511/600 - Idris
Sometimes I spend time with a stranger but for whatever reason, a photo does not result. I never view these encounters as a waste of time because for me this project is equally about the social experience and photography.
Such was the case this morning. I had dropped the car off for servicing and had a couple of hours to spend before picking it up. I walked downtown and saw a large crew setting up Toronto’s Dundas Square for a concert this coming weekend. I stopped to chat with a security guard who turned out to be very friendly and interesting. From Trinidad, his main job is as an engraver of jewelry and he does security as a part-time job. He had a great attitude toward life, believing that we are put on this earth to be kind to one another. Our conversation touched on a number of topics including religion (he is more religious than I but many of our values are the same) and politics.
When he declined my 100 Strangers invitation, saying that he doesn’t like posing for photos I gave the usual friendly encouragement but my usual gambits were not working so I laid off and we continued to chat with the occasional interruption as he had to open a gate or close it for workmen coming and going. A lot of the people around the square seemed to be on very friendly terms with him and I could understand why. We finally parted and he thanked me for stopping to chat, saying it was a pleasure and made the day go faster. “About your project, stop by another day and maybe I’ll say yes.” Giving it one last try I said “So is that day today?” He laughed and commented on my persistence as he gave me the fist-bump, “blow it up” farewell greeting.
Across the street I saw this distinctive gentleman standing on the corner, evidently waiting for someone or something. I was taken by his features and hat and approached him directly with a brief explanation of my project and he said “That’s ok.” I took a quick, almost grab-shot, photo to “get one in the bag” and then suggested we take a few steps back into the softer light of a building overhang where I took a couple more photos. In the end, I wound up liking them both but have chosen for the main submission the initial "quick shot" taken when we first met. I just felt it had a bit of extra impact even thought he looked a bit more at ease in the comment photo.
Meet Idris. Getting his portrait was as easy as Raymond the security guard had been difficult, yet I found out much more about Raymond than I did about Idris. Go figure. This project sure is unpredictable. Idris is from Eritrea which is in the Horn of Africa. He does not have email but gave me his postal address so I could send him a copy of his photo. Just then the friend (son?) he had been waiting for arrived and checked what I was up to. Satisfied that Idris didn’t need any protection from this strange man with a camera, he helped clarify the mailing address and they were on their way. My car was ready so I was also on my way. Back home I discovered the postal address was flawed but with a bit of detective work I found the error and corrected it.
Thank you Idris for participating in 100 Strangers. You are now Stranger #511 in Round 6 of my project. I hope you like your photo. I wish I'd gotten to know you a bit better. You seemed like a nice and interesting man.
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/
To browse Round 3 of my 100 Strangers project click here: www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157635541434065/
To browse Round 4 of my 100 Strangers project click here:
www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157639207561566/
To browse Round 5 of my 100 Strangers project click here:
www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157643120947043/
511/600 - Idris
Sometimes I spend time with a stranger but for whatever reason, a photo does not result. I never view these encounters as a waste of time because for me this project is equally about the social experience and photography.
Such was the case this morning. I had dropped the car off for servicing and had a couple of hours to spend before picking it up. I walked downtown and saw a large crew setting up Toronto’s Dundas Square for a concert this coming weekend. I stopped to chat with a security guard who turned out to be very friendly and interesting. From Trinidad, his main job is as an engraver of jewelry and he does security as a part-time job. He had a great attitude toward life, believing that we are put on this earth to be kind to one another. Our conversation touched on a number of topics including religion (he is more religious than I but many of our values are the same) and politics.
When he declined my 100 Strangers invitation, saying that he doesn’t like posing for photos I gave the usual friendly encouragement but my usual gambits were not working so I laid off and we continued to chat with the occasional interruption as he had to open a gate or close it for workmen coming and going. A lot of the people around the square seemed to be on very friendly terms with him and I could understand why. We finally parted and he thanked me for stopping to chat, saying it was a pleasure and made the day go faster. “About your project, stop by another day and maybe I’ll say yes.” Giving it one last try I said “So is that day today?” He laughed and commented on my persistence as he gave me the fist-bump, “blow it up” farewell greeting.
Across the street I saw this distinctive gentleman standing on the corner, evidently waiting for someone or something. I was taken by his features and hat and approached him directly with a brief explanation of my project and he said “That’s ok.” I took a quick, almost grab-shot, photo to “get one in the bag” and then suggested we take a few steps back into the softer light of a building overhang where I took a couple more photos. In the end, I wound up liking them both but have chosen for the main submission the initial "quick shot" taken when we first met. I just felt it had a bit of extra impact even thought he looked a bit more at ease in the comment photo.
Meet Idris. Getting his portrait was as easy as Raymond the security guard had been difficult, yet I found out much more about Raymond than I did about Idris. Go figure. This project sure is unpredictable. Idris is from Eritrea which is in the Horn of Africa. He does not have email but gave me his postal address so I could send him a copy of his photo. Just then the friend (son?) he had been waiting for arrived and checked what I was up to. Satisfied that Idris didn’t need any protection from this strange man with a camera, he helped clarify the mailing address and they were on their way. My car was ready so I was also on my way. Back home I discovered the postal address was flawed but with a bit of detective work I found the error and corrected it.
Thank you Idris for participating in 100 Strangers. You are now Stranger #511 in Round 6 of my project. I hope you like your photo. I wish I'd gotten to know you a bit better. You seemed like a nice and interesting man.
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/
To browse Round 3 of my 100 Strangers project click here: www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157635541434065/
To browse Round 4 of my 100 Strangers project click here:
www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157639207561566/
To browse Round 5 of my 100 Strangers project click here:
www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157643120947043/