203... photos on Flickr

This Stranger stood out from the crowd at the conclusion of the Terry Fox Run today in Toronto, an annual tradition celebrating Terry’s commitment to cancer research. If you don’t know about Terry Fox and the Terry Fox Run, it is explained in my notes for my Stranger #200/200 here: www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/9761709174/

I liked her bright colours, her friendly smile, and her earphones and approached her with an invitation to my photo project, telling her that I thought she was photogenic and would make for a great portrait for 100 Strangers. Her response was one of surprise (“Who, me?”) and she wanted to know a bit more about the project so I explained it. She was happy to participate. Meet Iris.

I explained my need for a few photos of her with her looking straight into the lens of my camera and she complied. Before shooting, I realized her hat was going to shade her eyes too much and asked if she could please tip it back just a bit which she did. Because it was a typical milling crowd environment, I had to pause several times while bystanders walked right behind her and then I decided to ask her to come with me a short distance to the spot between event tents where I had photographed Roger, my Stranger #202 a few minutes previously. That location, once again, provided a cleaner background, especially after I asked Iris to crouch so that only grass was surrounding her. In the end, I liked the first exposure (in the crowd) just a little bit more than the other (see comment photo) but I really like them both and feel they give a good sense of Iris as I experienced her: An upbeat energetic, and good natured young woman who was happy to help this stranger with his project. I wonder how often it turns out that the first photo is the nicest, even after we have “worked” to improve subsequent exposures?

Iris is 28 and from Toronto. I asked why she was at this event today and she said her running friends were participating and suggested she come along. I joked “You mean you’re here because of peer pressure?” She was amused and said “Yeah, you could say that.” When not out running, Iris is a Project Manager in the retail industry, having an administrative position in the head office of a large international office supply chain. I got the impression that Iris would have been out running today anyway. This way she and her friends made their run count by raising funds for a worthy cause: cancer research.

Thank you Iris for participating in 100 Strangers. It was very nice meeting you. You are now Stranger #203/300 in Round 3 of my project.

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/

#203 Exotic by Steven Mickletz

The Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) is originally from Central and South America. Why anyone would bring them here is a mystery to me. They are currently only allowed to be owned for food production in the US. This is due to their invasive nature in areas like Florida, where they are much better suited to the sub-tropical climate.

203 by TSiBA Education South Africa