View allAll Photos Tagged Strangers
This picture is #2 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 wandered into a gallery in downtown Reykjavík, where I met Jónas Björn. His paintings are inspired by a famous rock in Iceland. While he was posing some guests came in, thus his surprised look.
Francesca smiled and thanked me, when I told her that her face was just right for my strangers project. Her countenance was half the reason, that I had walked up Glastonbury Tor, for the second time, this morning. The other half had to do with the location…
As I had walked down the Tor earlier, Stephanie and Francesca had been headed up. They stepped to the side of the narrow path allowing me to pass. I half wondered about turning at that time but decided to continue to Glastonbury Town centre.
It was a misty morning but as I walked toward the town, I noticed that the mist had cleared at street level. This was the second factor that turned me around. The mist might be hanging on at the Tor, so I would probably find nice light. There was a good chance that Francesca and her friend would be at the top still.
When I got back to the top, I was pleased to see Francesca and Stephanie sitting at the base of St Michael’s Tower. I approached them immediately (even though I was a bit hot from rushing back up the hill) and asked Francesca if I might take her photograph.
Francesca told me that Stephanie needed some profile photos, so I asked if Stephanie would like to be part of the project too. She will be my stranger 499.
Francesca enjoys music. She plays oboe, plays the guitar and sings. Stephanie told me that Francesca will be performing this weekend. We all chatted a bit, then we got down to the portraits. I made a few with Francesca, then with Stephanie, finally photographing the friends together.
You can view more portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family
Anthe was balancing a Canon DSLR on a backpack. It was pointing toward her two companions. I imagined that she was about to make an image of all three of them. I offered to take a picture for them. Anthe told me that they were to make a video; Matiu would be chanting. I wondered if they would like me to hold the camera for the video and Anthe agree. After giving me some instruction, she took her place next to her friends.
While Matiu sang the two young women provided rhythm and percussive backing. When they had finished, I told them of my strangers project and asked if they would be willing to participate. Although it was Matiu that I first photographed, I decided to make Anthe my stranger 482, as it was with her that I made my initial contact.
When I had finished making portraits of all three, Anthe asked if I would take a photo with her camera. Of course, I happily agreed. After this they had another idea or two for further images. I was content to be their photographer. Anthe was very pleased with the photos and said that she would give me credit for them. This made me smile both that she liked the pictures and that she would think to identify me as the photographer.
Anthe is from the Netherlands. She met Matiu at a festival. I asked if she sings. She told me that she does but that Carolina, is the “real singer” – or something like that.
Thank you Anthe for being part of my project. It was great to meet you and your friends today. Best wishes.
You can view more portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family
This picture is #7 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
This afternoon I was with a few friends at a photo exhibition. Two of my friends wanted to go buy cigarettes. I went with them and I found that man stand in front of his door. He was just looking at the people walking in the street. I went to ask him if I could take his photograph, he immediately accepted. I was a bit surprised because he accepted without asking any question. I took 3 pictures and I showed him and he smiled. I thanked him and asked for his address in order to give him a print of his portrait. He was so kind. That was probably my best experience since I started the project...
“It’s not a parakeet, it’s a parrot. And yes, you can take pictures of it.”
Whoops.
Yesterday I took my car to the repair shop (a friend’s mother had dented it) and, after handing the car guy my keys, I turned to the right and laid eyes on a breathtakingly beautiful bird sitting on a log in a repair shop garage. It was so surreal and still that I had to walk right up to it to confirm if it was alive or not. After seeing it blink and turn its head and ruffle its feathers, I was confident that the creature was real and not some sort of taxidermized thing.
A man walked by it, and I assumed him to be the owner. He looked like a fascinating person by himself, with unruly hair, a scarlet bandana, and piercing eyes. I asked him if I could photograph his “parakeet” (a complete slip of tongue; I know the difference between a parrot and parakeet), which led to him lightly chastising me for mistaking his majestic beast for a scrawny bird (“It’s like if I called your camera thingy a polaroid,” He said with a laugh).
Regardless, he let me take a couple pictures of his parrot. Afterwards, the bizarreness of the man and his pet made me unashamedly ask for his photo in my Stranger Project, and he happily agreed.
While posing, he started scratching the bird’s neck, and the parrot began to coo in delight and looked as if it was almost grinning (it was adorable).
Right after I took the photo of the stranger, another man approached him and they both walked back into the shop. I never got his name, nor the name of the parrot. However, I was somewhat okay with that, since anonymity just added to the mysteriousness of the duo.
Thank you, stranger, for letting me take photos of your “parakeet,” and thank you for contributing to my Strangers Project!
(I know I said I'd find a female stranger but c'mon this dude had a parrot.)
Check out other 100 Stranger Project stuff at www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers
I encountered Jerry at the Heritage Jubilee Festival in Edgefield, S.C. Jerry is a landscape artist but sells painted gourd folk art at festivals. He also had some mini marshmallow guns for sale that the kids at the festival loved.
This is picture # 18 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.
This is Tori.
After taking Stranger #80's photograph, I walked towards Hyde Park Corner.
I'm a small, bald, mild-mannered graphic designer. I have a nasally northern accent. If I met myself I wouldn't be suspicious, I would probably shake my own hand and smile politely. Can I take your photo for a photography project? Yes, sure, go ahead, I'd reply to myself. But as I've said before, my experience of asking women permission to take their photograph, usually gets a polite, but firm 'no'.
Are women more self-critical? I've had quite a few, 'Sorry, but I don't look good in photos.' To which I awkwardly reply, 'Oh, come, come. I'm sure that's not true.' I probably don't sound convincing. I'm not a natural charmer, so my smalltalk ends there.
For that reason, I had almost given up on women. But then I saw Tori. Come on James, ask her. I did, and without hesitation she agreed. Tori appeared to have the 'F**k it, what have I got to lose' attitude I had only previously encountered with men. Talkative and friendly, we chatted about the 100 Strangers Project and cameras (Tori is a professional retoucher) until Stranger #82 arrived. They had arranged to go for a stroll around Hyde Park together, so I took their photographs and we went our separate ways.
A fascinating fact about Tori? Her earliest memory is, at the tender age of just six years old, drinking vodka and orange, then jumping in a swimming pool.
This picture is #81 in my 100 strangers project. See the rest of my 100 strangers pictures here. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.
Taken in front of Decimus Burton's Ionic Screen at Hyde Park Corner, London, England on 14/03/2014
Hello to you all!
This is the second stranger I met on the same day. Therefore, the story went literally the same as the 47th stranger :D
Her name is Vero. She is interested in arts and music. Both of them (stranger 47 and 48) were staying in Japan for an exchange program for a year. I am pretty sure they enjoy their life here in Japan :D
And as for me, both of them definitely had a distinct way to smile, Definitely a charming smile. The camera definitely did a super excellent job to capture the eye expression brilliantly, I love the Eye-AF system! And as usual, I emailed them the photos :)
I hope we meet again in our hometown in Indonesia! :)
This picture is #48 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see photos taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
One of the most prominent cafes in Newtown has to be the Mezze Bar. It also has to be one of the busiest and therefore makes a great place for finding strangers. This day was no exception as I spied a red head sitting with a group of young ladies enjoying the day. What caught my eye were her wonderful freckles and her deep blue eyes.
I made my way over, introduced myself and apologised for interrupting them. As I went through my blurb to the red head I noticed that the 3 other girls had stopped talking and were all listening intently about the project. When I finished they all sat there waiting in silence for her to agree to a photo. Of course she said yes.
Not wanting to disturb her from where she sat, I decided to shoot her right there, but this wasn’t going to be easy as an 85mm lens on a crop sensor body is around a 127mm focal length so I needed some space between us. Luckily the next table behind me wasn’t being used so I managed to shoot over the top of it.
Bronte is in her last year of school and plans to go to university to study Law and Philosophy. For someone so young she seemed very mature and pretty much knew what she wanted to do in life. I asked her what she thought about her freckles and she said that these days they don't worry her, but when she was younger she would use lemon juice in an effort to bleach them away. I told her that her freckles are what made me stop and that she should embrace them as part of her unique beauty.
Just as I was finishing up with Bronte one her friends arrived and sat down at the table. Of course as soon as I saw her I knew she would be next. But that’s tomorrow’s stranger.
Thanks for being part of the 100 Strangers Project.
This picture is #159 in my 2nd round of The100 Strangers Project.
You can see my 1st 100 Strangers Set here
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
This picture is #21 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
Lola is a promoter at the Huawei stand in the Mall of Emirates.
Lola and my stranger #20 (Erika) were working for the same company. After taking Erika's photo, I just had to ask for Lola's as well. Loved that red curly hair. Even with all the different kinds of people living in Dubai, I had not been able to photograph a red head before. I actually did see a beautiful lady with red hair about a month ago but did not have the guts to go up to her at the time :|
Anyway, thanks Lola for letting me take your photo! :)
Check out my Facebook page here
This picture is #65 in my second 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
See my first set here: Bomvu's 100 Strangers"
Walking around the markets in Camden with Owen I spotted this stunning girl looking at a one of the stalls. I debated with myself for about, oh, must have been, erm, about a nanosecond and then headed over to ask her. One thing I've learned since I started this project is to not waste time thinking about whether to ask or not.
I loved her style. She just radiated cool and had a demeanor that suggested that she was totally at ease with everything.
I wanted to try to get some of the stall that she was looking at so I asked her to stand side on between a gap in the display which she did spot on. Now fairly used to my diptych style I headed back to get the full length only to back into a wall, and then some poor punter who got the wrong end of my back pack. Sophie managed to not laugh and I finally got in position without being sworn at too much and snapped off a couple of frames. I got the close shot and then gave her a card and thanked her for her time.
Thanks Sophie, I hope you like your picture as much as I do.
Constructive criticism gratefully received
The news of the attacks in Paris had profoundly saddened me. I am shocked and incredibly sad. But they are also an incentive to engage further in tolerance, respect and humanity. Precisely for this reason, it is a matter of heart for me, to continue further on the project "The Human Family" and to promote the humanistic values. Therefore, here is a contribution to the project, which was, however, taken before the horrors of Paris.
At last once again time to continue the project "The Human Family".
Professionally, I'm back on travel, this time on the River Rhine, in Koenigswinter. It's lunchtime break, the weather is acceptable, so already well placed to hold out by strangers. Only problem, there are hardly any people on the street. I wanted to give up almost as if I could see a young woman who was trying to take pictures of her little dog.
When she had finished her photos session, I spoke to her, introduced myself and explained my concerns.
Without hesitation, agreed to my stranger.
So I met here in Koenigswinter Irina. Irina is 25 years old. She's just here for a visit with her grandmother and is walking the dog. Since seven months Irina lives in Berlin; she is a fashion stylist and accompanies photoshoots and is responsible for the outfits. Irina is happy now living and workingin Berlin, because there the career options are very good and they practically operates at the cutting edge. Regularly also the Fashion Weeks are held even in Berlin. An eldorado for fashion enthusiastic people.
What was your biggest challenge so far in life, I asked. My move to Berlin alone and without knowing someone there.
How would you describe yourself? I'm messy, erratic, but clever. (I think these are the attributes that characterize creative people)
Goals: in Berlin to gain a foothold and to succeed professionally; with less Irina does not want to be satisfied.
Yes, Irina agrees with me that it is very ambitious.
What is your motto in life: Do not plan on doing! Do not think, but act.
I do not want to mention how patient Irina posed for my camera. Since I was not completely satisfied with the background, Irina did not mind and so much time to go a few more steps, because I wanted to have a not so troubled background.
Thank you for your patience Irina, and your time, you've diverted for my project. It was a pleasant conversation at the River Rhine. I wish you much success in Berlin and I keep my fingers crossed that you start off really there. All the best to you.
This photo is my 4th submission to new group "The Human Family".
Visit "The Human Family" here and have a look on the photos of the other photographers:
www.flickr.com/groups/thehumanfamily/
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Die Geschehnisse in Paris sind schockierend und haben mich tief getroffen. Sie sind aber auch ein Ansporn, sich weiter für Tolrenaz, Respekt und Menschlichkeit einzusetzen. Gerade aus diesem Grund ist es für mich eine Herzensangelegenheit, dass Projekt "The Human Family" weiter fortzuführen und für die humanistischen Werte zu werben. Daher hier eine Beitrag zu dem Projekt, der allerdings vor den Erignissen von Paris aufgenommen wurde.
Endlich wieder einmal Zeit, das Projekt "The Human Family" fortzusetzen.
Beruflich bin ich wieder auf Reise, diesmal am Rhein, in Königswinter. Es ist Mittagspause, das Wetter ist passabel, also schon einmal gute Voraussetzungen, nach Fremden Ausschau zu halten. Einziges Problem, es sind kaum Menschen auf der Strasse. Ich wollte fast schon aufgeben, als ich eine junge Frau beobachten konnte, die versuchte, ihren kleinen Hund zu fotografieren.
Als sie ihre Fotossession beendet hatte, sprach ich sie an, stellte mich vor und erklärte mein Anliegen. Ohne zu zögern, stimmte meine Fremde zu.
Ich begegnete also hier in Königswinter Irina. Irina ist 25 Jahre alt. Sie ist gerade hier zu Besuch bei ihrer Großmutter und führt ihren Hund aus. Seit sieben Monaten lebt Irina in Berlin; sie ist Modestyleistin, begleitet Fotoshootings und ist dabei für die outfits zuständig. Irina ist froh, jetzt in Berlin zu leben und zu arbeiten, weil dort die beruflichen Möglichkeiten sehr gut sind und sie quasi am Puls der Zeit arbeitet. Regelmäßig finden in Berlin ja auch die Fashionweeks statt. Ein Eldorado für modebegeisterte Menschen.
Was war Deine größte Herausforderung bisher im Leben, fragte ich. Mein Umzug ganz allein nach Berlin und ohne dort jemanden zu kennen.
Wie würdest Du Dich beschreiben? Ich bin chaotisch, sprunghaft, aber clever. (ich glaube, das sind Attribute, die kreative Menschen kennzeichnen)
Deine Ziele: in Berlin Fuß zu fassen und beruflich Erfolg zu haben; mit weniger möchte Irina sich nicht zufrieden geben. Ja, Irina stimmt mir zu, dass sie sehr ehrgeizig ist.
Was ist Dein Lebensmotto: Nicht planen, machen! Nicht denken, sondern handeln.
Ich möchte nicht unerwähnt lassen, wie geduldig Irina vor meiner Kamera posierte. Da ich nicht ganz zufrieden mit dem Hintergrund war, hatte Irina nichts dagegen und so viel Zeit noch ein paar Schritte zu gehen, weil ich unbedingt einen nicht so unruhigen Hintergrund haben wollte.
Vielen Dank Irina für Deine Geduld, und Deine Zeit, die Du für mein Projekt abgezweigt hast. Es war eine angenehme Plauderei am Rhein. Ich wünsche Dir viel Erfolg in Berlin und drücke Dir die Daumen, dass Du dort so richtig durchstartest. Alles Gute.
Dies ist mein 4. Beitrag zu der neuen Gruppe The Human Family. Mehr Fotos von anderen Fotografen findest Du hier:
Posed street portrait for my 100 strangers project, taken in Paris, France
This picture is #13 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
When i saw Nathan, i asked myself if i should disturb him because he seemed to be alone with his own thoughts and somehow i expected him to deny. I introduced myself and explain the project to him. After a small conversation, I finded out he work in IT just like me so we have something in common and he finally agreed to pose for the shots.
Taken with 50mm lens and a flash with a homemade diffuser (a tissue :-)
“Love yourself … and drink tea”
I had spotted Becci's hat as I walked up to the top of Glastonbury Tor. Generally when I get to the top I like to sit a few minutes before approaching anyone for a photo – to catch my breath and let my heart beat slow down a bit. I did this today, happy that Becci and her friend had decided to sit too. I sat down at the base of the tower. The young ladies were sitting on the grassy slope in front of me.
I approached Becci and asked if it would be OK to take her photo. She said “yes” before I even had a chance to explain why. As I told her a bit about my strangers project, her friend, said that my project was really good and that she was already in it! I had photographed Helen about 2 years ago, she was my 59th stranger. Helen now has a daughter, Hazel, who she hadn't even imagined when we met before.
When I asked Becci if she had anything that she would like to share with the world, she thought for a while and said “this sounds a bit chessy, but 'love yourself'”, then Helen added “..and drink tea”. Becci agreed with the addition. They both enjoy tea.
We chatted for a bit and I asked if it would be OK to take a photo of the 3 of them from behind looking over the countryside, first. When I had done this, I asked if Helen wouldn't mind having a little walk so that I could photograph Becci with a nice clean background – she was happy to do this.
I asked what kind of tea Becci liked to drink. She likes all kinds of tea, with caffene or without, but especially with vegan cakes. Becci works as a park ranger. We talked a bit about working outdoors, as I had spent 10 months working in he parks in West London. I mentioned that I knew someone who used to get cold feet working outdoors. Becci says that she doesn't have that problem, she has the right kind of lining in her boots and wears up to 4 pairs of socks in the winter.
Becci and Helen enjoy taking part in reenactments. They reenact historic events and enjoy sitting around log fires in period costume. Becci has a long bow. They are considering doing some Live Action Role Play. This differs from the reenactments as they would be playing their roles without their actions being predetermined by history, instead what they do will be based on their character.
After taking portraits of Becci we went to find Helen and I took a photo of them together. It was a nice surprise to bump into Helen today, as although I frequently see locals that I have photographed, Helen lives in Essex – the other side of the country. They were only visiting Somerset for 2 days too!
Thank you Becci for agreeing to be photographed today. It was good to meet you and to see Helen again. Best wishes for your work and play.
This is my tenth submission to the group The Human Family
Khadija Chraibi, a Moroccan pharmacist at 60. One day, I dreamed to share my extraordinary passion, which is the collection of perfume bottles from the precious international brand. The perfume has a special presence in my life, I always say that it smells with the memories of the past. The bottles of perfume have a special place in my heart. I own more than 5000 vials.
I can not imagine life without perfume. This talent has accompanied me for more than 40 years, and I share it with others. I’m a wife and mother of four sons who successfully paved their ways to live. They are proud of my talent. I make from perfumes some artistic pictures, and I'm taking advantage of the strategic location of my home, which overlooks the highest mountain in Tangier.
I published my book about my talent and my passion, which I had the opportunity to introduce it in Morocco and France.
Anne Marie - Heavy ❤️ 🎧
I always had the power of seeing something different in people. I had the idea of creating this project in 2014 when I realize I’m shooting a lot of portraits for my friends, clients, people on the street… So I transformed this passion into an artistic project where my goal wasn’t take just average pictures of strangers, but make portraits of them that reveals something.
It’s an on-going project which I want to take 100 portraits stories.
Bethany hails from Carlisle and is a student of Drama at the University of Birmingham. She was visiting Glastonbury for the first time today with her friend, Jade (my stranger 466).
When I asked what Bethany enjoys in her spare time, she said “cultural adventures”. She likes to make visits to different places, like she had been doing for the long weekend in Glastonbury. She aims to act as much as possible too. Whether live or in film. When I asked if she had been paid for this, she laughed, shook her head and told me that once she had her meals paid for.
I asked they first met. Bethany told me that she had organised a Karaoke evening, as a fundraiser. Jade had been invited by a friend. Jade’s friend had approached Bethany. Bethany thought to herself “Oh, no. Not another guy hitting on me. That she would have to let him know that she wasn’t interested.”
When the young man approached, he turned out to be Jade’s wingman and explained to Bethany that his friend, Jade thought that she was attractive. He had told Jade that if she was too fearful to approach Bethany, that he would do it on her behalf!
Thank you Bethany for being part of my project. It was good to meet you and Jade today. Best wishes for your studies.
You can view more portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family
This picture is #252 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
Nathalie was 'manning' her booth at an outdoor art festival. Her oil paintings all had a theme, people in hammocks. Hence the name, “Art Swings by Naty.” Cool! Her logo is “A Piece of Peace.” Who wouldn't like that? Here is her website: [www.artswings.com/index.htm]
So when I approached her about 100 Strangers, she was more than eager to help. Naty is originally from Columbia, but found the U.S. More conducive to artists making a living. Three comments about this image:
1. I post images in color infrequently. When I do, the colors are almost always complimentary, to isolate the subject and other spaces. This might be the first time that I have worked with harmony of analogous colors.
2. Naty is 42. Can you believe that?
3. I did not (could not) direct her, she just naturally fell into this pose. Do you think that she has ever seen a camera before? :-)
Thank you, Naty, for taking time from selling your artwork to allow me to photograph you for the 100 Strangers Flickr group.
Olympus OM-D E-M5
Zuiko 45mm f1.8 @ f1.8
1/1000 sec.
ISO 200
It's my first portrait of a stranger. I met him in the subway in the evening. He was singing love songs and playing the guitar. He allowed me to take a picture of him after listening his songs. I took a picture of him and that boy sang several love songs for me more. He told me that he was preparing for the festival of the bard show and therefore he needed listeners.
"This picture is #01 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at www.100Strangers.com"
Spotting Bella amongst the crowds on King street, Newtown was pretty easy with her large black hat and quilted jacket making her an obvious stranger target. She was walking with 2 other ladies when I stopped her and asked if she would like to be part of the project. I have to say that Bella was the perfect stranger in the sense that she didn’t even let me finish my spiel before she had agreed, looking very keen to get in front of the camera.
Bella is from the central coast of New South Wales and was in town to meet with friends for the day. We chatted about a recent music festival she had been to in Byron bay called Splendour in the Grass and how she had a great time there listening to all the bands. Bella had a wonderful positive vibe about her. Oh to be young again!
As she was wearing a lot of black I wanted a strong plain background to make her standout, so we headed to the bright red wall which is part of a large and well-known mural in Newtown. She followed my instructions to the letter and made the whole process so easy and a lot of fun. The only problem was deciding which shot to post. I was quite taken with this frame with her honey coloured eyes gazing confidently straight down the barrel.
It was a pleasure to meet you and your friends and thanks for being part of the project.
This picture is #235 in my 3rd round of The 100 Strangers Project.
You can see my 1st round of 100 Strangers photos here
Round 2 is here
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
This picture is #20 in my 3rd round of the 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
The weather, my job and some home improvements have really put a dent in my photography time. By Friday I'd not pressed a shutter in nearly a week which is just too long. At lunch time I headed out but after a week of rain the sun was out and high in the sky and there were not many spots where I could find decent light. Then I found a little street I've not been down before and as I was thinking that it looked a bit better, there came Brionny. She told me that she doesn't like having her picture taken but agreed after I showed her a few of my other pictures on my Moo cards. She didn't really have a reason for disliking being photographed but just isn't keen on it. We moved up the street a bit as we were outside a pub where she works and she didn't want to get teased by her colleagues. Fair enough.
Well for me the fact that she doesn't like being in front of a camera made it even more special that she took it on and did a great job. Thanks so much Brionny and I hope you like your portrait.
If you like my work, please follow me on Facebook
Stranger #30 – Emma – I approached her when she was sitting on a bench in the center of Wroclaw, Poland. Her hairstyle immediately caught my attention so I started talking to her. She looked at me and told me she hadn’t understood what I said because she doesn’t speak Polish. Well, it happens :) Anyway, I explained the project and was able to convince her to have her portrait taken. Then we chatted a bit and it turned out she’s from Norway. Emma is a really friendly person and that was a very nice encounter.
A technical remark: sometimes when you shoot you know immediately the photo is great. You take a look on your camera’s display and you smile. Everything is there: great theme, correct focus, fantastic colours, etc. Then, when you examine the sharpness on your big screen and can confirm the focus is spot on you smile even more – especially if you shoot on creamy bokehlicious super-difficult f/1.2 :) That was one of these shots for me. At such point you just gain momentum, think “I’m f*cking awesome” and go out to create more fantastic photos :P
This picture is #30 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
This picture is #35 in my 4th round of the 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
I'm a bit behind on posting from my evening's shooting in June. Been busy with domestic stuff, plus I started playing Fortnite!!
I saw Christina waiting outside Dim T near London Bridge. She'd just picked up a take away when I invited her to an impromptu shoot. She was surprised but happy to play along. Given her big paper bag of food I didn't want to keep her long and also didn't want to move to find a suitable background so I lined up the background and waited for a gap in the crowds. Here's what we came up with. I've been keen to try to incorporate a bit more of hands into my pictures which is not something I'm confident directing. I thought about trying to get her to get rid of the cigarette but somehow this felt more honest. I love the very genuine expression that she gave here and think that makes the image.
After I got her details and she left, I noticed a family that was eating outside at the restaurant watching me with interest. The teenage son gave me a big smile and a thumbs up which left me very amused. The interactions that one experiences doing this type of photography is what makes it so addictive.
If you like my work, please take a look at my Facebook page and my website and if you're more inclinde to Instagram, I've been playing around there too.
Gijs (stranger 26)
I met Gijs on a platform in the middle of the Sophiapolder. This polder has been given back to nature and the tidal river De Noord can once again flow into the polder. An ideal area for birds. A bird watching hut has been built and there are some footpaths on platforms running through that area. On one of those paths, Gijs was studying the birds with a tripod and binoculars. I was allowed to watch a Plover, a lightning fast bird. Gijs comes there more often and usually his wife does not come along. Because, she says, you only look at the seagulls.
For me it was a nice place to take a picture of Gijs. Gijs asked if I wanted to mail the photo to him. Then you have something and I also have something.
This is the 26th photo of my second round of the # 100stangers project.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the
www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/
And can also be found on
“Do you know where I can get a film developed?” Yasmin asked. “No” I replied “but I know where there is a camera shop, they might be able to help...... would it be alright for me to take your photo....”. Yasmin and Ali [my stranger 131] had just returned from a couple weeks in Portugal.
She told me that she liked using film... “you can't delete pictures like you can on digital”. Interesting... about 2 minutes earlier, a 25 year old (Ben, stranger 128) had just been extoling the virtues of vinyl and now another young person was doing the same about film.
I spent quite a bit of time with Yasmin and Ali. I didn't take that many photos but enjoyed their company as we first went to find the camera shop and then looked for some blades for Ali's carving. In one shop Yasmin picked up a small hula hoop and looped it impressively in her hand. At another shop she looked after Ali's roll up while he went inside, though she does not smoke.
Yasmin told me that she had been asked to be photographed before. It was at the Zombie walk in Glastonbury, last October. I had been there that day but had not photographed Yasmin. I had met a stranger that day, who had been wearing green make up (Charni, my stranger 62). People had been impressed at how great Yasmin was at doing a zombie stagger. She laughed. Yasmin said that she had a few drinks before doing the zombie walk!
Yasmin also enjoys making cakes. She told me that she likes the non-baked kind of cakes – where you mix the ingredients and put them in the fridge. You can evidently make a “guilt free breakfast” making a cake from cocoa, banana and avocado.
Yasmin and Ali seemed dissappointed when we parted. Looking at the timestamps on the photos, I had spent half an hour with them. This photo was taken 14 minutes after the first photo that I took of the couple.
Thank you Yasmin and Ali for agreeing to be in my project. It was good to spend some time with you.
This picture is 30 in my second round of 100 strangers. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
"What’s the hardest thing about being an artist?”
"You put so much of yourself into it. It becomes deeply personal and it’s hard to distance yourself. Then those niggling thoughts creep in, and you start questioning and analysing every little thing.”
As an artist, or a ‘creative’ as certain sections of the community like to call it, Scarlett’s answer very much resonated with me. I imagine almost all creative people go through the same process. I talked to Scarlett at length about this topic, both of us providing our own interpretation of our experiences and how we dealt with certain situations. We didn’t come to any great conclusion, other than to agree that the state of mind plays a vital part.
Scarlett was carrying a large A1 folder containing her entire portfolio. She had just been for an interview with the art school and said it had gone well.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
This picture is #030 in my second round of the 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
My name is Adil, I'm 11 years old! I am a poor child, I'm homeless, I sell flowers. People or journalists take me often on pictures; the associations receive money to help us, but here is the result. I'm still in front of you, in the forgotten of the street.
I always had the power of seeing something different in people. I had the idea of creating this project in 2014 when I realize I’m shooting a lot of portraits for my friends, clients, people on the street… So I transformed this passion into an artistic project where my goal wasn’t take just average pictures of strangers, but make portraits of them that reveals something.
It’s an on-going project which I want to take 100 portraits stories.
This picture is #81 in my 3rd round of the 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
I skipped the order a bit but this is Hannah who I met shortly after Nelson in front of that self same roller shutter. I loved the top she was wearing and thought it would work well with the background that I had in mind. Hannah was on her way to meet a friend so I didn't have a lot of time to work with her. I love her expression here and she posed beautifully for me. I wish I'd had someone at hand to fill in a bit of light with a reflector though to get more light into her eyes. I need an intern!
Thanks Hannah, hope you had a great evening out.
If you like my work, please take a look at my Facebook page and my website.
My LEGO Stranger Things cars so far.
I was asked to build Steve’s Beamer for LEGO 11370 Creel House, but the LEGO Icons team went with a different design.
Since I don’t really care for the real car, I built it in a few days maybe, and after my version was rejected, I didn’t spend any more time on it.
Usually I will build a whole fleet of these 6 wide cars (I have at least 10 Blazers in craziest colors), trying out different solves, colors, whatever. Here I built only one extra in blue, and that only because I wanted to see how the trunk will look like using the new 1x3 2/3rd slope, and the dark red paint I have doesn’t match the bricks at all, and looks terrible.
My grey paint matches perfectly though, and I spraypainted some white 11mm rims from the collectible F1 cars, turned them spokes out and although I’m not a great fan of that wheel, I think they would look okay on the BMW.
The WSQK van that I built for myself looks quite a bit like the one that made it into the box. Actually they only differ in small details, I prefer my mirrors, and I could use the ancient chromed exhaust.
I also keep tinkering with the Blazer when new elements appear that make it possible to fix some issues. The new wheel painted black (it’s out in light grey right now, and will come in dark grey in the LEGO City Garbage Truck), makes it possible to add hubcaps, although I don’t know if I should rather have used saucers instead. They are too big, but look better than the 1x1 plates.
Josh is another stranger I met in the local beer shop on Christmas Eve...the last one, it was a great time and place to meet people. Josh is graphic designer for video games. He is also into photography and recently sold his DSLR and lenses to go for a mirrorless camera, a decision he now regrets. I can quite understand why he did it, I often think it would be so much easier to not be lugging my gear around. I was pleased Josh agreed to take part in the stranger project.
This picture is #57 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've been arrested twice, even though I didn't do anything wrong, in another way, I've arrested unjustly, and I could have been in jail if I didn’t have cash. Besides this, I talk a lot of languages, Thank God (German, Dutch, Arabic, French and English) and before I start talking about my reality «Long live the King and God bless him».
I want to quit this country, it’s the only thing I’m thinking about it right now, I can't bear anymore to live here even I have my work and fortune. I lived in Europe and I can see the big difference between the both. I’m talking here about humanitarian side.
Inchaelah I’ll back to this continent as soon as I can.
I always had the power of seeing something different in people. I had the idea of creating this project in 2014 when I realize I’m shooting a lot of portraits for my friends, clients, people on the street… So I transformed this passion into an artistic project where my goal wasn’t take just average pictures of strangers, but make portraits of them that reveals something.
It’s an on-going project which I want to take 100 portraits stories.
Here's my very first stranger portrait taken my new Hasselblad 500cm.
I want to dig deeper in stranger portrait photography with analog cameras and I wanted to fill the medium format gap.
I have to say it is not an easy ride for me because you add technical issues to the stranger photography experience where everything has to be quick: this will hopefully help me to improve my skills.
This is also the first time I shoot and upload a full body portrait of a stranger.
Cecilia is a filmmaker and you can check her work at www.xehreyes.net/
Hasselblad 500cm / Planar 80mm
Kodak Portra 160 new 120
Epson Perfection V550
Shot at 1/125s f2.8
Follow me on instagram (@zinosat)
I asked this lady if I could take her photograph on a cold and rainy Sunday morning outside the Mac store. She looked all warm dressed in her double hoodie. Not wanting to disturb her from what she was doing, and liking the natural look anyway I asked her to keep on with her text.
Lesson learned? Well I had asked a few people already that morning if they would participate in my 100 stranger project, and had been turned down. Two said they would love to but were late for work, some embarrassed by the thought of a stranger asking to take their photograph, others I thought about asking but then lost courage a second before asking. So keep asking is the lesson, even after several rejections there will be people who will say yes. As for her name, well I didn't ask... I decided to let that go. I'm kind of disappointed now as I think the strangers names are a great part of the story in this 100 Strangers Project. I realize I have much to learn about meeting and photographing stranger, but that's why I'm doing it... to grow as a photographer.
This picture is #3 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
A Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who are celebrating today ~ Cheers!!
This picture is #03 in my 4th round of the 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
My great friend Peter McConnochie spent the weekend in London which was all the excuse required to throw camera, reflector and toothbrush into a bag and head up for the weekend myself. I met up with him, Arnab and Barbara early in the evening on Saturday. We took a walk around and chatted about what we were wanting to do. Having just completed a round, I'm keen to try new things, mix them up a bit. One key aim is to make more use of lighting but we were all travelling light this weekend so I had to think of something else. It's tricky. I've developed a recognisable style and those are the pictures that I most like to make. Stepping into different modes is difficult and I worry about making an image that I won't like as much. But change is often hard and I was determined to do something different.
During our amblings we took a short cut through Liverpool Street Station. I've noticed before that there is a lovely diffused light in the station thanks to the huge glass roof and was looking out for likely subjects when I spotted Becki. She was accommodating when I asked and moved over to the middle of the station with me. The risk for this shot was getting too many people in the background. Shooting right in front of the escalators out of the station may have seemed a bad idea but the theory was that there would be brief moments when the frame would be free of people. Further into the station there were too many people standing around. Becki was incredibly patient holding a pose while I waited for my moment. And I think together we nailed it.
The light was a little yellow due to the electric lighting inside the station so I had to push the white balance around a little. I keep promising myself a grey card and one day I really must get one.
Becki was with a group of friends who were all meeting up to go out and celebrate a friends birthday. I hope she had an awesome time!!
If you like my work, please take a look at my Facebook page and my website.
I saw Florien walking about earlier while @UrbanScot and I were on the search for strangers, but he managed to get away. As is often the case, if you are patient a second opportunity can sometimes present itself. And so the second time I saw him I did not hesitate to approach him. He kindly agreed to a portrait and then it was up to me to find the suitable backdrop. This white wall seemed appropriate allowing his sense of style to shine. I added a reflector to allow a little pop into his eyes too.
Florien works in tech but has an avid interest in fashion as you can and from this and the other shots of him that I have shared.
Thank you Florien for a moment of your time. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the
100 Strangers Flickr Group Page
Connect with me on instagram where my handle is @arnabkghosal
The Canadian Warship HMCS Ville de Quebec stopped in my hometown in late September as part of an excursion to selected ports along the St. Lawrence Seaway and Lake Ontario. The excursion provided an opportunity for Canadians in cities along the way to tour the Navy frigate and discover career opportunities available with the Canadian Forces. I took the opportunity to tour the ship and speak with a few sailors. I was also able to continue my strangers project, this being the last in a series of five Canadian Forces personnel I chatted with.
I met Pierre as I was leaving the Navy Frigate. I wanted one more portrait for my 100 Strangers Project and Pierre agreed to pose in front of the ship.
Pierre is a Sergeant and is presently stationed in Ottawa. He has been with the Canadian Forces since 1978 . For the past three years, he has been working as a recruiter. Previously, he worked as a supply technician. During his military career he participated in several missions which have taken him to Israel, Bosnia and Sudan.
Pierre is 51 years old and grew up in Berthierville, Quebec, a town located between Montreal and Trois-Rivières on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his kids. He also enjoys playing golf and hockey.
Two days after I took this portrait, a photo appeared on Flickr that shows me taking my shots (see photo in comment below). You can probably tell that I was working very quickly as I didn't want to take too much of Pierre's time. As it turned out, the lady who took the shot of me is one of my hometown Flickr contacts. We haven't officially met yet but I'm sure we will have a few laughs when we do.
This picture is #21 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
"Another engaging street portrait." - memetic
highly recommended to be viewed large on black
Ellie is doing a degree in Animal Welfare and Behaviour. There is much more science in the course than she expected but this doesn't worry her. Outside of studying Ellie enjoys woodwork although she doesn't have her power tools with her in term time. She does some work with the Tree Pirates, helping with their constructions but does not do any chainsaw carving.
I met Ellie and her partner, Lewis, as they came out of Jaywalk Guitars. Lewis had been in to buy a pedal. I asked Ellie if I might photograph her for my project – she had such great red hair. She agreed and I offered to photograph both of them too but Lewis declined. He said that Ellie was the pretty one... or something like that. I could easily have argued that he would have made a good portrait too but I didn't press him. I thought that I could always ask him again after Ellie and I had made some portraits. In the end I forgot – I had probably taken up enough of their time by then anyway.
I asked Ellie if she liked animals and if they had any at home. They have two dogs. Lewis offered to help with the reflector but Ellie said she was happy to hold it. When I had taken some photos, I asked if they would like to see them. Lewis had a look. He liked all of them …. "but I'm biased", he said.
Thank you Ellie for agreeing to be part of my project. It was good to meet you and Lewis today. Best wishes for your final year at Uni and for whatever you decide to do afterwards.
You can view more portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family
I was on my way back from Corpus Christi where I did some interviews for an article I'm writing on assignment. In my family it was always tradition to stop at the Dairy Queen in Karnes City as the midpoint of our trip from Austin to the beach. That's what I did this day as the threat of ice on the road ahead concerned me.
Karnes City is on the edge of an oil field area of South Texas, so you see a lot of oil cowboys. Juan, moving slowly with a walker, was in front of me in line with his son. The two of them mostly spoke in Spanish. They ended up sitting one table away from me, and I couldn't resist asking to take Juan's photo. He did speak some English. He said he used to work for a recycling company in San Antonio, but now lives in retirement near Kenedy, Texas. The light wasn't great for the shot, but I knew I couldn't ask him to move to a different location, so I took what I could get. I left them to finish their steak fingers and headed on down the road home with the only ice I encountered hanging from the Karnes City city limits sign as I blew through town.
He is my 209th stranger in the Flickr challenge to shoot photos of 100 strangers: www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/. I'm moving--as expected--very, very slowly and selectively through my third 100.
You can see my full set of Stranger photos (so far) here: www.flickr.com/photos/joemoconnell/sets/72157627547511612...
So yesterday, I brought you a portrait from the "Ghats" of Varanasi and today it's one from the "Golis" or alleyways. This was probably my favourite portrait from India as everything seemed to fall into place, the gods were on my side.
I had spent a few days in Varanasi by now and had not taken anywhere the amount of portraits as would have liked to have take, partly as I as too busy making new friends and sightseeing but also because of fear.
Anyway, I saw the alleyway first about half and hour earlier when I saw a kid in orange running down it (I got half a decent shot which I will share later) but I instantly loved this alleyway and really hoped that I would find someone. There was no one... oh well.
I came back to this alleyway a few times and on the 3rd or 4th pass I struck gold. I saw this lady chatting to someone nearby and they were speaking Bengali (my native language). And she was wearing a blue shawl!!!
After doing my usual dithering I pulled myself together and asked her for a portrait. She instantly said no and didn't want to be bothered. But her friend was impressed and said "Go on let him take a picture as he asked you so nicely in Bengali". She was still having none of it but was finally persuaded by her friend.
I then asked her to move to the front of this alleyway which she somewhat reluctantly did. At this point. the shop owner next door got involved in encouraging her, saying "look he's a pro, you will get a good photo". He couldn't have been further from the truth but it was nice to hear.
Although, I had my alleyway the light was not ideal as there was no open source of light coming into the alleyway. I thought I would be pushing my luck with the reflector too, so I had to make do without and sorted it out in post.
So there you go, one of my favourite stranger portraits to date. Unfortunately, I don't remember her name but thank you for being my 62nd Stranger in the 100 stranger project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the
100 Strangers Flickr Group Page
Connect with me on my facebook page: Shooting the Streets
As always any critique welcome
Stranger #53 – Lida – I met her in the centre of Wrocław, Poland. Walking with a camera, she immediately caught my attention. When I asked for a photo Lida agreed without hesitation and - what surprised me - thanked for the offer! It was a great start, so I took a few shots and quickly noticed that the results were satisfying. The weather was favorable - the overcast made the light extremely easy to work with. Lida is a very friendly person and as it turned out - she’s from Ukraine. That was a very nice encounter after a two-week break from photographing strangers :)
This picture is #53 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