Jean and the Fiat (#412) 09-13-13

Walking with two other photographers, I met Jean. A very friendly Sarasota resident, she had no problem being photographed.

While I was with her, my two friends spoke with her husband – I did not meet him. He suddenly called for Jean as he began to get into their car. It was a small, no, tiny, Fiat. As she got into the car she said that they love the Fiat, and the Mocha Latte color.

Mocha Latte.

What ever happened to brown, tan, and beige? Automakers have become clever at assigning abstract metaphysical names to banal earth tones. Checking the Internet, here are some other creative monikers:

Honda CR-V     Kona Coffee Metallic, and Urban Titanium Metallic

Ford Fusion      Ginger Ale Metallic

Buick LaCrosse  White Diamond Tricoat, and Mocha Bronze Metallic

Nissan Altima     Sahara Stone metallic

Lexus ES350      Satin Cashmere Metallic

I once had a coworker who called her car color Baby S**t Yellow. That’s better. At least I know what it is. Maybe Mocha Latte is a way to distract the buyer from Fix It Again Tony (FIAT).

Bob

Images by Jeff Bowen (#411) 09-11-13

Wednesday, again, and time to check out the work of another photographer.

When I joined the 100 Strangers Flickr group, it became my main outlet for sharing street portraits. As that was nearly two years ago, many photographers have reached 100 and moved on. Read about the group HERE.

Having finished 100 a while ago, I have other varied outlets for showing work including camera clubs, an art center, various online forums, and my blog. Still, I am nearing 200 in the Flickr group, and have no intention of stopping. Today there is a fresh group of photographers who are very active and enthusiastic. One is Jeff Bowen. Time flies; it seems like he started only yesterday, but Jeff also is approaching 200. See his work HERE.

I find it interesting, and fun, to review work of photographers who have different visions than my own.

Bob

Blessed Rain (#410) 09-10-13

When photographing, rain can be a bad thing. Or, a blessing. While another photographer and I patrolled the Farmer’s Market in very overcast conditions, portrait photography was easy – the light was soft and diffused everywhere. But when serious rain started, we had to take cover under an awning attached to a storefront.

Fortunately, Adrian, Brittany, and Diana had to take cover too. They were a captive audience – nowhere else to go. J All were from Sarasota. Adrian was on the phone, so I tried to wait him out. No luck, it was permanently glued to his ear.

So I spoke with Diana and Brittany, who offered little resistance to being photographed. It is obvious to me that Brittany is well versed in being in front of a camera.

Diana was a bit more reticent, but again, offered little resistance.

Diana took my card, and we all left laughing. Later, Diana e-mailed me and said that she liked the images on my Flickr Photostream, and could I send them along. Of Course! It is always gratifying when a stranger makes contact and gives feedback.

Rain can be a blessing.

Bob

Carol and Her Pastry (#409) 09-11-13

I saw Carol at a kiosk in front of the Whole Foods Market. She was purchasing some kind of pastry and fruit juice. The broad rimmed white caught my attention, so as soon as she walked away I made my move. She had no reservations about being photographed. When I explained that the project was largely about an excuse to meet and speak to strangers, she winked and pointed at me with her forefinger.

Carol was a volunteer for radio station, WSLR (like Single Lens Reflex) J. The station had a booth at the nearby Farmer’s Market, and Carol had just finished a two hour shift and was heading home.

I asked her what was the best thing that had happened that morning. She said “buying a $1 pastry”. I said, “OH, I guess today has been pretty dull”, and we both laughed. Then the worker from the kiosk ran up to Carol with her bag, Carol had left it on the kiosk counter. We agreed that had I not stopped her for a portrait, she would have left without her snack.

See, portraits are good for you!

Bob

Gift and Purpose (#408) 09-08-13

If this title sounds a bit heavy, that’s because it is. The below TED talk is a VERY inspirational account of how a blind, severely autistic boy (Derek Paravicini) and acquired almost unbelievable musical skills. This required the patient nurturing of a nanny, and musical tutoring by a piano teacher, Adam Ockelford. The story is moving, and Derek’s music is sensational. I hope that you’ll take the ~16 minutes to experience the story.

See it HERE.

What a gift Derek has, and what a gift he has given the world. So, this leads to the following quote by Pablo Picasso:

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”

So poignant. It is easy to see the gift that Derek has given us. But what about his teacher, Adam? Imagine the difficulty in mentoring an autistic man. How easily Derek’s talents could have gone unexperienced without Adam’s commitment.

There is a takeaway for all of us. When art is produced, it should be shared. Images forever locked onto a hard drive help no one. We should all strive to share them in as many ways as possible.

Bob

Tracie and Kathleen (#407) 09-07-13

Walking through my favorite Farmer’s Market with two other photographers, we approached some vendors. They were under tents, and the light was sumptuous. First was Tracie, who had a business selling gardening supplies. I am glad that I asked how to spell her name!

Then, on to a tent with the sign, “Simply Organic”. Kathleen sold wheat grains that were pressed into juices.

So in return for a photograph, I was given the ‘opportunity’ to try some kind of grass juice. It was bright green, and smelled like…, grass. I politely held it to my lips. One of my photographer ‘friends’ said, “Bob, your Adams Apple isn’t moving”. Shut up! Then I realized that her co-worker was making a video of me ‘drinking’ their product.

Anything for a portrait.

Bob

Sam, and a New Workflow (#406) 09-05-13

I met Sam at about11 o'clock in the morning right outside the Selby Library in Sarasota. He was in good light, smoking a cigarette, and on break from working at a sushi and hibachi grill immediately across the street. Sam was very pleasant and let me to photograph him quickly, as he had to get back to work. He didn't mind me getting a few shots of him smoking a cigarette, which many strangers eschew. Like so many, Sam did not to take a card or want a copy of this picture.

This was a sentinel encounter for me, as my workflow has been forever changed. My normal procedure was to write notes in a moleskine notebook immediately after photographing a stranger. When I later review the notes, they are invariably too sketchy and cryptic, and often I cannot read my own writing.

Last week, another photographer saw me struggling with the notebook and asked why I did not dictate. I had avoided using a recorder, as I would just have to make notes later. But my friend had noticed that I had an Android smartphone. So he suggested including the information in the body of an e-mail message.

Well, DUH!

Of course! So after I photographed Sam, I composed an e-mail message on the phone, sending it to myself. I typed ‘Sam’ in the subject line and then used the voice function of the phone to dictate my write-up on the spot. When I got home, I copied and pasted the message into this post, did a little editing, and all is well.

Life is good! Thanks, Mike. :-)

Bob

​ Artificial Families (#405) 09-04-13

It’s another ‘someone else’s work Wednesday’, and today’s someone else is photographer Jaime Diamond. She composed artificial families by seeking models on Craigslist, and matching them up as plausible family units for portraiture. The individuals did not know each other. See the project HERE.

This affirms my aversion to portraits of people with camera smiles. In Diamond’s project, the ‘say cheese’ expressions so homogenized the individuals that no emotional relationship needed to exist.

Enjoy.

Bob

Riddick Bowe and “No” (#404) 09-03-13

I saw the young couple eating al fresco, at a table adjacent to a city street. They faced the street, with their backs to the relatively dark storefronts. So I walked in the street to approach them. As I asked permission, I alternately looked at him, and then – OMIGOD, she had HUGE almond eyes that screamed, “Photograph me! Photograph me!”

But those eyes were not smiling. Nor was her mouth. The gentleman shrugged, laughed a bit and said sure. Almond Eyes just shook her head no and looked down. So I got a few clicks of him, shook his hand, and said “My name is Bob”. Silence. So I asked his first name. After a few seconds he said, “You can call me Riddick Bowe.” Oh, another Riddick Bowe (heavyweight boxing champion ~20 years ago).

So, I alternately looked at Riddick and Almond Eyes while I said, “I get it, Riddick Bowe and No”.

The almond eyes remained unamused.

Bob

Johan and Johannes (#403) 09-02-13

No, I am not stuttering. And no, they are not related. Not yet, at least.

When I saw the tall, slim, striking couple, I made a bee-line for them and explained my project. They were pleasant, with European reserve. Both were Swedish and spoke English perfectly, with delightful accents. Johan lives in Sweden and is visiting. Johannes lives, and works, in Sarasota. Sweden’s loss, Sarasota’s gain.

Bob

Recent Strangers Slide Show (#402) 09-01-13

Every several weeks, I like to put together a simple slide show of strangers photographed during that period. This show lasts a little over four minutes and represents about five weeks work. The images look best in the small format, but ‘fall apart’ in full screen. If this does not show up on your browser, the link is HERE.


Enjoy.

Bob

The Music Man (#401) 08-13-13

So, here is Eddie.

Eddie is the Social Media-Events-Marketing Director for Sarasota Music Scene. The website is HERE.

I saw, and met him, with a previous Stranger, Dylan (Blog Post #343, 07-15-13). Dylan is the photographer for Sarasota Music Scene, and had never seen his photo, so I showed it to him on my Android phone. He liked it, and so did Eddie, hence he allowed the photograph even though they were walking fairly briskly.

To heighten the drama, two young ladies were following them, so they quickly allowed a few clicks too. I had to settle for an almost white background, but I did not complain to Holly or Gabby.

Bob

Korbin (#400) 08-30-13

Well this a first. I have not photographed children as strangers, as I have been afraid to approach the parents. There are so many reports of predators of children, and all around weirdos, that I do not have the courage to try. But I met Brenda right in good old downtown Venice, and she was caring for Korbin while his Mom worked at her job delivering Pizzas. Brenda assured me that Korbin has been well photographed, and that his pictures are often disseminated.

Thank you, Korbin.

And Brenda.

This is a minor milestone, post #400. I should think of something profound to say. I cannot. Maybe for #500.

Bob

Mickie - a test (399) 08-30-13

I met Mickie two blocks from my home. She was on break from a nearby clothing store, and was kind enough to give me a minute for a portrait.

This is a test because I am posting from an iPad. But more importantly, this image was totally processed on the iPad using Photoshop Touch and Snapseed. I was fairly happy with the results, but after posting in a photography forum, many shortcomings were pointed out.

Nevertheless, I am hoping to be able to travel light with the Olympus OM-D camera (small) and iPad. We'll see...

Bob

iphone-20130829200713-0.jpg

Max, the Sax (#398) 08-29-13

In Tampa, I sat in a small trattoria eating a prosciutto and mozzarella Panini. It brought back fond memories of trattorias in Italy. The current bread wasn’t as good, but pleasant enough.

Across the street was a street musician, passionately playing a saxophone. He had to be my next stranger. I approached and theatrically placed a small donation in his jar. He thanked and ‘God blessed’ me. I quickly explained 100 Strangers, and he said fine. Max was from Cincinnati, but has lived in Tampa for twelve years. Then suddenly he began to play and moved in wide gestures. He just wouldn’t stay still for a second. The more I clicked, the more he moved. After several minutes I gave up and left. I waved, and Max raised his eyebrows in acknowledgement.

Well, the Olympus OM-D has one shortcoming - it is weak in continuous auto-focusing. It is poor for sports and birds in flight. This should not be a problem for portraiture. It was problem for Max. Fortunately I took LOTS of shots, as several are focused on the background. This is my favorite – by far.

Sometimes “spray and pray” is the only way.

Bob

Sarah Brooke Lyons (#397) 08-28-13

Wednesday again, the day to see the work of another photographer. And today it’s Sarah Brooke Lyons. See her website HERE.

She appeals to me because of her project, “1005 Faces”. These are all from San Antonio, and she now has over 600. She hopes to capture the nature of the city through it’s inhabitants. Her SmugMug account has the faces, see it HERE.

And her Facebook account is HERE.

Finally, she came to my attention in a podcast on The Candid Frame, with Ibarionex Perello. This lasts about 45 minutes and is entertaining. Hear it HERE.

Enjoy.

Bob

​ Marilyn (#396) 08-27-13

Marilyn and Joe were slooowly headed my way, and I loved her hat with a large blue bow. The pace was partly due to Marilyn’s walker, and partly due to the fact that she looked into every store window. I waited by a shallow shaded alcove at a storefront. When she arrived, I asked my question, explaining my attraction to the headgear. She was slightly hesitant, but soon gave the OK.

I asked if she lived in Sarasota – no, Venice (20 miles south). When I told her that I lived in Venice too, she brightened up as if we were longtime friends. I told her the neighborhood where I lived, and she said, wistfully, that she’d like to live there. She lives about four miles away.

I got eleven images in three quick bursts. In between, I looked up at her and changed my facial expression. This is the last shot, and is the only one with this gesture. I REALLY like this.

As I mentioned the blue bow, I’ve included a color image. As usual, the color is nice but I feel that Marilyn’s personality shows up better in B&W.

Bob

Doug (#395) 08-26-13

Immediately prior to a local camera club meeting, I stopped by an adjacent bird rookery. It is a favorite spot for bird photographers and has a gazebo with picnic-like benches. A young man had a backpack on one of the tables, its contents spread out. He was repacking it and gathering some trash for the nearby receptacle. His name is Doug, but he goes by “D”, or “Little D”.

D is currently homeless, although on and off employed. He camps out with a friend whom he trusts, as he said that many homeless take advantage of each other, stealing, etc. Some become C.I.s, (Confidential Informants) for the police, and then turn around and shoplift from Target, or other local stores. D and Rick “have each other’s backs”.

Born in Georgia, D grew up in Macon. His parents currently have a home in this area. I did not ask why he could not find shelter there. I cannot overstate how open and friendly D was. And he seemed quite fastidious in his ‘housekeeping’.

I am disappointed in these images, as they do not reflect the feeling that I had at the time. I did e-mail them to D who replied that he liked them a lot. I don’t know where he was able to open the files, perhaps a local library.

Bob

 

 

That Nikon Guy Street Portrait Challenge (#394) 25-08-13

I came across this 10 minute video that’s very germane to street portraiture. And quite entertaining - I think. A workshop instructor, The Nikon Guy (whoever that is) makes an assignment to about a dozen students: find strangers and photograph them, with permission. Sound familiar? Most of the students are successful, and the results are interesting.

For some reason, I am unable to embed the video. So, the link is HERE.

Enjoy.

Bob

Bob and Jim (#393) 08-24-13

Bob and Jim were not together, I just happened to photograph them on the same morning.

I approached Bob and his wife as they passed under an awning. When I explained my project, Bob shrugged and said “sure” – he seemed amused. His wife continued on a step and said “no, I don’t want to be photographed”. Bob looked back at her as if to say, “aw c’mon, Honey”.

After I photographed him, I pointed to his wife’s eyes and said “look at the sparkle in those eyes”. He said that I didn’t have to convince him, but Mrs. Bob was having none of it.

An hour later I saw Jim and his wife. More correctly, I saw Jim’s mustache. He was in a conversation, so I waited several minutes for my turn. When they began moving, I quickly approached them, excused myself and explained my intention. I said, “You may not know this, but you have a KILLER mustache”. He sheepishly grinned and shrugged, while his wife giggled. After saying OK, I got a few quick shots as they began moving on.

I called to him, “How long did it take to grow it?” He said that he did not really know – he’d been growing it his whole life.

Bob