I have no answers either, although I’d be pretty surprised if he did write it. But lying where he did, he certainly gave the writer’s words more significance.
Another of your great photographs that stops me working and sends me off on a bit of internet sleuthing.
I think he may have tagged that wall. He may even run a stall.
Here are some other shots of what I think are the same guy.
As an aside the Murakami-LV collaboration pattern on the guys “sign” is a favourute of mine.
Thanks. Hope the breaks make you more productive, and not the opposite!
Great work on the research. That’s very interesting. I presumed it was just a coincidence, but it’d seem that’s not actually the case. If I see him again, and he’s awake and doesn’t mind being asked, I’ll try and find out more.
Likewise. When visiting somewhere like a little old bar, I try and get at least some information if possible. How long it has been open and so on. But when taking photos on the street, the thought of finding out more doesn’t usually enter my head. But the likes of cdilla’s research and info really add something extra.
Something that struck me – from this picture and many others of homeless around the world – given our consumer culture, finding cardboard never seems to be a problem. The amount of globally available cardboard must be mind-blowingly huge – and discarded cardboard seems to be simply everywhere.
Yeah, that’a a very good point. Now and again I see old fellas with huge carts piled high with cardboard. So possibly like cans, it can be weighed in for a bit of money.
I saw a documentary recently that briefly featured an old ex-salaryman whose misfortunes had led him to collecting carboard from shops in Tokyo. He got a hundred or so yen for each 20kilo cartload. He looked well over retirement age, worked many hours a day in what should be viewed as a valuable task, and was too ashamed to show his face.
Just as an aside, I know from (an isolated and self inflicted) experience, and the generosity of a homeless guy, that a few millimeters of cardboard between yourself and the cold concrete of a London street makes an unbeleivable difference. It feels positively warm in fact.
That’s got to be a tough way to make money. Not much money either…
Yes, made a similar mistake myself many moons ago. And couldn’t agree more. It really did make a huge difference. But once was definitely enough as far as that experience goes.
Martin says
That’s interesting. Did he write it and why English? Here you go with another photo with more questions than answers.
Lee says
I have no answers either, although I’d be pretty surprised if he did write it. But lying where he did, he certainly gave the writer’s words more significance.
John says
Man, that’s sad….. The graffiti(?) that makes the shot.
Lee says
Yes, it really is. Very sad indeed. And yeah, those words really do add so much. Wouldn’t have taken the shot if they hadn’t been there.
cdilla says
Another of your great photographs that stops me working and sends me off on a bit of internet sleuthing.
I think he may have tagged that wall. He may even run a stall.
Here are some other shots of what I think are the same guy.
As an aside the Murakami-LV collaboration pattern on the guys “sign” is a favourute of mine.
http://tinyurl.com/jzrlags
http://tinyurl.com/z88vk3j
http://tinyurl.com/jlpxod5
Lee says
Thanks. Hope the breaks make you more productive, and not the opposite!
Great work on the research. That’s very interesting. I presumed it was just a coincidence, but it’d seem that’s not actually the case. If I see him again, and he’s awake and doesn’t mind being asked, I’ll try and find out more.
d.minnis says
Great job cdilla…I love that someone actually goes out and researches these things. I operate that way but it is mostly for work.
Lee says
Likewise. When visiting somewhere like a little old bar, I try and get at least some information if possible. How long it has been open and so on. But when taking photos on the street, the thought of finding out more doesn’t usually enter my head. But the likes of cdilla’s research and info really add something extra.
Squidpuppy says
Something that struck me – from this picture and many others of homeless around the world – given our consumer culture, finding cardboard never seems to be a problem. The amount of globally available cardboard must be mind-blowingly huge – and discarded cardboard seems to be simply everywhere.
Lee says
Yeah, that’a a very good point. Now and again I see old fellas with huge carts piled high with cardboard. So possibly like cans, it can be weighed in for a bit of money.
cdilla says
I saw a documentary recently that briefly featured an old ex-salaryman whose misfortunes had led him to collecting carboard from shops in Tokyo. He got a hundred or so yen for each 20kilo cartload. He looked well over retirement age, worked many hours a day in what should be viewed as a valuable task, and was too ashamed to show his face.
cdilla says
Just as an aside, I know from (an isolated and self inflicted) experience, and the generosity of a homeless guy, that a few millimeters of cardboard between yourself and the cold concrete of a London street makes an unbeleivable difference. It feels positively warm in fact.
Lee says
That’s got to be a tough way to make money. Not much money either…
Yes, made a similar mistake myself many moons ago. And couldn’t agree more. It really did make a huge difference. But once was definitely enough as far as that experience goes.