father's service
homeless self described minister
san francisco
december, 2006

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."

Alana ♥ says: Really moving; another stunning shot. -- 08:38AM, December 14, 2006.
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. -- 08:38AM, December 14, 2006.
retired1234 says: He has the eyes of Don Quixote... stunning portrait, as always. -- 08:47AM, December 14, 2006.
parade in the sky says: wow, i could stare at that face forever. you've captured his emotions beautifully. -- 08:48AM, December 14, 2006.
snack happy says: Solid gold photo congratulations! -- 08:51AM, December 14, 2006.
Tous les noms sont déjà pris... pfff... says: Great great great my friend ! -- 08:58AM, December 14, 2006.
Ipe Ray says: WINNER -- 09:01AM, December 14, 2006.
beach_steve2003 says: very intense -- 09:10AM, December 14, 2006.
TobiTobi ( now www.ipernity.com/home/tobitobi) says: wonderful portrait, kind of wild story. -- Seen in my contacts' photos. (?) -- 09:12AM, December 14, 2006.
tschnitzlein says: What a wonderful, emotional rendition. The anxiety I see drives tears into my eyes. -- 09:34AM, December 14, 2006.
Stu Worrall Photography says: great portrait, youve really captured the soul in his eyes 1-2-3 -- 09:41AM, December 14, 2006.
Tasi_(forca) says: really great portrait!!! -- 10:38AM, December 14, 2006.
btezra says: ~a rare voice on the street that knows truth...~ -- 10:59AM, December 14, 2006.
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... -- 11:08AM, December 14, 2006.
alonsodr says: Another superb work!! Excellent! -- 11:12AM, December 14, 2006.
simurg(parm..) says: stoneth good job! -- 11:40AM, December 14, 2006.
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. -- 11:52AM, December 14, 2006.
antiguan says: man i just read it again to my mom, and almost cried! -- 11:55AM, December 14, 2006.
kenji2006 says: great portrait -- 01:11PM, December 14, 2006.
george-v says: he does look a bit like a friar... very strong portrait -- 01:26PM, December 14, 2006.
~BranchDesign says: I can't help favoriting all your photos. -- 02:03PM, December 14, 2006.
serni says: the eyes! fantastic portrait! the story is also moving :-) an instant favorite! (Happy Christmas! and Happy New Year!) -- 02:11PM, December 14, 2006.
Azli Jamil Photography says: Strong and sad... -- 02:46PM, December 14, 2006.
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 -- 03:10PM, December 14, 2006.
ed rawady says: amazing image... -- 03:53PM, December 14, 2006.
* Ahmad Kavousian * says: A combination of anxiety and sadness nested behind those eyes. Is father able to help him? -- 04:22PM, December 14, 2006.
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!!!!!!!!! -- 04:44PM, December 14, 2006.
Stefanie Bamberg says: I never saw so powerful and emotive portraits like yours. Fantastic work!!!!!! -- 05:43PM, December 14, 2006.
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. -- 05:54PM, December 14, 2006.
C0C0NUT says: bravo! I love your work -- 06:13PM, December 14, 2006.
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. (?) -- 07:39PM, December 14, 2006.
verboomz says: un retrato de una intensidad terrible. -- 10:24AM, December 15, 2006.
Sugarmagknowya says: may God bless his soul & the others that cross this man's path.....(o: -- 10:01PM, December 15, 2006.
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: Flickr Xmas Campaign – Reaching for a Star -- 12:00AM, December 17, 2006.
sunburnsideup says: His eyes really jump out. Such a poignant, intense portrait. Beautiful work. -- 04:46PM, December 17, 2006.
Lady Vervaine says: my goodness - what a gaze, what eyes; what a nose; what a moustache. incredible photograph - stops me in my tracks. -- 05:30PM, December 17, 2006.
~Jaffa~ says: Quite thee amazing shot -- 08:39PM, December 17, 2006.
tumbledbones 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! -- 04:46AM, December 18, 2006.
pivi says: you work continue to impresse me each time. Thank for them. Go on and shine. -- 12:51AM, December 19, 2006.
Ana Benedict says: Your photos are stunning and unique, Tom. -- 02:16AM, December 20, 2006.
<-m-> says: love it! -- 07:51AM, December 22, 2006.
Anas Bukhash (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: Do the eyes speak? -- 06:00AM, January 03, 2007.
peacetedford says: sucha powerful, heartfelt image. There are no words to describe your images, so moving. -- 01:00PM, January 03, 2007.
Tony_ia says: What a wonderful photo, your work is just amazing. -- 05:56PM, January 06, 2007.
murkyclassic says: He's got a fantastic face. And the personal information is so interesting and unique. -- 07:55PM, January 08, 2007.
www.orlandohenriques.com 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******** -- 03:33PM, January 09, 2007.
exhibitj says: You're my inspiration for portriatures! -- 11:54AM, January 10, 2007.
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. -- 03:59AM, January 22, 2007.
Monachromatic says: Powerful portraits, congratz. -- 05:00PM, January 22, 2007.
nathalie booth says: hey Tom, I think we took a picture of the same guy, different mood though Richie what do you think?... I keep looking at both our pictures, I am not sure now, I met him on 3rd and Mission -- 02:35PM, February 02, 2007.
Guillermo Salinas says: wonderful portraits!!! -- 02:23PM, February 20, 2007.
ramyd says: thanks. he has schizophrenia too. -- 11:34PM, February 23, 2007.
joezaremba says: Very powerful. Your work leaves a strong impact and opens up your eyes. -- 11:01PM, March 08, 2007.
artOtek says: A face that greatly expresses his whole suffering... -- 08:55AM, March 28, 2007.
Mark B photodesign says: Quite remarkable, superb... -- 09:14PM, April 30, 2007.
leVan_i says: INCREDIBLE and indelibly impressive works!!!! -- 09:38PM, May 01, 2007.
Khnum-hotep says: Very interesting. Great work. -- 12:57PM, August 19, 2007.
-Cortni Marie- says: his eyes are so sad, just breaks my heart. -- 07:43PM, August 21, 2007.
vagabondrhythm says: Great portrait! ------------------------------------------------- Invitation only: !!! THE FACE !!! Please add this exceptional image to: www.flickr.com/groups/theface/ ------------------------------------------------- and please, add " theface" TAG -- 04:10PM, October 07, 2007.
ronnyfaessler says: Strong Pic -- 08:32AM, October 19, 2007.
schmick.01 says: SO evocative! -- 03:26PM, November 17, 2007.
tomatelá! says: Thanks for inspire me! -- 03:01AM, November 19, 2007.
MadameSeverine says: esta foto es preciosa x) -- 04:05PM, February 24, 2008.
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> -- 04:44PM, July 04, 2008.
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! -- 06:49AM, November 02, 2008.
anoldent says: Another powerful portrait. I only wish you'd post them larger for viewing on larger monitors. -- 01:40PM, December 28, 2008.
BULBR says: Stunning! your portrait are pure Art! -- 01:36PM, October 24, 2009.
aSoulMan says: Great image. Thank you. -- 08:03PM, February 26, 2010.
myshutterrocks says: My goal is to do a series on LA homeless - my only issue is being a woman, it's a bit scary sometimes with certain folks with mental issues. Any advice on street portraits and the best way to approach subjects? I'm great just walking down the street and catching different characters - but getting close up portraits like this is an art. You're very good! -- 05:24AM, January 07, 2013.