756/800 - Mike
This is a project submission that almost wasn’t. It had a couple of things going against it from the start and yet I did manage to get a portrait which I feel merits posting to the group – even if I’m not totally happy with it.
Toronto’s downtown shopping mall, the Eaton Centre, has challenged my efforts before. Filled with light from a high atrium above, and filled with shoppers below, it is a temptation to the 100 Strangers photographer. There is something, however, about the quality of the light which has made it difficult for me to get natural, warm colors despite having tried shooting RAW images. Today I felt like giving it another go.
Unlike my usual approach which is one of constant movement through the city, I saw this spot and thought the direction and amount of light would give me a good chance if the right stranger came along. I set myself in the vicinity of the chosen location and started watching passers-by, hoping to spot an interesting subject. I had my eye on a well-dressed woman who was pacing back and forth, carrying on a lengthy phone conversation that seemed to be business-related. I hoped to outwait her but kept an eye out for other subjects while I waited and strolled around, trying to keep from feeling like a lurker. My investment was for naught when she strolled out of view, still on the phone.
Feeling overinvested in the location and short on results (one subject declined because she was late for work) I was about to move on when this well-groomed man appeared from a nearby store. I was drawn to his confident walk and dressy-casual attire and introduced myself and made the project request. He was clearly hesitant, but heard me out (for a few sentences at least). Fearing I was pushing uphill, I gave it one last “pitch” by showing him my contact card with sample photos. He asked exactly what I would do with the photo and I clarified the project. He said ok, if it just takes a couple of minutes. He was working in an office building attached to the mall and was on his lunch hour.
I explained the location which was just five steps away and positioned him so that I was looking over a balcony and down the length of the mall. I immediately saw that the light had once again fooled me and there were deep shadows around his eyes (since improved through postprocessing) so I dragged out my reflector, making a somewhat awkward encounter a bit more awkward. To his credit, Mike, whose commitment was fragile at best, carried through. At this point I realized the reflector didn’t seem to be helping at all so I fired off another frame and thanked him for his help.
Nervous that I wouldn’t have a photo decent enough to post, I didn’t go into my usual mini-interview so I know little about Mike. Once I got home I was surprised that, while not my best work, it proved worthy of posting. I think you can see the rigidity in the portrait which is probably a combination of Mike seeming (possibly) a serious type, along with the awkwardness I contributed to the encounter. I like the intensity in Mike’s stare, even if the portrait lacks the sense of warmth and “connection” that most of my portraits have.
Thank you Mike for taking a moment to help me out with my project. I know it wasn’t really your “thing” so I appreciate it all the more that you agreed to participate in 100 Strangers. You are #766 in Round 8 of my project. If you see this and would like a free copy of the photo, please just email me and I’ll gladly send it along.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by the other photographers in our group at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.
756/800 - Mike
This is a project submission that almost wasn’t. It had a couple of things going against it from the start and yet I did manage to get a portrait which I feel merits posting to the group – even if I’m not totally happy with it.
Toronto’s downtown shopping mall, the Eaton Centre, has challenged my efforts before. Filled with light from a high atrium above, and filled with shoppers below, it is a temptation to the 100 Strangers photographer. There is something, however, about the quality of the light which has made it difficult for me to get natural, warm colors despite having tried shooting RAW images. Today I felt like giving it another go.
Unlike my usual approach which is one of constant movement through the city, I saw this spot and thought the direction and amount of light would give me a good chance if the right stranger came along. I set myself in the vicinity of the chosen location and started watching passers-by, hoping to spot an interesting subject. I had my eye on a well-dressed woman who was pacing back and forth, carrying on a lengthy phone conversation that seemed to be business-related. I hoped to outwait her but kept an eye out for other subjects while I waited and strolled around, trying to keep from feeling like a lurker. My investment was for naught when she strolled out of view, still on the phone.
Feeling overinvested in the location and short on results (one subject declined because she was late for work) I was about to move on when this well-groomed man appeared from a nearby store. I was drawn to his confident walk and dressy-casual attire and introduced myself and made the project request. He was clearly hesitant, but heard me out (for a few sentences at least). Fearing I was pushing uphill, I gave it one last “pitch” by showing him my contact card with sample photos. He asked exactly what I would do with the photo and I clarified the project. He said ok, if it just takes a couple of minutes. He was working in an office building attached to the mall and was on his lunch hour.
I explained the location which was just five steps away and positioned him so that I was looking over a balcony and down the length of the mall. I immediately saw that the light had once again fooled me and there were deep shadows around his eyes (since improved through postprocessing) so I dragged out my reflector, making a somewhat awkward encounter a bit more awkward. To his credit, Mike, whose commitment was fragile at best, carried through. At this point I realized the reflector didn’t seem to be helping at all so I fired off another frame and thanked him for his help.
Nervous that I wouldn’t have a photo decent enough to post, I didn’t go into my usual mini-interview so I know little about Mike. Once I got home I was surprised that, while not my best work, it proved worthy of posting. I think you can see the rigidity in the portrait which is probably a combination of Mike seeming (possibly) a serious type, along with the awkwardness I contributed to the encounter. I like the intensity in Mike’s stare, even if the portrait lacks the sense of warmth and “connection” that most of my portraits have.
Thank you Mike for taking a moment to help me out with my project. I know it wasn’t really your “thing” so I appreciate it all the more that you agreed to participate in 100 Strangers. You are #766 in Round 8 of my project. If you see this and would like a free copy of the photo, please just email me and I’ll gladly send it along.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by the other photographers in our group at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.