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100 Cameras Were Given To Homeless In London And The Result Left Everyone Speechless
This July, Cafe Art, a UK based initiative that allows the homeless to express themselves through art and photography, gave 100 Fujifilm disposable cameras to the homeless in London. Basic training was provided by the Royal Photographic Society, and then the camera recipients were asked to take photos with the theme “My London.”
Eighty of the one-hundred cameras were returned and around 2,500 photos were developed. 20 photos were chosen by judges from Fujifilm, Amateur Photographer, the London Photo Festival, Christie’s, and Homeless Link. Presently, there is a Kickstarter campaign to turn some of these photos into a 2016 calendar.
“All the money raised goes back into the project,” Cafe Art says, “either to pay for the printing of the photographs and calendar, rewarding the winning photographers, buying art materials for art groups affected by homelessness or helping individuals attend art courses.”
More info: cafeart.org.uk | facebook | twitter | kickstarter (h/t: demilked, petapixel)
RELATED:
Photo by ROL, Which Was Voted To Be The Cover
“We are inspired by the artists and photographers who participate in the project. If it wasn’t for them, we couldn’t create the exhibition and calendar,” CAFÉ ART’s Paul Ryan told Bored Panda
“Telephone Row, Lincoln’s Inn” by XO
“It takes a few months to organise the contest. We have now done it a few times so we can get more done in less time”
“Left Boot, East London” by Ellen Rostant
“Both partners in this project, Michael and I both do this because we enjoy making a difference in people’s lives. The photos are beautiful, but the changes in the people who took them is even more beautiful to witness”
“Nature’s Tunnel or Light and the End, Stratford” by Ellen Rostant
“We are inspired by the international response to the Kickstarter campaign this week. People have sent us incredible messages of support and it really does make you realise that there are many people who not only care about helping people affected by homelessness, but they are inspired to join us”
“Everything I Own or Bags of Life, Strand” by David Tovey
“Colour Festival, Olympic Park” by Goska Calik
“Past & Present, City of London” by Ioanna Zagkana
“Tyre Break, Hackney” by Desmond Henry
“Tower Bridge PICNIC, Southwark” by Cecie
“West End Bird, Westminster” by Zin
“The Artist, Whitechapel” by Michael Crosswaite
“Shadow of Self, Hyde Park” by Goska Calik
80 Cameras Returned With Over 2500 Pictures. Voting Determined The Winners
The Kickstarter Pitch And The Importance Of Disposable Cameras:
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DavidTovey 10 years ago
Hello, My name is David Tovey and I'm one of those photographers, Some people say that this project does not help get us off the streets, well actually it does more than that, This project has changed my life, I was a broken man and dying on the streets off london, i entered this competition and got last years cover shot and April shot. from the exposure I've had work shown in New York, London, my pictures have been seen around the world, I got to meet the deputy Mayor Rio and donated a picture to him for a homeless day centre in Rio. Ive had a picture shown in Christies of London. My health and depression has improved, I'm now housed and I'm doing several volunteering jobs with the homeless and I'm now having a Documentary made about me. This all happened because of CafeArt. THEY SAVED MY LIFE. So to all the Critics out there all I'm gonna say is... HOW MANY LIFES HAVE YOU SAVED!
JanAntonevich-Vresics 10 years ago
Someone should publish a book of their work and. Give them the royalties.
JeffHubbard 10 years ago
They make a calendar of those images chosen by judges and also by the public. I believe you can find out more on the Cafe Art website.
Load More Replies...
ShelleyMcgilvray 10 years ago
why not do this all around the word take the homeless and less fortunate off the unsafe streets i raise my hand to that
VlachoBallesteros-Moreno 10 years ago
Lovely story! I would love to see all photographs in a book and support the homeless. Bravo !
SuspeitoDoCostume 10 years ago
I don't understand how these photos left everyone speechless(???)... They are photos taken by grown up people. The photos are normal photos. Nothing special at all... neither great nor bad. Just because it's a "project", everybody wants / have to be trendy and cool so they must say they feel amazed be these masterpieces(!?!). On the other side, the money reaising is an initiative of praise.
LindaAbbott 10 years ago
Several of the photos are as good as any I have seen taken by professional photographers. But even if they weren't, what they do is show the world that those faceless, homeless people are people who see beauty and are worthy of better. I'm sorry you can't see the meaning in those photos.
Load More Replies... DavidTovey 10 years ago
Hello, My name is David Tovey and I'm one of those photographers, Some people say that this project does not help get us off the streets, well actually it does more than that, This project has changed my life, I was a broken man and dying on the streets off london, i entered this competition and got last years cover shot and April shot. from the exposure I've had work shown in New York, London, my pictures have been seen around the world, I got to meet the deputy Mayor Rio and donated a picture to him for a homeless day centre in Rio. Ive had a picture shown in Christies of London. My health and depression has improved, I'm now housed and I'm doing several volunteering jobs with the homeless and I'm now having a Documentary made about me. This all happened because of CafeArt. THEY SAVED MY LIFE. So to all the Critics out there all I'm gonna say is... HOW MANY LIFES HAVE YOU SAVED!
JanAntonevich-Vresics 10 years ago
Someone should publish a book of their work and. Give them the royalties.
JeffHubbard 10 years ago
They make a calendar of those images chosen by judges and also by the public. I believe you can find out more on the Cafe Art website.
Load More Replies... ShelleyMcgilvray 10 years ago
why not do this all around the word take the homeless and less fortunate off the unsafe streets i raise my hand to that
VlachoBallesteros-Moreno 10 years ago
Lovely story! I would love to see all photographs in a book and support the homeless. Bravo !
SuspeitoDoCostume 10 years ago
I don't understand how these photos left everyone speechless(???)... They are photos taken by grown up people. The photos are normal photos. Nothing special at all... neither great nor bad. Just because it's a "project", everybody wants / have to be trendy and cool so they must say they feel amazed be these masterpieces(!?!). On the other side, the money reaising is an initiative of praise.
LindaAbbott 10 years ago
Several of the photos are as good as any I have seen taken by professional photographers. But even if they weren't, what they do is show the world that those faceless, homeless people are people who see beauty and are worthy of better. I'm sorry you can't see the meaning in those photos.
Load More Replies...
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