While I sat outdoors in St. Augustine, consuming a cup of coffee, Jim sat down at a nearby table. His body language caught my eye, so I went over and introduced myself. He was originally from Chicago, but had relocated to Bradenton FL, 30 miles from me.
Natalie (#530) 19-02-14
Just a few blocks from home I passed Natalie and her friend. I have an affinity for redheads (my wife is one), so I stopped and asked my question. She was surprised and a little shy (embarrassed?) but agreed. This time of year many folks in Florida are visiting from ‘up north.’ Natalie is from Fairbanks, Alaska – REALLY up north.
She is an Alaska native and owns a bar in Fairbanks. Sounds like a gold mine to me; what else is there to do, certain times of the year? But her mother lives in Venice, so she is about to spend two weeks here.
I asked her what the best thing was that had happened to her that day. She smiled and shrugged, “Waking up this morning?” I said, “Nah, you are too young for that.” Then she said that sitting outside on her mother’s lanai and drinking mimosas in February just seemed crazy. Ah, that’s better.
Bob
Brian (#529) 02-17-14
With two other photographers in tow, I saw an artist sitting on the ground, in the middle of a park. He was out in the open. Normally the light would be far too harsh, but a heavy overcast made portraits virtually anywhere a possibility.
He was Brian, originally from New Jersey. He was immediately interested in the Stranger project, and was sympathetic to my two friends who were approaching strangers for the first time. As we spoke, I noticed a finished pencil sketch portrait, a very good likeness of Elvis Presley. Brian was probably a very small child when Elvis died.
Brian recalled a photographer in New York who had a similar project. I asked if it was Brandon Stanton. It was not. Brian was unfamiliar with Humans of New York (HONY), Brandon Stanton’s work. I gave him the Facebook address which Brian immediately put into his cellphone. If you have not seen HONY, check it out HERE.
I love the relaxed, genuine look that Brian has. My two friends photographed him afterwards, and Brian had the same peaceful expression.
Bob
Elaine (#528) 15-02-14
Sometimes fate is a wonderful friend. I had offered to take two photographers on a city walk to find, and photograph strangers. It’s always gratifying to see someone make their first connection. Well the luck today is that Main Street was closed, and filled with booths selling health and healing products, including spiritual healing. People everywhere!
One of my compatriots pointed to a gaily dressed, smiling lady in a booth called “Silver Stream of Consciousness.” The vendor was Elaine Silver – I get it! Elaine was extremely outgoing and more than happy to be photographed. I liked the background. Black and white just doesn’t do her justice.
While we spoke, a CD was playing softly; it was Elaine singing a folk hymn (my term), and it was beautiful. Her website is HERE.
I immediately bought the CD. She was a bit rushed, as she was scheduled to get on an outdoor stage to sing to the masses.
Bob
Roger (#527) 02-14-14
Walking along St. George St. (the main tourist area) in St. Augustine, I saw Roger half a block away, on a side street. He was playing an accordion for…, no one. He was playing alone. So after I introduced myself, he had time to talk.
Roger has lived in St. Augustine for 28 years. He owns seven accordions. The one that he was playing that day cost only $100 used – he uses it on the street to lessen his potential loss in case of a mishap. He used to play on St. George St., but the city passed a law banning buskers - they have to be at least 150 feet away. Some people think that he’s homeless, but his wife “just wants me out of the house once in a while.” Roger has sort of a ministry; he plays old hymns at churches and assisted living facilities.
I thought that the accordion was long out of style, but Roger assured that there is a vibrant online community that is fostering a comeback.
Bob
Naomi and Tinker Bell (#526) 02-12-14
The street was crowded, with both a farmer’s market and health fair going on. Two very demonstrative young ladies were in mermaid costume. Kids were attracted to them as parents photographed. They were in theatrical mode, and I could hear one say that her name was Ariel. It seems that most mermaids are Ariel. My challenge was to hold a brief, more serious conversation.
During a brief lull in the action I approached ‘Ariel’ and explained the 100 Strangers project. She immediately got more serious and seemed interested. I said, “Hi, I’m Bob.” She replied, “I’m Naomi’, and almost immediately looked surprised and put her hand to her mouth. I said, “Oh, you’re not Ariel?” Naomi burst out laughing and immediately resumed her role. No more serious stuff.
I turned to her friend who immediately said, I’m Tinker Bell.” There would be no getting off script with Tinker Bell.
Bob
Mary (#525) 02-10-14
Mary was carefully using a chain lock to secure her bike to a pole. I patiently waited while she fumbled with the recalcitrant hardware. I approached her just as she was finishing, and she had no reservations about being photographed.
She has been in Sarasota for several years, coming from Georgia. I asked where in Georgia, as I have several relatives in that state. She went to the University of Georgia, in Athens. I asked what she majored in. Her degree is in Historic Preservation, but she rolled her eyes as she said, “But now I work in the food service industry.”
And, so it goes.
Bob
Scott (#524) 02-09-14
Scott was seated outdoors reading from his iPad and eating a pastry. When I asked to meet him and for a portrait, he shrugged and said that he was late for something and it would have to be quick. I assured him that it would only take 30 seconds. I grabbed a few shots between bites.
He never really stopped and looked at me. Basically, he 'did me a favor', as I asked, but never got 'into it.'
Bob
Natalie (#523) 02-07-14
Wife Barbara and I were at an outdoor table in St. Augustine. Fifty yards away was St. George St., the main tourist trap in town. As it was nippy, we were each sipping hot chocolate. Nice. I had my eye out for interesting looking folks.
Natalie turned a corner and headed our way, fairly quickly. Her trusty Pug, Stella, was in her arms. When I approached her, she was a bit shy and reticent, but rapidly ‘came around.’ It helped that she was familiar with Flickr, although not the 100 Strangers group.
Natalie migrates from Massachusetts to Florida for several months each year. This time she just beat the Polar Vortex that paralyzed the Northeast with snow and black ice. Stella loves Florida. In Massachusetts, she has to compete with two other dogs, but in Florida, she is IT!
Bob
Zack (#522) 02-05-14
On the Farmer’s Market day, Zach was situated on the major corner, where the buskers perform. Good location. He was originally from Ohio, but had been in Sarasota for many years. He was quiet. Very quiet.
Zack made woven handbags. Several weavers work the streets in this area, but most of the products are religious crosses or flowers. Zack’s handbags were a bit more intricate. He was asking $15 per bag. How many had he sold that morning? One. I waited for him to say that he was homeless. He didn’t. I expected him to ask me to buy a handbag, or make a donation. That did not happen either. In this situation I have a ploy; I ‘buy’ a copy of the product, and tell the vendor to give it to the next interested child who comes along. But for $15, I did not make that offer. I have to think that his shyness was a real detriment to his ‘business’.
Bob
John and Marlene (#521) 02-03-14
This is my last post originating from Thunder by the Bay, a motorcycle rally. John and Marlene sat next to a row of bikes including theirs. Somehow, they just seemed to epitomize the biker lifestyle, John with the rugged look, and Marlene seeming too pretty and feminine for that lifestyle. They had traveled from Apopka FL, about a 2 ½ hour ride.
Despite the rugged look, John is a soft spoken gentleman. So many bikers are. Marlene just looked like she loved the event, and life. I asked her to not smile. Not possible. I took 4 bursts of three to four images; all showed prominent teeth. Usually I like wide open eyes, but most of the images showed only narrow slits. An image with no visible eyes best captures her affect.
Bob
John (#520) 02-01-14
There was high overcast, a little harsh for portraits. But an attractive lady approached, wearing a hat. Under the hat I could see softer light and catchlights. So I stopped her and went through my spiel, noting her fashionable hat. As I spoke, she sheepishly smiled and shook her head ‘no.’ “I can appreciate your project, last summer I took a photography class. But I just don’t like having my picture taken. Here comes my husband (pointing), ask him!’
So I did, and John said “Sure.”
After a few shots, I looked at her and said, “See, that wasn’t so bad.” She said, “Sorry, but I just don’t look good in pictures.” John looked at me, shrugged, and said, “I live with that all the time.” They had come to Florida from Wisconsin just two days earlier. And that was during the first ‘Polar Vortex’ visit. Boy, were they glad to be here!
An hour later, I passed them again. I looked at her and said, “Changer your mind, maybe?” She began to smile, but then looked in the opposite direction.
Bob
Holly (#519) 01-31-13
While just two blocks from home, I spotted a couple crossing the street, sort of heading my way. She caught my eye simply by being attractive. He had a pencil thin mustache and an unusual haircut with green dye around the ears. Surely HE knew that he looked interesting, and was probably proud of it.
When I asked for a portrait, I was amazed when he refused. Holly was reluctant and said that she was not dressed properly. I assured her that it would be a headshot, and showed her my Flickr photostream on my Android phone. She agreed rather reluctantly.
When I showed her the image on the camera’s LCD, she was not happy. “I should have lip gloss!” I turned to her friend, pointed at Holly, and said “Does she need lip gloss?” He hesitated and then said, “I guess not.” I got the feeling that he did think that she needed make-up. Amazing.
They are from California, and have lived in this area for five years. Holly reluctantly took a MOO card, but was not interested in getting a copy of the image.
You never know.
Bob
Harvey Stein Interview (#518) 01-29-14
Wednesday - let's look at someone else's work.
Eric Kim is a very prolific blogger. As a street photographer, most of his people pics are candid. In his most recent post, he interviews Harvey Stein, who has written a book about portraits in Harlem. Stein gets permission, and obtains portraits sort of like we do. See it HERE. The interview is interesting.
Enjoy.
Bob
Jesse (#517) 01-28-14
The last several posts have been from a great day: A motorcycle rally on one street and a farmer’s market on a perpendicular street. While walking along a string of Harleys, Jesse was sitting on a nearby curb. He was not dressed like a biker, and he did not look particularly happy. When I stopped and asked for a portrait, he said OK and did not seem interested or disinterested. Just deadpan.
Jesse has had a motorcycle for about a year. He is hoping to sell it and ‘move up’, although his bike was not part of the event. He sheepishly admitted that he has had several minor accidents, although his current black eye is unrelated. I asked if he was from Sarasota. No, he was from Hillsborough County, and was working at a vegetable stand at the market. I said, “That’s a coincidence. Several weeks ago, I photographed a fellow named Calvin, about your age, who worked at that stand (stranger # )”. Jesse said, “Calvin’s my brother.”
I feel that I have been doing this too long when I (for the second time) photograph siblings, coincidentally.
Bob
Gene (#516) 01-27-14
Yesterday’s Stranger, Lorrie, was very active and visible at her place of business. Gene was more quiet and subdued. While I was speaking and photographing Lorrie, he stood to the side smiling, saying nothing. Both are from Cape Coral, FL, about 50 miles south.
Gene’s business is called ‘Sick Ass Customs’, and provides customized accessories for motorcycles. These include Deltran battery chargers, custom bags and fenders, and Fusion LED Lighting Systems, among other items. I guess that he sells anything to make your bike…, well, sick ass. His website is HERE.
So after photographing Lorrie, I asked Gene if he would extend the favor. He nodded and shrugged without actually saying anything. Both he and Lorrie liked the resulting image. At the time, I was attracted to Lorrie (why not?), but as a character shot, I like Gene’s better.
Bob
