DANIEL

Daniel II, 2017

“There is nothing ugly in art except that which is without character, that is to say, that which offers no outer or inner truth.”

Auguste Rodin

Focusing my lens on people who are destitute can be taxing as listening to their stories and situations are a lot to bare. However, many of these people have a certain fortitude, beauty and strength that I admire.

This is my encounter with Daniel almost five years ago. Daniels’ appreciation of me seeing him as a man and not a label was one of the main reasons I decided I needed to make the book.

This portrait and narrative below is an excerpt from my book, ‘Dignity No Matter What: The Light Within’ originally published 2018 and later as a Collector Edition in 2022.

You will notice that I refer to him in the text as David because at the time I was preparing the book, I thought it prudent to change the names of the people I met for their own protection. Daniel is his actual given name.

I noticed him staggering on the sidewalk in the summer heat. His sneakers were untied and he wore no shirt. I could easily count each of his ribs through his pale skin.  He is tall, so tall that he towered over most people he passed. I followed him to the safe place he had made with his blankets in the portico of a vacant building. 

He smiled when I asked his name. David, he said. I gave him a bottle of water and sat down with him. He smelled of sweat, beer and urine. We talked a while as I took several pictures. 

After a few minutes, tears appeared in his eyes as he said, "I appreciate that you see me...who I am, not how I look now. Thanks, man." 

His mouth opened as if he were going to say something else, but he didn’t. He just gazed right into my eyes as if he were searching for something, perhaps an answer, I don’t know. He wept and I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Of course, David, but no need to thank me for that. Where do you go from here?” 

He stared right through me and said nothing. There was no hope in his eyes and I felt a deep sense of hollowness.

I met Daniel in Soho, NY. I have been back several times over the years and have not seen him again.