A haunting photograph of a homeless individual in Los Angeles has prompted street photographer Irving Greines to overcome his hesitations and document the growing unhoused population. Greines, aged 81, has observed the increase in homelessness in his hometown, where an estimated 75,000 people currently live in temporary accommodation. He has also noticed the general public actively avoiding eye contact, communication, and interaction with the unsheltered population. Initially, Greines refrained from taking photographs as he believed it was wrong. However, a few years ago, he felt compelled to capture what he saw, stating that “The conflict was real”. Despite his reluctance and hesitation, he started photographing street people, not knowing that one series of photographs would lead to another.
Greines implemented specific rules for his project, choosing to engage and interact with all the homeless individuals he encountered rather than simply taking their picture. He made a commitment to never profit from the images, documenting exclusively to raise awareness and inspire action towards improving the living conditions of fellow Americans. Greines believes that the project has profoundly changed his life, offering him countless encounters with real people living difficult lives without the conveniences he has always enjoyed. He has formed friendships with many of the individuals he has photographed and has been deeply affected by their unexplained disappearances, stating that they have enriched his life.
Approaching his subjects in the friendliest manner possible, Greines never asks them to pose for a photograph. After capturing an individual’s picture, he sometimes provides them with a printed copy, which is often received with gratitude and occasionally with emotion. However, due to mental health issues, drug addiction, and PTSD among veterans, engagement is not always possible and some subjects respond with hostility and aggression. Though these incidents are rare, Greines sometimes faces objections from bystanders who strongly disagree with his work. He acknowledges their viewpoint, recognizing that his project may be misunderstood and deemed intrusive, but he explains that there is a documentary purpose behind it. Greines emphasizes the importance of understanding and knowledge in shaping public opinion about his work.
For his street photography setup, Greines relies on a simple camera setup consisting of a Sony a7R III and one wide lens. He keeps the camera strapped to his wrist at all times to ensure that he is always ready to capture a moment. Greines believes that using only one lens allows him to maintain the necessary fluidity in a dynamic street environment. Instead of relying on various lenses, he uses his feet as his “zoom.”
Greines acknowledges the ethical concerns that may arise regarding his documentary project, which mirror the concerns applicable to other photographers who document people living in difficult circumstances. He mentions renowned photographers such as Capa, Salgado, and Nachtwey, whose work may also be viewed as exploitative or demeaning. Still, he believes that such efforts reveal life as it is and can prompt crucial discussions on whether such documentation is worthwhile. Having wrestled with these concerns for years, Greines ultimately decided to cross the threshold and embark on his project. He feels that it is something he simply had to do, as he believes that shedding light on the lives of his subjects can only lead to potential political solutions if people choose to see and understand rather than avoid.
More of Greines’ work can be viewed on his website, featuring all the photographs accompanying this article.