Bob Decker
Big Al-1/100 100 Strangers Project (Explore 11/17/13)
This picture is #01 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
I encountered this gentleman at a car show near my home in South Florida. He was sitting comfortably in a folding chair in front of his pride and joy, a 1954 Buick Super.
I have photographed strangers before, but I was a bit nervous about starting this project. I've been battling my own thinking, of what if I'm disturbing someone, taking away from something they want to do? And of course the fear of rejection comes into play...
I
had seen this man before at the car shows, but could not get up the courage to approach him. When I saw him tonight I knew this was the time and place to start this project.
He was extremely agreeable about having his picture taken for the project. He straightened himself up in his chair, and probably would have stood up if I had asked him. As it was sundown and the light was changing rapidly, I decided to keep him seated in front of the car.
I just got a 85mm f1.8 lens a week ago and have practiced a bit on friends and family. The shallow DOF at f1.8 is definitely a challenge to work with. I started taking shots of him wide open.
After several images, I got concerned about my focus, and decided to stop the lens down to f4. I knew this would give me enough depth of field to have his entire face in focus.
I also started to joke with him a bit, and one point asked him to think about his Buick as I took his picture. This struck a chord with him and brought the natural, happy expression to his face that I was hoping for.
We talked for a bit and he shared some personal information that I don't care to publish here. It's sufficient to say that I made a new friend and walked away in a state of feeling greatly uplifted at starting this project on such a positive note. He was the first stranger and the first to say yes.
As I walked away I realized it would have been better if I had stopped down the lens even more and gotten more of this great classic car in the background. If I shoot more at the car show I'll keep this in mind.
Big Al-1/100 100 Strangers Project (Explore 11/17/13)
This picture is #01 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
I encountered this gentleman at a car show near my home in South Florida. He was sitting comfortably in a folding chair in front of his pride and joy, a 1954 Buick Super.
I have photographed strangers before, but I was a bit nervous about starting this project. I've been battling my own thinking, of what if I'm disturbing someone, taking away from something they want to do? And of course the fear of rejection comes into play...
I
had seen this man before at the car shows, but could not get up the courage to approach him. When I saw him tonight I knew this was the time and place to start this project.
He was extremely agreeable about having his picture taken for the project. He straightened himself up in his chair, and probably would have stood up if I had asked him. As it was sundown and the light was changing rapidly, I decided to keep him seated in front of the car.
I just got a 85mm f1.8 lens a week ago and have practiced a bit on friends and family. The shallow DOF at f1.8 is definitely a challenge to work with. I started taking shots of him wide open.
After several images, I got concerned about my focus, and decided to stop the lens down to f4. I knew this would give me enough depth of field to have his entire face in focus.
I also started to joke with him a bit, and one point asked him to think about his Buick as I took his picture. This struck a chord with him and brought the natural, happy expression to his face that I was hoping for.
We talked for a bit and he shared some personal information that I don't care to publish here. It's sufficient to say that I made a new friend and walked away in a state of feeling greatly uplifted at starting this project on such a positive note. He was the first stranger and the first to say yes.
As I walked away I realized it would have been better if I had stopped down the lens even more and gotten more of this great classic car in the background. If I shoot more at the car show I'll keep this in mind.