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Feeling a little side-swiped today so went to look at people, looking at art.
David Hockney Gallery.
Salts Mill
Saltaire
Bradford
Sue on the sunny side, when there was a little cloud overhead.
Sue was sitting quietly as I approached her and asked if I might take her photo for my strangers project. At some point near the start of our conversation, I asked if she was OK with me taking a few minutes of her time. She said that she had already been here for 2 hours; she was quite happy to sit and chat. Sue had travelled up from the south coast very early this morning. She had only decided last night to spend the day today in Glastonbury.
Sue, a mother of 3, had last come up the Tor a year ago. At that time she was five months pregnant and huffing and puffing when she reached the top. Today she had been surprised at how easy the ascent was. I still huff and puff, even though I come up the Tor regularly. Sue is a lot fitter than me.
Currently on maternity leave, Sue told me that she works with Yoga, Pilates, Reflexology and Reiki. She looks forward to getting back to working with people, connecting and healing. I think that today Sue was taking a bit of a breather. She told me that she is "releasing the breaks", "traversing the open road" and wants to "allow everything to unfold without limitation".
Sue was sitting on the sunny side of the Tor. I took a few photos as a cloud passed overhead briefly but as soon as it had gone over, the sun was harsh again. We moved to the shade of the tower and Sue sat for a few more portraits before we moved back to the sunny side for a little more conversation.
Sue said that she was pleased that I had chosen her today. I said that I was glad that I had chosen her. We reviewed the photos together and Sue told me which three she liked the best. This photo wasn't one of the three that Sue picked but I have uploaded it because I like it.
Thank you Sue for letting me take your portrait for my project. It was good to meet you today.
Stranger Things Sunday: I’m just catching up from our weekend trip out to Akron, Ohio after a brutal ride home today. I did have the opportunity to shoot the Cuyahoga Valley’s scenic train friday evening, which I’ll get up later on this week. On Thursday afternoon I got a notification that an NS unit was on the point of the regional coming out of Norfolk. It’s fairly uncommon for this to happen, and VERY rare to get an NS unit north of Van Dorn yard in Alexandria these days. While I didn’t have my DSLR with me, and timing didn’t work for me to run home and grab it, my camera phone actually did a reasonably good job in a pinch. So here’s an NS Dash-9 in passenger service pulling an Amtrak train on the CSX RF&P sub from Thursday evening shot with my iPhone. Strange, indeed.
In 1977 Greater Glasgow PTE sent its 1000th Leyland Atlantean, LA1000 (KSU 863P), to Edinburgh for its jollies. This was I recall really something of a publicity stunt for GGPTE, on account of all its Atlanteans, and Leyland, for selling them all those Atlanteans.
This Alexander-bodied AN68A/1R is seen parked at Marine Garage, Edinburgh, on the shores of the Firth of Forth. In the distant haze, we can see Cockenzie Power Station.
In fact this is not the real LA1000. Leyland exhibited this vehicle at the Scottish Motor Show, bearing the fleetnumber LA1000, but it entered service as LA 987. The REAL LA 1000 was KSU 876P which arrived a few weeks later.
So its been a while since I have been shooting street portraits of strangers and I felt very very rusty.
I have already let two potential strangers by, one because I had just arrived in London and wasn't ready and the second due to the fact that she just met up with some friends, and I wasn't quite in 100 strangers social mood yet.
Anyway, good things come to those who wait, although I did begin to wonder as the light was quickly going down.
The reason I was out was because my subject for my portrait52 project had to cancel and therefore I decided to go into stranger mode.
Velards was the perfect stranger, looking sharp and on a break from his job as a restaurant manager at Bob Bob Ricard. He is Originally from Latvia.
In this shot, I got him to hold the reflect to get some light in his face and angled his head for interest. This was then post processed in Capture One which I am still trying to get to grips with.
Thanks very much Velards for saving the day and being a part of two of my projects.
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
or visit my website
As always constructive criticism is appreciated.
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I introduce you to Charlotte, Stranger #4. We should all hope we live to the age of 97 and still exude such joy! I met Charlotte at her mailbox. The story goes likes this...
I wasn't on a Stranger hunt. I was at a local bike shop taking pictures for my weekly photo challenge. (That in and of itself is another memorable story which I will share with those pictures.) Our paths crossed as she stopped her car in the driveway and walked with a cane to her mailbox, which I was blocking. The scene that she had stumbled upon required some explanation so I began to give her one. She just smiled at me and said, "It's OK. I'm 97 and I've seen lots of things." Of course, I knew then that I wanted her to be my next stranger. Unfortunately I did not have my camera ready to snap her photo at the exact moment that I asked her if I might take her picture. Her face just beamed with surprise and excitement. She didn't stop long for the picture, but was happy to continue to talk to me as I walked her back to her car.
There was nothing uncomfortable at all with this stranger exchange. As all of my strangers to date have been very friendly, I would attribute this ease to the fact that I was already warmed up with my camera and that the encounter was unplanned. I'm so glad that Charlotte was out for her bi-weekly drive to town for groceries, and that our paths happened to cross.
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:
Facebook keeps counting up the days (You haven't posted in 434 days") and seeing the number rising was one of the reasons to continue the project. The urge to go out and photograph strangers grew again more and more. Some things have changed in my life since the last time like graduating from university and going to work every day. But the nervousness and shaking arms when raising the camera in front of the "first" stranger is still there :)
Meet Theresa. She was walking quickly which in my experience is a bad sign because most of those people tend to say no. As she was hesitating and stating that she didn't have time since she was already late for work. But as you can see, I luckily managed to convince her to spend another two minutes and got her portrait.
That's the reason I don't know much about her except that she studies in Bamberg and apparently works in Munich in the evening.
Theresa, thank you very much! It was a pleasure meeting you, even though it was very quick. If you like to have the full versions, just contact me.
This picture is #52 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.
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Instagram: instagram.com/100strangers_muc
Constructive criticism is welcome and appreciated!
I spent the last morning of my summer holidays hunting new strangers: I headed downtown and walked around the main square of Genova when I saw Alessandra and Chiara taking pictures of each other in front of the S. Lorenzo cathedral; I immediately noticed Alessandra's big eyes. I took a look around for a decent background and found some alleys a few meters away, just when Alessandra and Chiara were walking in my direction, in the company of Ivan. I sgowed my card and did a quick presentation of my project: fortunately the trio listened and expressed interest in what I was doing.
Before and after the shooting, we had a pleasent conversation ranging from the project itself, to Genova and the typical attitude of local people and the differences with Sondrio and the Valtellina, the places where they come from.
Thank you guys for your help: hope you've had a great time in Genova and you enjoyed the food!!!
______
This picture is #108 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
This portrait is included in the The Human Family Group. To view more street portraits and stories visit
Meet Danny Carr, on 30th October 2015 he will step from the amateur ranks of boxing into the professional world!
I met 23 year old Danny at a private photo shoot for him. Through a friend I got to hear about him and invited him along for some photos, so the first time he walked through my doors was the first time I'd met him, so I think this warrants him being a 'stranger'.
Holding down a full time job he is pursing his love of boxing into the professional world. He knows it going to be tuff, but he is tuff! Ranked 5th in England and 8th in the U.K (at 9Stone, I think) he is already London Elite A.B.A Champion and a quarter finalist at national level.
Sometimes from the moment you meet someone you get a 'feel' for them and this guy is a genuinely nice guy, in another age, even so young, he would have been called a 'Gentleman'.
A privilege to photograph him, I only hope I've done him justice.
Pop over to my photo-stream to see more photos of Danny, at the same time pop along to the 100 stranger project to see the work of other photographers
Sometimes, you find a good background, but can’t find the right person. Sometimes, you find a good person, but the backgrounds aren’t the best. Sometimes it comes together.
I was standing in the stable yards of Middleton Place, and was just about to leave because I hadn’t seen anyone I wanted to photograph for the hour or two I was there. I saw this couple looking at the old buggies. I thought the woman would be a great subject. I looked away for a minute or two, and they were gone! But, I lucked up. They came back into the stable yards a few minutes later. I walked up to them, and started explaining the project. Before I had it all the way out, Kasha was good with it.
Kasha and Aaron was visiting Charleston and the surrounding areas from Denver. They had already been to Mount Pleasant, and had made their way to Middleton. They had arrived in Charleston two days ago, and sounded like they had covered a lot of ground already. They would be in the area for a week or so. Kasha and Aaron was so nice. It was a pleasure talking to them. I asked kasha to step into a covered area where the lighting was better. Once in there, I shot just a few pictures, and while I was shooting, Kasha told me a little about herself and Aaron.
Kasha was born a little north of Denver. I asked her if she did any climbing out there, and she said that she and Aaron was more into hiking. When Aaron joined us, we got to talking about places to eat. They had eaten at a Thai place the night before. I was going to recommend a couple of places, but found out they were vegan. Sorry folks - you were on your own with that one!
Kasha and Aaron, I really enjoyed talking with you both, and I hope you have a really great time in Charleston! Hopefully, you’ll make it one of your regular vacation stops!
This picture is #44 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.
Stranger Things from Film & T.V. Theme (Lego Purist Minifigures)
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I very much appreciate all of your comments, faves, and views. Thank you. I look forward to viewing your photo stream.
If you are intrigued by this stranger street portrait, I invite you to check out my other 216 stranger encounters in my 100 Stranger albums.
I was after a photo session with some friends on my way home when i saw Natalie with one hand leaning on the floor behind and with the other smoking a cigarette. I immediately was impressed from the scene, like in a hollywood movie. I approached her and asked for a portrait. She agreed, but the pose i saw we didn't manage anymore. I made some more shots with her friend and her dog and sent it to her. I was at the end happy to get a positive feedback from her.
Thanks for your visit, comments, faves,....
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Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
Lucy was sitting outside the library when I asked if I might take her photo. She agreed and I asked if she was waiting for a bus. She said that she was and that she was a bit early. I was pleased that her bus would not be arriving imminently, as we would be able to chat a little and would not need to rush the portraits.
Lucy is in her third year of college. She has been accepted into Cardiff University and will be starting a degree in english literature and music next year. Lucy sings and plays clarinet and piano. I mentioned that liked those instruments. I had shared a house with musicians during my time at university and had been to a concert where one of my friends had played Mozart's clarinet concerto. I also had fond memories of my dad's god daughter playing the Moonlight sonata. Lucy told me that she could play this, it had been a performance piece for one of her exams.
In her spare time, Lucy also enjoys horse riding. I asked if she knew Sorrel my stranger 274, who also enjoys horse riding but Lucy did not. We then made a few portraits, switched places twice and chatted a little more between shots. I saw Lucy's bus arrive and we exchanged words of thanks and goodbyes.
Thank you Lucy for being part of my project. It was good to meet you today. Best wishes for your studies etc.
You can view more portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family
Just a stranger I meet while skating. As my thank you for making me having a good time.
May we meet again.
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While waiting for my next stranger, I was approached by this man who showed me a sheet of paper while speaking some mixture of borken English and broken Italian.
I think he's original from Afghanistan and when he spelled his name I could not understand.
If you followed my work, you'd know that I usually don't take portraits of beggars, I dont usually shoot men and I find it extremely difficult to ask for portraits to people of a certain age: this time I broke all the above rules.
I got very much interested in this man's eyes and it felt almost natural to exchange few money for a few shots: we both got something for almost nothing.
The result, on my camera screen seemed rather dark, but all the few images looked great after some minimal adjustments: I love my 85mm lens!
I just tend to get too close to the subject most of the times...
I thought I would not post this for my strangers project, but at the end I think it's worth it
_____________
This picture is #124 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
This was taken at a traditional wedding engagement while I was working. Event was almost over and everyone was busy dancing. I managed to get this portrait shot of her after I took a group shot of her and some friends... Her name skips my mind right now, but she is a staff of the Australian High Commission here in Lagos.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at www.100Strangers.com
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Things must have been a bit slow at the recruitment office. They both waved as I walked past, peering into the window.
These two fine young men are Sammy and James. They agreed to be #4 for my
100 strangers project. They offered me a career in the army, which I had to decline. I made the mistake of telling them I was a teacher and they regaled me with stories of how they used to make their teachers' lives miserable. Holy terrors apparently. One of them removed the armrest on the teachers chair and glued thumbtacks along the base. Charming.
James is 18 and has been in the Army for eighteen months. He works in reconnaissance. He told me, "The army has been the making of me." He waiting to be deployed to Afghanistan. Sammy, in the infantry, has been on two tours of duty: Iraq and Afghanistan and is waiting to be redeployed in a couple of months.
They were a good laugh, the pair of them. I was brought back to the seriousness of their work at the end. Sammy, the guy on the left, referred to James as "just a baby"
I laughed and shot back, " At 22, you're a fine one to talk."
"Yeah, well at the end of the day I know I am doing a man's job."
Indeed. I may quibble with the politics that sends our troops over. But I have enormous respect for the folk that choose to serve their country. Stay safe boys.
Active Assignment Weekly: "eyEmotion"
Description: Take a portrait from the nose up (human or animal) of someone with their eyes displaying emotion. happy, confused, sad, angry, etc. Make sure to have the main focus on the eyes.
Restriction: You cannot take a self portrait
Dare: Take a photo of a complete stranger displaying emotion through their eyes.
Homeless man I went up and greeted in the park today because of his eyes. I gave him money for food or whatever in return for this photo.
WIT
Homeless man I greeted in the park today because of his eyes. It's amazing the wear and tear you find on these faces. I gave him some money for food or whatever in return for this photo.
Because it was imo the best thing to come out this year and the biggest surprise.
I got these from a Gacha from a store called Junk Food.
This is a very special image for me because this is my first street portrait in which I have experimented with flash photography. This is an area that I have desired to try for quite a while, but frankly I have been a little intimidated to take the leap. It turned out that I was very fortunate with this, my first attempt, because 1. I managed to capture a decent portrait, and 2. I was lucky enough to find the absolute best stranger I could have possibly hoped for. Here’s my story.
Knowing that I was going to be with my friend and fellow stranger photographer Matt Robinson, I figured this would be the perfect time to finally try out the technique of bounce flash. I informed Matt of my intention and he was game (he has already used bounce flash on a few of his stranger portraits). I knew exactly what I wanted…a simple dark background interspersed with bokeh city lights. All I needed was a model. As the light was beginning to fade and day turned into night, I became more and more anxious to find my stranger.
I made eye contact with a man who was standing on the street corner with a small group of people. We acknowledged each other so I figured this was enough of an opening to make my introduction. I approached the group not really knowing which person within that group I should photograph. The fact was that just getting a shot was more important to me than finding the ‘ideal’ stranger. The group consisted of two upscale looking couples. I started making my pitch, and one of the ladies (who would eventually become Stranger #128) excitedly interrupted and exclaimed, “Are you with Humans of New York?!!....Oh my God, it’s Humans of New York!!!! …..Hey, wait a minute. We’re in Philadelphia.” It was quite a funny moment, and of course I was happy to clarify my project.
When I got to the end of my rap, I said, “I don’t usually photograph groups…typically just individuals. All of you would make great models….” As I was saying these words, Stranger #128 looked like she was about to burst. She had the expression of a school child that wanted to be chosen more than anything else in the world….’pick me, pick me, pick me’. I looked at her and said, “I have to go with you because you are awesome.” Needless to say, she was thrilled to be my stranger.
It turned out to be a peculiar evening of stranger photography for me. My first stranger was an aspiring male model, my second stranger was a professional make-up artist, and now I discovered that my third stranger also had ties to photography. Her name was Elizabeth, and she is a wedding planner. She is actually from New York City, and she said that she specializes in high end weddings. She told Matt & I that for her most recent wedding the photographer was paid $40,000. Crazy, crazy stuff.
On to the shoot. It was still a grey twilight, but we were at the end of a dark street that I felt would sufficiently achieve the effect I desired. Elizabeth was full of energy offering up several wedding poses as Matt and I were still sizing up the shot. I did take a couple of shots of her without the flash (not good), but finally I said, “Let’s do this.” Matt stood behind me just to my right side holding up the white reflector, and I took a quick series of shots. I checked them out, and they were a little bit harsh. I asked Matt to take a couple of steps backwards. Click….I took one shot. I looked at my screen and said that I thought it looked good. Matt and Elizabeth quickly huddled around the screen, and they also agreed that it looked like a winner. So that was it. We were done.
I was terribly excited that I had finally just crossed the threshold into flash street photography, and part of me was ready to do more right away. However, after Matt & I discussed it we decided that the experience that we had just had with Elizabeth was so fun and positive that another stranger shoot would probably be a letdown. Therefore we called it a night. However….strangers beware. I am now a night stalker and you may now be approached any time of day OR night as I continue my search for that elusive perfect street portrait.
Check out the rest of the stranger street portraits in my project at Paco's 100 Strangers Project and find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.
I took this picture only a few hours ago. I spotted this guy in an empty street, and approached him. He agreed to the portrait without caring about what was it for. He said he was going to work, so i tried to hurry and quicly took two pictures, and then he left without telling me his name. So... less than 1 minute, the quickest portrait i've ever made...
Thank you very much, i like your portrait... stranger!
This picture is #16 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 find my stranger portraits are a bit like buses, I don't get one for ages and then three come along at once!
I met Glen at the food and drink festival at Holkham in Norfolk, last weekend. He works for a company that produce rapeseed oil which apparently has half the saturated fat of olive oil...I find it lovely for roasting potatoes. Glen is interested in photography but currently mostly uses his phone to take photos. I told him about the stranger project and he kindly agreed to take part. He is quite tall so I asked him to perch on a table with the company banner as a backdrop. Glen told me he has done some modelling so he was comfortable in front of the camera.
This picture is #42 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