kizziemurray

The White Bearded Man - Forgotten britain

The White Bearded Man - Forgotten britain

This was taken during Christmas time...

Forgotten Britain' is a personal project I've been working on for the past few months on homelessness. Wa...
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This was taken during Christmas time...

Forgotten Britain' is a personal project I've been working on for the past few months on homelessness. Walking through City streets of Britain such as London and Slough for example, I'd walk past homeless people whom I met on a journey back home one day. After time their faces would linger in my mind, remembering the moments where passers-by would turn the other way pretending not to see them or often cross the road. Going over to talk to this man was the day that my approach to photography was changed. Stopping to chat, buying someone a meal, sitting with them buying them a cup of tea, brought more of a significant meaning to these photographs.

I want the audience to erase the idea of the stereotypes of the homeless that they are often labelled as.
The faces of the people in these images seem to be a part of the black background almost blending in, suggesting that the dark world of homelessness has a hold on them, making it difficult for them to leave. The power of the ‘’Dark side” (Black background) appears to be slowly engulfing these individuals as they reach out for help, from the world of light. However, the light from that world does not shine on them enough to eliminate the dark side completely. The darkness also signifies their addiction disorders, financial crisis, redundancies, unemployment, poverty, crime, relationship breakdown-family disputes, mental illnesses, and domestic violence, lack of affordable housing and evictions. My choice to produce images without colour involves a simple choice between two worlds that are clearly opposite which are represented by Black and White. (i.e. Right & Wrong, Light & Dark, Good & Bad or Good and Evil constituting a two-valued system.)
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E-30

Aperture f/2.5 ISO 200 Shutter 1/200

upload_date

Jul, 2014

Views

7380

Likes

+1.8k

Awards

Chatter Award

Zenith Award

Creative Winter Award

Curator's Selection

Top Shot Award 21

Legendary Award

Featured

Superb Composition

+245

Top Choice

+242

Absolute Masterpiece

+239

Peer Award

+101

Outstanding Creativity

+98

Superior Skill

+41

All Star

+29

Exceptional Contrast

+28

Magnificent Capture

+19

Great Find

One Of A Kind

Genius

Master Editing

Jaw Dropping

Top Class Lighting

Emotions

Impressed

Happy

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Categories

Fantastic photo! The b&w contrast is perfect for this portrait, but even still... his character just rings out!

Excellent mono portrait & your reasons for taking it with all the others in your VB Portfolio - being English & having lived near to (i.e. Tilbury & Grays, Essex) & worked in London for many years, I really sympathize with the homeless who live on the streets / outside the underground stations etc there & admire your personal project for which I personally look forward to seeing more in the future in your Portfolio. Congratulations for being Featured, which is well deserved.

Fabulous!

WOW,fantastic photo,bravo

Congratulations on your feature, excellent photo!

Thank You!! :D

Absolutely wonderful !

Wonderful image Lizzie, I agree with your take on the homeless.... I'm looking forward to browsing your Gallery and a big congratulations! :)))

Beautiful lighting in this beautiful B&W capture.Congrats!

Platinum

I love what you are doing and your photo is awesome! Congratulations on your feature.

fantastic shot..Congrats! ")

FANTASTIC Kizzie :)

Platinum

What a beautiful tribute and endeavor You have been doing with these portraits. You have reached one soul as your words and portraits have moved me. Thank you for what you are doing. Even those your work goes beyond the reason to be recognized I wanted to congratulate you on your feature.

excellent portrait..... love it.....congrats.... :) Sri

Excellent B&W image. Congratulations.

Excellent

The portrait really works! The eyes of the subject pop out of the image and really resonate with the hard contrast of the photo. You did a terrific job!

This is an amazing image! The poster child for the homeless everywhere. I really respect your efforts in this arena. People are extremely uncomfortable about dealing with the homeless. They don't understand that the homeless are people--some former doctors, waitresses, lawyers, businessmen, divorced single moms and farmers, maybe more so than drug addicts and alcoholics. The key word being "people." There, but for the grace of God, go I. Well done!
--Jamie

Platinum

Your story touched my heart as we are similar in many ways. Though I have not taken pictures of the homeless. Our deeds are similar. We have donated jackets and blankets for years. But one day it occurred to me these homeless people could use personal items as well . . . such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant and other items. So now, I purchase special bags for all these items to fit in. And anyone in need receives one along with a blanket or jacket. It is the small things in life that can make a difference. Awesome, job on the photos and what good you are doing in life. You are one of the few angels left in the world.