Archive for February 2013
Caroline
Caroline was the 34th stranger I took a photo of. She was sitting next to me at Intellegensia in Venice and the obvious draw was her hat but she had a very innocent look that I think comes through in the photo. It was the first time using my new setup with a 50mm f0.95 lens. Focusing is difficult because the depth of field is so thin, only her eyes seem to be in focus. It took a couple of tries to know the her eyes were in focus but she was very patient through the process. She told me she is originally from New York and that she loves food. In hindsight, the connection established with the conversation led to a better photo.
Annalise
Annalise was the 33rd stranger in my project. She was waiting for a friend at a store in downtown Los Angeles. She was in front of fence and there was harsh sunlight coming down as it was around noon. I asked her if she would participate in my 100 strangers project and she said yes without hesitation. I asked if she would remove her sunglasses and go across the street as there was better lighting on that side. I took a couple of photos with the setup I was using and with a new camera I had just received, she was very understanding and patient. This was one of the last times I used my Panasonic GF1.
Nina
Nina was the 36th stranger in my project. She was having a cappuccino at Intellegensia in Venice. She was consuming it very european style, standing up, on a break from work, and downed it rather quickly. I caught her eyes when she passed me. I could tell she was in a rush but she was very understanding in moving around the space to get the right light. I asked her to tell me something about herself and she answered that she didn’t feel like she had one home in the world. I feel it would have been a good story to hear.
Stacey
Stacey was the 31st person in my 100 strangers project. She was waiting in the line at Intellegensia coffee. She had piercing eyes that I noticed as she was talking to a friend. I try not to disturb people if they are having a conversation in person or on the phone but I thought she would make an interesting photo. She was receptive to it and her friend found it amusing. From what I remember she was a great subject and kept her composure as I tried to focus on her eyes. I think I did them justice.
Shoshana (smile)
This is another picture of the 11th stranger I took a photo of for my 100 Stranger project. I liked her smile but the photo of her not smiling was more compelling for me.
Brianna
Brianna was the 24th person in my 100 strangers project. I saw her on a crowded corner in downtown Los Angeles. She was working as an extra for a TV show. Her hair and fair complexion stood out in the dark background. I asked if she was willing to stand for a couple of photos while she wasn’t working and she enthusiastically replied yes. I asked her a couple of questions about herself and took this shot. I realize after taking 73 stranger portraits that the questions I ask aren’t important, it’s the connection I make with them when they answer me that leads to better photographs.
June
June was the 23rd stranger in my project. She was working in a coffee shop. I ordered a cup of coffee and thought she might make a good subject. The combination of her blue hair, blue earrings and the red glasses was what compelled me to consider it. I asked if I could take a photo of her and if she wouldn’t mind going outside for better lighting. I felt like I was asking too much but she obliged and with a smile. She was a great sport and even told me that she had two sisters named May and April.
Azia
Azia was working at a pie shop called the Pie Hole in the arts district in downtown Los Angeles. She obviously had a distinct look and I asked her if I could take a photo of her. She agreed but said that she couldn’t until she was leaving work which was in 30 minutes. I walked around a bit and met her outside the store. She was the 20th stranger for my project. I took a couple of photos and she was smiling in most of them. This is the one I choose because of her expression, it seems so plaintive. She said she finds her lack of traditional gender roles and androgyny interesting. The more I look at the photo, the more the contrast between her haircut and face become more evident. I hope I did her justice.
manualphotography 