My Get Pushed challenge this week from Laura was to take a black and white portrait. I've been thinking about the 100 Strangers Project for a while now, so took the plunge today. Oh boy I was so nervous.
The first picture is of Dave, who was lovely. It helped because he admired my dog so that broke the ice a little. He told me he is also an amateur photographer and has done a similar thing in London.
The next person is Terry, who was really kind. He's enjoying his retirement from the Post Office.
Here I feel I almost cheated a little as Terry introduced me to JD, who also liked my dog, and has a Yorkie. JD then stopped Jean and Fred, and the unknown lady with the sunglasses for me. JD also got his friends (last picture) to agree to be photographed but I didn't get their names.
A very strange, initially nerve wracking afternoon, but I did meet some very helpful people and only had one refusal. I was surprised at how happy people were to be photographed, especially by a total stranger.
Perhaps I should have included the first two pictures only as I had approached them myself, but I'm being greedy here!
All credit to you for stopping anyone at all. I have no idea how I would pluck up the courage to do that 100 times! I would be terrified. Did any of them ask to see the photographs that you took?
Good job with the photography too. Some excellent portraiture.
@helenhall I showed them anyway Helen, just in case they wanted them deleted. I had to stop after no.7 (he'll be on the next list) as I was starting to forget who was who ...
I have done 145, slowed down a bit since I reached 100. I also now post them on Flickr in a group called The Human Family where I have contributed 62 (not allowed to 'backpost'). It's the highlight of my photography but time consuming for the text. I get some awesome thank you emails. Will you think of posting these separately? Should like to see them.
@quietpurplehaze Hats off to you! I wasn't going to post them separately but could add No.7, Bob, (I wanted an even number on the page) to the Get Pushed album. Bob was also introduced by JD! Just hope I can keep the momentum up:)
You have done so well getting these wonderful photographs! Everyone looks relaxed and I like them in black and white. I always found dog to be a great ice breaker. Fav
wow. well done! and so encouraging to hear that most people were friendly ;) jd looks a character. they're all lovely warm portraits. one day maybe i'll dare ...
I don't know what the rules are for your project, but 3-6 were all strangers to you, so I would count them and be happy. They are all nice portraits and happy people. Interesting project. Over what period of time to you expect this project to last?
@randystreat I don't really know Kathy. I would like to finish it quite soon though while I haven't had any bad experiences! As you know I don't really take pics of people. My latest Get Pushed from Laura made me think about doing this seriously. I didn't expect anyone to say yes, let alone 7 people. Am going to try and get some more tomorrow - would be wonderful if I could finish it within weeks rather than months.
How brave, hope you stick with it. Gary could quite happily talk to anyone and they'd probably end up coming back for tea! I'm sure you'll soon get used to it but if you struggle you need to track JD down again :)
JD doesn't look like the type of guy to have a yorkie! Or is that being dogist! (Not sure that that is a word). So intriguing to read about how you went about getting the stranger photos. I would think that 75% of the time people would be nice. I have found that sometimes the grumpiest looking person will respond to a smile and be really quite lovely.
So does that count as 8 in one go then? Fabulous portraits. You're very brave. I have thought about it but not quite been able to dare to ask a stranger for a portrait.
@casablanca I'm counting it as 8 in one go:) Otherwise I'll be doing this until next year if I do a few each week - my very tiny bit of confidence may have deserted me by next month:) It's surprising how many people do initiate a conversation, even if it's about the weather. I was very lucky and just built on it from there before asking them if they could please help me out and explained about the project. Try it, you might be pleasantly surprised!
Love the top right image, though they are all very great shots. I'd be nervous too. Maybe your 100 strangers challenge will inspire me to get involved . . . though I doubt it some how :-)
What an experience. And I love the way it just snowballed - you ended up with a wonderful collage of interesting people. JD was just a standout for character. I think this is a much better concept than taking photos of people without them knowing about it. And you get to meet the people and socialize at the same time. Congratulations on such a successful experiment. Cheers Rob
@quietpurplehaze a nice set if strangers . Like Haze says post them individually for impact and for the stories. A few on 365 have picked up the 100 strangers vibe . Haze and myself are stalwarts (That's a compliment haze !!!) and will mentor / buddy you through. We post our stories here one on Flickr. I use the Flickr 100 strangers group and Haze the human family group. Both groups are great sources of inspiration. Take a peek at Hazes strangers and my strangers . Enjoy your journey 😀
@phil_howcroft Thanks for the follow Phil, following right back:) I follow Hazel already. I'm not a very brave person and to be granted a photo is a big hurdle for me. To add a background story is too big a step right now. I feel cheeky even asking their names! Perhaps when I've done it a bit more it might not seem so bad?
Why not ask your subject if they could tell you just 2 things about themself?
And please do not worry if anyone refuses a portrait. They could refuse for any number of reasons. A lot of people who say yes also say they don't 'make a very good photo' and they are probably also a bit nervous. Always pleased when they see their portrait. @phil_howcroft
I would definitely take 'stalwart' as a compliment!!
July 7th, 2018
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Good job with the photography too. Some excellent portraiture.
I have done 145, slowed down a bit since I reached 100. I also now post them on Flickr in a group called The Human Family where I have contributed 62 (not allowed to 'backpost'). It's the highlight of my photography but time consuming for the text. I get some awesome thank you emails. Will you think of posting these separately? Should like to see them.
Giving :ME ideas now!
Why not ask your subject if they could tell you just 2 things about themself?
And please do not worry if anyone refuses a portrait. They could refuse for any number of reasons. A lot of people who say yes also say they don't 'make a very good photo' and they are probably also a bit nervous. Always pleased when they see their portrait.
@phil_howcroft
I would definitely take 'stalwart' as a compliment!!