Renee (#372) 08-03-13

In my continuing quest for ladies with hats, I saw Renee heading my way (I hope I spelled this correctly). I waited a few seconds before approaching her, so that we would meet at a spot with decent light. She was a bit shy, but was not (too) hesitant.

She was born in Sarasota and went to a local high school. She still LOVES the area. When Renee walks around town, she meets her old classmates and even dogs that she knows. She would never leave.

It's refreshing to meet someone who is not constantly hunting for greener pastures.

Bob

David and Brian, the Bikers (#371) 08-02-13

On a beautiful, but hot and muggy Saturday morning, I went on a Stranger hunting walk with two other photographers. They were newbies to the Stranger thing, so it was a good day to practice together. The lady with me pointed to two bikers resting, and drinking water (presumably). They were in full racing biker attire and looked rather sweaty. I took the initiative, approached them, and asked for portraits. Brian and David were agreeable. Both declined shaking hands, as they were, in David's words, slimy.

Brian remained seated on his bike, as we took turns photographing.

David said that they made a mistake by riding too late in the hot morning. It was 9:30AM. He said that ideally, they should be done by 8. Suddenly the lady photographer said that she knew David from somewhere. He said that he was a cardiovascular surgeon at the local hospital. She said that he had operated on her father several years ago. Her father did well after surgery, but died a year later of unrelated causes. David rolled his eyes in relief.  :-) I asked about his accent – he is an Afrikaner.

You never who goes peddling by on a Saturday morning.

Bob

Cliff and Isa (#370) 08-01-13

When I stopped Cliff and Isa, he was all for it. Isa giggled, but was shy and a bit reluctant. Then she asked what I did with the images. I pulled out my smart phone and showed her my Flickr Photostream. This satisfied her.

Cliff immediately asked what type of phone it was. I said Android. Then he said that he sold the swipe-able glass on the front of Android phones. It is Gorilla Glass, made by Corning. I said that mine was a Samsung Galaxy III, and that Samsung must be a good Corning customer. He said that, yes, Samsung was a one BILLION dollar customer. Think of it: all of the high technology that goes into smart phones, and Samsung pays one billion dollars just for the glass!

Lots of ways to make a buck (or billion) in this world!

Bob

25 Ways to Jump Start Photography Inspiration (#369) 07-31-13

We've all had times with the blahs, with no ambition to get out and photograph. We are not inspired. DYI Photography had a recent article about ways to overcome this. Twenty five ways to be exact. The article is HERE.

I especially like #25.

"25. Take a Self Portrait

This is another challenge that is always available. Shooting yourself
requires nothing but a camera and some creativity. Step one - shoot
yourself. Step two - shoot yourself in an interesting way. Find an
unusual pose; unusual angle; multiple exposures; hold something. Anything to make it interesting."

I have made several self portraits, although not recently. It is fun, and makes you think! Give it a try.

Bob

​ Brian and Wendy (#368) 07-30-13

Following yesterday's post, as I was saying goodbye to Jennifer and Robert, she suddenly said, "photograph them!", and pointed to approaching Brian and Wendy. Wendy was pushing a stroller, and I forget if it was a young boy or girl. My bad! But I quickly explained the portrait thing and both shrugged and said, sure. Brian was wearing a Florida State University shirt, so as a matter of full disclosure, I told him that I was a University of Florida guy. He shrugged and gave me his condolences. A good response.

Brian was born in Sarasota, which puts him in a distinct minority. Wendy is from Michigan, and came here to..., marry Brian! A good reason to escape the cold.

I did not even ask about photographing the child. I need to get over this. There is just so much hoopla about weirdos, and what they do to kids, that don't put parents in the position to have to defend children. If I was a woman, perhaps this would seem different. Or, not.

Bob

Jennifer and Robert (#367) 07-29-13

While on my quest for finding women with hats, I saw Jennifer. She was at a Farmer's Market, but in an alleyway, slightly off the beaten path. She, and two older gentlemen were sitting on chairs – I have no idea where they came from.

When I approached her and explained the project, she chuckled and gave the usual admonition about not being photogenic. But clearly, it was a 'go'. I took several non-smiling shots and showed her the LCD. NOT impressed. She didn't like them at all. So I relented, and got several with a camera smile. These she liked. But you are not going to see them here. I like this character shot.

Then I glanced at one of the men at her side. I nearly fell over. It was a retired physician whom I hadn't seen for over 25 years. Robert Windom, M.D., practiced in Sarasota for many years. He was president of the county medical society in the 1970s. While I was president in 1986, President Ronald Reagan appointed him Assistant Secretary of Health, serving directly under Surgeon General, Dr. Otis Bowen. Of course this was a big thing in the local medical community.

I turned to Google to refresh my memory. Robert Windom remained in office, and served under Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D. So when the White House was transferred from Republican to Democratic control, Robert Windom was not immediately and summarily tossed out. Refreshing, don't you think?

Good to see him again, and he seems to be doing fine. And what goes around, comes around. This year, the president of the medical society is Dr. Hugh Windom, Robert's son.

Bob

Stranger Portrait Slide Show (#366) 07-213

It's a Sunday, so I get to be lazy. This YouTube video is a four minute slide show that I prepared for a local camera club. Most of the images have appeared on this blog before. But like I said, I'm lazy today.

It is best to view the show in a small window. Unfortunately, in full screen mode the images degrade badly.  :-(

If this will not play on your computer, the link is HERE.

Enjoy.

Bob


Jill and Graham (#365) 07-27-13

I've been keeping my eyes open for women wearing fashionable hats. I am a fashion dunce, but I'm trying.

I was heading for my car on Main St. In Sarasota, when I saw a couple ahead of me – the lady wearing a neat hat. Trouble was that they were heading in the same direction as me. I was catching up, but I don't like to approach people from behind. I want them to see me coming. It's unusual enough for someone you don't know to ask for a portrait, and I definitely do not want to startle them.

But luck often gets in the way. Jill stopped to look into a store window, and I walked past. Then I wheeled around and met them face on. When I explained the project and made my request, they had absolutely no reservation. Actually, they went on to enjoy the experience.

I had the recurring problem of avoiding the Camera Smile. With a little coaxing, Grant was able to 'swallow' his.

I got a few shots with lots of teeth, and then managed this.

Finally, she broke down.  :-)

They eagerly accepted my MOO (business-like) card, and then thanked me for doing this. This happens a lot: I ask a favor, and the stranger(s) thank me for the experience. Usually, when I give a card I never hear from the person. But Graham contacted me in a couple of days, asking where the images were. It is gratifying when the stranger cares, and follows up.

Bob

Tammy (#364) 07-26-13

When I walk down Venice Avenue, I always check a small alleyway that I have used for stranger portraits in the past. It runs roughly north and south. In the afternoon the western side is along a shaded wall, and a white wall on the eastern reflects bright sunlight. As I passed, I saw Tammy, standing, smoking a cigarette.

When I approached her and explained my request, she smiled a bit but shook her head 'no' and said that she didn't want a picture showing her smoking. I assured her that it would be a headshot, not including the cigarette (although I would have liked that). Then I showed her my Flickr Photostream on the cell phone, and she acquiesced.

She was interested in the concept of photographing strangers, but I do not believe that she took a card with my information.

Bob

Wes and Caia (#363) 07-25-13

I met Wes and Caia (pronounced 'Ky-a) in Naples, Fl. They were interested in the project, and had no reservations about being photographed. They were visiting the area as Wes' parents had a place in Ft. Myers. Wes said that they had no plans to move to Florida.

A couple of hours later, I passed Wes in front of a Real Estate office, and he had a brochure in his hands. I said, "Uh Oh". He laughed, shook his hand and said, "No. No".

Time will tell.

Bob

Jia Jiang, 100 Days of Rejection (#362) 07-24-13

Approaching strangers and asking to take their picture can be a bit daunting. One impediment is the fear of rejection. And, of course, there will be rejections.

Jai Jaing found this out the hard way. After a painful rejection in his entrepreneurial venture, he read that 'rejection therapy' involved being rejected many times. I guess that the pain should wear off. So Jia started a project, "100 Rejections in 100 Days" and blogged about it. He explains the unexpected results in this 12 minute TED lecture. It is very illuminating, and entertaining.

If the video won't play on your computer, the link is HERE.

Enjoy. 

Bob

Erik (#361) 07-23-13

When Erik walked my way, I couldn't help noticing his shirt. He got it from Urban Outfitters in Ybor City (Tampa). He doesn't know of any stores selling Hipster clothing in Sarasota.

He is in his final year of Pharmacy school. Eric lived in Chicago and attended Southern Illinois University. While visiting his mother in Sarasota a couple of years ago, he had a serious auto accident. So he stayed in Sarasota for a few months, recovering. Eric fell in love with the area. After one more year of school "up north", he moved here for good. Right now, it's a lot cooler in Florida than Chicago.

Before I brought up the camera, Eric lamented that he had a small, very red cut on his nose. I assured him that Photoshop would make quick work of that. :-)

Bob

Richard, the Author (#360) 07-22-13

While driving on Main St. In Sarasota, I saw Richard at the edge of the road, taking pictures of buildings with a DSLR. I assumed that he was a realtor. An hour later, I was in foot and saw him again. Richard was photographing constantly, and almost running from place to place.

So I asked what he was photographing. Richard is writing a book about Inner city revitalization in Florida. So he was attempting to chronicle the old and new architecture. He showed me a joint, where two storefront buildings joined. Richard could deduce the relative ages by the way that the floors connected. Interesting.

His plan was to spend the morning in Sarasota, and the afternoon in my home town of Venice. No wonder he moved quickly! I explained that my wife had spent over 25 years as a volunteer at the Venice Museum and Archives, and could be a resource for him. We had coffee and exchanged cards.

That afternoon, my wife and I drove through Venice, on the way to an appointment. There we saw Richard, clicking furiously. We stopped, so that Barbara could meet him and make arrangements to supply local historical information. His manuscript is due by the end of October. No wonder that he seems to be in a hurry.

Keep clicking, Richard. And, writing.

Bob

John Free Video (#359) 07-21-13

Here is a quick video by a street photographer. Not a portraitist, but a photographer who chronicles street culture. He speaks about getting into a different mind frame, a different dimension, something with which I can identify. A lot.

I try to enter a different dimension when approaching strangers. Remembering gratitude, being thankful for everything around me helps to get into this dimension.

This video is less than three minutes. If it does not play on your computer, the link is HERE.

Enjoy, and have a nice Sunday.

Bob

Ty, Ariel, and Jen (#358) 07-20-13

Driving down a main street, I was not particularly looking for strangers. But fortunately, the camera was on the seat next to me. A young man and two young women were walking in the direction that I was driving. Their dress was somewhat theatrical, so I found a parking spot a couple of blocks away, and waited. Not long.

When I asked my question, they all began laughing, and one of them said, awesome. Awesome indeed! Two went to the local high school, and the third to a school 20 miles away. Each immediately went into a series of funky poses, and my attempts to get more serious were only mildly successful. But at least these looks are genuine.

So I asked Ty, Ariel, and Jen about the clothes. Venice was celebration Christmas in July, and I thought that there might be an associated play, or skit. No, they just  found the duds in Goodwill, and liked them.

They were so spontaneous that I am posting two images of each: Ty, Ariel, and Jen.

My luck with names continues. Only two weeks ago I photographed a young lady named Ariel. I am on a roll.  :-)

Bob

Kristen and Dale (#357) 07-19-13

Sometimes the stranger encounter just works. Kristen and Dale were walking my way. I waited. When I asked them for my 'favor', Kristen had no reservations. Dale was much more reticent, but Kristen egged him on (bless her heart).

She is from Seattle, and has been in the Sarasota area for 13 years. Dale is from Vermont. We all agreed that they had three of the four corners of the continental United States covered. If only one of them had lived in San Diego...

With a personality like Kristen's, how can you go wrong?

Bob

John Paul Caponigro on the Creative Process #356) 07-17-13

On Wednesdays, I try to post either the images, or the thoughts of another photographer. On the thoughts front, I often return to creativity. I never have considered myself very creative. Nevertheless, I now have a portrait project that I could not have concieved of only a few years ago. Whether I like it or not, some creative spark(s) got me going in this direction.

Fine art photographer, John Paul Caponigro, has spent a great deal of energy dissecting and teaching elements of creativity. It is a cousin of productivity. Below are two J.P. Caponigro videos, in which he discusses creativity. The TED talk is 20 minutes, and the Google talk is 43 minutes. This a bit of a time commitment, and the material is not light and fluffy. Still I encourage you to watch at least one of them. They are interesting – promise.

Ted Talk

Google Talk

If these will not play on your computer, the link is HERE.

Enjoy.

Bob

Tyler #2 and Ariel (#355) 07-16-13

About 10 minutes after photographing Tyler #1 (previous post), I saw a young couple who caught my eye. His name is..., Tyler. So for now, he is Tyler #2. His beard is so full for a young guy. He made me thing of Quakers and Amish, but Tyler is neither. Both he and Ariel graduated from the local Sarasota High School. Both are very quiet, and seem shy.

Quite a coincidence having two Tylers in a row. But Ariel is a pretty unique name too. What ever happened to the Lindas, Beverlys, and Barbaras? So many interesting, unusual names. I had seen the word Ariel around sailboats, so I looked it up. Aha! Ariel is the character from Disney's "The Little Mermaid", and looks like this.

This Ariel is petite too, and fits my image of a mermaid. Except that she has feet. What a great name! I wish I had known this when we spoke.

Names can be fun. Now I'm off to find another Tyler (#3).

Bob

Tyler #1 (#354) 07-15-15

Yes, Tyler #1, tomorrow's post will include Tyler #2. When I was a kid, there weren't any Tylers around!

Anyway, I saw this Tyler in a crowd at my favorite farmer's market. Along with having a great beard, I felt confident that he wouldn't mind being photographed – in fact that he'd like it. Sure enough, as soon as I approached him, he got a huge grin and said, "You like this, huh?" as he flipped his long curly locks with his fingertips. Tyler said that he could grow all the hair, and the beard, in six months.

As I was about to press the shutter button, he said that he had seen me before. In fact, that I had photographed him before. No, this is one fellow who I would not forget. But then he said that it was on a street corner about two blocks away, and for me to remember that his hair and beard changed quickly. Slowly, it came back to me. I found his image from March, 2012.

I hate forgetting a strangers face. Usually. But in this case, I forgive myself.

Would you have recognized him the second time?

Bob

The Science of Happiness – an Experiment in Gratitude (#353) 07-14-13

I often harp on the place and value of gratitude in preparing the mind for meeting people. Well, here is a seven minute video about the value of gratitude in creating personal happiness. The speaker freely uses the word 'scientific" with dubious justification. Nevertheless, this is lighthearted and entertaining.

If the video doesn't play for you, the link is HERE.

Enjoy.

Bob