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What's A Dollar: America's Homeless in Portraits and Words

Capturing the faces of America's homeless while documenting their plight with a series of questions anchored by, "What's a dollar worth to you?"

My dream is not to travel the most exotic of locales in the world. My dream is not to climb the highest peaks or swim the deepest seas to capture what most of us humans will never see.

Instead, I'd much rather pump the $50k worth of winnings into our crumbling economy and travel the United States to document one of my favorite groups of people, the homeless.

I want to be able to show that despite our economic situation, we as human beings all have the same dreams, the same vices, and the same needs.

You can read more at my blog: http://whatsadollar.wordpress.com

I have been this dream in Los Angeles. With cookies that I bake in hand, ready to give out to the homeless, I create a rapport with them that allows me to sit and talk to them, asking them a series of questions anchored by, "What's a dollar worth to you?"

Often times, they are more than willing to let me photograph them in their current state, whether it be anguish or happiness or anything in between.

Help me realize my dream of giving every homeless person an identity that has been stripped from them due to their situation.

Thanks and much love to everyone!

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46 Comments

mogmismo

Good idea, and I can tell it's heart-felt. Youv'e got my vote.

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yeahmanh

thanks mogmismo! much appreciated... check out my blog if you're interested in the characters that i come across!

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alm

You've got my vote - good luck, Quoc!

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kudos167

good luck sassquoctch!

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supahmanh

Yo bro, good luck and great idea!

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aschaef2

Good luck to my favorite neighbor of all time :)

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hilarykaye

voted for you!
-h

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coloretti

Wow. I think you *are* photography's biggest dreamer. Best wishes, and rock the vote!

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sharonita782

good luck quoc! :)

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peachyamy

What an inspirational idea, Quoc! The best of luck to you in this contest and in your project. --a

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agershon

Good luck Quoc!!

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JamieLeanne

love the idea!! good luck quoc! i hope you win!

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dianar

go quoc! lemme know if you'd like me to put you in touch with peeps at the agency where I work in Skid Row (Lamp- the org in the upcoming movie, the Soloist...). It's pretty progressive- they even have the Lamp Art Project on Main where members are encouraged to tell their stories through art.

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lalalalala

you got my vote! good luck!

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rudyfig

Quoc some of us just have to live vicariously through you so good luck and keep up the amazing work!

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sarahmac

Great work!

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gildagazor

Dear Quoc, I am supporting you b/c you always support & read my blog. So whatever you do I'm behind you! Also, it took me approximately 4 minutes to sign up on this site. I hate you now. No, seriously--good luck! This is a great idea!

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eshorty1

I voted. Keep up the good work! -Erin T.

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albalicious

ok i voted. and it took FOREVER (like 2 minutes) to sign up. you're welcome!

ps- nice idea.

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buyemura

:)

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jr_cortez

hey! good luck with the project =)...joy

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SteveGreim

Good Luck...and I am up for taste testing on those cookies!!!

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goldmaryjane

OK, Don't bug me for the next month.

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tokane

Best of luck on a worthwhile project yeahmanh!

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photonewbie

Go Boy - Live your dream!!! Good luck! TG

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ascurf1

sounds awesome quoc. good luck bro. armand.

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muchaloha

Good Luck Quoc!!

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vlotero99

Hey Quoc! What an awesome project! I heard about it on facebook. Good luck and I hope all is well.
Vanessa Otero

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JennResnick

I voted! You'll have to buy me lunch at Chipotle if you win. ;-) JR

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vinamtran

Hey Quoc,

Good luck with the project can't wait to see it! take care ;)

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chanster808

Quoc! I haven't heard from you in AGES! The idea is great! If it works, maybe your next step can be finding the common thread across the world. I just got back from a tour in Iraq and I can tell you that the basic concerns are the same for people everywhere, no matter of race, religion, or culture.

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aboparai

You've definitely got my vote =) Good luck!!!!!!!

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priagula

good luck!

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samshs04

Voted!
Chely Linares

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Cagape26

You got my vote bro. - Certes

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sepbaby9

Betty Quocer you are amazing! Special one you are...

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jellie203

i'm diggin the project! good luck quoc!! =)

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jenmay

cool idea. my dream is also not to make it into a vacation trip, but to help others by bringing awareness and unity for non-profits worldwide: http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/jenmay/unity-through-community/

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kdiestel

Good luck Quoc

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sorianos

love the idea, fav!!

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jenmay

Thanks for your comment. I did read the official rules. Why do you ask?

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chambot

great cause quoc~hope you win!

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bstyles

Good luck Quoc

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FatherJohn

I like your idea!

Will you vote for me? Let's do this and see how it turns out. Let's help each other!

Good luck!

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Sprung64

Yo stumpy! Good luck with your endeavor man.

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kobety12

good luck quoc!

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