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cweeks — proud homeless vet

Published: 2007-02-12 20:14:29 +0000 UTC; Views: 15275; Favourites: 252; Downloads: 224
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Description i've always wanted to make a photo of this dude. i see him a couple times a week after slinking down laurel canyon from the city to the 101. okay ... the 134 but its really the 101.

it's really amazing to me ... coming from someone who will ask people who are reticent having their photos taken sometimes ...

the drew barrymore's of the world, "baby ... i'm not feeling it tonight and i don't think i look great."

to the scarlett johannson's, "i just want to have a drink tonight: is it cool if i don't take a picture tonight?"

i'll ask anyone having asked people who either really want their photo taken to those who really really don't.

but this guy was cool.

kinda knew he would be.

and perhaps i have this obsession ... with making photos.

like walking up my parents driveway the other night.

i always wanted to make a proper photo of "Red," the 92 year-old neighbor next door. always there to say hello.

always there to talk about the weather.

but ... he's not there any more.

i missed my chance.

i procrastinated ...

"Red" fell down his stairs ... and really fucked himself up.

i missed my chance to always remember "Red" puttering around the backyard.

Putting out food for the squirrels.

Re-finishing some piece of furniture.

now he's in an assisted care facility.

so ... always make the photo.

always always always.

you never know when that subject you're used to being part of your personal landscape ... won't ...

be there any longer.

kinda like this guy.

glad i made the photo.

and gave him a fiver for the effort.

one frame.

one moment.

and i got a nice smile.

leica mp. 35/1.4 summilux. 1/1000th at f/2.0 (overcast day). ilford delta 400 (normal)
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Comments: 173

JaffaGurl [2012-02-29 20:15:34 +0000 UTC]

I love this photo!
I've noticed how you always say 'Make a photo' rather than 'Take a photo'
XD You're so awesome.

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Misterichart [2012-02-28 05:19:00 +0000 UTC]

wow. nice......

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never-home [2012-02-28 04:51:43 +0000 UTC]

That was beautiful. The photo and the story.

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MasantaQ [2012-02-28 02:38:09 +0000 UTC]

This photo makes me want to cry.

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Sherubichan [2012-02-27 23:49:17 +0000 UTC]

I don't know why... but I love his picture! You would think a Vet would have a nice house or something, but I guess this is just another thing the world throws at us. Times are hard, but it's nice to see someone still smile through it all

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makepictures [2012-02-24 02:30:46 +0000 UTC]

Your artist comment on the procrastination of the duty to record is spot on.

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cweeks In reply to makepictures [2012-02-24 03:06:06 +0000 UTC]

thanks, man.

red died shortly after i posted this.

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NettyC [2012-02-06 20:06:49 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful photo and I love what you wrote to go with it too.

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DJA56 [2012-02-01 11:22:27 +0000 UTC]

great photo ... pity the Govt don't take care of the one's who believed in them

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Tukkatii [2009-05-13 00:24:32 +0000 UTC]

Oh wow. This is wonderfull. I love your photogrphy, You choose your subject matter very well, and I really like the black and white.

I generally skip over photographer's pages becuase what they have are just simple photograph's.

But your amazing ^^

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turtlespooon [2008-05-10 16:50:15 +0000 UTC]

Your photos are great, and the stories that go along are awsome. I just got inspiration to go shoot photos more from the story that came with this photo.

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ravenclawxwhitewolf [2008-05-10 02:17:57 +0000 UTC]

The story behind this photograph, and the photo itself, brought tears to my eyes. A very, very nice tribute indeed.

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CatherineMarie [2007-11-04 18:21:41 +0000 UTC]

love this photo. great job.

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Sweet-Red-Cherry [2007-08-30 23:35:10 +0000 UTC]

Thats the things we all regreat the most in our life..
I think ur an amazing photographer.

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bethanyR4D [2007-08-03 00:00:04 +0000 UTC]

This picture is so meaningful. And so is your comment under it.
Amazing work.

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davethomas [2007-06-27 07:09:53 +0000 UTC]

I've seen this guy before.

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E777Y [2007-06-24 04:56:16 +0000 UTC]

i so wanna give him a hug. he's gorgeous. i hope someone helped him and God blessed them

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Saliency [2007-05-10 14:48:34 +0000 UTC]

awwwww.
look at his placard.
you're absolutely right, seize the moment. And what do you say to wusses*cough* amateurs who are too shy to stand in the middle of the road and kaching with their cameras?

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cweeks In reply to Saliency [2007-05-12 18:05:34 +0000 UTC]

i don't say anything to those who don't have the balls to make street photographs!

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Saliency In reply to cweeks [2007-05-12 22:13:57 +0000 UTC]

hey the chris weeks almighty must have some tips for getting some balls.
so you just flash that big ass camera in the face of god knows who and just go.. "i dont care if you say cheese or not im takin' it"
?
hehe

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mom-the-bomb [2007-04-29 01:31:21 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful shot and comment. You are so right. Always make the shots.

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nickyldr [2007-03-24 12:46:27 +0000 UTC]

$5 well spent

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wtp [2007-03-19 22:52:03 +0000 UTC]

Do you happen to know the movie "Trollywood" [link] ?
A documentary...
by Madeleine Farley
an amazing women... beautiful...
got an interview with her, about the film, but never got it published...
I guess, if I ever see her again, I need to apologize to her...
but I doubt it...

This photo reminds me of it...
great shot...
makes me sad... somehow...

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simba [2007-03-14 01:40:07 +0000 UTC]

Classic shot. This guy reminds me of Lenny from the Today Show. Without the sunglasses of course.

He looks like he is making the most of his situation ... not feeling sorry for himself. The guy is homeless and can smile like that for the camera. It's the simple things in life that determine how life will be. This guy is homeless, but that doesn't mean he's insignificant. With a smile like that (and I bet his full smile is very engaging), he is doing more for people around him that society is doing for him.

I wonder if he realizes it.

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glorifiedsnapshots [2007-03-08 06:01:41 +0000 UTC]

i dont know what is more beautiful your photograph or your words

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cweeks In reply to glorifiedsnapshots [2007-03-08 08:12:51 +0000 UTC]

thank you.

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glorifiedsnapshots In reply to cweeks [2007-03-08 15:32:10 +0000 UTC]

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Caranyy [2007-03-04 14:09:01 +0000 UTC]

Aww.. The smile of that sweet man made me smile too. Great photo, indeed.

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cweeks In reply to Caranyy [2007-03-06 19:45:45 +0000 UTC]

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silent7seven [2007-02-24 18:42:43 +0000 UTC]

How difficult would it be if someone was homeless and not a veteran? Given two homeless guys I believe the vet is going to get close to 100% of the donations. Unless the other guy's sign is really clever.

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LonelyPker [2007-02-24 17:55:54 +0000 UTC]

Such a touching piece D:

And the description was like whoaa wow aww D:

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cubemb [2007-02-20 00:56:07 +0000 UTC]

Im right there with you on that sentiment. This photo really hits home man. Fantastic work.

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banxter [2007-02-19 17:40:13 +0000 UTC]

i really like this ...

i haven't really seen many smiling homeless in toronto ...

great photo!

why so small though?

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cweeks In reply to banxter [2007-02-19 19:31:29 +0000 UTC]

they don't smile up there because it's fucking cold.

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banxter In reply to cweeks [2007-02-20 16:18:41 +0000 UTC]

i was about to say ...

it's ridiculous how cold it gets up here ...

i can't wait to move ... once i finish university (i haven't started yet, still in grade 12) in 4 years ... i'll enjoy the winter a lot more!

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bule [2007-02-17 19:17:01 +0000 UTC]

this is a wonderful portrait of the man.

maybe you should make him a print.

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cweeks In reply to bule [2007-02-17 20:06:09 +0000 UTC]

he hasn't been there for a while now...

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MaX-DooM [2007-02-17 02:00:55 +0000 UTC]

I've had all manner of reactions to the gesture 'may I use this on you?' from them thinking I was going to kidnap their soul to ten minutes of preening before the big momment, but never regreted asking.
Our world changes before our very eyes and if your not watching it seems it could disappear but for the miracle of each new day.

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frotographer [2007-02-16 22:03:12 +0000 UTC]

Really deep man, inspiring stuff.

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killertoothbrush [2007-02-16 06:47:50 +0000 UTC]

great shot.

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chromerobot [2007-02-16 00:32:38 +0000 UTC]

That guy looks familiar.

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digitalgrace [2007-02-15 16:45:33 +0000 UTC]

This is a really great post... I get very angry with myself over missed photographic opportunities... unfortunitly I have way too many Reds...

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cweeks In reply to digitalgrace [2007-02-15 17:57:32 +0000 UTC]

thanks, brother!

sadly, i have as well...

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london6x7 [2007-02-15 16:23:58 +0000 UTC]

Leica glass and Delta 400 ... glorious! .... great tonal range and handling of difficult and wide contrast range in this shot, and of course as much down to the genius with the finger on the button as the MP! Seriously though, great capture Mate.
Andy

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cweeks In reply to london6x7 [2007-02-15 17:57:10 +0000 UTC]

there really is no substitute -- except for other film stock and leica glass.

thank you so much!

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london6x7 In reply to cweeks [2007-02-16 00:03:08 +0000 UTC]

Oh how true! -- currently having a fetishism for Fuji Neopan 400CN rated 1600, bit grubby on the bottom edge of low key territory, trying to get rehab for it, but hey, you know how it goes I'm enjoying the ride too much!!

(Tri-Elmar-M 28-35-50mm - f/4 felt a bit cheated somehow not having f/2 - 2.8 but guess it would have buggered the rangefinder with that much glass! ..Usefull lens during London FW though! )

Andy.

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sl8t3r [2007-02-15 13:43:44 +0000 UTC]

Chris,

You should never wait or be afraid of asking people to take their picture. True celebrities expect it, but it is the unrehearsed that make the most memorable, but you know that.

This reminds me of when I was back home shooting in DC and was trying to capture a scene over in Dupont Circle and some punk rocker chick with the spiked purple mohawk thought I was taking a picture of her. She stuck her middle finger out at me and it made the picture that much better.

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SUBVERSYV [2007-02-15 06:14:40 +0000 UTC]

How come post so few photos to your gallery?

Stingy bastard!

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cweeks In reply to SUBVERSYV [2007-02-15 07:32:35 +0000 UTC]

too busy for words, bro!

didn't think of it as being stingy ... because i've been shooting nonstop.

hope you're well!!!

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SUBVERSYV In reply to cweeks [2007-02-15 20:55:12 +0000 UTC]

Of course, only messing w/ u.

I know you post to your journal.

All the best

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