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father's service

homeless self described minister, san francisco, december 2006

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the hounds are muscular and move with purpose. leashed; they seem to propel him. he is thin; he drifts and jerks. his movement is some witness of a condition that brings him an ssi check each month. he's off to a cannabis club for treatment. he's just been panhandling downtown.

he lives camped out at sunset beach some 6 miles from where we stand downtown. he says he's a minister for the "whole earth church of christ." i ask him where that is. he steps back, raises his hands: "you're looking at it."

says he doesn't preach much; he just tries to help the people he comes across. says people need help; it's hard "out here."

says "i've been in father's service for quite some time now."

68 Flickr comments:

20Pilgrims says:

Great image. Thank you.

...posted 2/26/2010 8:03:26 PM

karna_core says:

Stunning!
your portrait are pure Art!

...posted 10/24/2009 1:36:20 PM

anoldent says:

Another powerful portrait. I only wish you'd post them larger for viewing on larger monitors.

...posted 12/28/2008 1:40:15 PM

Radianman 크래그 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called 5 Star Portraits, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

...posted 11/2/2008 6:49:23 AM

Cliff Michaels says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Faces of Maturity, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

Explore /i>

...posted 7/4/2008 4:44:26 PM

MadameSeverine says:

esta foto es preciosa
x)

...posted 2/24/2008 4:05:41 PM

tomatelá! says:

Thanks for inspire me!

...posted 11/19/2007 3:01:34 AM

schmick.01 says:

SO evocative!

...posted 11/17/2007 3:26:08 PM

ronnyfaessler says:

Strong Pic

...posted 10/19/2007 8:32:09 AM

vagabondrhythm says:

Great portrait!
-------------------------------------------------
Invitation only:

!!! THE FACE !!!
Please add this exceptional image to:
www.flickr.com/groups/theface/
-------------------------------------------------
and please, add " theface" TAG

...posted 10/7/2007 4:10:52 PM

-Cortni Marie- says:

his eyes are so sad, just breaks my heart.

...posted 8/21/2007 7:43:12 PM

Djedhuti says:

Very interesting. Great work.

...posted 8/19/2007 12:57:23 PM

leVan_i says:

INCREDIBLE and indelibly impressive works!!!!

...posted 5/1/2007 9:38:27 PM

Mark B photodesign says:

Quite remarkable, superb...

...posted 4/30/2007 9:14:58 PM

artOtek says:

A face that greatly expresses his whole suffering...

...posted 3/28/2007 8:55:24 AM

joezaremba says:

Very powerful. Your work leaves a strong impact and opens up your eyes.

...posted 3/8/2007 11:01:35 PM

ramyd says:

thanks.
he has schizophrenia too.

...posted 2/23/2007 11:34:12 PM

Chönóphotos! says:

wonderful portraits!!!

...posted 2/20/2007 2:23:58 PM

nathalie booth says:

hey Tom, I think we took a picture of the same guy, different mood though

what do you think?... I keep looking at both our pictures, I am not sure now, I met him on 3rd and Mission

...posted 2/2/2007 2:35:42 PM

Monalicious in Carbsland says:

Powerful portraits, congratz.

...posted 1/22/2007 5:00:26 PM

atrakasya says:

A homeless man who tries to help others, someone in pain trying to ease the pain of co-sufferers...
Power to him and others like him.

...posted 1/22/2007 3:59:20 AM

exhibitj says:

You're my inspiration for portriatures!

...posted 1/10/2007 11:54:01 AM

Orlando Henriques says:

********GREAT*PORTRAITS********
"As administrator of Great Portraits, I'm inviting you to post this portrait in Great Portraits
www.flickr.com/groups/greatportraits

If you agree, please join the group (if you're not a member) and then post it. Then make at least one comment on another portrait in the group.

When you leave your comment, please let the author and the public know that the portrait was "seen in Great Portraits
********GREAT*PORTRAITS********

...posted 1/9/2007 3:33:08 PM

murkyclassic says:

He's got a fantastic face.

And the personal information is so interesting and unique.

...posted 1/8/2007 7:55:41 PM

Tony_ia says:

What a wonderful photo, your work is just amazing.

...posted 1/6/2007 5:56:51 PM

peacetedford says:

sucha powerful, heartfelt image.
There are no words to describe your images, so moving.

...posted 1/3/2007 1:00:50 PM

nascity says:

Nice description as usual...

The expression of his eyes ! Seems so lost & scared...

Wonderful portrait...

I've always been really attracted to people portraits...strangers...street photography...obviously that's why i enjoy your photostream...

Just tried, you can call it, my 1st b&w street portrait recently in Germany...here it is:

...posted 1/3/2007 6:00:01 AM

<-m-> says:

love it!

...posted 12/22/2006 7:51:47 AM

Ana Benedict says:

Your photos are stunning and unique, Tom.

...posted 12/20/2006 2:16:08 AM

pivi says:

you work continue to impresse me each time.
Thank for them.
Go on and shine.

...posted 12/19/2006 12:51:57 AM

zenamoonbeam says:

Your portraits of our homeless brothers and sisters, and how you share some of their stories, leave me speechless. Bless you and thank you!

...posted 12/18/2006 4:46:37 AM

~Jaffa~ says:

Quite thee amazing shot

...posted 12/17/2006 8:39:01 PM

Lady Vervaine says:

my goodness - what a gaze, what eyes; what a nose; what a moustache. incredible photograph - stops me in my tracks.

...posted 12/17/2006 5:30:35 PM

sunburnsideup says:

His eyes really jump out. Such a poignant, intense portrait. Beautiful work.

...posted 12/17/2006 4:46:03 PM

carf says:

Very nicely framed in that hood!

Sorry for not having commented on your pics lately, have just been too busy with our Flickr Christmas Campaign:

...posted 12/17/2006 12:00:41 AM

Sugarmagknowya says:

may God bless his soul & the others that cross this man's path.....(o:

...posted 12/15/2006 10:01:52 PM

verboomz says:

un retrato de una intensidad terrible.

...posted 12/15/2006 10:24:03 AM

mrpattersonsir says:

i keep coming back to your photostream, its tremendously touching and unsettling. your photography, and you interaction with these folk is just astounding.

still, i've got this wish to do a "ho ho ho hat" on this guy.

--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)

...posted 12/14/2006 7:39:15 PM

C0C0NUT says:

bravo!
I love your work

...posted 12/14/2006 6:13:54 PM

petebeck says:

oh my... the lines in his face, his forehead. and those eyes. few can capture such emotion with film like you do. this is such a sad but amazing capture.

...posted 12/14/2006 5:54:50 PM

Stefanie Bamberg says:

I never saw so powerful and emotive portraits like yours. Fantastic work!!!!!!

...posted 12/14/2006 5:43:55 PM

Marco Figueroa says:

A lot of time ago not look a portrait as powerful as this one in general you characterize yourself with your so good work I congratulate you!!!!!!!!!

...posted 12/14/2006 4:44:20 PM

* Ahmad Kavousian * says:

A combination of anxiety and sadness nested behind those eyes. Is father able to help him?

...posted 12/14/2006 4:22:35 PM

ed's point of view says:

amazing image...

...posted 12/14/2006 3:53:32 PM

Museum of Dirt says:

This guy and his story seem to blur the lines between reality and non-reality; as vintor nuno said before, the lines between sanity and crazy.
He has the eye of some kind of old wizard and helps others out - in Father's service - and speaks the truth, at least to some extent. But to what is that extent?

"...he says he's a minister for the "whole earth church of christ." i ask him where that is. he steps back, raises his hands: "you're looking at it."

says he doesn't preach much; he just tries to help the people he comes across. says people need help; it's hard "out here."..."

This is so true. But what is the "whole earth church of Christ"? Is it something he made up? Is it something his 'voices' told him...if he has voices? Perhaps it was God that spoke to him?

Either way, it is ALL real to him. Even if it isn't real to us. So, is he Mad? Or is our view of what is or is not real the real question?

Vinnie

...posted 12/14/2006 3:10:20 PM

azli jamil - selamat hari raya aidilfitri :-) says:

Strong and sad...

...posted 12/14/2006 2:46:12 PM

serni says:

the eyes!
fantastic portrait!
the story is also moving :-)
an instant favorite!
(Happy Christmas! and Happy New Year!)

...posted 12/14/2006 2:11:24 PM

~BranchDesign says:

I can't help favoriting all your photos.

...posted 12/14/2006 2:03:11 PM

george-v says:

he does look a bit like a friar...

very strong portrait

...posted 12/14/2006 1:26:58 PM

kenji2006 says:

great portrait

...posted 12/14/2006 1:11:15 PM

antiguan says:

man i just read it again to my mom, and almost cried!

...posted 12/14/2006 11:55:40 AM

antiguan says:

man i haven't looked at your images since beavis i think.....and hadn't noticed that you were into poetry too. this poetic artwork is worthy of some kind of award. this is what flickr is all about IMO. Photos by themselves suck, but the ones with excellent captions are the real thing this site is all about. Well done flickr should be proud of your work.

...posted 12/14/2006 11:52:13 AM

simurg(parm..) says:

stoneth good job!

...posted 12/14/2006 11:40:02 AM

alonsodr says:

Another superb work!! Excellent!

...posted 12/14/2006 11:12:41 AM

Synaptin says:

you said he's thin...that is vividly reproduced by the composition - abundance of vertical lines (edges of his hood, nose and mustache) and appropriate framing are the most impressive things about this portrait, I think. And the story, of course...

...posted 12/14/2006 11:08:25 AM

btezra says:

~a rare voice on the street that knows truth...~

...posted 12/14/2006 10:59:25 AM

Tasi_(forca) says:

really great portrait!!!

...posted 12/14/2006 10:38:42 AM

Stu Worrall says:

great portrait, youve really captured the soul in his eyes

1-2-3

...posted 12/14/2006 9:41:18 AM

tschnitzlein says:

What a wonderful, emotional rendition. The anxiety I see drives tears into my eyes.

...posted 12/14/2006 9:34:26 AM

TobiTobi ( now www.ipernity.com/home/tobitobi) says:

wonderful portrait, kind of wild story.

--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)

...posted 12/14/2006 9:12:59 AM

beach_steve2003 says:

very intense

...posted 12/14/2006 9:10:40 AM

iperio says:

...posted 12/14/2006 9:01:31 AM

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

Great great great my friend !

...posted 12/14/2006 8:58:01 AM

snack happy says:

Solid gold photo

congratulations!

...posted 12/14/2006 8:51:33 AM

parade in the sky says:

wow, i could stare at that face forever.
you've captured his emotions beautifully.

...posted 12/14/2006 8:48:12 AM

23hq.com/ciberado says:

He has the eyes of Don Quixote... stunning portrait, as always.

...posted 12/14/2006 8:47:50 AM

victor_nuno says:

Saint Francis of Assisi was indeed a minister of the homeless and of the poor in general. Somehow, this man with this hood reminded me, first of a pilgrim. Those in Middle Ages, in Europe. After reading your words, the remind went to a franciscan monk, or Saint Francis of Assisi.

Apart from this, sometimes it's not so easy to distinguish between crazyness and sanity. Is our life so sane sometimes?

I wouldn't say he is sane. But I wouldn't say either he is crazy.

...posted 12/14/2006 8:38:55 AM

Alana ♥ says:

Really moving; another stunning shot.

...posted 12/14/2006 8:38:44 AM