Hot today in August 105 degrees plus. Homeless in Arizona

• Came across these this couple sleeping in a water runoff area in West Phoenix. Couple of beer bottles scattered about the area. Alcohol abuse seems to be a common factor with street people. It is very hot today, 105 degrees. Halsselblad 501C, Illford HP5 film, Clayton F76 developer 1:9 five minutes @ 80 degrees.. Clayton developer mixed with distilled water. Negatives rinsed with same.

Homeless in Arizona? West Phoenix, Arizona

Going west on McDowell road on the avenues and noticed a couple of men sleeping in the bushes by the side of the road.  I pulled in and noticed this man (left image) sitting by a trash container. He appears to be under the influence of Bud Light. He thanked me with my cash donation for his photo and I left.












These two men were awaken by my camera shutter and mirror slap (hasselblad). They posed for these images. Alcohol is the big problem here. Homeless in Arizona? I really do not know.

"Stormy"

 Stormy is from upstate NY where he was a cook. He is 57 years old. He was born underweight at 2 lbs. He father called him Lil' Bud. His father was a woodworker and made a belt buckle out of wood for him with this named chiseled . Smoky was chosen to speak at a congressional hearing in Washington DC supporting camping rights for the homeless. Today he made $50 in handouts. He gave away $20 to a needy woman and her husband with 3 children. He believes in karma and will get this money back. He smokes bugler rollies and his favorite snack is cheese puffs. This genleman camps out under the 51 overpass. He has a canon camera packed away and wants me to look at it for him. He is friends with some of the employees of a local Phoenix camera shop, photomart.
He is not allowed in the local supermarket so he relies on peoples help for ice and water.

concrete dreams

Photographed this fellow sleeping on the walkway at the end of a small shopping center. Homeless? I do not know. It is hot today 105 degrees. The concrete walk must be a 100 degrees.

         Hasselblad with kodak 400TX. F5.6 @ 125

Kathy on the streets of Phoenix, Arizona

Kathy, a former Texas resident on the streets of Phoenix with her boyfriend pushing her belongings in a shopping cart. Traded as couple of dollars and a "steel reserve 211" beer for a couple of photos. I was driving down the street when I noticed this woman cooling herself by pouring ice water over her head.
Kathy is holding a prized possesion in her arms, her teddie bear. She was justed asked to leave the QT gas station/market by an employee when she tried to use the bathroom.
Hasselblad 501C, Carl Zeiss 80mm F2.8 lens. 400TX processed in Clayton F76 developer. Scanned with Epson V500.

"Billy" Homeless in Scottsdale Arizona

Met Bllly at QT gas station in Scottsdale. Billy recycles cans. He stores his property at a local car lot where he sleeps. In trade  he keeps the lot clean and does security at night. Billy says he has served prison time twice in Arizona.
This is a hasselblad shot with illford HP5 film processed in clayton F76 developer. I gave Billy some cash and he continued south down Scottsdale road.

"Thomas and Rocky" resting in the shade.

Met Thomas hanging out with Rocky. Thomas  served time at  Arizona State Penitentiary. He was invited to live and work in the  Yuma, Arizona area. He is now back in  Phoenix and has been here for appx one year. He is a newbe at this campsite. Thomas is a very pleasant person. Thomas  drinks  12 % alcohol beer. "Not for taste, but for effect".
Rocky informs  me "I am invited back at any time."
Thomas asks me if I am shooting for the New Times Magazine. Thomas also recites me a "homeless wanderer" poem. I forget the title. I hand him a new pack of bugler rollies and leave after an hour.

"Rocky" Homeless truck driver in Phoenix, Arizona

This is Rocky. Formally from southern Califiornia. Hopes to return to the beach. Spent time with Rocky and his group and learned alittle about street life. Rocky has pain in his back and controls it with alcohol. 12% alcohol beer. He says he will not take pain meds. Very nice fellow here, 58 years old. He has been on this I 10 freeway exit for appx 18 months. Good luck Rocky. Hasselblad 501C, 400 TX film. Self developed in clayton F76, 1:9 @ 80 degrees 5 mins. Love this combo.

"Scooter" Homeless in Arizona, Phoenix

Scooter according to a good source has been living on the street since his mother gave birth. He has been on this corner new Interstate 10 for 7 years. He gets by on handouts on the on and off freeway ramps. Hasselblad 80mm CZ lens. 400TX film processed with clayton F76 @ 80 degrees 1:9 for my photograper friends.

Connie & Foxie on the street Homeless in Arizona

Connie is living on the street with Foxie her dog. She lives with a group that includes her brother and handicapped boyfriend. They get by with food and money donations. They claim they get more than enough food donations and the extra goes to Foxie. Very nice people. Mamiya RZ67 with metered prism finder, 127mm lens. Kodak porta 400nc. Scanned with epson V500.

Happy birthday, Donny

"Donny" viet nam vet 1965. today, July 29 is Donny's 71st birthday. Hasselblad, tri-x400 F76 developer @ 20 degrees C.

Daniel from tolleson, Az.

Daniel, Arizona native formal Tolleson native. living on the streets since the 80's.
Recycles materials from the Arizona streets for income. Listened to a long story on Daniel's trip ending up in San Diego after selling his vehicle after a dui conviction. Daniel's transportation weights in at 165 lbs today.
Mamiya RZ67, Kodak Porta NC 800 film.

Stormy hanging out in the 51 underpass. Phoenix

Met Stormy homeless from upper New York State hanging out under the 51 underpass in Phoenix. Avocates homeless camping in the U.S. Stormy claims he testified in Washington D.C. on homeless laws. This former cook and vietnam vet has lived on the street since 1984. Nikon F100, nikkor 35-70 f3.5 with expired fuji s400 film. Flash fill with nikon SB-80dx.

Looking for work in Phoenix

Met this gentleman at the post office while mailing a package. Out of work, but willing to wash car windows for a buck.
Looking for work in Phoenix. Took a $400 loan out on his vehicle to pay rent. Does not know how he is going to pay it back. Hasselblad with vivitar 285HV flash fill.

Ernesto, Phoenix native at Overpass

Exiting at 24th street in Phoenix. Ernesto saw me photographing fish art on overpass and asked for a handout. Traded $$ for Image. Very hot today 110 degrees plus. Good luck Ernesto, original Phoenix native. Homeless?

Hotel Jack in the Box

110 degrees out today. Driving down Camelback Rd and spotted this man sleeping on the concrete at Jack in the Box. I assume he is homeless in Arizona. Mamiya RZ67 metered prism finder. Kodak tri-x 120 film developed in clayton F76 6.25 mins at 20 degrees C. self developed.

Strawberries

Homeless woman in Phoenix outside of closed Food City market. In her left hand is fresh strawberries. Right hand holds a couple of dollars provided by a passing photographer. Cheryl is sitting on all her belongings. Born in 1968, Cheryl repeated all her family's names and birthdates. This woman has mental problems and should not be on the street. Phoenix temp rises over 100 degrees in the shade today.
Hasselblad 501C, 80mm F2.8 zeiss lens. Ilford film HP5 processed in clayton 76 developer at 7 minutes, 20 degrees C. Neat Image filtered.
This is the second image of this fine woman on my blog.

Homeless in Arizona "the recycler"

Do not know much about this hard working gentleman. He searches the streets south of the airport looking for recycle goods. I have run across him several times. I do not know if he is homeless or not. 111 degrees today.
Image captured with Fuji S400 expired film. Nikon F prism finder apollo model. Metered by Minolta IV light/flash meter.

"Liberty" Homeless in Arizona

Liberty is homeless. Met this handicapped women at QT store/gas station in Phoenix next to the I17 freeway. She shares a "camp" with her husband. They are both unemployed and she struggles with crohn's disease and other health problems. It is hot today. 110 degrees. This is a night shot, no flash. Hasselblad with Illford HP5 film shot at 1/30 second handheld at F2.8. 80mm Zeiss lens. 120 film developed in F76 developer 7 mins.

Crohn's disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Crohn's disease (also known as granulomatous, and colitis) is an inflammatory disease of the intestines that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal ...

Homeless in Arizona "beat the heat"

Resting on the ground to beat the Arizona heat. 100 degrees plus today. Hasselblad 501c plus 80 mm 2.8 lens. Developed in collins F76. 7 mins at 20 degrees c.

"born in 1968" Homeless in Phoenix

Very hot today 104 plus degrees. This is Cheryl. Born in 1968. It is very hard to carry a conversation with here because she is constantly repeating the same things. She should be in a mental institution. Shelly thanked me for a small donation for her image and a soft drink with ice I provided. Hasselblad shot with 80 mm f 2.8 Carl Zeiss lens. Illford HP5 asa 400 developed with F76 7mins at 2o degrees C.

looking for a handout at Circle K

Looking for a handout at Circle K. Jose in Phoenix. Nikon F5 with nikon 70-210 zoom lens. Fuji expired S200 film. color corrected in photoshop cs3. I like this view and color.

Homeless in Arizona

This gentleman stands on a streetcorner of Phoenix with his belongings all day long. I have noticed him for the last couple of years. This is a rear view shot from my driver's seat. I wish him luck.

Homeless in Arizona "Kirk"

Kirk from Phoenix, Arizona. Nikon F100 shot with expired Fuji S400 film. Nikon nikkor 50mm F 1.4 AF lens.

Homeless Vet needs help

Homeless vet outside local pharmacy in west Phoenix. Tom grew up in Peoria "when it was a small community". Vietnam veteran now asking for help.
Nikon F100 with expired superia 400 film. Nikkor 50mm F1.4 auto focus lens.

Homeless in Arizona

Homeless man asleep on bus stop bench. It was hot today. This does not look very comfortable. I guess you have to do what you have to do. Nikon F5 shot. Fuji expired film.

Homeless man's personal effects in shopping cart with handwritten sign. North Phoenix along the 17 freeway at Dunlap.

Homeless Trio

Next to a freeway entrance in Phoenix a homeless trio solicits drivers for living expenses. This lady in wheelchair fractured her leg in a homeless camp across 67th ave. "Rose" has a metal pin holding her bone in place. Phoenix police evicted the trio from the camp. Rose grew up in Phoenix as a child and recently returned from louisiana. No info available on other the other campers. Photo by Nikon D200 with nikon nikkor 20mm F4 manual focus lens. Asa 125.

Homeless in Arizona Bill

Met this gentleman in west Phoenix Walmart parking lot. Bill arrived in Phoenix by bus. He said he is from Kansas, "too cold there". Nikon D200 with nikkor 20mm f4 manual focus lens. Good luck Bill.

The Associated Press
March 15, 2010 - 8:02AM
More than 2,700 people are living on the streets of Maricopa County according to a recent homeless count.

a strange encounter

While in Tucson Arizona while finishing breakfast on 22nd street I was approached by "James". James wanted a dollar for food. I offered James money for a couple of pictures. I had my nikon FM with motor drive loaded with expired Fuji film and was ready to go.
I asked James to pose in front of a vivid colored building. I fired one shot, then other. Then suddenly James exclaimed, " no more pictures". "You paid for 2".
"OK" I replied. that was it. I was not going to press for more images. I walked back to my Venture van.
James then followed me and asked "give me $4 for the 4 taco meal".
"Sorry", I replied as I drove off.
I thought later, James has no teeth.

"James" in Tucson Arizona.

My Homeless Photography in Phoenix cont.

This is an interesting photo of "Bible Mike" in Phoenix. traded a bonus jack combo for this interesting shot. nikon f5 nikon 35-70 lens. Ilford HP400 film. you can see the photographer(me)and subject "bible mike" in the shadows.

Robert in Phoenix (Van Buren)


I offered Robert some money and took his photo while he ran to my van. I asked Robert if I could take his photo. He pulled back his hair. Robert still has his dignity. I spoke to Robert. He replied. Robert was educated. He had perfect control of his language. What led him to the street?

My Homeless Photography in Arizona

Arizona homeless are all over. I have been documenting interesting homeless I have run into while doing my normal driving chores in Phoenix and the surrounding areas.
I am using both film and digital. I prefer film. Nikon is my camera of choice. I have a nice supply of expired fuji film purchased on craigslist and dept store closeouts. I process the film at a local cvs lab. I then scan with a vintage canoscan scanner.
If you use a local drugstore lab try out different locations because quality varies greatly. I have found a couple that work great for me. 35 mm and digital cameras allow me to capture and compose images fast without making a production of my activities. I do not like to stand out in the crowd while photographing.
In the past I photographed weddings and I liked to work fast without being noticed. I use this approach to record images on the street.
I currently use a 35-105mm nikkor lens for most shots. It allows me to compose and frame the subject fast. This is an older push pull nikkor F3.5-4.5. This is not an auto focus lens. I prefocus the lens before I frame the subject. My films are asa 200 and 400. My digital cameras are set at the same iso as the film cameras. I use nikon F with prism finder, nikon F5 and nikon F3HP. My digital cameras are a Nikon D1 which gives me beautiful images. I also use a nikon D200 and D70s.


Daniel in Tucson,Arizona