This is Dan. He was living with a part-time prostitute under the streets of LA. A self-professed master of numerous martial arts, a medical student, professional motorbike racer, and semi-pro ball player and who knows what else. He told me he was living under this bridge to keep others who live there safe from the threat of night visitors...
A confession, this is an older image. In fact I posted the color version during my first year on 365 10 years ago! Maybe a cheat, but I had been wanting to convert this to b/w for some time and FOR "Portraits" gave me a good excuse to revisit it.
A very powerful image.. he looks tough, but obviously with a big heart.. What do we know about the lives of folk living close to the edge? But with his numerous talents, it appears he chooses his own path!
I’m glad you revisited this image. Such a great portrait and excellent b&w conversion. I like the back story as well. I’ve never felt comfortable approaching strangers for their portrait but I must try to overcome that because, as evidenced by this image, the rewards can be wonderful.
I always forget the photographer who said this, but the saying goes, "When you photograph someone in color you photographer their clothes, " (in this case it would be the tattoos and graffiti), "but when you photograph someone in black and white, you photograph their soul." I haven't seen the color version, but my guess is that it would not be as powerful as this version for that reason. If we didn't know the back-story of this shot, we'd still be drawn into because the black and white keys us into his face. Using archival shots for FOR this year is perfectly fine and this one totally deserved to be revisited!
what does it matter that this was taken so many years before? it is a strong photograph that makes one pause, look closely and think. without the back story, my mind whirs with possibilities for stories. and that's what makes it an exceptionally fabulous shot. aces!
He has something of Jack Nicholson and Bruce Willis in his countenance.