expatriot
homeless woman wrapped in u.s. flag
san francisco
march, 2006

homeless woman avalon on outskirts of hayes valley.

i saw her against the sun sitting at the end of an empty sidewalk and went up to her. she was in bad condition and couldn't interact well. she was hesitant to allow a photo, but then thought she'd like a shot of herself and agreed if i'd get her a copy.

so she primped herself excitedly and told me when she was ready... but when the camera went up, she got shy.

(3/2/06)

adropp says: I love it! -- 02:20AM, March 03, 2006.
lakewentworth says: Excellent shot! -- 02:20AM, March 03, 2006.
<cleverCl@i®ê> says: street life......imoressive! 123 -- 02:20AM, March 03, 2006.
malik ml williams says: this is a gorgeous, touching image. how did you meet her? 3-2-1 -- 02:47AM, March 03, 2006.
stoneth says: Thanks!!! BrothaLoveImages: I just added detail to the description per your question :) -- 02:56AM, March 03, 2006.
Ray Renati Photography says: This is great! The Irony of the flag is poetic. -- 03:51AM, March 03, 2006.
Vaguely Artistic says: This just says so much.... I'm glad you told the back-story -- Her sudden shyness adds an unexpected level of emotion to the picture for me. -- 04:49AM, March 03, 2006.
Memaxmarz says: Thanks for the photo and the story, the shy move is endearing. The colour is a nice change! -- 05:26AM, March 03, 2006.
Claude Renault Photography says: beautiful portrait.. She looks so cold.. -- 11:56AM, March 03, 2006.
malik ml williams says: i wonder where she is now ... -- 12:36PM, March 03, 2006.
Araleya says: I like color of her hat. :D -- 07:07PM, March 03, 2006.
My Brother Godzilla says: The color is definitely a nice change of pace from your other 'Poverty' photos. It adds to the warmth of the sun, the tone of her skin. Although her situation is probably desperate, there's something hopeful about the picture. -- 07:54PM, March 03, 2006.
vizeer says: I'm also glad you used colour for this image, especially with the flag as a kerchief; and getting her hands into the picture completes it. A very touching photo. -- 11:34PM, March 03, 2006.
jinxmcc says: Stoneth, a heart-breaking photo. So hard to speak of what you show so eloquently. -- 03:02AM, March 04, 2006.
wakyhama says: Awesome! -- 08:00PM, March 04, 2006.
Harpersbizarre says: Color was a great choice here! -- 11:22PM, March 07, 2006.
Robby Garbett says: your portraits are harrowing but full of life and hope too - they are excellent - I love the irony of the headscarf in this one -- 01:47AM, March 10, 2006.
Spirited_Away says: Her eyes are haunting me, so sad and full of fear it seems... Excellent shot, really all your portraits are stunning. -- 08:35PM, March 14, 2006.
BellaGaia says: this is such a commentary on the US... the irony. beautiful work. -- 02:45PM, March 18, 2006.
Bruno Castanheira says: :) -- 11:47PM, March 20, 2006.
Burlesque_Atlanta says: I hope you don't mind but I've blogged this most excellent photo. brilliantz.blogspot.com/2006/03/picture-of-day-expatriot_... -- 07:54PM, March 22, 2006.
cactusbones says: WOW, what faces for have! -- 10:19PM, March 26, 2006.
cinnamon. says: wow, thats amazing! -- 09:08AM, April 05, 2006.
Claudio Ramirez says: I love the shadows in the picture. And the symbolism. Great work! Claudio -- 06:53PM, May 03, 2006.
Laurie York says: Please consider adding this image to Homeless Woman - Homeless Women Group: www.flickr.com/groups/39687846@N00/ Thanks! -- 07:23AM, May 26, 2006.
bike queen says: how do u feel before,during and after meeting homeless ppl?Hope i don´t ask too much.. :) -- 06:07PM, September 19, 2006.
neveralone says: the american dream..... How can you carry all this feelings on your shoulders ?.... This is a very involving step.....I admire your courage and human being representative exercise.... -- 10:59AM, January 11, 2007.
pshisbey says: Sad. She's got such beautiful hands. -- 03:11AM, May 06, 2008.
Carla Y. Brown says: Hi, I'm an admin for a group called ALL WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL (P1/C1), and we'd love to have this added to the group! -- 03:48AM, March 25, 2010.