Crombie's People: Photo exhibit gives focus to those without homes
Crombie McNeill is in his happy place, behind his Nikon film camera, peering through the viewfinder.
The seasoned, grinning photographer is coaxing a smile from his subject.
“Give me a big smile, George. That’s beautiful.”
Crombie is savouring this moment.
“I love it. Photography’s taken me around the world a couple of times,” says the 82-year-old.
“It’s just been a wonderful experience.”
McNeill was a long-time photojournalist. He worked at the former Ottawa Journal. For years, he captured images for the Canadian Press.
He’s worked in Vietnam, flown with Canada’s Snowbirds, and covered countless Olympic games.
“It was marvellous,” he says.
But for Crombie McNeill, the job is more than cameras and photos.
“It’s a gift.”
The gold is in the stories.
“It’s a thing I just respond to. And most importantly, it’s people I respond to,” he says.
Among Crombie’s favourite people are those who live in shelters or those making their homes on the street.
Chris. (Crombie McNeill)
“As a junior photographer with the Ottawa Journal, I went down to the Ottawa Mission fully expecting to be rejected. I went in there with preconceived ideas,” he says.
“Instead, they received me very warmly, and I realized the terrible error in my thinking. I realized that I’m not the only who makes this mistake,” he says.
That’s when Crombie, with the permission of his subjects, began taking photos of men and women going through tough times. He shared poignant conversations with them about where they had been, and where they had hoped to go.
“The motivation is to show that these beautiful people are receptive, they’re resilient, they’ve got a good sense of humour, and they’re open people. Wonderful folks.”
David. (Crombie McNeill)
Crombie has not experienced resistance from those he encounters, but acceptance. They are willing subjects for a compassionate photographer.
“They do not perceive that I am looking down at them and am going to do a negative photograph, but rather they feel I am complimenting them.”
They’re people like George. He’s a fan of Crombie’s photography and the messaging behind it.
“Crombie’s work is amazing. I think what he’s trying to do is raise awareness that everyone is different, that everyone has their own problems and their own accomplishments,” George says.
George. (Crombie McNeill)
Crombie’s photographs are now on display in a gallery space at Vistek, a highly regarded camera and video store at 499 Bank St. in Ottawa.
A series of black and white images, shot on film, are showcased until the end of June. They are also for sale. The proceeds will be donated to an Ottawa shelter to support those without homes.
Crombie is the humble custodian of their stories.
“There’s a photograph of hands, just hands. And you can see they’re very textured and worn. And yet, the man is wearing a wedding ring. He’s not pawned it. There has to be some interesting story behind him retaining that ring when it's worth money.
One of the many colourful people captured on film by long-time photographer, Crombie McNeill.
The images will also become a book. Proceeds from its sale will fund initiatives to help those living in shelters or on the street. Crombie is hopeful a sponsor will come forward to support printing costs.
“I hope the book begins to change the preconceived ideas we have about people on the street,” he says.
“I’m not going to make a penny at this. I’m doing this from my heart. These are wonderful, wonderful people. And I feel I am, in some small way, contributing to their welfare.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.