- This is the
Angel Gabriel. I met him on the Newport Beach pier as he was eating
French Fries out of a trash can. He was homeless
- and hungry. I
asked him if he would help me with a photograph and in return, I would
buy him lunch.
-
- The pier was
very crowded and I wanted to take a 30 second exposure so that everyone
would disappear except Gabriel. We tried
- a few shots and
then Gabriel wanted to mess up his hair and hold his bible. The image
worked and the only people you can see
- besides Gabriel
are those "ghosts" who lingered long enough for the camera.
-
- Gabriel and I
then went into a restaurant to share a meal; he ordered steak with
mushrooms and onions. When it came, he ate it with
- his hands. I
discovered he was Romanian and so am I, so we talked about Romania. He
was simple, kind and a pleasure to talk with.
-
- I asked Gabriel
how I might contact him, in case I sold some of the photographs and
wanted to share the money with him. He said
- I should give
the money to someone who could really use it; that he had everything
that he needed.
