227/300 - Daniel
It was overcast in Toronto today with showers coming and going. I was downtown and decided to take a half hour stroll down Yorkville Ave. which was once the heart of the “hippie”culture in the city but has since become a very upscale residential and shopping street.
There weren’t nearly as many people out and about as I had expected in the early afternoon but as I passed by a driveway between tall buildings I noticed this man sitting on a ledge relaxing. (Come to think of it, I could probably make a separate set of photos comprised of Strangers who were sitting on ledges.) There was something about this man’s face in the soft light bouncing off the buildings and pavement that caught my interest so I turned around and backtracked toward him. He met my eye contact and stood up to receive my invitation to take his photo for my 100 Strangers project. I was happy with his quick positive reaction and he asked what I needed. Meet Daniel.
I explained the project and found out that Daniel was working at a valet for a high-end specialty food shop located in the highrise building that towered above him. He parks customers’ cars, retrieves them, and helps carry their groceries and packages. I had known of this shop and knew it was upscale but I never imagined a specialty food shop having a valet service.
I told Daniel that he needn’t stand and for him to return to sitting on the ledge would be fine. I gave my usual instruction to simply look right into the lens of my camera and explained that I would take a few photos to guard against blinks and camera movement. He asked if his glasses should be on or off. I suggested a couple with them on but then a few with them off since I could see his eyes would photograph quite well. He also agreed to hold my reflector in position for all but the initial three or four photos. His facial expression was quite sad-looking but I felt there was a sensitivity in his face along with a very nice, sincere quality to his presence.
I find that some of my subjects appear serious and a bit intense with the initial photos which I assume has to do with their wanting to “do their best” for my project. Others are simply smilers. With those who appear very serious, after the serious photos I often tell them “You can use any expression you want. You certainly don’t have to smile, but if there is a smile in there, you can go ahead and let it out.” I think there is something about this somewhat unexpected wording (rather than simply telling them to “Smile please”) that usually cracks them up in a rather natural way. Daniel had a half-smile which caused me to joke a bit and then this smile appeared and I snapped it. While making the photos I had to back a bit into the driveway to get enough distance and asked Daniel if he could warn me if a car was coming. “Getting killed by a car is not part of the 100 Strangers project” I said. He said he had an eye out and not to worry.
My chat with Daniel was very interesting and quite revealing. He told me he is 52 years old, was born and raised in Toronto, and has been working as a valet for about two years. Prior to that he was in the construction business working with concrete. His first job was painting cars. “I guess you could say I started out painting cars and wound up parking them” he said. I asked how people treat him and he said the vast majority are very polite and friendly and that people are generally quite good at heart. I said it was encouraging to hear that. He went on to tell me about the famous tenants in the condo above the store who he sees on a regular basis. Some are professional athletes and others are in the entertainment industry. “I know who they are but I pretend I don’t. Part of being professional is granting them their privacy and not asking for autographs etc.”
Daniel really liked the 100 Strangers project and we talked about how many of the photographers doing the project describe themselves as shy about approaching strangers and that we enjoy learning how to “step outside our comfort zone” and that I now love the project for all the interesting people I meet. When I asked what he likes most about his job he said “It’s kind of like your photo project. What I like most is meeting so many nice people in a day.” He went on to say he is quite shy by nature and never used to talk easily with people. “I was the guy who would hide against the wall at a party and most of my jobs were either working alone or with a very small, consistent team. This job forced me to get used to meeting new people all the time and it’s been good for me. If you’d met me two years ago, we couldn’t have had this conversation.” I told him that we have both grown through stepping outside our comfort zones and he agreed.
Daniel asked what made me approach him for the project and I said I sensed a friendliness in his face. He said that really pleased him. “Lots of people say I look so serious and kind of angry. I’m glad you could tell that I’m not.”
I told Daniel how much I had enjoyed getting to know him and how much I appreciated his doing the photos. He said “I’m here most days so if you’re ever in the neighbourhood, please stop by and say hello and tell me how your project is going. It would really make my day.” The vast majority of my Stranger encounters are quite positive but some really leave me with a large smile – both inside and out. This encounter was one of those.
Thanks again Daniel for participating in 100 Strangers. You are now Stranger #227 in Round 3 of my project.
Additional update: Five months later I was in the area yesterday and stopped by to take Daniel up on his invitation to visit. I had his photo with me since he doesn't use a computer. His welcoming my arrival was enthusiastic and his handshake warm despite the cold weather. There was a sincerity in his interest in how my project is going and he was happy for me when I told him it was going great. His boss was there and proved a fascinating man with an interesting story of his immigration to Canada from Afghanistan many years ago as a refugee. Unfortunately, concern for the safety of relatives back home and abroad prevented him from being photographed for the project. He told a wonderful story about how he met Daniel as a neighbour when Daniel was suffering serious medical complications caused by unsafe job conditions where he was working. This man got Daniel a job as a valet where he himself was working (he is in a position of influence in the company) and it turned Daniel's health (and life) around. Daniel confirmed this account. This meeting was a great follow-up on a memorable Stranger encounter and Daniel was grateful for the photo.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
To browse Round 1 of my 100 Strangers project click here: www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157633145986224/
To browse Round 2 of my 100 Strangers project click here:www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157634422850489/
227/300 - Daniel
It was overcast in Toronto today with showers coming and going. I was downtown and decided to take a half hour stroll down Yorkville Ave. which was once the heart of the “hippie”culture in the city but has since become a very upscale residential and shopping street.
There weren’t nearly as many people out and about as I had expected in the early afternoon but as I passed by a driveway between tall buildings I noticed this man sitting on a ledge relaxing. (Come to think of it, I could probably make a separate set of photos comprised of Strangers who were sitting on ledges.) There was something about this man’s face in the soft light bouncing off the buildings and pavement that caught my interest so I turned around and backtracked toward him. He met my eye contact and stood up to receive my invitation to take his photo for my 100 Strangers project. I was happy with his quick positive reaction and he asked what I needed. Meet Daniel.
I explained the project and found out that Daniel was working at a valet for a high-end specialty food shop located in the highrise building that towered above him. He parks customers’ cars, retrieves them, and helps carry their groceries and packages. I had known of this shop and knew it was upscale but I never imagined a specialty food shop having a valet service.
I told Daniel that he needn’t stand and for him to return to sitting on the ledge would be fine. I gave my usual instruction to simply look right into the lens of my camera and explained that I would take a few photos to guard against blinks and camera movement. He asked if his glasses should be on or off. I suggested a couple with them on but then a few with them off since I could see his eyes would photograph quite well. He also agreed to hold my reflector in position for all but the initial three or four photos. His facial expression was quite sad-looking but I felt there was a sensitivity in his face along with a very nice, sincere quality to his presence.
I find that some of my subjects appear serious and a bit intense with the initial photos which I assume has to do with their wanting to “do their best” for my project. Others are simply smilers. With those who appear very serious, after the serious photos I often tell them “You can use any expression you want. You certainly don’t have to smile, but if there is a smile in there, you can go ahead and let it out.” I think there is something about this somewhat unexpected wording (rather than simply telling them to “Smile please”) that usually cracks them up in a rather natural way. Daniel had a half-smile which caused me to joke a bit and then this smile appeared and I snapped it. While making the photos I had to back a bit into the driveway to get enough distance and asked Daniel if he could warn me if a car was coming. “Getting killed by a car is not part of the 100 Strangers project” I said. He said he had an eye out and not to worry.
My chat with Daniel was very interesting and quite revealing. He told me he is 52 years old, was born and raised in Toronto, and has been working as a valet for about two years. Prior to that he was in the construction business working with concrete. His first job was painting cars. “I guess you could say I started out painting cars and wound up parking them” he said. I asked how people treat him and he said the vast majority are very polite and friendly and that people are generally quite good at heart. I said it was encouraging to hear that. He went on to tell me about the famous tenants in the condo above the store who he sees on a regular basis. Some are professional athletes and others are in the entertainment industry. “I know who they are but I pretend I don’t. Part of being professional is granting them their privacy and not asking for autographs etc.”
Daniel really liked the 100 Strangers project and we talked about how many of the photographers doing the project describe themselves as shy about approaching strangers and that we enjoy learning how to “step outside our comfort zone” and that I now love the project for all the interesting people I meet. When I asked what he likes most about his job he said “It’s kind of like your photo project. What I like most is meeting so many nice people in a day.” He went on to say he is quite shy by nature and never used to talk easily with people. “I was the guy who would hide against the wall at a party and most of my jobs were either working alone or with a very small, consistent team. This job forced me to get used to meeting new people all the time and it’s been good for me. If you’d met me two years ago, we couldn’t have had this conversation.” I told him that we have both grown through stepping outside our comfort zones and he agreed.
Daniel asked what made me approach him for the project and I said I sensed a friendliness in his face. He said that really pleased him. “Lots of people say I look so serious and kind of angry. I’m glad you could tell that I’m not.”
I told Daniel how much I had enjoyed getting to know him and how much I appreciated his doing the photos. He said “I’m here most days so if you’re ever in the neighbourhood, please stop by and say hello and tell me how your project is going. It would really make my day.” The vast majority of my Stranger encounters are quite positive but some really leave me with a large smile – both inside and out. This encounter was one of those.
Thanks again Daniel for participating in 100 Strangers. You are now Stranger #227 in Round 3 of my project.
Additional update: Five months later I was in the area yesterday and stopped by to take Daniel up on his invitation to visit. I had his photo with me since he doesn't use a computer. His welcoming my arrival was enthusiastic and his handshake warm despite the cold weather. There was a sincerity in his interest in how my project is going and he was happy for me when I told him it was going great. His boss was there and proved a fascinating man with an interesting story of his immigration to Canada from Afghanistan many years ago as a refugee. Unfortunately, concern for the safety of relatives back home and abroad prevented him from being photographed for the project. He told a wonderful story about how he met Daniel as a neighbour when Daniel was suffering serious medical complications caused by unsafe job conditions where he was working. This man got Daniel a job as a valet where he himself was working (he is in a position of influence in the company) and it turned Daniel's health (and life) around. Daniel confirmed this account. This meeting was a great follow-up on a memorable Stranger encounter and Daniel was grateful for the photo.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
To browse Round 1 of my 100 Strangers project click here: www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157633145986224/
To browse Round 2 of my 100 Strangers project click here:www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157634422850489/