Conflicting Lifestyles

Posted by Twelvebit (Victoria, United States) on 16 July 2008 in Documentary & Street.

Austin Image 10

Note the figure on the right. He'll be featured in close-up tomorrow. Some might say he's Austin's most famous homeless person; and he's a regular fixture on 6th Street.

The people on my corner thought I was a reporter for the local paper. Given their religious and political views they probably considered that a bad thing, though it seemed that they may also have welcomed some publicity for their cause.

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Comments (12)

Vincent Bertrand from Montréal, Canada

Yes, and that woman standing by the post does not seem to be well at all with that guy.

16 Jul 2008 3:40pm

@Vincent Bertrand: They may have seen me with the camera and hesitated to proceed thinking they were interfering with my photo. People do that a lot --when I'd actually prefer they ignore me and go about their business like I wasn't there.

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

Talk about your extreme ends, the woman in the middle she must be at the point where she just wanders what she's doing here.

16 Jul 2008 3:44pm

@JoeB: They may have seen me with the camera and hesitated to proceed thinking they were interfering with my photo. People do that a lot --when I'd actually prefer they ignore me and go about their business like I wasn't there.

MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany

Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction! Such a splendid soul to save and they don't take the opportunity! Shame! (Could take a chair and observe these people the whole day long :-)

16 Jul 2008 4:00pm

@MadScientist: They didn't want anything to do with this guy. They clearly didn't think he should be allowed either to look like that or to appear like that in public (based on what they those passing out pamphlets on the opposite corner told me).

Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom

Great photo 12bit full of interesting characters, I can almost hear the director shouting... 'Action'

16 Jul 2008 8:36pm

@Observing: Well, Austin if probably the film capital of Texas.

Illuci from Hurdegaryp, Netherlands

The figure on the right chose for the broad way or are there maybe other ways than narrow and broad ways? because his life doesn't seem easy to me, but on the other hand he doesn't sin much except maybe mocking with the preaching people, but if an act is a sin, is only for God and the involved person to assess. So I think that the preachers realise that and let him walk, they are more interested in the owner of the big car of the pre-previous post or is that their car? These cars need broad ways :).

16 Jul 2008 8:57pm

@Illuci: The preachers were there when I got there. I didn't see them arrive or leave. Generally speaking though, I wouldn't expect street preachers like this to be raking in much money. The mega church preachers and televangelists in this country are a different matter --they appear to be completely dishonest and corrupt. I'd give these street preachers the benefit of the doubt and assume they actually believe in what they're doing.

étranger from Toronto, Canada

A caricature of inter-personal indifference.

16 Jul 2008 9:15pm

@étranger: Indeed.

lisa v from Gawler, Australia

Is he giving them the thumbs down or are his eyes directed elsewhere? just noticed the taco sign, reminds me I have'nt had breakfast. Adelaide(or is it Melbourne?) has a famous homeless person, a tall, stocky aboriginal guy who wears leotards and gumboots :)

16 Jul 2008 10:18pm

@lisa v: Your description reminds me of the Australian movie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. He's giving them thumbs down but he is looking around to see who is paying attention.

Daryl from Amagasaki, Japan

What a scene - without your explanation to put things in context I would be thinking 'what the hell kind of place is this?' - much as I imagine the couple in the centre of the shot are thinking...

16 Jul 2008 11:19pm

@Daryl: Well, unless you're an out-of-town tourist, I don't think you go to 6th Street in Austin without knowing what to expect.

dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, United States

ha! brilliant! a faaabulous street pic with a host of local drama! i agree w/ Mike... this could be a play! awesome! :)

16 Jul 2008 11:53pm

@dj.tigersprout: Thanks. One of my favorite Austin hangouts.

danthro from Suburbia, United States

this sounds like quite an interesting intersection! great street shot!

17 Jul 2008 5:59am

@danthro: 6th street is a few short blocks of actual street life in contrast to the usual 8am-5pm corporate occupation found in many US cities. After UT home football games and at Halloween, the side streets are blocked off and the street is literally filled with people because there is no vehicle traffic. It's not safe for old men on those occasions though, as, especially on Halloween, the street is filled with THOUSANDS of scantily clad young female college students.

Melissa W. from Warsaw, Indiana, United States

Love the couple in the middle. You've got one extreme to the next and they're caught in the middle. Really interesting shot! I also like that this is b+w...makes for a stronger impact.

17 Jul 2008 1:38pm

@Melissa W.: I compared the color to the B&W --the color didn't add anything to the image. It may have made the sign more visible, but that just detracts from the people.