How to Self-Isolate....?, a photo from North Yorkshire, England

Photographer's Note

Please click here for a larger version of this photograph!

Exactly four weeks ago, just before the threat of Coronavirus started to gather pace in the U.K, we enjoyed a weekend in the beautiful city of York. Here, in the Stonegate, a rather opulent shopping street of restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and high class jewellers, most of the people were happily milling around, socialising and enjoying themselves. Of course, by now, all these people should be isolating themselves in their own homes, only venturing outdoors to buy essential food items and always practising "social distancing", keeping themselves at least two metres away from any other human being.

But what of the poor homeless man, here sitting in the doorway of a closed shop clutching an old sleeping bag which appeared to be his only possession other than a cigarette? How will he manage to obey government guidelines and how will he stay safe?

I must confess that this day I was not the Good Samaritan because at the time I was concentrating on taking some contre jour shots of the street and I didn't actually notice this poor man at all, only realising he was there when I downloaded my images onto my computer.

ISO 400, 1/500 sec at f/8, focal length 70mm.

COSTANTINO, pajaran, holmertz, jean113, Royaldevon, jhm, macjake trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

ifege (48085) 2020-04-05 20:42

Hi John
A good just per lockdown street photo.
They've started putting some rough sleepers into hotels here.
cheers
Ian

everlasting (19680) 2020-04-05 21:04

this is a brilliant image. not only do you capture the contre jour very well as you intended but the man in the doorway, that perhaps you didn't see, tells a strong story. I particularly like hoe e don see his face just his hands in the light.
Excellent streetphotography

Nicou (193806) 2020-04-05 21:25

Hello

Beaucoup de monde dans la rue et ce contraste avec la personne tout à droit cache et son sac de couchage un sdf je pense quel contraste et image quelle animation ce jeu de lumière ces façades et les pancartes superbe
Bravo et amitié
Nciou

COSTANTINO (116490) 2020-04-05 22:11

Hello dear friend and have a nice new week
interesting photo remitted from you to all of
us with very useful notes
but your thought as following...
......how will he manage to obey government
.....guideliness and how will he stay safe?????
stole my heart!!!!how difficult situations
for all the world!!
regards
Costantino

holmertz (102700) 2020-04-06 0:21

Hello John,
This is a very nice photo capturing a good atmosphere in an attractive street and with beautifully handled light. It's so very sharp and clear and all details into the far distance are perfectly exposed. It was supposed to be an ordinary street photo at the time you took it, but has acquired a completely new significance with the weeks that have passed. Not even in Stockholm, where there are hardly any formal restrictions of daily life, would people mingle so happily these days. But of course it's the homeless man, who you didn't even notice at that moment, who has become the focus of the photo. Where can he, and thousands like him, spend their nights now? How can he wash his hands for 30 seconds every time he has touched something? I dare not even think of the consequences of the pandemic for those who are so much less fortunate than myself.
Kind regards,
Gert

mesutilgim (0) 2020-04-06 1:39

Hello John,
Very nice capture/entry in your gallery; taken with good pov and sharpenss. Nice brigth colors.
Nice framing and many good, usefull notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

jean113 (27853) 2020-04-06 1:56

Hello John, I used to be familiar with this street as we visited York quite regularly.
The range of shops etc., was always interesting.
This shot shows just how popular it still is.
I like the light, it has produced some good shadows.
Whether by accident or not, the composition suits the title perfectly. I am surprised that you didn’t see him when composing the picture. Your notes are certainly food for thought. I have been wondering the same; where will these poor people go. And as the streets are so quiet there is no-one there to give them anything.
Thanks for sharing, regards Jean.

lousat (139266) 2020-04-06 2:11

Hi John,indeed homelessness is a problem that affects every country infected with the virus, but perhaps their self-isolation is better than concentrating them in crowded shelters. Nice photo to talk about this theme, the last release before locking up at home, excellent quality as always. Have a nice week and thanks,Luciano

Silvio1953 (221593) 2020-04-06 2:31

Ciao caro John, lovely composition with a lot of people, excellent perspective, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Royaldevon (85932) 2020-04-06 4:01

Hello John,

I wondered if you would post some of your photographs from York.
It is such a beautiful city, with a mass of interesting things to record; even better if you get some sunshine!
You have achieved a fine contre jour photograph. I think the buildings helped to keep you shaded, to a certain extent, from the strong sunlight.

It must have been a surprise to see this man so strongly placed in your shot, but in the process of trying to control the sun, get a good composition and deal with moving figures, he wouldn't figure in your decisions!
However, he does add a little mystery and some concern, especially in the light of this extreme virus invasion.

Having seen your photograph, I researched what is being done for homeless people and found how the problem is tackled in different ways, not always successfully but it can't be an easy problem to solve! I read some interesting notes by people who were or had been homeless. I feel so thankful that we have a house and a garden!

Keep safe,
Bev :-)

jhm (211736) 2020-04-06 6:16

Hello John ,

I think that all old people have afraid if I, but I come not to other people, also not my children and grandchildren, only with Watt app.
Lovely street view, but not today with all this people.
Perfect sharp and clear.
Colours and are are pleasant to look at.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Gerrit (62042) 2020-04-06 6:21

Hello John.
a very actual and well reported and shown problem. The problem of the homeless as well as the problem of the self isolation.
Here in Holland there is a soft lock down, with a lot of responsability left to the people, which is working fine.

thanks and regards, Gerrit

Tue (92360) 2020-04-06 10:33

Hello John,
A great view down this charming street in York. I really like the lovely details on the façade with some fine wood carvings and shop signs. The early spring light was fine as well and lit the uncomplicated life going on in the street very nicely. Little did we know at that time about what life would look like only a month later.
Lars

emka (158156) 2020-04-06 11:04

Hello John, I was twice in york and I like it very very much. I went around along the old walls, went to a few museums (I had such a card for it). Of course, the Cathedral is fantastic. I do not remember this particular street, it looks very nice, with the elegant shops.
Strange that you didn't notice this man sitting in the doorway with the sleeping bag. It is the strongest element here, together with the title, especially now. It seems, that even then people were trying to be as far as possible. Sad picture, what happened to this man now, with all these restrictions? What about washing hands? safe food and sleeping?
Anyway, for us on TE the restrictions are mainly a nuisance. Nothing especially serious. It is not so for Luciano, who has to have his bar closed. For many people, it would be a real tragedy, when they lose their jobs or in the case of violence at homes.

Stay safe, at least you know very well how to wash hands :0
MAlgo

macjake (98456) 2020-04-07 13:23

Hi John
Well my friend, I have learned from my career as a nurse in psychiatry, that the homeless (generally speaking) do not follow guidelines, do not WANT to live in homes (that maybe hard to believe but its true) because they often mentally ill and therefore to live in a structured home they MUST follow rules. Those rules include taking medications, and stay away from street drugs, and also show up for Mental Health Appointments. So guess what...most of these people say screw it...I'd rather live on the streets or shelters, and live the life I want. Sad, but its true. Working the past 17 years in Psych has totally given me a new perspective on the homeless. It may be harsh, but I have very little sympathy, because they often CHOOSE this life. and that's another common miss-understanding, most people don't know that. We have offered homes for the homeless when they come onto our unit, and they say NO, I'd Prefer to live on the street. Again, because they do not want to follow rules set out by others. So as for your man here, he will figure it out, they're quite resourceful, more so than you and I. Sorry for the LONG rant...it just hit a chord in my I guess. its a great shot for the Social Distancing :)
really, one of your better shots :) cheers
Craig