When I photographed Lena (stranger number 26) she told me that there was a Film and Television conference at the Nottingham Arena and I might be able to get some strangers outside the Arena.
I didn't have long at the arena as I was meeting my wife but I meet some strangers for my project...... Meet Cory
I spotted Cory walking down the side of the Arena with one of his friends. On seeing Cory's outfit, I knew he would be an excellent stranger, so I ran after him ! Yes I ran after him down the side of the Arena.
"Excuse me, do you mind if I take your photo"
"Yes of course that's fine"
I explained to Cory that I was doing a street photography project on strangers
I took a few shots of Cory but his hair was blowing across his face so I asked him to push it back a little.
"So what are you doing today" (what a stupid question I thought, so I quickly added "What is your outfit all about?"
"I'm visiting the conference and I thought I'd dress up as a cross between The Joker and Alice...... Joker in Wonderland"
"Ahhh I said" not blinking an eyelid.
"Do you mind if I take a full length shot, so I can get all your outfit"
"Yes Thats fine"
I shoot a couple of pics but the wind is still wafting Cory's hair
"Can you look up into the sky so the wind blows your hair and then look towards me" (I converted that shot to mono).
"What's your name? Do you want me to email you some copies of the shots"
"That would be nice.. I'm Cory"
I enter Cory's email address into my phone and tell him that I will email him some pics in a couple of days time
I shake Cory's hand and wish him a nice day at the conference.
I edited the shot in Rawtherapee to bring out details in the hair and textures in the face. I the sent the photo to GIMP in order to brighten Cory's eyes which were a tad dull inside the black make up.
I wouldn't normally brighten / lighten eyes but doing so has made Cory's image more striking and seems to enhance the shot.
Hope you all like Cory's image and I hope Cory likes it too.
Footnote : Since I took the pic I've emailed this and two other shots to Cory. He thinks they are "fantastic" and told me in his reply that this was the first time he had dressed up to an event. Oh and the dressing up is known as Cosplay (Costume Play).
This picture is number 27 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
100 Strangers Flickr Group page
My own strangers can be seen here:
www.flickr.com/photos/57144254@N08/albums/72157657822400168
Yes, agree - yes or no, no problem!!! This is fantastically surreal -well done! Joker in Wonderland, I like it!