Here is the story of a humble, intelligent, articulate, man. My favorite movie written and directed by Michael Powell “I Know Where I’m Going” contains the line : “They’re not poor, They just don’t have money”. When I first saw the movie, it was a revelation for me that someone else had the same thought. Over the years I have met a few more like minded people, some very much like to Rodriguez. But their story was never quite so complete, nor publicized.
This has been one of the recurring themes in my photography as well; the dignity of man. We make it hard for a poor man to have dignity. If I photograph Ted Turner, Russell Coutts, or a famous actor or actress, it can immediately generate interest. But the story of the everyday man leading an everyday life does not. The is no glamour; I will freely admit. The story of Herbert Vogel fits here as well.