Basics of fine-art photography/Taking pictures of homeless people

Basics of fine-art photography
Taking pictures of homeless people

Creating works in humanistic photography

Photographing homeless peopleis a sub-genre of portrait photography, where the author depicts people who dont have permanent housing, in their own particular environment.

General information

Officially, such a style, direction, subgenre does not exist - there is no mention of it in photography textbooks and encyclopedic articles, but since there are works related to this topic (see examples below, in the gallery), it can be considered as subgenre of photography, belonging to the "Portrait".

In addition to homeless people, the shoot may include the depiction of down-and-out people who have housing (in ru: бич), as there is often no visual distinction between the former and the latter. In addition to images of homeless people, the shoot may include the depiction of down-and-out people who have housing (in ru: бич), as there is often no visual distinction between the former and the latter.

A photographer who specializes in this sub-genre may be shooting homeless people in the area of his residence (city, region, country), or around the world (like the author of this textbook, combining photography and non-standard travel).

Photography of the homeless is in close contact with straight photography, intersects with street, genre and documentary photography; is often an candid photography.

Ways of implementation

To create a realistic photograph of homeless person, you must use the shooting techniques described in the "Realism" chapter of this textbook.

Combining work in this creative direction with traveling around the planet — in addition to all the genres and styles listed above, you will learn the intricacies of travel photography, and if objects (i.e. homeless people) are captured in situations that suggest reflection, then you will master one more genre — narrative photography.

It's interesting that...

In Cuba, India, Bolivia and some other developing countries, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between person who has a dwelling and a homeless.
The author of this textbook, wandering around the globe, himself often looked like a homeless (image). You can get acquainted with the adventures of a hobo tourist in Wikisource by clicking on the link below.