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I spent most of the weekend brooding over a seeming dead end in the 100 Strangers project. I twisted my brain around trying to think of a different place where multiple people would congregate in a relaxed atmosphere, and be amenable to being photographed. Finally, I realized the place I sought was all around me. I went to where people were fishing.
At the spillway of a local lake, I found Mark. I asked him how the fish were biting as I took a few shots of the scenery. He wasn't having much luck, but he had plenty of beer. We chatted about how the kingfishers down below were well fed, and I asked Mark what he did for a living.
Mark is a roughneck. He works offshore in the oil industry. Business has not been too good over the past year, and he has turned to fishing and crawdad trapping to help put food on the table for his family. He said his family was doing fine, but he misses going offshore.
As the sun began to fall, we watched a pilot fly loops in his prop driven airplane overhead, leaving streams of smoke behind him. Finally, I asked Mark for a photograph or two, explaining the 100 strangers project to him. When I told him it was concieved to help photographers get past the fear of asking a stranger for a photograph, Mark laughed and said "Hell, I wouldn't have a problem with that, just ask. What are they going to do? Say no?"
I asked Mark to turn a bit so his face would be lit by the setting sun, and I took a few frames as the lightning bugs were starting to flash. It was then that I noticed the catfish on his arm.
Mark is number twenty in my 100 Strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the flickr group page.
Nikon D200 50mm ƒ1.8
The 100 Strangers website can be found at 100strangers.com/
This is the 5th picture I've taken for the 100 strangers project. Cory is a student at the local community college. I took this picture of her on campus after her classes ended for the day. She is posed in front of a storage shed, giving a nice open shade lighting. Find out more about the 100 strangers project and to see photos by other photographers go to www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers
catra is my first in the 100 strangers series. we met her at REI in fremont, california. she has run 57 100 mile races and will run 3 in a row this year. we started talking because of her tattoos. i told her she had nice legs and she mentioned it was because of running. we talked for about 15 minutes. she was pretty amazing.
Check out www.100Strangers.com for more on the project and the other photographers.
It's not a new gimmick. I've done this one before.
This is the difference of two images of very tall grass wilting in the summer sun. The two images are identical except that the focus was adjusted between shots. The two images were then combined in photoshop using layers with the mode set to difference.
Martin is my 16th stranger in my 100 Strangers Project.
Even though Newtown has an abundance of bright hair color, it was difficult not to spot Martin among the market-goers on Saturday. While sporting a head full of hair dyed half of the rainbow, Martin was also carrying an odd skateboard-like thing, which I later learned was called a Ripstick. Having shot longboarders and skateboarders before, I’d seen the two-wheeled twisty board before, and quickly learned it was not for me due to my severe lack of balance. I approached Martin just as he stopped to tie his shoe, and learned that he’d only gotten the Ripstick a couple days before; he had several cuts and bruises to prove that he was only just learning how to use it. Martin was extremely outgoing and friendly, agreeing to a portrait almost immediately. As we walked, I noticed that we both had dyed fingers: mine red from grenadine, his purple from dying bits of his hair the night before. He was comfortable in front of the camera in the way that he had no problem pulling several goofy faces with confidence and without my asking. I have yet to ask my strangers to do anything specific in front of the camera, as I like to just let them be themselves when I shoot. I like the way it often captures a little bit of their personality, but at the same time, I need to have the guts to ask them to change their pose if the light is unflattering or I have an idea for a specific image. In this case, I’m happy with the outcome of Martin’s goofiness.
Thank you, Martin, for being a part of my project, and I hope you like your picture!
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers in the 100 Strangers Flickr Group. You can see the rest of my set here. Constructive criticism, as always, is welcome.
Museumslok E 1901, sonst als Ausstellungsstück im Deutsche Technikmuseum Berlin, weilte in Hennigsdorf anlässlich 100 Jahre Lokomotivbau dort, egal ob Siemens, LEW oder Bombardier.
historic german electric loco series E19, note the german eagle as a front element, the swastika has to be covered when in public, but not in the museum
wow. 100/365. i hadn't realised it was 100 days since i started this!
look at these ikkle guys! my little acorn guys :) sorry...todays photo is random, ive had the idea in my head all day :D x
This picture is #76in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
Since August I've been keeping an eye on this doorway with the intention of using it as a background. Sometimes the light has been horrid, other times there have been no suitable subjects and other times I've simply lacked the patience to hang around. Yesterday it all came together.
I'd barely said good by to number 75 when Beatrice walked by. She was walking fast and not looking approachable but I was feeling bold so I stopped her and asked if I could take her picture. She didn't ask for any details, just said I'd have to be quick as she was in a hurry. No problem!
I've recently been trying out contact lenses with varying degrees of success and equal measures of frustration though usually once they're in they're fine. This day, my left eye was bothering me but not enough to take the lenses out. Not bothering me that is, until I looked at Beatrice through the viewfinder. My vision blurred up so much I could see NOTHING. Well I figured I wouldn't have time for another shot at this so I snapped off two pictures and then tried my right eye for a third. This picture was the second and I'm not entirely sure what that proves but it has got to be something!
I gave Beatrice a card and she shot off as I called out a big thank you to her.
While I was shooting she told me that she's studying at a nearby college. She mentioned a number of subjects but I only caught English and Spanish. Clearly she enjoys it as she was in a big hurry to get there.
Beatrice: If you look at the site, thanks so much for taking the time, I hope you like the picture.
This picture is #5 in my ‘100 Strangers Project’. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/ Page
I was up before the sun to meet a few fellow shutterbugs for a photo journey into downtown Sarasota. We were looking for cityscapes and people and whatever else might present itself.
We turned the corner at the Selby Library and found Daniel standing on the corner across from Starbuck’s folding palm into roses and crosses. Now there is no shortage of this material in churches during the Lenten season, but it’s not something you see every day. So I stopped to ask him about this and once he got started, I learned everything I wanted to know, and then some!
I was able to get him to pause long enough to introduce myself and explain the 100 Stranger Project. He agreed to be photographed and spoke easily about his story.
Daniel was born in Tampa 30 years ago, but was raised near Ft. Meyers. He was married for a few happy years when he was 19 but problems arose and he and his wife divorced. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and the ensuing years were a slippery slope leading to the streets of Sarasota, FL.
Despite his past problems, Daniel is upbeat and sees himself as a ‘Street Entrepreneur’ making palm crosses he offers to passersby hoping for a dollar in retun. He explained that the crosses make him feel energized and as long as he keeps up this activity he will be blessed. His attitude is positive; he feels like he is contributing something and he is proud of himself for earning his money and not begging for it.
I shot several images of Daniel, but chose this one because his eyes just had a soulful look that somehow conveyed hope, and resignation at the same time.
Bought three replica swords in an auction a few years ago, at a dirt-cheap price. They're up in the loft at the moment.
I was back in Philadelphia, and this time I was meeting up with another photographer who was interested in trying the 100 Strangers Project. He suggested Rittenhouse Square near downtown. As I neared the destination, I could tell that this would be a good area for finding strangers as the streets were brimming with a virtual cornucopia of potential models. I even spotted what would become Stranger #57 walking down the street with a fellow monk, but at that point I was more interested in finding a spot to park.
I eventually met up with my friend, and I immediately started commenting how excited I was to see such fertile stranger territory. I even mentioned to him that I had seen a couple of Buddhist monks a few blocks back. Lo and behold, about a minute later I spotted them again strolling across the square. I sprang into action….it was show time.
We caught up to the pair, and I began my rap. It quickly became obvious that the gentleman I was interested in did not speak any English, and his companion only had a limited grasp of the language. We were able to determine that they were from Laos, but my desire to take a portrait was not being communicated. Our encounter was beginning to break down, and the companion politely began to wave us off. I usually accept rejections at face value, but in this case I felt there was simply a lack of understanding.... a different approach was required.
I took a deep breath, and I turned toward the gentleman I desired to photograph. I smiled and did my best to convey a sense of peace and serenity. I calmly pointed to my camera and then gestured toward him. I then asked the companion how I would say ‘thank you’ in his language. He stated “Khaup Jai”. I repeated the phrase and finally cupped my hands together and respectfully bowed toward my stranger. At that point a he flashed a slight smile, straightened his posture, and subtly shifted his shoulders back. I had my pose. I quickly took a couple of shots. I didn’t think any other direction or shifting for background was going to be possible, but I was thrilled to have captured the shot that I did.
Before we parted ways I asked him what his name was (interpreted through his companion). He responded (I think it was the only word he said), but it was so foreign to my ears that even if my memory was perfect, I would still probably butcher the spelling, so Stranger 57 will remain nameless. I thanked him again, and we went our separate ways.
For all of you that have checked out my portrait and story, I simply say ‘Khaup Jai’.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.
Having some time to kill before heading home I wanted to see if I could find any more people to meet. As I walked along, a gentleman sitting on a bench caught my attention but for whatever reason I kept on walking for a brief moment before the rational part of my brain kicked I in wheeled around and approached the gentleman and commented on his sideburns.
“I comb them into my hair” he says to me. “They hang down to my….” gesturing to the middle of his chest with his hands. I sat down and began to chat with the stranger.
“My style is from the 50’s and I like music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. I collect music and movies”
And thus started my 40 minutes with this gentlemen. But unlike my usual practice of expressing my intentions upfront I just sat and listened to him talk. And he was full of stories about his life and family, growing up, working and various other parts of his challenging but storied life. He had an easy laugh and a great voice, like he bottled up the sound of a great radio star of a bygone era and has been using it ever since, a rich, slightly gravelly baritone.
It was quite a while before I told him that I would like to do a portrait of him, to which he agreed. I had noticed that he was not wearing sunglasses but prescription glasses so I did not ask him to remove them for the photo. It was as we got up to walk that I finally and formally got his name;
Meet Gypsy.
He told me the story of how he got his name; apparently he used to frequent a diner back in the day, then one day he disappeared for a few months. When he returned the waitress quizzed him on where he went and commented that he was like a gypsy, then said “that’s what I’m going to call you” and the nick name has stuck since.
Thanks for chatting Gypsy and I look forward to seeing you on the street again.
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Find out more about the project and see
pictures taken by other photographers
at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.
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Olman is #036 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.
I was walking across the city back home and I crossed through Union Square, the major shopping area. It was starting to get crazy in this area because of the holidays coming up but it was early enough in the day that there wasn't too much frustration going on. I saw Olman standing at the corner of a store and an alley on Post St, talking on his phone. It did not cross my mind at first to ask Olman for his photograph. I stopped to take picture of the alley and it caught his interest. He was done on the phone and stopped to turn and look down the alley and seemed curious about what I saw that made me take a picture. I then asked if I could take his picture and he enthusiastically agreed.
Olman had an accent and I did not have a chance to ask where he was from originally. To me he seemed to have the personality of a really classy guy. He is a tailor at Brooks Brothers. He asked me where I was from (probably assuming that anyone walking around near Union Square with a camera in the middle of the morning during a weekday is a tourist). Then he had to go back inside. I gave him a card and asked if he had email but he didn't, so I am going to try to drop off a print for him soon. I hope he likes it!
The purple crown on Sherri's head made her stand out in the crowd. She is an animal rights activist who is working to get puppy mills and the roadside sale of puppies outlawed in Louisiana. To help prevent female animals from being turned into breeding machines by unscrupulous vendors, Sherri encourages every potential pet owner to visit the local animal shelter and adopt a loving, homeless pet instead of purchasing one. Save one animal from euthanasia while helping prevent the abuse of others. Hopefully within the next year, roadside vendors of dogs and cats will disappear due to Sherri's work.
Sherri is stranger 136 in my 100 Strangers project. Find out more about the 100 Strangers project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the flickr group page.
The 100 Strangers website can be found at 100strangers.com/
Nikkor 28-70mm ƒ2.8, Available Light.
"Geneveive is #27 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at www.100Strangers.com"
Geneveive had just knocked off work and was walking home through Bourke St Mall. She may have been listening to Tori Amos or something but i prefer to think she was listening to some thumping house.