Why?

Photo: © Stan Banos

My wife asked what made me take a picture of this guy. I was returning home from the usual post work week, two pint Friday which has me pass a Federal building with a large plaza that after six pm looks for all the world as if yet another zombie movie is in full Hollywood production. Now most people will understandably take that as a rather pronounced exaggeration. If you live in San Francisco, you'd experience the unreality of it all, firsthand- the dozens upon dozens of homeless, mentally ill and severely drug addled people drawn there like moths to flame. All colors, sexes and ages, most filthy, many babbling incoherently, bodies drooping, as they slowly stumble about in a semi-coordinated aimlessness resembling an open air convention of the undead.

This person was off to the side and there was a certain reserved almost regal presence about him. I asked if I could take his picture, to which he consented, although good intentions and promising subject matter don't always guarantee success, particularly when the photographer himself has undergone minor mood enhancement. But I gave it a go, and was delightfully surprised by the result- a dignified portrait of a man rightfully frightened, and desperately determined to hold on to whatever pride, whatever vestige of humanity possible....

PS- and thank you, whoever shone that beautiful catch light upon his face!