: Antonio Dabraio Isabella Gomez Serrone Khan Chris Van Laak
Thomas Meiss Russell Streur Jerry Syder Missy Tomlin
Contact THE STREETS info@thestreetsmag.com www.thestreetsmag.com All work is copyrighted to the author or artist. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without permission from THE STREETS.
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“You look awesome!” I say that to someone on the street right after I have taken their picture. I love their outfit...or their hair...or the way they walk. I always notice interesting people. Put several photographers on the same street corner, and they will take pictures of completely different things. One will notice the architecture. One will notice the puddles. One will see the whole scene come together as a work of art. In this inaugural publication of THE STREETS, six photographers share their view of the world. They answer a few questions about their style and comment on their photos so we can see the streets in a new way through their eyes. In everyday life, we walk by strangers without a thought, but the camera gives us an excuse to stop and engage. I thought it would be interesting to have more than just a brief conversation with someone on the street and to walk a little further with them. One college student caught my eye with her hula-hooping. I then followed a path to find answers about homelessness, because as one subject informed me while chatting on Broad Street, “You are standing in my living room.” Jerry Syder also provides different perspectives on the same topic by relaying his stories from the streets of London. In an effort to help those who live in places we like to photograph, I thought it only appropriate to donate a portion of the proceeds of this magazine to Atlanta Mission. What do you see when you walk down the street? People? Buildings? Art? Hopefully, THE STREETS will help you to see more. Let’s start walking...
Meredith
Editor and Creative Director
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Street Art
Photograph by Meredith M Howard New York City
Can people be art? Can a door be art? Can a peeling advertisement be art?
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Thomas Meiss P h o t o g r a p h e r
Where do you live and what are 3 words to describe your city?
Atlanta: hot, diverse, and tree-canopied. Also, a great town for foodies and getting better all the time. What are your favorite things to do?
Play with my beautiful dogs, listen to music, and study film (watch them, read about them, and dig deep into genres and directors’s bodies of work.) Why did you get into photography?
Couldn’t help it. Just did. Who or what inspires your style of photography?
Contemporary illustration and graphic design. Also jazz. What is your favorite street and why?
My ideal street has lots of funky restaurants, a great book store, and a record store or two. Good for the soul, as well as colorful and well-weathered, thus making it ideal for my kind of street shooting. 6
I was at a street festival in Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, so I got loads of wildly colorful photos. Ironically, my favorite of that day is this one, with an almost monochromatic palette. I love the interaction of the textures of the tent fabric with the silhouettes behind it. Thomas Meiss
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On this side street (in Anytown, U.S.A.) my eye was drawn to the combined textures of the air conditioner grill and its plastic wrapping. A perfectly colored pedestrian’s reflection added the finishing touch. Thomas Meiss 8
When I took this picture in Soho (NY), I was struck by the contrast between the commercial billboards and the obelisk of the church (offstage right). After spending a good amount of time in Lightroom, I ended up with a photo I love because of how the multiple intersecting and overlapping planes somehow produce - to my eyes anyway - a very flat, and somewhat disorienting image. Thomas Meiss 99
This subway station entrance in Vancouver provided a beautifully colored frame. 10
All I had to do was wait for the commuters to take their proper places.
Thomas Meiss 1111
Chris Van Laak P h o t o g r a p h e r
Where do you live and what are 3 words to describe your city? than a week ago, I ss Le ). rds wo ee thr the are ese (th s” ce pla Lately I’ve been living “in between Taipei, a city that is in cks ksa ruc o tw m fro gs gin lon be my d moved, that means unpacke ace. still “new to me” in the first pl
What are your favorite things to do? The most obvious answer would be “traveling and trying out new things”. Besides constant movement and new activities, not much has been constant in the last couple of months, and nothing has been done constantly enough to be considered a fave thing to do.
Why did you get into photography? That’s pretty easy. I saw a DSLR on a big Indian online marketplace, which was so much cheaper than in my home country. And I thought, we ll I see places other migh
t be interested in. From that moment onwards, I’ve just enjoyed fiddling with my cam and I got more and more into it.
Who or what inspires your style of photography? I don’t look much at what other photographers are doing. Maybe I’m too lazy to do that, but I also believe that a certain carelessness helps to find a style of one’s own. Well, very simple, the things I see, inspire me a lot. Walking around in a new place, a new culture, and not understanding many iring. things around me, is very insp 12
Many
Streetphotography captures interesting interactions of everyday life and composes them in the frame. Well, sometimes there is no interaction between the subjects of a photo, and sometimes there is no background that contributes to composition. Sometimes something very ordinary appears in the frame, a tired face at the end of the day, a face in focus among many faces out of focus, and this one thing becomes meaningful. Photography is able to transcend the most ordinary things in situations of everyday life. This is what I like about it. Chris Van Laak Bangkok, Thailand. March 2016
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Dance dance dance
Chiang Mai, Thailand. February 2016
...and then there are photos that are really about composition and (interesting and) odd interactions.
Praise!
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Cheesezu Village, India. March 2016
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Yangon, Burma/Myanmar. February 2016
Burma is well informed. While reliable internet isn’t vastly available, people read newspapers more than anywhere else in the world. I spent some time in Burma this spring, with the simple mission, which was given to me by a friend: “You go to Burma on a visa-run? We should make an exhibition of your streetshots from Burma!” Later she actually made the exhibition happen in a cafe in Bangkok.
Praise! (photo on left) I still haven’t figured out the distinction between street photography and documentary photography, at least I don’t know exactly what it means to me. Maybe documentary photography is street photography in a bigger context. I spent some months in the far Northeast of India, in the culturally and ethnically unique states of Nagaland and Manipur, and tried to document everyday life there. This photo was also part of my contribution to the 24hour project, a streetphoto documentation of ‘the human condition’ worldwide, each year on a particular day in March. 15
Burma. February 2016 If there is nothing else at hand, practical solutions are welcome. A rickshaw wallah in Yangon is calculating fares. 16
Follow Chris Van Laak on Instagram @refrmt 17
Serrone Khan Serrone Khan Serrone Khan Serrone Kahn
P h o t o g r a p h e r
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I live in the Metro Atlanta area. Three words I would use to describe my city are:
diverse, creative and growing.
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What are your favorite things to do?
Two things I love are sports and music, so I like to go to a lot of sporting events and concerts. I’m also a big foodie. I love going out to eat and discovering new restaurants in Atlanta’s ever chang� ing culinary scene. And of course, photography has slowly become a passion of mine over the last few years.
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Why did you get into photography?
Long story short, I’ve had a bit of a fascination with cameras for quite a while. Any trip or event I went to I always took whatever camera I had at the time and just captured everything. As I slowly honed my skills and learned the technical aspects of the art, I enjoyed it more and more and aimed myself towards get� ting better every time I shoot. The positive feedback I got was very rewarding, almost therapeutic. I got hooked from there, and the rest is history.
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Who or what inspires your style of photography?
I’m very much a city boy at heart, so street photography was a nat� ural fit for me. The longer I’ve lived here, the deeper my love for this city has grown. When I shoot, I just want to capture the city in its natural element from all angles, from its beautiful side, all the way down to the grittier portions and everything in between. I’ve also been very inspired by the amazing works of fellow shooters I’ve connected with via Instagram. Seeing their pictures just drives me to never be content with what I’ve done and keep growing as a photographer. 22
What is your favorite street and why?
I have quite a few of them, but if I had to pick one I’d say Peacthree Street. It’s the heart and backbone of the city; it’s where Atlanta really comes to life. There’s architecture, attractions, nightlife, and lots of people to observe. No matter what time of day or the weather, you can get some awesome shots at any given moment on Peachtree. Follow Serrone Khan on Instagram @visualeyes_ATL 23
Missy Tomlin
P h o t o g r a p h e r
Art by d7606 Where do you live and what are 3 words to describe your city?
NYC...City of Dreams
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Art by jgoldcrown
What are your favorite things to do? Photography is at the top of the list and I also enjoy making collage.
Why did you get into photography?
I love photography because of its instant gratification, and it quenches my urge to create art. I’ve been photographing street art in NYC for the last couple of years and it’s turned into one of the great loves of my life. I’ll never forget the first incredible piece of street art that stopped me dead in my tracks. I was tooling around Soho one evening and out of the blue I noticed a gorgeous red circle dripping around a white lashed eye in an alcove and I was stunned. It was ripped, wrinkled, dirty, and love at first sight. In that moment, I saw the city with new eyes and never looked back. I like to start my weekly hunting trips at dawn while the city is still somewhat quiet. I love the morning light and watching the city slowly wake up. It’s a precious and cathartic process for me. I’m happy to be a part of this project as I would love to inspire our readers to be on the lookout for street art and see their cities through new eyes like I did.
Art is everywhere if you look for it.
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Art by dain_nyc
Who or what inspires your style of photography? I adore every aspect of street art, but I’m drawn toward obscure and chaotic images. The temporary nature of street art quite breaks my heart because I know it won’t last. The element of decay fascinates me and plays a big role in my photography. It’s like watching a person age and slowly fade away with their multitudes of layers peaking through as time passes by. 28
Art by whatwillyouleavebehind I become attached to many of the pieces I photograph and feel a bit of a loss when they disappear. I find myself going back to see them again and again, until they eventually vanish or morph into something entirely new. Each time I visit I take another photo to document the evolution of the work and document the chronological aging process of the image. I’m thankful to capture and share my most precious images and memories. I’m deeply moved by every single image you see in my gallery, it’s emotional on every level. I feel protective of the artist’s work as I don’t want to see it go, so my role is to preserve it.
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What is your favorite street and why?
It’s hard to pick a favorite street in NYC as they are all incredible. I typically gravitate to Soho and the Lower East Side. Bowery, Great Jones, Bleeker, and Crosby Streets are a few of my favorite haunts where I find the majority of my subjects. 30 30
Follow Missy Tomlin on Instagram @missytomlin
Russell Streur Where do you live and what are 3 words to describe your city? I reside in Johns Creek, Georgia. There’s no downtown.
P h o t o g r a p h e r
What are your favorite things to do? Walking around downtown. I know. I am living in the wrong neighborhood. Here are five of my favorite other things to do, except none of them are any closer than 700 miles from here: seeing a play at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, having a drink at the Ball &Chain in Little Havana, listening to jazz at the Green Lady in Kansas City, watching the Payette River flow in Idaho, and walking along the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. And a bonus: reading Whiskey River by Loren Estleman. A fine novel of bootleg Detroit set in 1928. Why did you get into photography? Photography is something I always wanted to do, in a back of the mind sort of way, and a few years back my son Morgen asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I told him a camera. So he bought me one, and that’s what got me into it. Who or what inspires your style of photography? I came into photography after decades in poetry. Pops always said that a poem has to stand on its own: no introduction, no explanation, and no apology. I am thinking that can be applied to photography, too. Estleman describes Jack Dance, the jazzed up gangster in Whiskey River, like a poet: “everything Jack did came straight out of left field, as if some shadowy muse had whispered a course of action into his ear just before he took it.” I have heard that Muse whisper, and the poems that come from her occur on a sub-atomic, unconscious and molecular level. Photographs, too, if there’s poetry in a scene, otherwise they are just pictures. What is your favorite street and why? I intend to get rich quick one day and shortly thereafter die of happiness in New Orleans, on Frenchmen Street in particular, which is just less than 500 miles from here. You can have all the beignets you want the Cafe due Monde or all the Sazeracs you need at the Carousel. I will enjoy a simpler concoction or two at the Apple Barrel with the folk music and the jazz and blues in the air at the best bar per square foot in North America. 31
a
w Orleans,
These photogr phs are all from Ne
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on a single day, December 2 , 2014,
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a S nday that started out bright and then got
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cold and gr y as the h o u r s w o r e o n. A thick
fog held on tightly to the Mississipp . i
g
In the morning it was bri ht sun a block away
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from the wate . 611 Bourbon Street
The best door in the French Quarter when it’s locked and hanging crooked on its hinges in the few hours between last call from the night before and the first round of a new day. Drink up. Russell Streur
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Identity in Blue There’s a poem here, for sure, a big high poem of celebration, of having a name in the city, of more than knowing the streets, owning the streets, the proclamation “This is my city” and knowing where to go and not to go, where the magic and the powers are, where the music is, and how to dance, real good. Russell Streur
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A woman sits on a bench with a cup of coffee along the river in thick fog in the earliest morning. A man in a hat stops in front of her and begins to preach. She listens. People come out of the fog and disappear into it. Whatever he is saying, she is listening.
It is a fine sermon.
Russell Streur
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Where do you live and what are 3 words to describe your city? I live in Atlanta, Georgia - USA. Trees, roads and traffic. What are your favorite things to do? Travel, take pictures and dream about interesting places to go. Why did you get into photography? It is the perfect way by which I can express myself artistically.
ntonio Who inspires your photography? The three photographers I admire the most are Sebastiao Salgado, Michael Kenna and Jay Maisel. What is your favorite street and why? All streets are my favorite because they all offer the possibility of the next best image.
abraio
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This image was taken in Chicago. I sat down in a position where I could create a scene and wait for things to happen. What caught my attention in this particular scene was the gesture of the two children in the front, in juxtaposition with the benevolent look of the giant face in the background. Especial attention was given to the composition from which several images could have been cropped out.
Antonio Dabraio
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Antonio Dabraio
This was taken from the parking lot behind the ferris wheel in downtown Atlanta. I liked the composition of this scene and the unusual view of downtown where I could imagine, behind the buildings, the more photographed view of Centennial Park. To me it signifies time passing but stopped for an instant. Time is moving to the left of the image for this person walking through his life. The ferris wheel is the top half of a watch.
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Antonio Dabraio
Georgia aquarium. I call this image “The Edge of Two Worlds�. In one world air is needed for survival, while in the other world water is the essential element for life. The two worlds do not mix.
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Antonio Dabraio This image was taken in New York City at one of the fountains in Lincoln Center. This person was sitting in front of the fountain with his headphones on. I got closer and asked him if it was ok to take his picture, and he agreed. I liked the gesture and the contrast with the lighted water in the background. 42
This image is from Venice around the Rialto bridge. What caught my attention was the multitude of people walking on the streets searching for a glimpse of the beauty of a city they had seen somewhere in pictures before. I was literally overwhelmed by this scene.
Antonio Dabraio
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Antonio Dabraio This image was taken on the streets of Venice at night. I wanted it to look like B&W watercolor so I post processed it accordingly. The lonely person on the bottom right is unrecognizable and he is like a ghost moving through the street. See more of Antonio Dabraio’s work at www.dabraio.com 44
intersection
where lives cross
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#Hooplah Photography: Meredith M Howard Model & Hula-hooper: Isabella Gomez
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I spend a lot of time hanging out on Broad Street taking pictures of employees on their way to lunch and college students walking to class. I usually take candid shots, but if someone looks interesting and I can’t quite catch them in a good shot, I will stop them for a portrait. One day, I stopped Isabella - her blue ski cap pulled casually on her head. She was comfortable in front of the camera. We chatted for a minute. She told me she was majoring in journalism and film. I gave her my card, and she wished me well. Isabella started following me on Instagram, so I looked at her account. She posts a lot of videos of herself hula-hooping. I thought hula-hoops were created to occupy children with endless hours of frustration. Two hoops around the waist, down to the knees, ankles, ground. But Isabella made it look so easy. I mentioned it to a friend and found out that hula-hooping is a “thing”. I had no idea. So, I sent Isabella this message through Instagram “I noticed that you hula-hoop. Would you be interested in getting together to do a style series and let me photograph you hula-hooping?” She said “Yes!” So, we met a couple of times on Broad Street (the location of our original meeting) and recreated some street scenes while I asked Isabella about her life and style When was the last time you got really excited about a clothing purchase?
Last weekend, when I found these shoes at the Brooklyn Flea Market.
Top - Urban Outfitters purchased second hand
Shorts - Found in the kid’s bin at The Clothing Warehouse
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Where is your favorite place to shop? I like shopping at thrift stores, because they have the coolest stuff and the best prices. 48
#hooplah What are the best thrift stores in Atlanta? The Clothing Warehouse is nice, but it can be a little expensive. I actually found a new thrift store yesterday called Lost-n-Found. Buffalo Exchange is a nation-wide chain, and they always have pretty cool stuff, too.
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#hooplah
What influences your style? The way George Harrison dressed in the 70’s. Men’s fashion when it’s very elaborate. Not that I dress that way, but that’s what I really like. The way Father John Misty dresses. He usually dresses in all black, but he’s very sleek.
Top - Zara Jeans - J. Crew but purchased second hand at Buffalo Exchange Shoes - Target
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#hooplah What are your favorite books? Living in a Material World, which is about George Harrison and As If, the oral history of the making of the movie “Clueless�. It opened my eyes to all that goes into making a film. What is your favorite movie?
Harold and Maude What is your dream job? To make movies. I want to write the screenplay. I want to direct. I want to be as involved as possible.
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Top - Zara Jeans - J. Crew purchased at Buffalo Exchange Shoes - Target
#hooplah
Why did you start hula-hooping?
I saw a girl on Instagram doing it and thought it looked cool. So, I bought a hoop.
How long have you been hooping? Since September
Watch the stop motion animation of this scene HERE.
Rolls Tosses Stalling isolations WEAVE
Jump through53
TO SEE V I D E O C L I C K
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H E R E
#hooplah
So, what are you doing this summer? I’m working with the Peach Coven.
I asked Isabella to make a video to explain what the Peach Coven does, because it’s a service for homeless people that you probably don’t think about (and warning, it may be something you don’t want to think about... but it is a fact of life) -
You can see the full video made by Isabella Gomez and Camille Izaguirre on YouTube HERE. Follow The Peach Coven @thepeachcoven Follow Isabella @chinacatisa 55
“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.� - Robert Frank Photographer
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Photograph by Meredith M Howard
A Cup of Humanity by Meredith M Howard
“Could you buy me a cup of coffee?” I looked up. She was wearing layers of mismatched jackets and carrying a sack of stuff. I saw a girl buy her a cup of coffee earlier in the week and had thought at the time that she was taking advantage of the girl’s soft heart. But it was very cold. And it was only $2. We walked into a restaurant. While we stood in line, Teresa told me how she relocated to Georgia after an angel rescued her from her burning apartment. She told me the phone number I could call to check out her story. She told me the phone number again. And again. “She can’t be in here! Get out of here! She can’t be in here!” The manager was yelling at us.
crash I felt it. Two worlds colliding. Over coffee. I was embarrassed to ask her to wait outside while I bought the coffee even though she thought nothing of it. The cashier said, “I’m sorry.” She was apologizing for Teresa, not the manager. An hour later, I was taking pictures on Broad Street, and I heard a beautiful voice singing LOUDLY. It was Teresa. She didn’t even make eye contact as she walked by. She had already forgotten me. “Everyone feels benevolent if nothing happens to be annoying him at the moment.” - C.S. Lewis 57
A Cup of Humanity
“I’m freezing. Could you buy me a cup of coffee?” It was an oddly cold day in April. I knew where not to take him. We found coffee at Reuben’s Deli. The lady behind the counter gave me a small smile. I helped Robert Charles fix his coffee at the self-serve station.
“If you give me $7, I can get a shower and a change of clothes.” “I want to talk to you about that, but I need to go take some pictures first. Can I come find you in a bit?” “Oh, I’ll be around.” An hour later, he found us. I was taking pictures. Isabella was hula-hooping in the street.
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A Cup of Humanity
Let’s talk about $7 -
How do I know that you aren’t going to take the $7 and go spend it on drugs or alcohol? I’m clean. Look (he took off his sunglasses and stared straight into my eyes). Do I look like I’m on drugs? They’re just waiting for you to get all messed up around here, and then they take you in. Where are you going to get the shower and clothes? Gateway. For $7, I get a shower and clean clothes. For $10, I can sleep. Can’t you go to Atlanta Mission for free? I don’t like that place. Why? When you get up there in that room with all those men. Wheeew! It stinks. That’s why I take showers. You just like Gateway? Yes. And don’t you ever send anyone over to Peachtree and Pine. That’s where you’ll find the baddest people you ever met in your life. Do you ever try to get a job? I’m 62, and I have a hurt foot. When you are old and injured, you can’t get a job. I’m waiting for my social security check. But you know how the government is. Paperwork. It’s always a process. They said it will come in October.
Follow up -
I called Gateway and asked if it costs $7 to use their showers “No, ma’am. All our services are free.” I wanted to get some more answers, so I visited Atlanta Mission 59
Interview with Paul Mitchell, Assistant Director of Atlanta Mission at Fuqua Hall
by Meredith M Howard
One young man told me, “I stay at Atlanta Mission, but they don’t feed us.” Is that true?
Don’t accept that. They know where they can eat. They know all the places they can get something to eat better than I do.
Robert Charles told me that he doesn’t like to come to Atlanta Mission because it stinks in the sleeping quarters and he wants to take a shower. We have showers! We encourage them to shower. And if they need clothes, they can get clothes here. They can get a shower, a bed, dinner and breakfast all for free...
But we want our services to be more than just a handout. 60
What’s the biggest misconception about homelessness?
HOPE
Lazy. Don’t want to work. All of them on drugs and alcohol. And actually that’s not the case. We have guys living in the shelter and they work. Some of them have become entrenched and accustomed to the environment, living that lifestyle and out of fear don’t make a commitment to be on their own. That’s why we try to encourage them to start looking for their own place.
How does Atlanta Mission help people get off the street? We have a 3-pronged approach -
1) Choosing help - The guys in the shelter can choose that they want help besides the shelter. 2) Making progress - This includes our career development and drug and alcohol recovery
programs. We can help them get a certificate of graduation or help them write a resume and to find a job. They can pay $100/week for transitional housing to provide a stable environment.
3) Sustaining growth - We check on them to see how they are doing socially, spiritually, and vocationally.
We have groups that help in different areas and volunteers that help.
For example, Jeff Foxworthy (the comedian) comes here every Thursday to do a Bible study. He’s been doing it for at least 6 years.
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HOPE
What’s your story?
I’m from Atlanta. Both my parents were educators. They were teachers. We were all into music. My father was a jazz musician here in town. He played at a club called Dante’s Down the Hatch. He was in a trio for many years. We grew up in a middle class environment. Structured. Disciplined. But over the years, one of the major catastrophes was in the 80’s when the crack cocaine epidemic hit and it kind of changed the dynamics of families and mine in particular. I have a daughter. My daughter’s 43. She has a PhD in Psychology. She’s an intelligent young lady, but I was estranged for so many years...I became estranged from my brother, my sister, my mother, my father and my daughter from drug use. I was in Fulton County Jail and the DA was going to give me 5 years for burglary. I wouldn’t take it, so I went back to my jail cell to wait 2 more weeks for my next court date. Once again, I go back. He said, “I’m not changing my plea. I’m not working with this guy.”
But at that time there was a gentleman I went to high school with and he had an intervention program and he saw me in court. He came to my jail cell and said, “Look, Paul, I got this place that I know of called the Potter’s House. I might be able to get you in there if you’re interested.” Well, I had been praying for God to intervene in my situation...The 3rd time, amazingly enough, when I went to court, that particular DA was not there. A new DA was sent in and he allowed me to go to the Potter’s House for recovery, which was a blessing...It was like a reform period. So, I had an opportunity to refocus on God and who I am and where I’m going and what I want to do with my life. 62
HOPE
Do you remember a turning point in your life when you decided you wanted to change?
Transcript: Yeah, actually, yeah, and here it is. And it still has an affect on me. My daughter, before I, the last time I remember getting high, she wrote a letter to where I was staying at my mother’s, and it was sad. She said, “Daddy, you don’t love me. Why aren’t you interested in knowing what I do, who I am. “ Painful. And when I read that letter, that’s when I began to change. I was just not interested in getting high anymore.
I said, “Lord, I need to make a change in my life. This girl is crying out. “ She’s grown. Doing well. Didn’t need me, but she wanted me. And when that happened, I think that’s when it turned around. And from that day on, I’ve never had a desire to use, drink, smoke cigarettes or anything, and I don’t ever want to. 63
HOPE
How did you get from the Potter’s House to here?
It’s a one year program at the Potter’s House. I was doing servant leadership there. I wanted to continue to serve in the ministry. So, when my time came up, I heard that there was a training program for guys who want to give back another year. And you’re like junior staff and get paid a stipend. When I was doing that, Pastor Mike Shepherd had been watching me and he said, “Paul, I have an overnight position for you in the shelter working 16 hours a week. So, every Friday and Saturday night I would work from 11:30 until 8 in the morning. I did that for a year, and position came open in job attainment. So I worked there 30 hours a week. It was still part time, but it was a progression. It’s interesting how God works - “Whoever can be trusted with a little can be trusted with much” - and I was seeing that progression being made in me. Then, Pastor Van, who was the director over here, had been watching me and he said, “Paul, I have a full time job, and you can have it.” So, we do what it takes to run this facility... Drugs and alcohol. I mean, that’s what I understand. I understand the behavior. I understand the brokenness. I understand how you can be restored and what that looks like.
What’s the best way to help homeless people?
You have to be transparent. You have to be in relation to them. They have to know your heart is right. And they have to be able to relate to you. I often think of this verse - 1 Timothy 1:15-16 - “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.”
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To find out more about Atlanta Mission, go to www.atlantamission.org.
Taken Word by Jerry Syder P h o t o g r a p h e r
For many years, as far back as I can remember, I was afraid of people. I dreaded talking to complete strangers. However, people always amazed me; I wondered what their thoughts were and if they were a doctor, lawyer, nurse, barista. Then, as I grew older, I wondered why it is so scary to talk to people. We were all placed here to share the same earth, but we only interact when introduced, when asking for directions, when at the store or bank. I had this wonder as long as I had the fear. In hindsight, I’ve realised that it’s not the people I feared but it’s the idea of walking up to a complete stranger and engaging. Then I ventured into the world of photography. An art that I fell in love with, and I was given the solution to both my fear and wonder. About two years ago I thought: “What if I walk up to people on the street and ask to take their photograph - that’s what photographers do right? Then I will have a justified reason to chat with an interesting person.” It wasn’t until June 2015 when I finally got the nerve to do it. In addition to satisfying my own curiosity, I started the Taken Word project to give the interesting people I meet a voice to the world. Sharing the thoughts, the pain, the happiness, the fear.
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Taken Word
I really thought the Taken Word project would be hit and miss, but to my surprise, people don’t mind this sort of engagement. The first place I targeted was Brighton. Maybe it is the laid back lifestyle that made it “easy” - the fact that there was natural interaction around. I started my walk around Brighton and encounter after encounter, I was embraced with warmth and friendliness. I was walking past this cobbler’s shop and was stopped by what may be the best voice I’ve ever heard. I looked around to see where it was coming from and finally found Darren Saunders inside this shoemaker’s shop. The capacity and vibrancy of his voice astounded me as it sounded like he was using a mic. But his story saddened me deeply: “As far back as I can remember, I’ve loved music. Music is a part of me. I’m getting a bit old now, so my chances are even less possible of making it in the spotlight. I’ve just never made it, I guess, but I’ve tried. To be honest, I would have really loved to have gotten a recording deal, not for the money but it’s every musician’s dream and of course, I can do with the money, too, so I can buy a house to live in (he smiles). When I’m not working here, I’m busking on the streets to help pay the bills, buy food, and to put my music out there.” - Darren
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After Brighton, things became a bit easier, but it still seems not acceptable to just walk up to a stranger and start a conversation. I think it’s because we have created barriers. We are protective of our space. But I still challenge the way of the world. If we are all humans, sharing the same space on earth, shouldn’t we be there for each other? Why can’t I just have a conversation with another human like myself? The funny thing is that everyone I’ve spoken to agrees with me.
I’ve met people from all walks of life - young and old - but I recall my conversation with Katya and it reminded me of when I was younger. “I studied Photography, Russian, IT & Accountancy at college. I then joined a Microsoft apprenticeship where I was the only girl, which was nerve-racking as all the boys already knew how to take apart a PC & motherboard. But I’m a determined person and fast learner and was soon at their level. I then went on to work at Random House Publishers. One of the most challenging and enjoyable experiences of my life is when I went to Australia on my own. I turned 18 and wanted to do something independent and far away. This tested me in ways I didn’t think it would. I used invaluable survival skills my mum taught me. That was 5 years ago, and I’m still learning from her. I love wakeboarding and secretly want to compete. If I could do anything right now, that would be sailing. Total peace and serenity - something you don’t get working full time in London.” - Katya
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I saw this lady walking out of a vintage shop with a table and other bits she had bought. Immediately, I thought she looked interesting and wanted to take her photograph. She had an even more interesting story to tell. We spoke about social cleansing and what I did not know was that tens of thousands of poor families have left inner London in the past five years as a result of welfare cuts and soaring rents. We discussed how the city is changing and a lot of the natural things that people enjoy are slowly getting diminished by the big contractors coming in and making way for the people that have money. Pickles has been affected by this change several times when she’d even become homeless and had to sleep under a bridge. “I own a vintage shop call Skewiff and Scatty, a clothes and bric-abrac shop in the railway arches just off Brick Lane, literally up the road there. I have been homeless several times because I’ve had to close my shop as I was affected by the change that’s happening. A lot of the shops in the area are closing down because they can’t afford the rent anymore and people are just not interested in the stuff; you know, the normal people.” - Pickles After meeting Pickles and hearing her story, it’s made me want to focus on voices that need to be heard. I am still not certain in what way my platform can help people. At least they can voice their own pains, struggles, and successes and maybe their story would land on the relevant doorstep. 68
Taken Word
On a visit to Shoreditch, I met yet another person that is homeless. Homelessness is much known on London’s streets. I had walked out of the public toilets when I saw this guy sitting and having a smoke by himself. There was something about him...actually there’s something about everyone that I’ve photographed. Something that draws me to them. I was not thinking about taking his photograph, but I just walked up and said, “Hey, how’s it going?” We got into conversation, and I thoroughly enjoyed our chat. It was only after that I thought I must make a photograph of him. He is living on the streets of East London. The best thing of all, it was not about a beggar asking for money or me giving. As a matter of fact, he asked for nothing. I think he was more than grateful for just the chat. It’s not very often homeless people engage socially but sometimes it’s these little things that matter.
“I am a writer, transcendental entity, and nuisance as opposed to a criminal. I’m originally from the North of England. I traveled to and lived a bit in Amsterdam, India and Mexico, but now I reside on the streets.” - Julien
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One of the most interesting persons I’ve spoken with, to date, has to be this 78-year-old man. I have always admired the knowledge and wisdom of elderly people, but I won’t generally befriend someone that is 78-years-old. In London, there is not much for retired people to do, but as always, it depends on life choices we make, whatever age.
“I am 78 years old, going on 79 soon. My full name is Christoffer; the spelling is Dutch as I am originally white South African but have lived over 50 years in this country. I came initially to join the Royal Navy but didn’t - I just got into other jobs, and I’m now retired. The only regret I have is retiring when I did. What I would say to anyone is work as long as your body can take it. When you stop working, your brain becomes inactive and everything around slows down. I am still very abled, though because I look after my body by eating well and exercising often. Also, you must chew your food properly...” - Christoffer (photograph on left)
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I had the pleasure of sharing my Christmas lunch with Graham. I think we both enjoyed each other’s company as much. I recalled seeing the smile and gratitude on his face. For a couple of hours, I experienced the life of a homeless person. The warm food that I brought with me went cold after five minutes of plating it and the rain came, so the crispy roast potatoes became soggy and the chicken a bit too juicy for my liking. Nevertheless, we finished our meals and enjoyed a glass of red wine and exchanged stories with laughter.
“I am originally from Scotland and years ago decided to walk to London. It took me 20 days to walk and I only stopped at night to sleep. Since then I have been making that journey back and forth, a couple times a year. It’s about 500 miles, so I walk an average of 22 miles a day. I love it though. I am now turning 50 and it’s about 15 years ago I last worked. I used to lay tiles on roofs for a living. That’s all I’ve always done. When I became homeless, I realised I can get by without working. I don’t need much really; my stomach has shrunk and my body has adapted to utilising very little energy. I can go days without eating and when I’m walking to and from Scotland, I survive on pheasant and pigeon eggs when I can find them. I have quite a few children but don’t know where they all are. I don’t know the exact number either.” - Graham (photograph on right)
To date, there is really a mixed bag of people I chat to. From the cool and trendy to the homeless. I am just covering London at the moment but will love to take it as far as I can. No matter the nature of the person, Londoners all have a story to tell, and these are just a few. As a full-time photographer, I use whatever spare time I have to walk the streets, to meet and document lives. To see more of my street portraits and their stories, you can visit my Instagram account @takenword. 72
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I met
Angela Davis Johnson
by Meredith M Howard
on Fairlie Street when she was installing her tribute to the “people without homes”, whom she had met in downtown Atlanta.
Autumn. Love. Cycle. Stories of Love told from Atlanta’s Unheard Voices Angela speaks about her life and her art “When I was 14 years old, my family and I were without a home for a little while. My mother instilled in my siblings and me a sense of ownership of self. There is comfort in knowing that you are always home in yourself and in God. I will impart this same wisdom to my children. They will know that they are not better than their neighbor or less than anyone because of their economic status.”
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“There’s a church on the street and they have an art program for those who are without homes - they paint, they draw, and they also get something to eat. And I’ve met a lot of people there. “There was a beautiful woman named Chelsea and she started singing gospel songs, and I was singing with her, and so I recorded the sound. So if you walk by, there are motion sensors within the work and you’ll trigger the song... “Today as I was sitting and listening to the voice of Ralph, an Atlantan without a house, emanate from my art, I was moved by his wisdom and humanity.”
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“I
used to sit back waiting for life to happen. I’d say to myself ‘if only’ I had money or time or connections, I would travel and be a full time artist. Limiting my reality with fears. I learned (and am continuing to learn) to ask for the desires of my Heart and step out on faith.
Belief x Action = Living.
“In the past year, I have had solo exhibitions, written a published article, completed public art commissions, performances and a museum residency. I have traveled to NYC to San Francisco and so many places in between. With the support and love of my family, my children are happy and
By no means has it been easy, but it has definitely been worth it. healthy.
I
am
filled
with
GRATITUDE!”
Follow Angela Davis Johnson on Instagram @ANGELADJOHNSON
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Now YOU... What’s your favorite street? Show us. Join our Instagram feed by posting your photo with #thestreetsmag. If you are a street photographer and want to submit a series, email us at info@TheStreetsMag.com.
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To me, photography is the art of
observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place...
I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see
and everything to do with the way you see them.”
Elliott Erwitt Photographer
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See you on the streets...
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