I hesitated before posting this photo (that I took last weekend at rue des Martyrs)... I love the way this guy looks, all dressed up and everything, but he is also obviously drunk and surely would not appreciate to appear on a blog... The thing is that you cannot see his face, so I figured it could not do him any arm. There are about 5 million people with a drinking problem in France (out of a total population of 60 million) - mostly men - and it causes many deaths, either directly though diseases such as cancer or cirrhosis or, indirectly, like on the road. Very sad.
thanks for not being afraid to post this Eric. It's always good to draw attention to how unglamorous drinking can be.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great portrait btw.
Well, they say, anything in excess is dangerous. A dressed up drunk doesn't really bother me. On the other hand, convicted sex-offenders that live in our neighborhoods amongst us, really terrifies me, other women and children.
ReplyDeleteThe photo reminds me of a comment I once heard after Jimmie Hendrix died. A man who had met Hendrix, I can't remember his name, said, Jimmie Hendrix was just an ordinary dressed up black guy -- nothing special, just ordinary. I thought Hendrix was a great writer - sheer poetry, besides being a musical genius. Okay, he did enjoy drink and drugs in excess, but I overlook that.
Great photo reminds me of the 60's and/or 70's.
Very Sad photo.
ReplyDeleteThis is sad! I've seen men drunk sleeping on park benches, under covered bus stops...some with bottles some without. In any case it is a problem just about everywhere.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine having alcohol or drugs having such a powerful hold over you?
Kris
Im glad you posted this. It is a good photograph and it might stimulate a good discussion.
ReplyDeleteI am fascinated by how well he is dressed, despite his problems. There must be a story here . . .
You shot him from a perspective that doesn't show facial features, so I think his privacy is reasonably well protected.
Addiction's a terrifying thing. It's so hard for the addicted person to admit they need help.
ReplyDeleteEric, this is a wonderful photo.
He does not appear to be a vagrant....wedding band, jewelry, nice shoes....perhaps a runaway groom or wife kicked him out of the house...or just sleeping it off before returning home!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great picture!
ReplyDeleteMost drunkards on Paris benches do not look that elegant, I have plenty around my place, I wish this one came by for an nap once in a while, hee hee
So little people in this town wear that kind of hat, he looks like out of a movie or something
Very strong messege Eric...but true! At first i thought this was a 'western' movie being shot in Paris.
ReplyDeletePetrea: speaking of addictions, I am fighting with my internet addiction right now:)
Oh boy, yes, there's a subject! Far more so than smoking, drinking alcohol is so socially accepted and part of every day life we forget that it's quite simply a highly addictive and deadly poison, which we disguise and banalise in a million inventive ways (flavours, packaging, image, peer pressure..) to allow us to continue to indulge our addiction in tranquility.
ReplyDeleteWhether we like it or not, if we drink alcohol, we're addicted; otherwise why drink poison? One glass of pure alcohol would kill us! We dilute it so it takes longer.
The whole topic makes me laugh, in a pretty ironic kind of way. The facts are so obvious, and yet drink and drink we do! Cheers!
This classy guy looks like what francophone Africans call a "sapeur". I figure he was recovering from an all night long dancing (and drinking, yes) in one of those bars and "discothèques" in the Pigalle neighborhoud.
ReplyDeleteBeautifull pic!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good idea that you made it Black & White.
Makes it more interesting.
The picture is eye-opening. I personally don't drink because I know that my temperment leads to overdoing things, so I have never even wanted to start. Kudos to all who have problems with addiction and are taking steps to help themselves become stronger people.
ReplyDeleteMartin, I'm afraid I understand you perfectly.
ReplyDeleteQuite powerful !
ReplyDeleteI love your photos Eric because I can usually feel your heart come through them. I try to connect what I see in the picture with what it may evoke within me and then I can connect not only with the subject but also with my own emotions, experiences & perspective. (P.S. laughing out loud at a delightful sight is my favorite thing though.)
ReplyDelete"It is not just the contents of the photographs themselves that can be important but the memories, feelings and thoughts that may emerge during the dialogue that happens as we look at...pictures."
Tiffany Fairey
PhotoVoice
@Dee "I love your photos Eric because I can usually feel your heart come through them" Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
ReplyDeleteAt the very least you tell a message with your photography. A story needs to be heard and the message is clear here! Nicely done.
ReplyDeletehi from australia
ReplyDeleteAt least he's "driving" a park bench and not a car! But how sad for him. I'm glad that you show us the grit as well as the glamour of Paris, Eric.
ReplyDeletewe should be concern of our health. it may sound so cliche but, our health is our health. after reading this article, there are two ideas that cross my mind; they did not think for the future or they don't care for their future that is why it have to end this way. but today, many opportunities are just waiting out there. all we need to do is to take the chance of gaining profit in the newest trading.
ReplyDeleteThIS IS INCREDIBLE BECAUSE i had the same problem because I used to sleep on the streets, and it was terrible because there were a lot of people who laughed of me, I can understand what that man feels.
ReplyDelete