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crash

homeless man whose life detoured with a crash that nearly killed him, san francisco, june 2006

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homeless john is from the bay area. john studied to be a mechanic of some sort at a trade school in arizona in the 80s. on january 13, 1987 at 8:46pm, he hit a horse in the middle of the road going 55. there were no survivors. but the paramedics brought him back.

his fingers and palms are twisted in a manner cruel to someone who sought to earn a living with his hands. his face bones are largely broken. his tear ducts discharge through his right eye what should come out his nose.

he got by though and managed to live in a small studio (with city assistance) and do small jobs through st. vincents. on one job, he was seeking to break up a fight when one of the guys pulled a knife and lunged to stab him. he was wearing several coats and suffered only cuts to his clothing. but he was enraged and severely beat the man; sending him to the hospital. st. vincents dropped him.

in 2004, a neighbor accused him of trying to stab him. he lost his housing.

now he “camps out” and does small jobs after hours for some local nightclubs.

(6/19/06)

76 Flickr comments:

Larry de PalmSpringsCA says:

OMG his eyes!!!!!

...posted 10/14/2009 8:48:57 PM

~BranchDesign says:

: ( So sad. Gosh, life can be cruel. Great photo

...posted 3/24/2009 12:34:25 AM

eshovels says:

stunning. your photograph is phenomenal. thank you for putting your talent to such a constructive use.

...posted 3/23/2009 10:44:33 PM

No Expectations says:

your shots are simply amazing, thank you.

...posted 1/15/2009 2:59:51 PM

SuperKarmen says:

I havent words..
... uf.

...posted 12/28/2007 8:19:51 PM

little haze says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called hats and caps, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

...posted 8/26/2007 10:31:07 PM

Thomas W.P. Slatin Photography says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Old-School Photos [B&W and Sepia], and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

...posted 7/12/2007 1:41:45 AM

Alfonse says:

after seeing so many comments on his eyes i was wondering whether to post a comment but his eyes are so intense and drew me in to the photo. his face shows such emotion yet the quality of the photo is also very good. you are very good

...posted 1/9/2007 10:45:04 PM

teaho says:

His eyes tell it all.

...posted 11/11/2006 9:32:24 PM

Lynn (Gracie's mom) - I'm here & there says:

My goodness... what a life. Surely makes me grateful for what I have. Hi John. Wish you well. Awesome portrait among many. Wonderful set. As someone said on another of your photos, your work reminds me also of Dorothea Lange. Keep up the good work.

...posted 8/31/2006 11:55:30 PM

Jack Brodus says:

Amazing portrait, such powerful eyes. Great DoF, really works wonders.

...posted 8/25/2006 5:40:10 AM

cecillielopata says:

that's really sad...life can be crazy sometimes. great portrait

...posted 8/5/2006 3:05:03 AM

deletted says:

what a sad story indeed.

such a lovely man. such a cruel society!!

...posted 8/4/2006 1:22:53 PM

RealSlogans.com says:

Nice HIPA Violation..

...posted 7/31/2006 4:03:43 AM

nikond100 says:

deep and expressive!
cheers

...posted 7/25/2006 8:57:22 PM

etylee says:

Eyes of despair, but still, with a faint expression of hope. Great portrait!

...posted 7/21/2006 1:58:31 AM

m.nikandrow says:

Man, these are the most beautiful photos of homeless people I ever seen. I am deeply impressed.

...posted 7/18/2006 11:29:18 PM

Olly C says:

Such a powerful portrait. A big fave..

...posted 7/18/2006 2:58:23 PM

hd connelly says:

Reading his story is a potent reminder of how fine a line can exist between a "normal life" and finding ourselves with absolutely nothing and nowhere to go. You've captured a tenderness in people who are otherwise overlooked or blatantly ignored. To ignore Crash and the others you have so beautifully captured with your camera, is to ignore how fragile life is and how quickly everything can change.

...posted 7/17/2006 10:11:40 PM

faiththebrooker says:

grandioso sguardo!!

...posted 7/11/2006 7:30:34 PM

R Silver says:

wonderful capture.
i am looking forward to your exhibit opening this week.

...posted 7/11/2006 7:01:03 PM

jik111 says:

This is a very powerful photo and with the story makes it even more so.

...posted 7/5/2006 5:54:53 AM

Chris Nixon says:

...loved!
...faved!
...added to Flickr Hits!

...posted 7/4/2006 7:46:03 AM

felix_0160 says:

great Photo...

...posted 7/2/2006 8:22:06 PM

treffsie says:

Extraordinary picture. I aspire to take a portrait as moving as this

...posted 7/2/2006 4:23:50 PM

Tyrus Balk says:

Amazing photo, and amazing story. I am not touched as often as I should be, and I thank you for reminding me of that sad fact.

...posted 7/1/2006 12:32:03 AM

laSilvi says:

Yours is probably the only photostream at which I stop and read every comment before writing mine, though they are certainly not few.

You got the hability, through your art expression, to remind every one of us how fragile our ego is, how impermanent our little worlds are or can be. When we loose perspective (complaining about paying a bill, for example), and forget about our brothers and sisters , their deep fears and suffering, we are contributing in making them worse, besides becoming ourselves isolated and shallow. We are responsible for them as well as for ourselves. It might be their "choice", being homeless, but we still need to be compassionate, no matter how many "nice things" we got. Forgive me if I find it hard to express myself in English.

What I want to say, in brief, is "thank you, for the Love".

...posted 6/28/2006 11:48:58 AM

4PIZON says:

Wow, and I had the nerve to complain about paying a bill.

...posted 6/27/2006 8:33:23 AM

Hé'louïse says:

Saw this one on the top of explore. Just I was sure it was you. There is really something about you capting the intensity of glances..
I really like your work :-))

...posted 6/27/2006 8:32:21 AM

mountainman chuckφ says:

it's viggo mortenson!!
(well, sorta)

...posted 6/26/2006 10:42:48 PM

Miss Loisy says:

Wow, intense and amazing beautiful.
Yes, stunning.

...posted 6/26/2006 7:49:06 PM

Lnr Mck says:

Oh man, what a story. We take so much for granted. This is a beautiful photograph and I can see the fury in his eyes. Beautiful tones, poignant story.

...posted 6/26/2006 4:36:01 AM

fotoattack says:

just stunnning...

...posted 6/24/2006 6:45:04 AM

_marmota says:

Wow..those eyes are so intense.

When I view your pictures I think about my kids a lot and wonder what fate awaits them in this big world. I wonder about my own choices and why I ended up where I am, and how lucky I am.

thx for sharing this body of work.

...posted 6/23/2006 11:25:59 PM

sMacshot says:

I always wonder about the families....I know there are cases, many times, of abuse, leading to the person's disconnect.....but here, what the heck? Somebody gave birth to him. What happened?

...posted 6/22/2006 10:13:34 PM

Popiart says:

wow stunning portrait, great skin texture!!

...posted 6/21/2006 12:14:17 PM

kierstenmh says:

Excellent capture. Great expression.

...posted 6/21/2006 5:54:58 AM

locamotion says:

When is the book of your portraits coming out? If not, why not? You are an incredible social documentarian as well as a great photographer!

...posted 6/21/2006 5:12:45 AM

SEVENSPIRITS says:

AWESOME!!!! I can image that this is how 'Jesus' looked every day he opened he's heart

...posted 6/21/2006 5:02:15 AM

mistylin says:

god is looking at you thru his eyes, he sees it he see life

...posted 6/21/2006 4:16:13 AM

*.¨.✦.¨.* says:

great!
incredible glance
cheers! :)

...posted 6/21/2006 1:39:05 AM

Cacu :=] says:

Amazing details...
He looks at you with a strange hope and connection

...posted 6/20/2006 10:14:26 PM

¥∑Ñ$kŸ says:

stoneth, i'm sure you've heard it before - you're incredible! the pictures & stories you capture are heartbreaking. someday i would really like to meet you and know the story behind the story. life is hard and if you're lucky, you have someone to help you pick up the pieces. you must be a special kind of person that these people who have felt so much pain in their lives feel comfortable with you and allow you to take their photos and share their stories. thank you for bringing their stories to us.

...posted 6/20/2006 8:49:38 PM

TorontoStreet says:

Wonderful portrait. The eyes are indeed luminescent. Perhaps it is the damage to his tear ducts. Regardless it is an intriguing image and story. A story that is played out too many times.

...posted 6/20/2006 8:34:19 PM

Sarah Rifaat says:

Its amazing how you get the people to share their life stories with you, and how you capture them in your pictures. Thank you for sharing.

...posted 6/20/2006 7:08:14 PM

3blindmice says:

Extraordinary portrait...as usual!

...posted 6/20/2006 5:47:32 PM

countvonsexy says:

You can almost feel him holding a sigh. Very disheartening. Looks a bit like Harrison Ford circa-The Fugitive (Not that that's relevant...). Very strong, certain portraiture. I admire it very much.

...posted 6/20/2006 5:08:25 PM

exhibitj says:

Very sad story. Life can take a suddent turn so dramtically and suddenly. What I learn from this story is to appreciate my life as it is now.

...posted 6/20/2006 4:47:54 PM

txiribiton says:

your work deserves som prize... dont know what... sooo consciusness awakening

...posted 6/20/2006 4:26:08 PM

J_B - Johnny B says:

Thanks for sharing once again Tomas. Great image, interesting story.

...posted 6/20/2006 3:02:56 PM

dew_wipe says:

I think this one is one of the best. His eyes are so.. I dont even know the word. Makes me happy for all the small thing

...posted 6/20/2006 1:21:57 PM

iamcarriemiller says:

fantastic portrait... I think what is unique about this particular portrait is that it is very subtle. On first glance it seems like many others so your mind dismisses the irregularities, but as you read further into his story, the scars and reminants of the crash and his years since then come further into focus. His nose, his eyes, his chin... again, excellent capture.

...posted 6/20/2006 1:00:42 PM

~BranchDesign says:

such a discouraging story. Great photo

...posted 6/20/2006 12:58:55 PM

OVNIto says:

very beautiful portrait!

...posted 6/20/2006 12:50:42 PM

Ben° says:

intense regards your and the crash too...

...posted 6/20/2006 12:37:29 PM

re.mo says:

great portrait! 1-2-3

...posted 6/20/2006 12:23:50 PM

Kris Kros says:

Your signature is all over his face. Excellent as always.

...posted 6/20/2006 12:18:52 PM

ArcherPhoto says:

As always, great work

...posted 6/20/2006 11:32:21 AM

AndroidParanoid says:

r'n'r

...posted 6/20/2006 11:28:47 AM

original_ann says:

I agree with McShutter but it's so powerfully jolting to listen to how one event can lead to a domino effect that takes on a momentum of its own and in which "homeless john" has become lost - - unable to 'see' that there are other choices and ways to escape the negative momentum... And it's *that* which is so heartwrenching...

...posted 6/20/2006 11:05:15 AM

ZLZ says:

Wow！ Man！

...posted 6/20/2006 10:59:02 AM

Tous les noms sont déjà pris... pfff... says:

@McShutter : Agree with you.

@ Tomas : Great portrait !

...posted 6/20/2006 10:46:46 AM

Mc Shutter says:

Another compelling portrait, Tomas.
I've personally known many homeless people, and most don't have to remain homeless, but do so due to mental or emotional illness.
There is help, especially in states such as California and cities as large as SF.
There are homeless shelters, but many don't want to be subjected to the rules and restrictions in the shelters (curfew, sobriety, etc.)
There is Vocational Rehab, but many don't want to work on a regular schedule.
There are also free mental health programs, but many "horses" don't want to "drink the water."
Homelessness can happen to anyone, in a heartbeat, and it is a tragic circumstance, but most of those who remain in that predicament choose to do so, and I know wherefore I speak.
I was homeless due to blindness, since corrected. Today, I have a beautiful home and nice things again.
I feel for guys like "Crash," but because of his mental state, not his circumstances that don't have to be permanent.
The "bed he lies in" is his choice.

...posted 6/20/2006 10:43:44 AM

* Ahmad Kavousian * says:

excellent portrait, great details and very striking

...posted 6/20/2006 10:12:03 AM

tomgardner says:

Excellent portrait, very moving
1-2-3

...posted 6/20/2006 9:57:39 AM

alonsodr says:

His eyes tell me the story...

I really admire your work, my friend!

...posted 6/20/2006 9:47:41 AM

wonderfulhorriblelife says:

awesome portrait and a very sad story...

...posted 6/20/2006 9:39:06 AM

cashhold says:

His eyes....?

...posted 6/20/2006 9:10:42 AM

Radonich Aleksandra says:

another one.
striking again.

...posted 6/20/2006 8:48:20 AM

neocorsten says:

sad story ... Give him a camera and sure he will come back with great stuff
1-2-3

...posted 6/20/2006 8:38:45 AM

soporific_menagerie says:

Life has not been kind to him but he is a battler and he will persevere. It's in his eyes - his gaze, quiet, resigned, yet so luminescent. I wish him the best, and thank you for taking the picture and sharing his story which, without you and this forum, would have remained silent for who knows how long.

...posted 6/20/2006 8:37:53 AM

teenage jesus says:

great

...posted 6/20/2006 8:23:29 AM

RubenMalayan says:

he is a good man. u can see it in his eyes. hardship may break his bones but wont break his spirit.

...posted 6/20/2006 8:21:54 AM

kelco says:

one of the most intense shots in the series.

...posted 6/20/2006 8:13:13 AM

obiknobi says:

great capture and sad story

...posted 6/20/2006 8:12:45 AM

trishlet says:

you know, his eyes have a sort of deep sadness without the hardness or edginess.
the capture of that expresssion, and the way he looks past you rather than at you, speaks.

...posted 6/20/2006 8:06:47 AM