Un-Pretty Pictures

This article is about an upcoming photography exhibit that focuses on the lives of the homeless in Houston, Texas. Ben Tecumseh DeSoto has worked as a photojournalist for the Houston Chronicle and now works as a photographer. Two people, Judy Pruitt and Ben White, are the main subjects of the exhibit. The exhibit tells their stories, as well as pointing out problems that homeless people have in getting government assistance. The curator of the exhibit explains that it is difficult to get healthcare if you are homeless, and one of the photographer's aims was to point out failures of the institutions that are supposed to provide aid. DeSoto says that his goal was to point out that homelessness is not a problem, but merely a symptom of a deeper problem. This article reminds us that photographs are one of the most expressive mediums for inspiring sympathy and encouraging people to take action to end a problem. Pictures are not always of flowers and pretty things that we want to see. They also show us the flaws and sadness that we need to see in order to make the world a better place for everyone. This idea reminded me of the photograph of the three WWII soldiers lying dead on a beach. They say that pictures are worth a thousand words, and that is certianly true.

Britt, Douglas. "A Photographer's View of the Homeless." Cron.com. 22 Oct 2008. *

*Not sure why the link won't show up.