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Updated: May 24, 2008 5:59pm PST

Homeless: My hour with Michael Stout : Michael Stout is a homeless man in his early 50s, living in Gulfport, Mississippi. He is originally from Newport News, Virginia, but now lives barely hanging on in Gulfport. On a day that we had tropical storm force winds and some flooding caused by Hurricane Ike, I watched Michael riding his bike, weaving back and forth as he made his way through traffic. I feared for his safety because he was obviously under the influence of alcohol. I followed him down a quiet dreary street of delapidated or burned out shotgun houses. Not the sort of place I usually frequent! I had been photographing the effects of the storm nearby on the beach and was still in the mood to shoot (as always!) I watched him hide from me beside a house and snapped a picture of him, which I instantly realized was wrong. He didn't seem too pleased, so I asked him if I could take his picture. He said no thanks, he didn't believe so. I offered him $10 and he said he would do anything I wanted. (LOL) He was glad to talk to me after a slow start. He has lost his home, car, his driver's license and everything he owned and blamed a divorce for that. I have a feeling alcohol has contributed to his demise as well. He did a great job of modeling and doing exactly as I asked to the best of his ability. I thanked him and started to leave, then feeling bad that I hadn't given him more, I told him if he would sit for another couple of pictures, I would give him some more money which I did. I asked him to use the money for food, to which he replied, "the church down the street gives me bad food, it's just beans and peas and awful stuff". So I surmised he would indeed be spending it on more alcohol to ease his pain. This man is an unfortunate example of the lowest rung of our society, but even then had dignity. I am glad we met.

Homeless: My hour with Michael Stout

Michael Stout is a homeless man in his early 50s, living in Gulfport, Mississippi. He is originally from Newport News, Virginia, but now lives barely hanging on in Gulfport. On a day that we had tropical storm force winds and some flooding caused by Hurricane Ike, I watched Michael riding his bike, weaving back and forth as he made his ...

Updated: Sep 16, 2008 10:09am PST

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