crows to burnaby

Post details: A photo that stuck

Wed September 5, 2007

01:22:43 pm, Categories: Anything & everything, 410 words

A photo that stuck

Portrait photography isn't my forte. I'm not generally that good or that comfortable taking pictures of people - if they're strangers, I always feel like I'm imposing, and if they're friends, I feel like I'm distracting them from whatever it was they were doing that made them interesting to photograph in the first place.

Oddly enough, my one photo that seems to be getting some attention lately is in fact a portrait.

While I was in Toronto at North by Northeast in June 2006, I saw this man sitting on the sidewalk on Queen Street. It was such a moment, but as usual I hesitated about taking a picture - he was asleep, and that seems like a vulnerable time to take someone's photo, and I couldn't give him change as a thank-you without waking them up. Marcus urged me to take the picture anyway, and so here it is.

Last year I got an email from Feeding Pets of the Homeless to use it on their website and newsletter, and I said sure. Then it was picked up by Paw Prints Magazine. Since then I've also had a request to use it in a deck of inspiration cards, a sociology textbook, and an online course. When it's a commercial publication, I've charged for it; otherwise I've let it be used for free. I haven't received my payments yet for the commercial items, but I intend to give a chunk of it to a local homelessness organization. Since I can't very well go to Toronto and find this guy and pay him, I should give it to someone who's trying to help people like him, at least.

The most interesting email I've received, however, has been from a woman who says this man is her son Noel Mathew Cowley who has been missing for almost two years. She's looking for any information about him, and wants to know if anyone has seen him since; she's posted her contact info in my Flickr comments so you can get in touch with her there.

It's amazing to think that one quickly snapped photo that I almost didn't take could reunite a man with his family. I'm hoping it happens. I can't seem to find anything else on Noel Cowley online, though, no missing persons reports or anything like that, so this is all I've got. But if you're in Toronto and you think you've seen this fellow with his dog, let her know, would you?

16 comments

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Comment from: Carlos Silva [Visitor]

Do you remember whereabouts on Queen St it was? If Noel is like most panhandlers on the street, he's probably hanging around the area most of the time.

After taking the bus at the same spot here in Vancouver near Grnaville and Broadway, I've noticed the same street people always hanging around. They tend to get what they need from social services in the area. If Noel is like them, perhaps his mom could talk to the cops and social workers in the area with the photo . If he's been around there for a while, I'm sure they'd recognize him.

Hopefully your picture is the beginning of good reunion.

09/09/07 @ 00:51

Comment from: crows [Member] · http://www.crowstoburnaby.com

I THINK it was within a few blocks of Steve's Music, maybe about 3 blocks further west? But I'm not 100% sure. It could've been on one short trip we made further east.

His mom seems to be in Illinois. Wonder if she'll make a trip up to have a look.

09/09/07 @ 19:23

Comment from: Shawn (aka TROUBLE) [Visitor]

Sometimes you worry about the worst things. If people didn't want their photos taken (like me) they'd tell you so. Keep up the good work.

09/10/07 @ 16:41

Comment from: crows [Member] · http://www.crowstoburnaby.com

Well, I have had people tell me so before, so that's probably part of why I'm cautious...

09/10/07 @ 19:10

Comment from: Daniel McLaren [Visitor] · http://sketchyd.com/sketch/177

That really is a great photo and it's neat to hear about the different groups that have asked to use it. Nice work!

I recently had a discussion about whether sketching some one on the bus was an invasion of privacy. Generally, people figure there's nothing wrong with it and the law seems to agree. There's no law against taking pictures of people in public (good thing!), but apparently you need the subject's permission if you want to publish it.

09/17/07 @ 23:44

Comment from: Patricia Luna [Visitor]

Dear Sir,
I am a Photography major at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. I am currently working on a photomontage on the effects of homelessness and I was wondering if you would allow me to include your photograph of this sleeping man with his dog on the sidewalk of Toronto? Please let me know if it is okay. My assignment is due on Thursday, March 6th. My email address is TrishLuna@optonline.net Thank you, Patricia Luna

02/28/08 @ 21:55

Comment from: Jojo [Visitor]

This is such a beautiful and touching photo! Thank you for taking it and sharing it with us. My heart stopped when I first saw it; it's so peaceful, and the man and the dog both look so beautiful.

Funny enough, I found another photo of him from online; http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/05/05/22/ It seems to be slightly older, because the man's hair is shorter in it.

I also read on another website where they used the photo you'd taken ( http://www.petsofhomeless.com/Comments%20From%20Viewers.htm ), that the family has finally reunited with their son! All thanks to this photo you took! It's truly amazing what just one 'click' can do.

04/25/08 @ 16:26

Comment from: josh [Visitor]

Might want to call a few of the local papers up there, at this point it's worth it to them to send someone to hike the blocks he might be at and check with the local not for profits who work with the homeless to resolve this warmly, for a Christmas story.

12/12/08 @ 17:01

Comment from: Hammoudi [Visitor] · http://www.redroom.com/author/hammoudi-abdelwahab

On the photo,we see the man who has lost everything but his Humanity.A very eloquent picture.

Parties who use this picture,should morally pay him as he is the actor.The least he can expect.So he could return to his mom in a decent appearance.

12/12/08 @ 17:57

Comment from: Moe Hong [Visitor]

Maybe you could put the money aside until you find him, since it's his image that's making the money? And then if you try for a few years and don't find him, you could give it to charity.

12/12/08 @ 22:15

Comment from: Ross [Visitor]

Ever think Matthew might not want his mother to know where he is?

12/13/08 @ 15:02

Comment from: Pazarlama Cadısı [Visitor] · http://pazarlamacigiremez.blogspot.com

What an impressive post! A man, a dog, a family and a photo... Hope this guy has a little home now. He deserves it.

12/14/08 @ 05:43

Comment from: Daniel McLaren [Visitor] · http://asterisq.com

A friend just sent me a link to Pets of Homeless and I immediately recognized your photo. Then I found out this man and his mother were reunited.

I'm guessing you know about this already but I just think it's amazing how a photograph can evolve into its own story. Taking a picture and presenting it as such is one thing but when it takes on a life of its own and becomes more than you expected...

Good stuff!

p.s. I tried to make your show on Friday but no joy. I'm still hoping I'll see you guys in action one of these days!

12/16/08 @ 00:13

Comment from: Michelle [Visitor]

Kristen,

I found your remarkable photo on the web while doing a search on homelessness. I live in San Francisco and am currently in graduate school for fine art painting. I'm wondering if you would allow me to use your homeless man and dog image as a reference for an upcoming school project. Your photo is so captivating and I'm a pretty terrible photographer. (Photography class will be next semester.) I would sincerely appreciate the opportunity.

I don't anticipate that my work would sell as a result. But in the event that it does, I would gladly send you 50% of proceeds.

Thanks for considering it.

-Michelle

03/01/09 @ 18:44

Comment from: Lize [Visitor]

Kirsten, in Feb '09 I picked-up a property agent's catalogue and there was an incredibly moving photograph (in black and white) on the back of the magazine. No details, nothing, just the picture. It stuck with me and I continued to think about the man and his dog. Not knowing whatever happened to them or whether this had been a posed picture, I eventually started searching the internet and the picture that will stay with me for the rest of my life, was this one, your photograph. Thank you for adding something special to my life and at least now it seems to have had a happy ending.

03/19/09 @ 04:35

Comment from: Lize [Visitor]

Oh, just wanted to say, I'm in South Africa by the way!

03/19/09 @ 04:36

Wed September 5, 2007

A photo that stuck

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