Photographer Shows Homeless In A New Light To Remind Us They’re People Too
Aaron Draper takes lit color portraits of California’s homeless. The California native and social activist strives to make street-persons “as visually appealing as possible” in his Underexposed series. After all, things which are not pretty are often overlooked.
“Steinbeck has influenced me and informed my view of the world,” Draper explains on his website. “In Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath, I was introduced to a philosophy regarding society, about economic disparity and Steinbeck’s efforts to shed light on the problems of the poor in our society. Steinbeck hoped to bring about societal change, just as I hope to enable people to gain a more humane view of the homeless.”
According to endhomelessness.org, there were 578,424 homeless individuals in the US in 2014. Of those, 177,373 “lived in a place not meant for human habitation such as the street or an abandoned building”; about 50,000 of those 578,424 are homeless veterans.
More info: aarondraper.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (h/t: petapixel)
“The goal of Underexposed is to make the homeless as visually appealing as possible in a society that is visually demanding”
“When it comes to social activism, you achieve greater public awareness by communicating hope as opposed to hopelessness”
“I use lighting as a way to interest the viewer in the subjects shown in Underexposed”
“And that gives me hope”
“When something is underexposed, it means it’s lacking light; there are few details in the shadows”
“Using a strobe helps illuminate my subjects, bringing them into the light and out of the shadows for others to view and appreciate”
“If I’m able to affect the way that one person views the homeless, I will have considered my series a success”
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I like the way you explained everything. The people are portrayed as human beings in their reality. Life happens. We may have been in their place but for the grace of God. Fran destroyed my home and I lived in my car for 6 1/2 weeks. I told no one until I was back in a place again. Until we have walked in someone else's shoes, we should be careful of judgment. The photos are powerful and speak volumes. They show that you care and respect each one of them.
Beautiful people portrayed as they should be ......... as human beings.
I see in the faces of each of these people that even though they may be at the most difficult part of their lives, they still have a spark of hope...you can see it in their eyes...
Magnificent; it shows the reality of things, besides his photograph are tremendous.
I would love to have a photographer clean them up and dress them in fabulous clothing to show what they could have looked like if they had breaks or if their life had been one of financial success . Just to show the dramatic fantasy and reality.
There's this word: "dignity". Do you know of it? They aren't your dress-up dolls.
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Digital photographs allow you to see those people on your cell phone. You know, THOSE people that you avoid making eye contact with by pretending to digest something "more important" on your cell phone. The anally recursive period came shortly before our species extinction.
excellent work, and a big step for awareness on humanness ... congrats
How could anyone forget that they are human. My heart breakes every time I see a unfortunate person. I undersrand how easily it could also happen to me.
I liked the photo's. They make me hurt for these folks and all the homeless.
In the time I have have spent communicating with homeless people I never once viewed then the way you have. Thank you for a new perspective and wonderful enthusiasm !
That wasn't my point you left wing duche bag!!! Where your idea of dress up is probably a potatoe sack and flip flops, not everyone would choose like you to go through life without bathing or shaving or wearing nice clothes
I like the way you explained everything. The people are portrayed as human beings in their reality. Life happens. We may have been in their place but for the grace of God. Fran destroyed my home and I lived in my car for 6 1/2 weeks. I told no one until I was back in a place again. Until we have walked in someone else's shoes, we should be careful of judgment. The photos are powerful and speak volumes. They show that you care and respect each one of them.
Beautiful people portrayed as they should be ......... as human beings.
I see in the faces of each of these people that even though they may be at the most difficult part of their lives, they still have a spark of hope...you can see it in their eyes...
Magnificent; it shows the reality of things, besides his photograph are tremendous.
I would love to have a photographer clean them up and dress them in fabulous clothing to show what they could have looked like if they had breaks or if their life had been one of financial success . Just to show the dramatic fantasy and reality.
There's this word: "dignity". Do you know of it? They aren't your dress-up dolls.
Load More Replies... Digital photographs allow you to see those people on your cell phone. You know, THOSE people that you avoid making eye contact with by pretending to digest something "more important" on your cell phone. The anally recursive period came shortly before our species extinction.
excellent work, and a big step for awareness on humanness ... congrats
How could anyone forget that they are human. My heart breakes every time I see a unfortunate person. I undersrand how easily it could also happen to me.
I liked the photo's. They make me hurt for these folks and all the homeless.
In the time I have have spent communicating with homeless people I never once viewed then the way you have. Thank you for a new perspective and wonderful enthusiasm !
That wasn't my point you left wing duche bag!!! Where your idea of dress up is probably a potatoe sack and flip flops, not everyone would choose like you to go through life without bathing or shaving or wearing nice clothes
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