Homeless in San Francisco

The typical image of the poor or homeless isn't difficult to mentally create. Faceless beings sprawled out on sidewalks. Others propped up against walls with cardboard signs asking for money. Or those memorable photographs of people rummaging through garbage bins. Though the images are maybe at times an accurate depiction of what is taking place on one level, they also deny the individual any sense of dignity as a Human Being.

© karl f. stewart Homeless in San Francisco

I was resolved to challenge the stereotype of the poor and those homeless who literally live on the street as beings without honor. I desired to allow the humanity of these persons to be reflected onto my photographs of them. The area shown in the images was San Francisco's financial district in 2012.

Of the people portrayed, they are of the so-called lower 35 percent of the economic bracket in society. They're of the Earth, but don't share in its resources as many others do. They could easily be relatives, neighbors or colleagues. And maybe they are.

Of those who live on the street, many had had in the past a job, a home and a family as an adult. One person I met described his situation as ... His past was an American dream. His present a nightmare.