Searching For Joe

Over the last few years I have taken a number of photographs of homeless people. Mostly the homeless people of my hometown Newcastle upon Tyne. It was never my intention to document homelessness; it just happened via a mixture of chance encounters with interesting people. One of the most engaging homeless characters I have met recently is Joe. After taking the initial photos below I have seen him a few times and stopped to chat with him and provide him with some food and a warm drink. 

See 'Searching' on flickr here © Anthony Dorman

Due to a set of random contacts I am about to look specifically for a homeless person willing to pose for a book cover for a novel written about an ex-homeless persons experiences of life on the street. Joe may or may not be a suitable face but I will be out again tomorrow searching for him to see if he will help me in my quest. 

 See 'Joe' in my 100 Strangers Project Here © Anthony Dorman

Despite his circumstances Joe offered a cheery chat and happily posed for his photograph. He offered to help me locate the homeless people of Newcastle if I wanted and we had a good chat about photography, the weather (as you do when you are British) and other things. I saw strangers look at me with some kind of mixture of shock and disgust when I shook Joe's hand when we finished chatting. I am always amazed by how pathetic and prejudiced people can be towards the homeless. I don't know Joe's full story yet but I do know that he spoke to me with a friendly, gentle and honest manner I wish was more common in the more fortunate population.

See 'Joe' in my flickr page here © Anthony Dorman

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Homeless In Newcastle (Homelessness Is No Joke)

Anyone who follows my blog or my photography will know of my photographs of homeless people in Newcastle. The image below was taken a few weeks ago in Newcastle. Its hard to believe that this was taken only 5 mins walk from the city center but it was. There is no editing on this photograph at all - converted from RAW file to JPEG only. I was quite nervous taking this image as I did not want to wake the sleeping man.

See my flickr set on the Homeless here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16059306@N08/sets/72157631500006958/

One thing I have found since posting my original homeless photographs is how polar opposite people are on the issue. They either find time to ridicule the homeless or try somehow to help. I have been disgusted at a local facebook page dedicated to a particular homeless man who has passed away recently. Although there are some lovely people who use the page it is populated by the dregs of society using it to be vile towards people less fortunate. In this day and age there should be no need for people to be homeless. Its also sad that people still act like nasty children on social media sites.

Here is my post for the 'Homeless Jimmy' Page:

Anthony Dorman14 November 2012 11:07

Hi - the facebook post is rubbish. I have spoken with the Hostel mentioned this morning who have never heard of the man mentioned. They do not actually take homeless people either. I have spoke also with the family of the homeless man and whilst their is still an official police investigation I won't name this man but here are some facts.

1) A homeless man was taken into hospital in a serious condition. He gave his first name and birth date. The surname he gave was almost identical to the name of his family who have come forward. First name and birth date were an exact match. This man who was in hospital for a few weeks never regained his health and passed away.

2)His Family who do not live in Newcastle watched his reported sightings on facebook and via communication with police support officers for years. When they had not heard anything they reported him missing to the police. Both the family and the police used my photographs to confirm the identity of the man. Unfortunately his body was cremated before a formal family identification could take place.

3) There is an ongoing DNA test going on which is taking a long time much to the annoyance of the family who would like finally to put this whole thing behind them.

I would also like to add that the family (I met up with this man's sister recently) gave me his entire life story. He chose to be homeless and suffered with mental health issues. They have for years tried everything imaginable to get him off the streets and look after him. They are devastated by what has happened.

A second person who knew him came forward on my twitter account and gave me the same name as the family did.

I don't know why people feel the need to be so nasty on social networking sites. I have a feeling that the 'Jimmy' group will end up in trouble at some point. I can't post on the page because i'm banned. I was banned for defending myself. Someone thought it was acceptable for me to be abused whilst sticking up for the plight of homeless people.

As soon as the legal issues have been resolved and with the blessing of the family i will tell this mans story ASAP.

Update: http://anthonydormanphotography.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/ice-cream-and-aesop-and-truth-about.html

The Many faces of James

As part of my 100 Strangers Project I am often found wandering the streets of Newcastle for someone interesting to photograph. Often as in this case it can take hours to find someone of real interest. I was about to give up shooting and head home when I saw James swaying from side to side saying hello to passers by. Most people would have gone out of their way (everyone else was) to avoid James but not me. I asked him if I could take his photo and was treated to 10 minutes of surreal emotional entertainment. This guy had so many expressions it was amazing, as we talked II just kept shooting and got the following images (and more).

James is one of those characters destined to be on the fringe of society, he was erratic and unstable in his dealings with me, one minute happy, the next intimidating. Above all he was a dream subject because he played to the camera and offered a human insight that you rarely observe from the general public. If James ever sees these photographs I would like to thank him again and wish him luck in life. 

See my photos of James on my flickr page here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16059306@N08/

Kez

This was taken on a second shoot with Kez. Until recently I have never really fancied studio shooting as I like natural light so much but the possibilities a studio has to offer are endless. It was my first time using Mayfield Studios and they were really helpful with everything including lighting advice and backdrops.

Visit this image on flickr here  © Anthony Dorman

 

I will be posting more studio images in the next couple of weeks.

Visit the Mayfield Studio Facebook page here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mayfield-Studio/108630319202331

After some deliberation I have finally found my way onto twitter. I have become slightly obsessed with it over the last 24hours. You can read my tweets here: http://twitter.com/#!/AnthonyDorman

Ron Bedford

I have been shooting some comercial work recently which has taken a lot of my time and therefore neglected this blog. I have been writing another blog http://www.intynemouth.blogspot.com/ also - this is a blog to showcase the people, busineses and events in my village Tynemouth. I had a spare half hour today so went stranger hunting for my '100 Strangers Project' Before long I saw Ron standing at the traffic lights on the opposite side of the road from me. I waited for him to cross onto my side of the road and asked him to be in my project.

Ron 58/100 '100 Strangers' see it here on flickr © Anthony Dorman

Ron agreed and the image above is the result. the image has been treated in photoshop with a sharpening mask, some surface blur, dodging and burning and contrast tweeks for anyone interested. I gave Ron a card and he gave me his, Ron is a local singer songwriter - this is one of his songs on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDX32jEzNDU I got another interesting starnger on the train my way home but that is for another day.

http://www.anthonydorman.com/

The Tattooist

I went to the Cluny on Saturday to meet up with a friend of mine Chris Harrison as it was his birthday drinks. Everyone was outside having drinks and enjoying the unusually warm weather, its weird to be warm at 7.30PM Newcastle in April. I probably could have finished my 100 Strangers project that night with the amazing characters in attendance. I saw "Low" (as in Now and not No) and knew I had to get some images. He turned out to be a mate of Chris Harrison's and his tattooist. We chatted whilst I took some images including how he knew one of my 100 Strangers "Leon".

 © Anthony Dorman

 © Anthony Dorman

© Anthony Dorman

I'm really happy with the light and atmosphere on these images however it is the character of the subject that for me - makes these images work. Its great when you get to capture the image and character of someone who is both interesting and likable in one.

http://www.anthonydorman.com/

Lucy

Lucy was one of my 1000 faces 1 Day faces. Not only did she take part but she was kind enough to help get some extra people to participate. To thank her for her help I asked if she would like some portraits taken. Here are a couple of the images.

view this image on flickr by clicking here © Anthony Dorman

view this image on flickr by clicking here © Anthony Dorman

www.anthonydorman.com

Alexander Millar "Working Man"

This weekend sees the launch of Alexander Millar's exhibition "Working Man" at The Great North Museum.  Alex brings the culture and history of the working man to life. His gadgies have shaped the North East, from the coal mines and shipyards to the language and humour of everyday life.

View the image on flickr by clicking here © Anthony Dorman

I have known Alex for a long time now and I am really pleased that this prestigious exhibition is gaining massive public and media interest. I would like to personally thank Alex for asking me to photograph him for the exhibition brochure and website. The candid image above was the last shot taken on a day shooting with Alex. As soon as I took this final shot I knew it was the best image of the day. This image is the inside cover image used on the official museum collection brochure.

For information regarding Alex's show follow this link. Alexander Millar: Working Man

http://www.anthonydorman.com/

Camera Crazy (Red Nose Day 2011) 1000 Faces 1 Day

I saw this old camera at a stall at Tynemouth Station Market and had to have it. I would have no idea how to use it properly but I loved how it looks and it now adorns a shelf in my living room.

view this image on flickr by clicking here © Anthony Dorman

Since picking up a camera my whole world has changed. I see things, people and places completely differently now. What started as a way to document a trip overseas has now become what may be the defining thing in my life. I know that sounds crazy but I think I have succumbed to some form of photography related madness. I never leave the house without my camera and I find myself absorbed with particular flickr accounts and sometimes feel that I am reading someones personal diary. I find my self having conversations with other crazy people about f-stops and Bokeh, the use and misuse of borders and other trivial yet seemingly important topics.

I am living proof that picking up a camera can bring out the lunacy in people. I decided a few weeks ago that I would do something for Red Nose Day (Comic Relief) 2011. I have done things in the past like a 90mile bike ride but decided (the madness kicked in) to do something based on my 100 Strangers Project so here it is:

I am Going to attempt to take 1000 Portraits in 1 Day in my home town of Newcastle upon Tyne, England!!!

You can see my official giving page page here http://my.rednoseday.com/1000FacesIn1Day where you can donate anonymously or with your name showing. I will be collecting on the day but every little bit helps. The logistics of what I have to do is simply crazy and I am having another sleepless night writing this because of what I am about to do. If you are in Newcastle on Friday 18th of March I will be at Greys Monument all day - come and find me (I will be obvious - red nose/ 2 or 3 cameras looking stressed) and have your photo taken, If you cant make it but want to help then tell a friend, family member or co-worker to come along. I will be there until I get my 1000 people.

http://www.anthonydorman.com/