a new life
homeless woman panhandling in tenderloin
san francisco
april, 2006

homeless woman "zebe like zebra" from san diego. came to sf about eight years ago to "start a new life."

says she recently got thrown in jail for drinking in public and therefore lost all her government benefits. when asked if she has any friends: "i have no friends. i'm all alone."

as i was leaving: "thank you for taking my picture. i love you."

(4/5/06)

AndroidParanoid says: life sucks,law more great job -- 01:42AM, April 06, 2006.
Mom of Four says: The detail in this shot is amazing. Your photos make me think, and make me thankful for what I have. 123 -- 01:45AM, April 06, 2006.
Suspicion says: Amazing shot...detail is painful, in a way. -- 01:50AM, April 06, 2006.
original_ann says: It's devastating to see such a genuine smile...makes me want to save her. -- 02:00AM, April 06, 2006.
scotersen says: Wow. -- 02:05AM, April 06, 2006.
quebon2 says: This is a great, real and gritty portrait. Good job! -- 02:09AM, April 06, 2006.
interchris says: absolutely hearthelt again stoneth... i don't know how you can keep doing that. (123) -- 02:13AM, April 06, 2006.
daniel doman says: Devastating image and absolutely incredible B&W work. Stunning. 1-2-3 -- 02:18AM, April 06, 2006.
Mighty House of Pictures says: you're the real deal - keep it up -- 02:28AM, April 06, 2006.
johnengler says: love the realism here, even if the story is sad. -- 02:32AM, April 06, 2006.
citybumpkin says: You don't really pull any punches, do you? Brilliant, compassionate and arresting work... keep it up! -- 02:41AM, April 06, 2006.
auwa says: What a smile! It says a lot about you as a person to see the way her eyes look at you thru your lens! Just curious, do you ever go back and give your subjects the photo that you've taken of them? -- 02:51AM, April 06, 2006.
smata2 says: Excellent! -- 02:51AM, April 06, 2006.
swardraws says: just look at the character in her face. What a unique smile 123 -- 03:02AM, April 06, 2006.
jinxmcc says: Your photos remind us so powerfully of our shared human-ness. "Send not to know for whom the bell tolls." There are no easy or universal answers, but we need to keep in mind that we are all essentially the same, uncomfortable as it is to know that. Thank you, stoneth. -- 03:25AM, April 06, 2006.
Aesthete_Studios says: Nice use of narrow depth of field. Key in good portraiture! Gritty and real. -- 04:05AM, April 06, 2006.
Flipped Out says: Powerful. -- 05:19AM, April 06, 2006.
jorgedbbt says: Your photos are so impressive and this is not the less. -- 06:12AM, April 06, 2006.
mamarosa says: This breaks my heart. Your photos are powerful. Truly. -- 06:31AM, April 06, 2006.
ElseKramer says: this picture just brought tears to my eyes. beautiful. I love your work. -- 06:48AM, April 06, 2006.
kenji2006 says: wonderful photograph -- 06:50AM, April 06, 2006.
Carmen Lario says: Magnífico retrato! -- 07:10AM, April 06, 2006.
Louis Dobson (formerly acampm1) says: A stunning picture in every way, from the tones to the ligh to the crop to the subject. I love it. 321 -- 07:24AM, April 06, 2006.
elTwitcho says: That's really moving. Great shot 321 -- 08:00AM, April 06, 2006.
teenage jesus says: It has moved me. tears started... I think it's her eyes. I sense also some saddened irony in relation to your description... did her situation particularly move you too? -- 08:05AM, April 06, 2006.
maayana.net says: oh!!! -- 08:56AM, April 06, 2006.
the_butterfly says: she's also smiling with the eyes. Beautiful shot as usual -- 09:20AM, April 06, 2006.
wd9hot says: Startingly emotional -- 09:53AM, April 06, 2006.
uomolibero17 says: .....! -- 10:38AM, April 06, 2006.
TjF Photography says: The depth in this one is incredible! -- 11:40AM, April 06, 2006.
Norma Desmond says: as always intense and deeply moving. -- 11:54AM, April 06, 2006.
Ben° says: with voice to speak to you... -- 12:13PM, April 06, 2006.
.marcel bianchi says: Superb! -- 01:43PM, April 06, 2006.
exhibitj says: I feel for her... -- 02:01PM, April 06, 2006.
Nash72 says: impressive glance with a 3D effect due to the perfect dof. congrat max -- 02:43PM, April 06, 2006.
Maya* says: I love the eyes! too many emotion in there -- 02:44PM, April 06, 2006.
SandraDavis says: it pisses me off that SSI and GA cuts folks off who end up in jail. Many of my folks are in for relatively short stays yet if they're there more than 5 days they get cut off of GA. Then of course they are prone to lose their housing and become homeless again. Lovely what the government does to people. -- 02:53PM, April 06, 2006.
aggrrrh! says: the best shot i've seen for a long time sad story and impressive picture... i think it couldn't be more deep and strong.. -- 03:31PM, April 06, 2006.
zokete says: One of my fav set on flickr!!! -- 04:23PM, April 06, 2006.
Memaxmarz says: wonderful, just wonderful. thanks for taking the time to make her day special. -- 04:56PM, April 06, 2006.
Arslan says: So impressive. As much as the little story that comes with. Wonderful indeed. -- 05:55PM, April 06, 2006.
Crystal*Lynn says: I went through many of your photos and you capture these peoples eyes so very well. There's so much in them, and sometimes, some emptiness. Amazing work. -- 06:52PM, April 06, 2006.
jeffhung says: powerful portrait, thanks for the story and background info. -- 07:31PM, April 06, 2006.
Anja! says: great -- 08:04PM, April 06, 2006.
Nekominn says: Powerful as always. -- 08:22PM, April 06, 2006.
breakforlove says: incredible -- 09:03PM, April 06, 2006.
zawsze says: que más voy a decir! que eres un puto crack y que cada vez que creo que no me puedes sorprender, lo haces. sin más! :) -- 09:40PM, April 06, 2006.
sgrunt says: fave -- 09:45PM, April 06, 2006.
Hudlu says: Very expressive, great work!!! -- 11:49PM, April 06, 2006.
anwesha013 says: U keep outdoing urself wid everyshot..excellent -- 11:33AM, April 07, 2006.
Paul Zollo says: beautifully sad sadly beautiful tragic yet hopeful somehow great execution -- 09:14PM, April 07, 2006.
sMacshot-on semi hiatus says: Thank you for doing these. I am brought to tears by both the detail in your photography and that of the short descriptions. You've become some sort of messenger, and your message is spread because your craft is so artfully and skillfully done. This is a gift few photographers can claim. -- 05:00AM, April 08, 2006.
The Milkman's Daughter says: This woman has hope still and a heart, which you've captured. The human spirit is an amazing thing. -- 11:24PM, April 08, 2006.
Amit-Agarwal says: Its difficult imagine, how you reach out these people and capture their inner emotions. Just wonderful! -- 02:52PM, April 09, 2006.
__DODO says: SUPER! really like it! keep rocking ))) -- 03:20PM, April 09, 2006.
Freund Studio says: Man O Man what a great portrait.... -- 08:34PM, April 09, 2006.
slamehi says: You make such a human picture of these homeless people. I really appreciate your work. Amazing shot. amazing personality. Thanks! -- 09:39PM, April 09, 2006.
nikond100 says: expressive and dramatic! well done. cheers -- 02:39PM, April 10, 2006.
susha says: wow, what a shot!!! -- 11:02PM, April 10, 2006.
simplprs says: Thank-you for showing Truth... Beautiful heartfelt eye-opening -- 07:53AM, April 11, 2006.
Mernas says: wow.. and a heartbreaking story. -- 06:30PM, April 11, 2006.
aaron colon says: your work is incredible. -- 08:27PM, April 11, 2006.
Ignacio LPM says: Thank you for sharing. Very nice image, and very sad reality. -- 09:33PM, April 11, 2006.
Toni Blay says: This picture has been chosen as one of the best for this week in the Portraits... Get Closer! group pool. Congrats!!! ;D -- 09:12AM, April 12, 2006.
Toni Blay says: One of your best. Her eyes are full of tears and emotion. -- 09:13AM, April 12, 2006.
Clémence GRINCOURT de FLOGNY says: absolutly beautifull ! i love it !! bravo !!! -- 12:47PM, April 12, 2006.
JoNo_N says: a very moving image !! (even without the story!) -- 01:51PM, April 12, 2006.
> Josean < says: Superb! -- 10:23PM, April 12, 2006.
WAYNE HIEBERT kingston photographer says: Wonderful portrait! Can't help but love this woman...there is such warmth in her eyes... -- 12:49AM, April 13, 2006.
teenage jesus says: I just wanted to let you know that, after more that ten days, I am still thinking about this picture! I don't know... I can't imagine what I could do or think in her situation, but in spite of all she has not been put down, she still trusts people and life. I read that in her eyes. -- 01:36PM, April 18, 2006.
PortugePunk says: wow. what a powerful story. really changes things when you stop and think that every person you see on the street has their own story and history and family... etc. -- 12:24AM, April 19, 2006.
amyrod says: Great shot. I like the framing of your photos.... -- 09:49PM, April 26, 2006.
jonathanpenney11 says: Great set Great work -- 02:35AM, April 27, 2006.
Sook Ching Soon says: The lines on her face etch pain endured for a long, long time -- 09:33PM, April 29, 2006.
arutha says: Fantastic portrait! I love the way you zoom in on your subjects and capture their expressions. -- 01:29PM, April 30, 2006.
keithaustell says: Seeing these images makes me so grateful to have the life I do. All of us should feel so fortunate and certainly have a place in our heart for these fallen souls. Wonderful work as always. -- 03:17AM, May 05, 2006.
photomorti says: wow im speechless! -- 07:53PM, May 13, 2006.
Enrico Bolzan - PHOTOGRAPHER says: assurd!!!!!good! -- 02:00PM, May 14, 2006.
moucho_negro says: este es el mejor flickr de todos, sigue asi -- 09:10PM, May 14, 2006.
Anas Bukhash (nascity) says: Sooo detailed...i like this...and a saaad story... -- 05:52PM, May 22, 2006.
bekon says: Intense, heartbreaking work -- 11:39AM, June 01, 2006.
Nevfeniel says: how many life in the face... I wish him a better life. i'm inviting you to post this portrait here: ------------------------------------------------- !!! THE FACE !!! Please add this exceptional image to: www.flickr.com/groups/theface/ ------------------------------------------------- (and add " theface" TAG) -- 07:13PM, June 01, 2006.
chomp says: this is an extraordinay work!!! congratulations for it!! greetings Diego -- 07:43PM, June 06, 2006.
*petita* says: this one brought tears to my eyes. all very moving... :) -- 04:55PM, July 26, 2006.
BlackStone´s/ Photography says: Another powerful image-piece- of art Congratulations. -- 11:40PM, August 25, 2006.
brancusi7 says: If there's a common factor, it's that they all emerge beautiful from your encounters. (If you ever photograph the famous they'll throw buckets of money at you.) -- 07:41PM, September 19, 2006.
yourbestkeptsecret2000 says: Wow!! This is a BEAUTIFUL picture. What she said as she was leaving, really made me teary eyed! What did you say to her when she said that? -- 03:14AM, September 21, 2006.
stellaretriever says: I gone through all your poverty favourites, this is the first one that moved me to tears. The whole collection is just stunning, this one even more so. -- 08:11PM, September 28, 2006.
tin type says: fuck me. Sorry for the profanity. Yesterday I told my sister about your pictures. I can only look at one or two at a time. I get too emotional. -- 09:58PM, October 16, 2006.
zsazsader says: I can't say anything...it's so great .... -- 01:55PM, October 24, 2006.
chris spira says: this picture really touched my heart. it is really tough how many homeless live in sf. great work you do to show their faces and hearts! tanks! -- 06:10PM, October 28, 2006.
vojnovic says: touching. good work. -- 12:05AM, December 18, 2006.
scoTToneEleven says: amazing. your photos push at me, to get up and out of my chair. -- 07:01PM, December 19, 2006.
dankelleghan says: once again, great work -- 06:22PM, January 28, 2007.
Yieldsigns76 says: comments really kind of take the focus off of the homeless, don't they? :( -- 08:46AM, February 09, 2007.
digital_don says: Spectacular portrait. Shows his character -- 02:41AM, March 07, 2007.
kris33311 says: beautiful. i love the lines of her face. -- 03:14PM, March 20, 2007.
JoJota says: "Thank you for taking my picture. I love you." The whole thing shook my soul. Your work is admirable man. Wow -- 06:02AM, May 08, 2007.
robinbenito says: huh.... that can´t be a woman! -- 01:48PM, May 26, 2007.
Diri says: Thanks! This is real life -- 11:20AM, June 17, 2007.
randagia! says: I LOVE your people!!! -- 09:26AM, November 15, 2007.
Voorheessssss says: This is such a wonderful shot of such a sad soul. -- 06:47AM, January 31, 2008.
Bachspics says: My compliments on your beautiful image!! I'm the Admin of the The Gallery Of Fine Portrait Photography It is new. This is an exceptional photo. I hope you will consider it an honor to place your photo in our fast growing “invitation only” gallery of over 2,700 of the best portraits on Flickr by over 1,500 photographers. Please add it to The Gallery Of Fine Portrait Photography Feel free to tag your photo The Gallery Of Fine Portrait Photography. Please read the guidelines for self-initiated uploads on the front page of the pool before sending self-initiated uploads. -- 11:29AM, September 29, 2008.
chocolate steve says: gorgeous photos, thanks for sharing. -- 09:50PM, May 03, 2010.
sgbaughn says: Hi, I'm an admin for a group called "The Living Face", and we'd love to have this added to the group! -- 08:05PM, June 23, 2010.
Photo--Graphy says: Wow... Fantastic shot -- 04:40PM, March 18, 2011.
decembre says: ______ ★ Thank you too for your post in Portrait★Faces Continue... ______________ -- Seen in the group"Portrait★Faces" (?) -- 10:35PM, October 16, 2011.