100 Cameras Were Given To Homeless In London And The Result Left Everyone Speechless
This July, Cafe Art, a UK based initiative that allows the homeless to express themselves through art and photography, gave 100 Fujifilm disposable cameras to the homeless in London. Basic training was provided by the Royal Photographic Society, and then the camera recipients were asked to take photos with the theme “My London.”
Eighty of the one-hundred cameras were returned and around 2,500 photos were developed. 20 photos were chosen by judges from Fujifilm, Amateur Photographer, the London Photo Festival, Christie’s, and Homeless Link. Presently, there is a Kickstarter campaign to turn some of these photos into a 2016 calendar.
“All the money raised goes back into the project,” Cafe Art says, “either to pay for the printing of the photographs and calendar, rewarding the winning photographers, buying art materials for art groups affected by homelessness or helping individuals attend art courses.”
More info: cafeart.org.uk | facebook | twitter | kickstarter (h/t: demilked, petapixel)
Photo by ROL, Which Was Voted To Be The Cover
“We are inspired by the artists and photographers who participate in the project. If it wasn’t for them, we couldn’t create the exhibition and calendar,” CAFÉ ART’s Paul Ryan told Bored Panda
“Telephone Row, Lincoln’s Inn” by XO
“It takes a few months to organise the contest. We have now done it a few times so we can get more done in less time”
“Left Boot, East London” by Ellen Rostant
“Both partners in this project, Michael and I both do this because we enjoy making a difference in people’s lives. The photos are beautiful, but the changes in the people who took them is even more beautiful to witness”
“Nature’s Tunnel or Light and the End, Stratford” by Ellen Rostant
“We are inspired by the international response to the Kickstarter campaign this week. People have sent us incredible messages of support and it really does make you realise that there are many people who not only care about helping people affected by homelessness, but they are inspired to join us”
“Everything I Own or Bags of Life, Strand” by David Tovey
“Colour Festival, Olympic Park” by Goska Calik
“Past & Present, City of London” by Ioanna Zagkana
“Tyre Break, Hackney” by Desmond Henry
“Tower Bridge PICNIC, Southwark” by Cecie
“West End Bird, Westminster” by Zin
“The Artist, Whitechapel” by Michael Crosswaite
“Shadow of Self, Hyde Park” by Goska Calik
80 Cameras Returned With Over 2500 Pictures. Voting Determined The Winners
The Kickstarter Pitch And The Importance Of Disposable Cameras:
763Kviews
Share on FacebookHello, My name is David Tovey and I'm one of those photographers, Some people say that this project does not help get us off the streets, well actually it does more than that, This project has changed my life, I was a broken man and dying on the streets off london, i entered this competition and got last years cover shot and April shot. from the exposure I've had work shown in New York, London, my pictures have been seen around the world, I got to meet the deputy Mayor Rio and donated a picture to him for a homeless day centre in Rio. Ive had a picture shown in Christies of London. My health and depression has improved, I'm now housed and I'm doing several volunteering jobs with the homeless and I'm now having a Documentary made about me. This all happened because of CafeArt. THEY SAVED MY LIFE. So to all the Critics out there all I'm gonna say is... HOW MANY LIFES HAVE YOU SAVED!
Someone should publish a book of their work and. Give them the royalties.
They make a calendar of those images chosen by judges and also by the public. I believe you can find out more on the Cafe Art website.
Load More Replies...why not do this all around the word take the homeless and less fortunate off the unsafe streets i raise my hand to that
Lovely story! I would love to see all photographs in a book and support the homeless. Bravo !
I don't understand how these photos left everyone speechless(???)... They are photos taken by grown up people. The photos are normal photos. Nothing special at all... neither great nor bad. Just because it's a "project", everybody wants / have to be trendy and cool so they must say they feel amazed be these masterpieces(!?!). On the other side, the money reaising is an initiative of praise.
Several of the photos are as good as any I have seen taken by professional photographers. But even if they weren't, what they do is show the world that those faceless, homeless people are people who see beauty and are worthy of better. I'm sorry you can't see the meaning in those photos.
Load More Replies...These images put you in the shoes of the shooters. I feel like I am right there. What a GREAT project. David Tovey, I am so , so very happy for you!!!!
Thank you all for this project...! It´s amazing. This kind of helps must be duplicate all world around.Thank you again.
Great project! Just because someone is poor doesn't mean they're blind, and photography is all abut the eye and the mind, not the price of one's equipment.
Great project! Just because someone is poor doesn't mean they're blind, and photography is all about the eye and mind, not the price of one's equipment.
It's a great initiative. People not only need money to survive: they need to express themselves. To generate their own form of art. Incredible stories, incredible art. Congratulations!
I think this project is just wonderful! It should become a pattern for many other cities to follow! I really enjoyed the photos - and the comments by the artists.
What a wonderful project! I live in a small town in the US and think this would be a great project for my town and many others here - and across the globe! I am going to share this idea with others..... Great work! - and Wonderful photos!
I would like to buy a calendar, but don't know how. Clicking on the notice on the end of the film got me a black screen. Help, please.
I think these shots are wonderful...and it does give the person a sense of purpose...something I feel they lack being in their situation...David thank you for your story..I wish you nothing but success and to the others I hope it brought them "HOPE" also.
Oh, just such wonderful work these "photographers" have done; thank you, and may you all meet with nothing but success, good health, and contentment, in years to come!
Amazing project; wonderful photos; v moving stories on the video. Jane
I think that's an amazing story David ... I'm in Australia and don't ever think any program is wasted on our homeless , they bring motivation, a reason to get up in the morning and the rest is a bonus ... Good on you David luv yr work and wish u well :-))
LOVELY initiative. Wow really... This more a personal take on the term "street photography". Lovely photos and on a random note "Film is still alive and kicking"...
This is another proof that society let it most brillant minds diying on the street. This is another proof that society want only dumbass zombies to consume without any questions. Sad sad sad story!
Thank you David and thank you CafeArt, this is so inspirational. I think i would like to do something like this in South Africa my home.
great story and thank you for sharing, is there a link for this project?
check out Cafeartuk on Facebook and there you can seethe other great stuff they do
Load More Replies...I think this is beyond amazing...there are no words. I am touched and moved by this, truly. Beautiful and inspiring.
CafeArt has helped with many aspects of my life, The Independent newspaper in Britain wrote my story last year, Heres the link below. Cafeart as well as The Pilion Trust have been there for me 24/7 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/david-tovey-has-weathered-cancer-cardiac-arrest-hiv-and-homelessness--and-hes-only-39-9624156.html?origin=internalSearch
The photos follow the classic bell-curve of statistics. Some good, some not-so-good, mostly average. Why does it make any difference that the photographers are homeless? Is it supposed to be like watching an idiot-savant play a difficult Mozart piece on the piano after having heard it only once or something? Are we supposed to be surprised that a homeless person has any artistic sense at all? Someone please explain.
Perhaps the purpose was to give a different perspective on life-- his much value does a smile have to you? A cup of coffee? Lose everything and then answer.
Load More Replies...Hello, My name is David Tovey and I'm one of those photographers, Some people say that this project does not help get us off the streets, well actually it does more than that, This project has changed my life, I was a broken man and dying on the streets off london, i entered this competition and got last years cover shot and April shot. from the exposure I've had work shown in New York, London, my pictures have been seen around the world, I got to meet the deputy Mayor Rio and donated a picture to him for a homeless day centre in Rio. Ive had a picture shown in Christies of London. My health and depression has improved, I'm now housed and I'm doing several volunteering jobs with the homeless and I'm now having a Documentary made about me. This all happened because of CafeArt. THEY SAVED MY LIFE. So to all the Critics out there all I'm gonna say is... HOW MANY LIFES HAVE YOU SAVED!
Someone should publish a book of their work and. Give them the royalties.
They make a calendar of those images chosen by judges and also by the public. I believe you can find out more on the Cafe Art website.
Load More Replies...why not do this all around the word take the homeless and less fortunate off the unsafe streets i raise my hand to that
Lovely story! I would love to see all photographs in a book and support the homeless. Bravo !
I don't understand how these photos left everyone speechless(???)... They are photos taken by grown up people. The photos are normal photos. Nothing special at all... neither great nor bad. Just because it's a "project", everybody wants / have to be trendy and cool so they must say they feel amazed be these masterpieces(!?!). On the other side, the money reaising is an initiative of praise.
Several of the photos are as good as any I have seen taken by professional photographers. But even if they weren't, what they do is show the world that those faceless, homeless people are people who see beauty and are worthy of better. I'm sorry you can't see the meaning in those photos.
Load More Replies...These images put you in the shoes of the shooters. I feel like I am right there. What a GREAT project. David Tovey, I am so , so very happy for you!!!!
Thank you all for this project...! It´s amazing. This kind of helps must be duplicate all world around.Thank you again.
Great project! Just because someone is poor doesn't mean they're blind, and photography is all abut the eye and the mind, not the price of one's equipment.
Great project! Just because someone is poor doesn't mean they're blind, and photography is all about the eye and mind, not the price of one's equipment.
It's a great initiative. People not only need money to survive: they need to express themselves. To generate their own form of art. Incredible stories, incredible art. Congratulations!
I think this project is just wonderful! It should become a pattern for many other cities to follow! I really enjoyed the photos - and the comments by the artists.
What a wonderful project! I live in a small town in the US and think this would be a great project for my town and many others here - and across the globe! I am going to share this idea with others..... Great work! - and Wonderful photos!
I would like to buy a calendar, but don't know how. Clicking on the notice on the end of the film got me a black screen. Help, please.
I think these shots are wonderful...and it does give the person a sense of purpose...something I feel they lack being in their situation...David thank you for your story..I wish you nothing but success and to the others I hope it brought them "HOPE" also.
Oh, just such wonderful work these "photographers" have done; thank you, and may you all meet with nothing but success, good health, and contentment, in years to come!
Amazing project; wonderful photos; v moving stories on the video. Jane
I think that's an amazing story David ... I'm in Australia and don't ever think any program is wasted on our homeless , they bring motivation, a reason to get up in the morning and the rest is a bonus ... Good on you David luv yr work and wish u well :-))
LOVELY initiative. Wow really... This more a personal take on the term "street photography". Lovely photos and on a random note "Film is still alive and kicking"...
This is another proof that society let it most brillant minds diying on the street. This is another proof that society want only dumbass zombies to consume without any questions. Sad sad sad story!
Thank you David and thank you CafeArt, this is so inspirational. I think i would like to do something like this in South Africa my home.
great story and thank you for sharing, is there a link for this project?
check out Cafeartuk on Facebook and there you can seethe other great stuff they do
Load More Replies...I think this is beyond amazing...there are no words. I am touched and moved by this, truly. Beautiful and inspiring.
CafeArt has helped with many aspects of my life, The Independent newspaper in Britain wrote my story last year, Heres the link below. Cafeart as well as The Pilion Trust have been there for me 24/7 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/david-tovey-has-weathered-cancer-cardiac-arrest-hiv-and-homelessness--and-hes-only-39-9624156.html?origin=internalSearch
The photos follow the classic bell-curve of statistics. Some good, some not-so-good, mostly average. Why does it make any difference that the photographers are homeless? Is it supposed to be like watching an idiot-savant play a difficult Mozart piece on the piano after having heard it only once or something? Are we supposed to be surprised that a homeless person has any artistic sense at all? Someone please explain.
Perhaps the purpose was to give a different perspective on life-- his much value does a smile have to you? A cup of coffee? Lose everything and then answer.
Load More Replies...
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