Brent (w/ Nikkor 135mm 2.8)
I stopped by the Camera Company today with a simple question, which is really no matter to this stranger story. Alas, I waited for a few minutes as they were assisting a man with 35mm film. I couldn't help but notice the beautiful camera and lens combination in his hand, and knew that at that instant I wanted to take his photograph. We all chatted for a brief moment on the benefit to the Nikon system being so interchangeable between digital and 35mm. After brief conversation he left, and I was able to ask my question; but I still wanted to capture the man with the magnificent camera!
As luck may have it, I did my usual up and down walk of State Street and when I reached the 100 Block we ran into one another again. This time I was able to make a little more conversation with him, introducing myself as Chris and he informed me that his name was Brent. Quickly learning the ins and outs of his photographic style, he told, me that he prefers film over digital. Though he did admit that shooting so much digital sometimes creates a false reality, as often he finds himself looking at the back of his 35mm SLR to review images. I explained to him my project of shooting the strangers of Madison, and asked if I could include him in the project. As most photographers do, he agreed and posed nicely for me against the glass windows on Overture Center for the Arts. Quickly adjusting my settings, I fired a few frames off; but he told me that I should take a photo of him with his camera to his eye. As often enough that is how his subjects see him, while I tried that I like this more classic pose.
I learned through our conversation that Brent recently made his first ebay purchase, in fact it was a mint Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 lens. While he didn't specify what version, I've owned a number of Nikkor 50mm an always had good luck with them. He acknowledged that he was a bit leery of the offer as it was being auctioned from Japan (home to Nikon at that) but four quick days later he had his new lens. He stated that it looked as good as new and came in the original box and everything, I hope that we cross paths again someday so I can take a look at the lens. Today he was shooting with a 135mm f2 AI-S lens, a tack sharp of a telephoto (1981-2005).
In parting I gave him a link to my Flickr page, so that he could sort out finding his photograph and story included for the 100 strangers project. He did inform me that I should consider a name change as "local paparazzi" could bring up all sorts of bad results. I assured him that I have a large following, and thus upon searching Google the first result is a link to my photostream. All the more reason to get business cards made out, but that's another step for another day!
063/100
Brent (w/ Nikkor 135mm 2.8)
I stopped by the Camera Company today with a simple question, which is really no matter to this stranger story. Alas, I waited for a few minutes as they were assisting a man with 35mm film. I couldn't help but notice the beautiful camera and lens combination in his hand, and knew that at that instant I wanted to take his photograph. We all chatted for a brief moment on the benefit to the Nikon system being so interchangeable between digital and 35mm. After brief conversation he left, and I was able to ask my question; but I still wanted to capture the man with the magnificent camera!
As luck may have it, I did my usual up and down walk of State Street and when I reached the 100 Block we ran into one another again. This time I was able to make a little more conversation with him, introducing myself as Chris and he informed me that his name was Brent. Quickly learning the ins and outs of his photographic style, he told, me that he prefers film over digital. Though he did admit that shooting so much digital sometimes creates a false reality, as often he finds himself looking at the back of his 35mm SLR to review images. I explained to him my project of shooting the strangers of Madison, and asked if I could include him in the project. As most photographers do, he agreed and posed nicely for me against the glass windows on Overture Center for the Arts. Quickly adjusting my settings, I fired a few frames off; but he told me that I should take a photo of him with his camera to his eye. As often enough that is how his subjects see him, while I tried that I like this more classic pose.
I learned through our conversation that Brent recently made his first ebay purchase, in fact it was a mint Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 lens. While he didn't specify what version, I've owned a number of Nikkor 50mm an always had good luck with them. He acknowledged that he was a bit leery of the offer as it was being auctioned from Japan (home to Nikon at that) but four quick days later he had his new lens. He stated that it looked as good as new and came in the original box and everything, I hope that we cross paths again someday so I can take a look at the lens. Today he was shooting with a 135mm f2 AI-S lens, a tack sharp of a telephoto (1981-2005).
In parting I gave him a link to my Flickr page, so that he could sort out finding his photograph and story included for the 100 strangers project. He did inform me that I should consider a name change as "local paparazzi" could bring up all sorts of bad results. I assured him that I have a large following, and thus upon searching Google the first result is a link to my photostream. All the more reason to get business cards made out, but that's another step for another day!
063/100