classic images in black & white
The Angel Gabriel - Newport Beach, CA - 2006
- 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.
- Then the Angel Gabriel walked away, content and carrying his only two possessions: a Bible and a bed roll.