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Chief

As the inaugural stranger for my new project the (608) strangers, I present a good soul and as good a smile as I've seen in a while. After snapping a photo of Patience for stranger number 100 in my 100 more strangers project, I was moved by the kind heart and demeanor of the man I learned to be known as Chief. While we had never met directly, he knew of me as the photo guy; explaining to the bunch that I take photos everyday of anyone and anything. A very observant individual at that, which at that point I explained to him that I had yet to take his photo. He chuckled and said "go ahead," I wanted to get a nice big smile for the photo so I told a few funny lines and just simple things that make me happy. One of things I told Chief was "show me your pearly whites," grinning he opened his mouth and showed off what he had left. While I had a feeling he felt slightly ashamed at having so few teeth, I expressed that the teeth he had were better then no teeth at all. He gave me the good word that he had freshly shaved up his face this morning, or else he would have been sporting a Santa beard for the photo op.

 

After a few snaps, I started to take a few notes on my new friend. I learned that Chief has called Madison home on/off for the better part of the last 30 years. In his younger days, when not spending time on the isthmus he used to work carnivals (as a car-nee no less). With the long shaggy hair and toothless smile, I could definitely see him operating a ride or offering me a dart to throw to win a prize. He told me that he even worked for a few different circuses in the states as well as out of the country, one of the notable troupes was the Ringling Brother's circus.

 

We chatted a bit about how life is about the good people you surround yourself with, and call them a family. It doesn't matter what one has vs. another because in reality we are one big family, he exclaimed; no words more true have been said. My phone began to buzz in my pocket, sounding the alarm that it was time for me to go to work. I thanked the group for their time, and left with a new group of faces that are no longer strangers of the (608). To be fitting so that I may still contribute to the 100 strangers group on Flickr, I provide the link for you to check out some awesome photographs and photographers in the group. Maybe you will feel inspired enough to join, and undertake the challenge that is 100 strangers!

 

This is shot 101 in my 100 Strangers project, and one in my (608) strangers project. To see the work of other photographers in 100 Strangers, which got me going on my (608) strangers, check out 100 strangers To see the project, have a look at the (608) strangers

101/100

 

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Uploaded on July 15, 2014
Taken on July 11, 2014