stranger 25, with stranger 26 in Düsseldorf (Germany), 10th of May 2013

so it'd been a while since taking someone's photo on the street. I can't quite tell; it was either that I was looking for someone and no one would ever come around, and other moments there'd be no time to stop and I saw all these possibilities rushing by.

in some way I realized the impact that this project had and has on me, an impact that cannot be put into words ... strangely, it changed my life. so carrying on with all the experiences made feels strange as well. it's an odd feeling to ask someone on the street for a photo and you know that something could come out of it, that something came out of it many times before, that there is a chance of this person even staying in your life.

there was a phase where I'd see this project as a pretense for hitting on people or getting in touch, but by now I got back to the roots, to the actual idea of it. I got back to believing in the idea behind it, the moment, the capturing of the soul. taking the step and talking to someone. looking into someone's eye. there is so much more to all of this than the simple "I want to get to know you"-side. maybe it's hard to understand for anyone out there. it is a strange thing to experience.

however, when I saw them sitting on these stairs familiar, I felt this conviction to ask for a photo once again. (continuation at "stranger 26")

Meet Mickey. Mickey is an engineer on a 130 foot boat. It is his job to keep the boat afloat while it out in the open seas. Mickey enjoys long sea voyages, which is a good thing because Mickey is currently out in the open seas. Earlier this week, Mickey was scheduled to launch from the San Francisco bay for an around the world trip that will take a year to complete. Mickey also shared with me that his first port of harbor will be Singapore, which he has visited many times over the year and he says he just loves there.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mickey one day on one of my many camera walks across Davis. Our paths crossed on the corner of 3rd and C St. across from Central Park in Davis. If you are following my progress in my 100 Stranger Project, then you already know the rest. If you're not following my progress you can at Portraits by David 100 Strangers Project. There you can learn all about how Mickey and I created this portrait together and learn more about the rest of my 100 Strangers Project encounters.

Thank you Mickey for taking part in my 100 Strangers Project.

This picture is #040 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 love taking photos of people - some I ask, some I don't - it is a strange hobby of mine.

1. Almost Summer, 2. Bald + Ponytail = "Therapy", 3. Young Love, 4. Another Face in the Crowd, 5. Guitar Player, 6. Deadheads, 7. 2003 Anti-War Rally in DC, 8. Thomas Jefferson: Baby Sitter, 9. Me on a Crowded Flight to Ohio., 10. I Would Be Dead, 11. Jimmy Dean and Link Begging, 12. Volleyball Serve, 13. Cinco de Mayo Band, 14. Seadog, 15. Drummer, 16. On Looker, 17. The Cross-Stitcher, 18. One Man Band, 19. Bluegrass, 20. Bike Trekking Across North America #3, 21. A Stroll Through San Francisco, 22. Fife Players, 23. Taking a Nap, 24. A Family Outing, 25. Faces in the Crowd - Busch Gardens, 26. Wow!, 27. Dancers, 28. Gospel Singer, 29. A Father-Son Moment, 30. Lunch Buffet?, 31. Toni, 32. Dance Like You Just Don't Care, 33. July 7, 2007 Williamsburg Farmer's Market, 34. New Friends, 35. Life On The James, 36. Denise & Jimmy Dean

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

This is Bernie.

Bernie was camping near us at the Green Man Festival with his two friends. I was drawn to him because of the open shirt and white Birkenstock combo. Topped off with the sunglasses, I think you'll agree that it's a good look.

Bernie was up early, relaxing in his chair and looking at the views.

Some of the views were very nice.

Bernie is Scottish.

Likes The Tallest Man on Earth.

Dislikes the festival mud.

An interesting fact about Bernie? Again, I forgot to ask for one. Bernie, if you read this, perhaps you could provide us with one?

This picture is #29 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 at the Green Man Festival, Wales, on 19/08/2012

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

I noticed Walter's glasses and asked for a picture. He was a bit surprised, but in the end agreed. I went for a black and white treatment, that seemed natural to me given the contrast between his dark clothing and the white marble in the background.

Peter was my first stranger. I met him at a photo store in the city. I stood at the shop window and was looking after second hand lenses. He was looking after second hand stuff, too.

I asked him what he is looking for, and we started a conversation.

I showed him my Pentax Camera and the old manual lens which I use. He was curious how I focus with this lens and I showed him my technique. He also owns Pentax cameras and told me from his old manual Pentax 85mm.

He told me he is doing photography more than 50 years and gave photography lessons at the college of further education (VHS).

I asked him if I could photograph him and he said yes.

Like all my further portraits this is shot with an old full manual lens on my digital SLR.

smc Pentax M 50mm f1.7 build from 1977-1984

www.kenrockwell.com/pentax/35mm/lenses/50mm-f17-smc-m.htm

www.100strangers.com/

This picture is #14 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

Santia was working outside London Bridge Station handing out fliers for The Tombes, a grizzly gory tourist attraction.

She was made up with blood and gore but under that she was a lovely, cute person. I liked the contrast.

I explained the project, took some snaps and gave her a card. In return I got a flier. I didn't spend long on this one as I was conscious that she was working and I didn't want to get her in trouble.

I have some time off to take the kids into London in a two weeks time and I may well take them to this place, it looks like a hoot.

Thanks Santia for taking a little time out to pose for me.

Exif data auto added by theGOOD Uploadr

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Camera Model : NIKON D3000

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This is Sangria, the 26th strangers for my participation in www.100strangers.com. I met Sangria on Broadway in Times Square NYC. He was out having a smoke and knew immediately I wanted to photograph him. He was poised and artistic. I learned he's on the cast of the Lion King on Broadway as part of the ensemble, playing more then one character. Lives and works in Manhattan. He was a pleasure to add to my project.

Meet Ben. Ben is one half of a couple I met while during some last minute shopping on Christmas Eve. If you've been following my progress on my 100 Stranger Project, you may recall the encounter and seeing the portrait of Ben's wife Tania (Stranger #04). Ben and Tania are my very first stranger couple and to be honest, if I would have known that Tania was at the outside cafe with her husband, I probably wouldn't have approached Tania in the first place. I'm so glad that I did however, Ben was just as nice and accommodating as Tania. As I was talking with Tania, Ben came to the table carrying both of their lunches and invited me to have a seat with them as they prepared to eat their lunch. I did and we spoke for a bit before I explained to him the photography project that I was undertaking involving me creating the portraits of 100 strangers and asked him if he would allow me to create his portrait. Ben was more then happy to assist me with my project. Thank you Ben for taking part in my 100 Strangers Project and I hope you, Tania and your little dog had a wonderful Christmas with friends and family.

This picture is #005 in my 100 Strangers Project. You can follow my progress in this project at Portraits by David 100 Strangers Project or Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

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

This is Katharina, my second stranger. She and her school mate Cèline asked me to take part in a survey about media and the sense of selve. They had to do it for school.

As reward she let me take the picture. We were in a shopping mail, so we had good light.

The difficulty was 18 month old daughter whoe was constantly running away

Thanks you Katharina

I was out on the street again last weekend and it felt a bit strange to be shooting with a dSLR again. I've been so used to carrying my Lumix G3 when I'm shooting street that when I brought out a new camera to test it, i felt a little 'exposed'. The G3 lets me shoot discreetly, but not a dSLR with a telephoto prime.

After about an hour of walking a few blocks and taking street shots in the 100+ degree heat, I felt I needed a refreshment break, and an iced latte sounds about right. So I walked in to BroadAcre Coffe, a local Sacramento coffeshop, and found my 36th Stranger. Lucas was working that afternoon, and it wasn't a busy one with only one customer inside when I walked in. I thought it was a good opportunity to take my next stranger photo. Lucas had a soft-spoken and quiet demeanor that made me think twice about asking for his photo. I finished my latte and muffin and was getting ready to leave when I went ahead and ask anyway if it's ok to take that I take a picture of him.

He fortunately said yes and I introduced myself and asked for his name. He was very patient and took directions well as I took several shots trying to pick the right spot where I want him to be in. I was trying to get an environmental shot of him and his "workspace". I spent another minute or two telling him of what I do with the photos, and in return I ask him about what he does besides working at the coffeeshop. I asked what he does for fun, what he's passionate about. He paused, thought about it for a bit, and said "Coffee!". "And Golf", he added. I admire people who looks at their work as a craft and not a job, and does it with passion. Lucas is one of those people.

We exchanged cards and off I went to shoot more street photos, happy to have found another stranger to add to my growing(albeit painfully slow) project.

p.s. I did a quick google 're'search and apparently Lucas is part-owner of the BroadAcre coffeeshop. What a really humble and unassuming person! I remember asking him if he works there full time and he just simply nodded and said "yup". If you are from Sacramento, I highly recommend you visit and checkout BroadAcre (www.broadacrecoffee.com) on 10th St and J - it's a unique experience with really good ambiance and a genuinely great coffee slection.

Lucas is my 36th stranger for the 100 Strangers Project.

See the rest of my "strangers" here.

See the 100 Strangers Group here on Flickr

Or checkout: www.100strangers.com

About 4:45 pm, Williamson Park. There is an impressive copper beech below the Ashton Memorial, where the main path through the park joins the path going up the hill. I stood there for some time, because I wanted this background. I explained the project, and who would see it. Janet wanted to know if I altered the photos (a good question) and I said I limited myself to sometimes taking distractions out of the background. At this point John said that if we talked any longer, they wouldn't meet the criteria for strangers.

They wanted to be photographed together, and it occurs to me that this is often the case when I approach two people in the park, because they are usually there to take a walk together. It also solves the problem of the pose; people know exactly how to pose as couples (see numbers 18, 22, and 44, for instance), while it can be awkward striking a pose alone for a stranger.

This is the manual shot; in other shots with automatic settings, Janet is smiling but is not in focus (she is slightly in front of John, and I chose a narrower aperture than the camera did). Also, the manual white balance setting (for cloudy) gave richer colour than given by the AWB.

I asked them to tell me something about Lancaster. John is involved with the University of the 3rd Age, one of a network of local voluntary organisations that have talks and discussions on various topics; in Lancaster they usually meet at the Friends' Meeting House. John is particularly active in the Philosophy Group (if you are interested, see www.lancasterandmorecambeu3a.org.uk/u3a_groups.htm).

They also said they invite Chinese students from the university to stay with them. to see something of British life.

We also talked about my accent. Like many people, they thought I sounded Canadian.

Thank you for participating in my project. This picture is #48 in my 100 Strangers project. The set so far is at: www.flickr.com/photos/greg_myers/sets/72157650702054941. Find out more about the project and see excellent pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

Challenge prompt: Stranger Photography

While reading up on how to do (non-candid) stranger photography I learned about the 100 Strangers Flickr group and decided that I'd print up contact cards and try for more than 1.

I have a longer description of the first attempt at Hailey's Headshot, but this full-length shot includes the sparkly pants that made me want to take her photo.

Thanks for being my first stranger, Hailey!

I found stranger #9 at a wedding.

With the blessing of the wedding party, I was eager to broaden my photography experience by taking candid shots in this new environment. Sitting along the Chesapeake Bay, the ceremony and reception venue boasted a beautiful view. The venue also offered a wide spectrum of lighting opportunities guaranteed to challenge my novice photography skills and limited equipment. The internal lighting ranged from candlelight sconces to the disk jockey's bright multi-colored lights. The sun, beaming in through the glass walls put on a spectacular display, starting with its late afternoon rays and setting with bold colors of orange and magenta before finally disappearing to the pitch black of night.

With limited experience in difficult lighting circumstances, I struggled to get the shots that I wanted. I watched the two professional wedding photographers handle most of the challenges with ease while I wished for a better understanding of what settings and techniques to use. Fortunately, the opportunity presented itself to fulfill that wish, and my next stranger was met.

Sara, stranger #9 is a professional photographer. Because her role was to assist the primary wedding photographer, her pace was somewhat less hurried. She actually approached me and offered to use my camera to include me in a group shot I was taking. Sara gave me advice on the settings and was kind as I excused my basic equipment. Graciously, she also agreed to be my next stranger. I took this opportunity to continue my education and had her suggest a good spot to use given the limited lighting. She demonstrated where each of us should stand. I saw the impact of the diffused natural light filtering in from behind me, removing the shadows from my subject despite a poorly lit interior.

I would have enjoyed talking to Sara much longer, but I knew she had a job to do. Iâm grateful that she agreed to be my stranger and for the lessons that she provided. Editing her picture was difficult, not because it needed a lot of work, but because I wanted it to meet the approval of her professional eye. I'm planning to send it to her. Perhaps if I'm lucky, she'll offer some editing advice as well.

This photo is included in the group 100 strangers:

www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/pool/

This photo is included in the Human Family Group. To view more street portraits and stories visit:

www.flickr.com/groups/thehumanfamily/

Stranger #099-1

Stranger portrait - Walter

I'm not sure when the category changed from "a stranger" to "a stranger that resembles a pirate"....but I'm "in".

Monthly Scavenger Hunt

September 2015

#4 A stranger that resembles a pirate

Another stranger photographed at the Whitby Goth Weekend.

Photographing people in such a busy street against such a fussy background is always a challenge. There isn't a lot of time so it's a case of getting the camera settings right in advance, asking for a picture, then taking a couple of shots quickly so your subject can get on with their lives!

This guy obliged and happily posed for a photo when asked. His partner was also keen to get in on the action - so look out for her in the next picture coming soon. :)

I'm not happy with the background, although I do quite like the leading lines.

Any constructive criticism and advice is welcome!

This picture is part of my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.

Hawkins, 1983. The young boy Will Byers vanishes mysteriously. His mother, Joyce and the Police Chief Jim Hopper start to investigate – and so do the friends of Will: Mike, Lucas and Dustin. The children meet a girl, Eleven, who has psychokinetic abilities and joins the boys’ team to fight together against the Demogorgon.

Relive the moments of Netflix’s Stranger Things with this modular LEGO creation. Find and save Will in the Upside Down with Jim. See Joyce taking off the receiver under the Christmas decoration lights. Face the terrifying Demogorgon with El and separate again the dimensions of our world.

This creation has two moduls. The first one is the real world with the back of Byers’ house and behind it with Will’s mini lodge, the Byers Castle. The second modul is the parallel and desolate dimension, the world of the Demogorgon.

There are seven minifigures included in this creation: Will Buyers, Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, Dustin Henderson, Eleven, Joyce Byers and Jim Hopper. And of course, a brick-built Demogorgon.

Strangers :

The other day I read an article about leaving one‘s own comfort zone.

Asking strangers if they would mind me taking their photos definitely is out of my personal comfort zone. And at the same time it is a good photo project to work on.

This picture is #1 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

Went out for another search of strangers. As I was parking my truck and gathering my things , William Woodell approached me and asked about my camera. He told me he did a little himself. He shoots with a Sony and really enjoys shooting landscapes, he did a wedding once and he said it was too stressful. I told him about my project of 100 strangers. I asked him if he would mind if I took his portrait and he said he didn't.

He is in the auxiliary coast guard and is a publications officer, FSO - PB. He prepares flotilla newsletter and materials for other Auxiliary publications. He is from Toronto Canada and I asked why he came south and he said, "..too damn cold". I asked what the auxiliary was and he said it was the equivalent of the Army's National Guard.

One funny thing about William is that he is 31 and there was a kid in the car with him, a big kid 15 years of age. I asked about him and he said - that's my son. I started to do the math and I thought hmmm started young. He said," His brother is bigger and is 18. Wait a minute ...he later told me they were adopted. Thanks William for the portrait and letting me to believe that you started a family so young. He said "You didn't ask"...I said, come on man you knew what I was thinking and he laughed.

This picture is #020 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 was taken as part of my One Hundred Strangers project.

Model: Sae

MUA/Stylist: Aii Von Phy

Photo/Edit: Pandora Von Lillian

Taken as part of the Flickr 100 Strangers photography project www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers

View my 100 Strangers project on my website www.robertrheadphotography.co.uk/100strangers

I was passing by a park in Georgetown, Texas, when I saw signs reading SCA. I followed the sign and soon realized that it stood the Society for Creative Anachronism. That's where I met Whitney (left) and Morgan. Whitney is dressed like a woman from the Mughal Empire, which began in 1526 and was at the height of power in the late 17th and early 18th centuries when it controlled most of the Indian subcontinent. Morgan is dressed as a member of the Mongol Empire, which existed during the 13th and 14th centuries. Morgan told me Mongols don't smile, but you can see it creeping up on her here!

They are collectively my eighty-seventh stranger in the Flickr challenge to shoot photos of 100 strangers: www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/.

You can see my full set of photos (so far) here: www.flickr.com/photos/joemoconnell/sets/72157627547511612...

Manual / -3IL , SB600 PWFlex/TTL'd + 1/2 CTO through umbrella, from right-end side. Cam @ 3300K.

Today I spotted this guy crossing the street.

I approached him and asked for a minute of his time. He replied that he is in a hurry, because he will fly home tomorrow. Quickly I took two or three shots.

Aviad studied German here in Hamburg and comes from Haifa/Israel.

Thanks for your time Aviad.

So here is my stranger number 9.

Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at www.100Strangers.com

This picture is #20 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

Helena was standing outside Victoria Station on Friday evening. I'd been there for about 15 minutes and had no inspiration to photograph anyone. Then I saw her standing far away on the other side. She had a colourful dress on that caught my eye immediately.

Helena (or was it Elena, hard to tell) is from Russia and was on her way home. It was hard to communicate as it was loud outside the station so I got on with taking her picture, gave her my card and wished her a good trip back.

What a beautiful person, thanks for agreeing to be a part of my project.

I have hired a 50mm 1.4G Nikkor lense for the week so I had to try it out. I'm loving it and am trying to work out how I'll be able to raise the cash to buy this awesome piece of glass.

Exif data auto added by theGOOD Uploadr

File Size : 4.9 mb

Camera Make : NIKON CORPORATION

Camera Model : NIKON D3000

Software : Adobe Photoshop CS5 Windows

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With this picture I want to start my 100 strangers project. I will take photos of 100 different people who I haven't met before.

This young man is my first one. I was in a coffee place in Munich where he played his music for the people there. I liked his style with his cap, so I decided to ask him for a picture when he walked through the tables to collect some money with the visible white plastic plate :)

At first, he thought I wanted him to take a picture of me but then he got it. I took some shots of him after which we had a very short conversation before he walked off to the other tables.

- "Why do you want to take pictures of me?".

- "Because I find you interesting".

- "Ahh, is it that simple?"

- "Yeah!"

I forgot to ask for his name, but he definitely doesn't come from Germany because it was rather difficult to communicate with him. I'd say he's from Eastern Europe.

Thank you, unnamed stranger :)

This picture is #1 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

My seventh stranger is Mae. On my regular lunchtime walking route, I pass by the vaping shop that is located within the downtown mall area. Mae works there and so I decided to stop and get an image of Mae. She was very polite and helpful. I am, however, feeling a need to begin to venture past my regular routes to make the most of this project. 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 picture is #41 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

Arriving for my train 30 mins early I sat outside Kings Cross in the sunshine watching the world go by. Sindy with her friend was doing the same. I have to thank Sindy's friend for persuading Sindy to take part in the project. They were both from Estonia on a trip to London and clearly enjoying the good weather.

If you are reading this Sindy, thanks for letting me take your portrait! Please get in touch if you want a copy or are not happy with the result and would prefer me to remove it from Flickr.

We met Lawrence when my kids and I were skipping rocks down by the river. He was walking his dog, Sophie Ellis, who has her own facebook page. We talked about a few random things including when he used to shoot with Kodachrome.

He started to leave but came back holding some bark. He told a story about sycamore trees. He said each tree had a number of elves that lived in it. They write the story of the tree on the bark and when they finished the story, the bark would peel off.

He left saying "Maybe it's just an urban legend."

Interesting guy.

This picture is #20 in my www.100Strangers.com project

I caught a glimpse of Aaron's sunglasses through the bushes that partially enclose the terrace of a popular fast food company in Passeig de Gràcia boulevard, in central Barcelona. Actually, when I got closer, I realized they were worth a picture!

He was eating his way through some chicken nuggets, in a classy fashion, such as his dress code and style suggested. Even though I felt a bit guilty for interrupting his late lunch, I couldn't resist and asked him anyway.

Aaron kindly stopped reading the newspaper and gave me a minute for my shots. I thought he looked cool with his shades on, so I didn't ask him to remove them. Apparently he works in the area and stopped for a brief break and meal.

He was not very interested in having the shot sent to him, so here ended our brief photographic relationship, not without wishing him a successful digestion :-)

This picture is #28 in my 100 strangers project. Check out the rest of the stranger street portraits in my project at the 100 Strangers Set or find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.

"Is that your daughter?" Julie asked me, as I was talking to Zahra, my stranger 390.

"Why were you taking her photo?" I explained briefly what I was doing, photographing a stranger, that I had just met today and showed Julie one of my cards.

Julie then said "You've taken my photo before!". Aha, this was why Julie looked so familiar. Her initial accusation had thrown me a bit.

"You were wearing a big hat", I said. Julie asked me how much time I had, would I like to photograph her in some Victorian outfit. I said that I had a few minutes. Then we got talking about something else and I forgot to ask her about the Victorian clothing offer. I asked if Julie would like me to photograph her again.

We sat down with her friend, Lisa. We chatted on the grass and I photographed Julie. She was telling me that she is an actress. "Shakespearean trained". Macbeth was her favourite, she had played Lady Macbeth. As I tried to take her photo, Julie was all over the place, she could not keep still. I probably should have changed focusing modes but just stuck with my spot focus and narrowed the aperture a little.

Julie told Lisa how she had been photographed for my project and how skillful I was. She reminded Lisa how lovely her eyes are and suggested that she might like to be part of my project too. Lisa said how often people commented on her eyes. Lisa confirmed that she would like to in my project. I took photos while we continued to chat.

Thank you Lisa for being part of my project. It was good to meet you.

You can view more portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family

This man was setting up to busk at the street corner with his flute (slide whistle) as I photographed my previous subject, Kwesi. As soon as Kwesi and I shook hands and parted, he called me over and said he would like to have his portrait taken as well. It doesn’t happen very often that I get a volunteer subject without even asking, but it has happened a few times before. Of course, my response was a yes. Meet Jay.

I took a few photos of Jay in virtually the same location as Kwesi and some of the photos were with his flute and some without. Once again I sensed warmth and trust from the moment we met. Jay had the good-natured personality one so often associates with people from the Caribbean. He is 60 and came to Canada from Trinidad at the age of 43. He explained he is a sign painter but his real love is music and playing his flute. He calls his flute “Gazada” for a sweet treat from his homeland and said it’s kind of like the way the great blues musician B.B. King called his guitar “Lucille.” We reflected briefly on B.B. King’s death just a week or two ago.

When I asked Jay what he thought of busking he said he loves it and tries to play at least some every day – summer or winter, rain or shine. He said if he misses even one day he can feel he is getting rusty. The melodies he played while we were together were as sweet as the treat his flute is named after. One woman passing by made a contribution while we talked and had a kind word. He thanked her and told me that the women of Toronto are very generous to him, the men less so. “Perhaps they think this is all I do and that I should be out working at a traditional job. I don’t know, but I don’t have any complaints.”

Jay’s philosophy of life is “Live God’s will. All we need to do is love and respect one another.” It’s a great philosophy and from what I could tell, Jay embodies in the way he lives his life, making the streets of Toronto more enjoyable with his music.

Thank you Jay for the friendly chat and for participating in The Human Family where you are #810 in Round 9 of my project. I will listen for your sweet notes next time I’m downtown.

Manual / -3IL , SB600 PWFlex/TTL'd + 1/2 CTO through umbrella, from right-end side. Cam @ 3300K.

Leo (#stranger 28) encountered a narrow path between the meadows, a tween road between Oudewater and Heenvliet. He walked there with two dogs he was training. He has a dog whistle on a string around his neck. With these dogs he helps in hunting ducks and hares.

It was beautiful weather with full sun, and so I asked Leo if he wanted to stand in the shadow of a willow to take a picture.

•This picture is # 28 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/

And can also be found on

www.flickr.com/groups/thehumanfamily/

This is Ragnhildur, my 23rd stranger. I spotted her in the Polar Bear Gift Shop in Reykjavik, successfully selling Icelandic t-shirts to tourists!

I asked if she'd be part of my project and pose next to the imposing deer head on the wall. She happily agreed and even asked if it would be better if she stood on a chair to be closer to the deer, which she did!

I wonder if there is a little too much light on her face, but I didn't want to hold up the queue in the shop by taking up too much of her time.

Thanks Ragnhildur for being part of my project.

See all of my Stranger pictures at My 100 Strangers page

Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at www.100Strangers.com

+info (Eng / Esp / Cat)

lluisgerard.com/desconeguts-strangers-jiajia-wang-barcelona/

© Lluis Gerard | MiraiStudio | 500px | G+ | Wasabi Photoblog

I had just taken the picture of Fabio (my stranger #39) when I saw Diedrè calmly walking and listening music with her headphones. Diedré is a student at the John Cabot's University, here in Rome. She was born in Jamaica but she moved quite early to the United States. Then, in the last period she went back and forth from the U.S. to Rome and this until last August when she finally decided to establish herself in the eternal city!

The strangest thing that happened with Diedré was that after taking the picture, I was going to show it to her (like I always do) and she almost refused saying something like "I haven't been seeing pictures of me since the days I was a child, it is something I don't like particularly", and this looked to me a bit conflicting with the fact she accepted with a lot of enthusiasm to be portrayed.

As already mentioned, Diedré is a student but she also works as an Art Therapist, with expertise in Adolescent Psychology, Group Therapy, Expressive Therapy and many other areas.

And at some point of our conversation I had the feeling she fell a bit in her professional bias. She asked me very seriously: "Yes, okay, nice project! But what's the point? I mean, when you go home with your pictures in your camera what sort of expectations do you have?". And maybe because she already mentioned she was a therapist, maybe because she's an expert in communication I felt naked in front of such a direct question, and put myself on the defensive saying something like "... well, first of all I'm not a professional photographer", and Diedré: "It doesn't matter, still, what's the point?" and I sincerely answered saying I found Flickr and this project more friendly with respect to many other photography websites where people make comments just to criticize without being constructive at all. Teasing her a little bit (but not that much) I also answered "But also to satisfy my ego!"

I went home with the feeling that Diedré had been a great encounter with an extremely open minded woman. Thanks a lot Diedré for participating in my project!

This picture is #40 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

Visit this location at Heimili, Torvaldsland in Second Life

This is Daire.

Pronounced like Dara, as in Dara O Briain the Irish comedian, but spelt 'the proper way'. She told me that Daire can be either a boy or a girl's name. I also learnt from Daire that if she was marooned on a desert island with only one foodstuff available to survive on for the rest of her life, she would choose Mini Cheddars. Nice choice.

Daire was picking up litter outside the John Radcliffe Hospital as part of OxClean's Spring Clean 2012 with Patrick, my Stranger #02.

This picture is #03 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

Taken in Oxford, UK on 03/03/2012

If you're interested, another Daire, Daire Quinlan has some lovely photos on his Flickr page. Daire is a man and also spells his name correctly.

Appeared out of nowhere

I turned around and saw a friendly face, Steve. He greeted me with warm smile and shook my hand. He wasn’t here when Krissy had answered my question, “what are you passionate about?” Her response was “I’m passionate about learning how the world works and how I can be someone that makes it a better place.” I was curious what his response would be, so I asked him the same question. He took a moment to think, and within a couple seconds, he said the exact same thing as Krissy did. I kid you not, down to the last word, he repeated the exact words as Krissy did. For a moment, I was confused, suspicious whether he had been hiding behind the bushes, but I knew this was not the case when I saw the expression on Krissy’s face. Krissy and I bursted out laughing in amazement while Steve really didn’t know what was going on. “I can see why you two are getting married!”, I laughed aloud. They gave each other a loving glance and in that moment, it felt as if I knew that these two would become one of those old and happily married couples. Even though I only just met them, I couldn’t help but feel excited for their wedding.

Thank you Steve! You have become stranger #83 in my on-going stranger project.

Check out more of other's stranger photos at www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers