Scene as a metaphor

[RBSinTo]

Taken this summer in Union Square in downtown San Francisco.
Southern California, in part because of it's warm weather, has a very large population of homeless people, and I saw many of them as I walked around the large Square looking for interesting street scenes.
One afternoon, I noticed a homeless man sitting against a metal railing. From my angle he was also behind a second portable barrier, which made it seem like he was trapped between the two sets of bars: a visual metaphor for his life.
converted to black and white in Photoshop
Motorized Nikon F3P
Tamron SP 35~105 2.8 AIS manual focus
Fuji 100 ISO colour slide
exposure probably f4 @ 1/2000th.

[Shadowman]

When I was in S.F. a few years ago one of the tour guides said that most of the homeless were displaced during one of the numerous earthquakes, seems most are afraid of typical shelters and prefer to live outside mostly. Of course the mission district is quietly being phased out so chances are the numbers will swell. Nicely captured and converted.

[IzzieK]

I have only been to SF once and not again if I can help it...there are a lot beggars in the street. I guess beggars are part of any culture and though my heart breaks seeing them, one can only give them so much help. Good shot, Robert. This comment will be similar to your earliest post on a drunk in the steps somewhere too. I still remember that when I see this kind of image. Heartbreaking.