This Is How London Looks Through The Eyes Of Its Most Vulnerable Citizens

When people are faced with homelessness, they lose a lot more than just their shelters. They also lose their visibility to other people, many of whom pass them by without a second glance. They lose their humanity and dignity, and many face abuse and unfair treatment.
And finally, they lose their voices as human beings, as their plights and stories often go unheard. But Cafe Art, a London-based organization, is looking to change that by giving homeless people a chance to earn some money by showing people the world through their eyes.

Everything I Own or Bags of Life, Strand, by David Tovey

<i>Everything I Own</i> or <em>Bags of Life</em>, Strand, by David Tovey

Cafe Art

Telephone Row, Lincoln's Inn, by XO

<i>Telephone Row</i>, Lincoln's Inn, by XO

Cafe Art

In July, Cafe Art gave out 100 disposable cameras to about 35 people affected by homelessness. The recipients were trained in basic photography techniques by the Royal Photographic Society, and were then tasked with capturing their own unique, and sometimes heartbreaking, views of London.
About 80 of the 100 cameras were returned, and some 2,500 photos were ultimately developed. From them, 20 of the best were chosen and displayed. The public then voted on them, and the 12 best photos were chosen for a calendar. The project is being crowdfunded on Kickstarter.

This was chosen as the cover of the 2016 calendar.
Cafe Art's program seeks to empower homeless people through art, lending them a voice and a creative outlet. The classes help bring them together, and their newfound skills boost their confidence so they can make some money with their own creativity.
The program also serves the rest of the population, too, by reminding them that many people with whom they share a city are without homes and resources. The photos help raise awareness of homelessness, and will hopefully inspire people to reach out and help.

Left Boot, East London, by Ellen Rostant

<i>Left Boot</i>, East London, by Ellen Rostant

Cafe Art

Tyre Break, Hackney, by Desmond Henry

<i>Tyre Break</i>, Hackney, by Desmond Henry

Cafe Art

Tower Bridge Picnic, Tower Hill, by Ceci

<i>Tower Bridge Picnic</i>, Tower Hill, by Ceci

Cafe Art

Photography might seem like a strange way to help the homeless, but creating art is actually a major self-esteem booster.
"When I had my stroke, it sort of destroyed me," one of the participants, David Tovey, explained. "I turned up to the competition the first year, and I couldn't look at anyone, couldn't even talk to anyone. I walked in, kept my eyes on my feet the whole time, grabbed a camera -- wasn't expecting anything from it -- and went out and took photos. And from that, it changed my life. It's amazing what a disposable camera can do to someone's self-esteem."

Some images were not included in the calendar, but are available for purchase as single prints, like the ones you see below.

Cafe Art

Ducks, Hyde Park, by Stephen James

Faceless Child, East London, by Ellen Rostant

<i>Faceless Child</i>, East London, by Ellen Rostant

Cafe Art

Parked Bike, Hyde Park, by Goska Calik

<i>Parked Bike, </i>Hyde Park, by Goska Calik

Cafe Art

Sleeping Rough, West End, by Amadeus Xavier Quadeer

<i>Sleeping Rough</i>, West End, by Amadeus Xavier Quadeer

Cafe Art

(via My Modern Met)
You can see more of these unique, haunting photos on Cafe Art's website, and learn more about the services they provide and the people they've helped. You can also chip in and donate to the Kickstarter campaign to make sure the 2016 calendar can reach as many people as possible!