Jerry had a sense of humor, always a twinkle in his eye. He is a retired Tonsorial Artist. A barber. His eyes definitely twinkled when he told me that. Jerry has suffered from cancer and leukemia. You would never guess that to look at him, or hear his view of life.
His hat said “Cuba.” I asked if he had been there. “Many times.” I said that I thought that we were not allowed spend money in Cuba, and hence, were barred. But Jerry goes with a sponsored mission, C. Q. I. Missions, that brings Art, Education, and Global Health to underprivileged parts of the world. The website is HERE. Jerry's name is prominently displayed. Their Facebook page is HERE.
Jerry is very enthusiastic about the Cuban's responses to his help. He says, “They love Americans, but can't admit it to their government.” Jerry nodded approval as I explained 100 Strangers. He said that I should accompany him on one of the Cuban trips to photograph the population. He said that I'd be accepted enthusiastically. He is very attuned to personal connections, and the inner joy that they bring.
An aside; One man, Vic Strecher, has found a purpose in his life, and passed it on through a book and website. The site is HERE. The URL sounds funky, but do not dismiss this out of hand. His book is HERE.
I found this an eye opening read. Caution: keep a tissue handy.
Too (#590) 05-11-14
I find this a difficult write up, as the encounter was a bit disjointed. I cannot follow a theme. It began outside of a Starbucks in St. Petersburg. I saw this distinguished looking African American sitting by himself, checking his cell phone. Another man (tomorrow's stranger) was alone at an adjacent table.
I walked up to Rasta Man and gave him my spiel, telling him (truthfully) that I liked his hair. As I spoke, my heart sank; he was looking at me like I was a space alien. He said, “Can't do it man, everyone wants to photograph me. I'm, like, sort of a celebrity.” The guy (Jerry) at the next table spoke up, “You really don't know who he is? II later learned that Jerry is a kidder)” I became very uncomfortable, not being well versed in pop culture. I figured that he was someone famous.
Jerry said, “But you can photograph me if you want.” So I walked over to him, and we began talking. Finally Rasta Man called over, “OK, you can get my picture.” I left Jerry like a hot potato and met Too. That's the only name that he gave. He is originally from Miami, but went to college in St. Pete. He returned to Florida City (south of Miami), but then came back here – quite a bit of relocation for a young guy.
Too said that he has been on TV many times – sort of coincidental. He said that he had been interviewed by Kelly Ring, an anchor at the local FOX affiliate. I asked him why. “I don't know, things sort of happen when I'm around. And people want to get my picture.”
I showed him my cell phone with my Flickr Photostream. His eyes widened when he said, “You didn't know any of those people?” I scrolled down and said that the images would go a few feet into the ground. He seemed impressed. When I raised the camera, Too naturally gave the sign of the Aquila – double headed eagle. I had to Google that.
Suddenly he excused himself, got on a nice looking bike, and rode away. I asked Jerry if he knew Too. “Not really, I think that he's an entertainer trying to get established.” We agreed that if that is true, Too should be actively promoting himself, not being coy. I really don't know what to make of all this.
Bob
Olesya (#589) 05-10-14
After photographing Meghan, my last stranger, she said “There's another person here you can photograph.” Almost on cue, Olesya walked up. She was quite shy, and I had to 'draw her out'. The name Olesya has four syllables and I had to struggle to spell it correctly. She was raised in southwest Florida, but she was born in Siberia. For me, that is a first. Olesya's parents are in the U.S., but she was reluctant to talk about them.
I photographed Olesya in the same place as Meghan, the light was identical. Each was indoors, a few feet from an open door. Several people pointed out that the image of Meghan is too cool, there is a cyan cast. It frustrates me that I can often recognize color casts in other photographer's images, but not my own. This is part of the beauty of black and white, for me. Anyway, I now have the opportunity to redeem myself.
When I showed Olesya her image on the LCD, she was unhappy that she didn't have much makeup on. I'll let you decide if that is a major problem.
Bob
Meghan (#588) 05-09-14
I walked along the main drag in Naples, Fl, at 10AM. Stores were just opening. As I passed the high-end, childrens clothing store, “little Luxe”, Meghan was opening the front door and arranging clothing. The light (and Meghan) looked great, so I introduced myself. She was willing, if not eager, to be photographed.
Meghan is originally from Chicago and moved to Naples two years ago. She LOVES it, although it is predominantly an older population. My presence wasn't helping matters any.
I showed her this image, and she was impressed with her eyes. Me too.
Bob
Michelet (#587) 05-08-14
Michelet. Michelet Innocent. Is that a great name or what? He is a singer, and was performing on an outdoor stage. I caught him on break. Michelet is from Paris – I've heard of it. And I liked his art. His website is HERE.
He had two stacks of CDs for sale, one was in English and the other was of the same songs in French. Neat! I bought a CD. After a one second deliberation, I chose English.
Michelet is very well spoken (with a delightful French accent) and acts like a true gentleman. When I asked for a portrait, his response was “Of course.”
Bob
Josh and Jamie (#586) 05-06-14
Another business at the The Outdoor Living and Garden Show was “Tower Garden. One of the two proprietors caught my eye – Jamie, sorry Josh. I waited for them to be idle and then made my move. They had no problem with being photographed.
They were very enthusiastic about their business. The tower is a vertical system for growing fruits and vegetables indoors. The website is HERE.
Josh and Jamie have a franchise in Bradenton, and also offer lawn and garden maintenance. I told them that I live in Venice, the other direction from Bradenton. Josh brightened up and said that they plan a Venice facility soon. I'll keep my eyes open.
When being photographed, Jamie was a bit reserved, while Josh seemed flattered by the encounter.
Bob
Ryan (#585) 05-05-14
In early April, there was yet another outdoor event in Sarasota. This was “The Outdoor Living and Garden Show.” So windy that many vendors could not put all of their products out – a couple had tent damage. But Ryan didn't.
His business in Marble Florida, out of Tampa. Marble doesn't blow away too easily. The company website is HERE.
The main products are pavers and tiles for projects that become rather expensive. This is the first time that Ryan has been in a Sarasota show. He wasn't sure. The entry fee was $400, but one contract would make the show a success.
I had to struggle for a relatively clean background. He didn't like the first image, as a little tuft of hair sprung out above his right ear. This would have taken two seconds to fix with the clone tool. But I got a few more, and he liked this one. In moving around I got a better background too. A win – win situation.
Bob
Cookie (#584) 05-04-14
Another Farmer's Market, this time in St. Petersburg. This stranger was chosen strictly by color. One booth was called “Unique Wineglass Charms”. The proprietor, Cookie, had flaming red hair, and the back of her booth had a blue sunscreen. I approached Cookie and explained that her hair and background were perfect complements. She was game, and positioned herself appropriately.
When she saw the image on the LCD, she laughed, shrugged, and said, “It would be OK if I was thinner and taller.”
No problem, I have Photoshop.” Cookie laughed. I didn't mention that I wouldn't know how to make her thinner or taller in Photoshop, even if I wanted to. And I don't.
Bob
Greg (#583) 05-03-14
Along the sidewalk of Cleveland St. in Clearwater, Greg was squatted down on his haunches, having a smoke and talking on the cell phone. I liked his Salvador Dali-like mustache, and stood nearby, waiting for my opportunity. Once off the phone, I approached Greg, and told him that I liked the 'stache. He smiled and said that he liked the Dali look, and that the mustache and said that it “used to be up to here”, and held his hands up to the corner of his eyes. I asked why it is now so much smaller. He shrugged and said, “It comes and goes.”
I got these images, and said that I had seen Dali photos that looked very similar (the third image IS Dali). This was no coincidence. Greg was well aware of Dali images and endeavored to emulate them. I told him that his inner thespian was showing. Greg has a fine arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and enjoys theater. He moved to Clearwater one year ago, and now works in Starbucks (20 yards away). “This is just while I get situated. My plan is to open a high-end hot dog and hamburger restaurant.” I said that it must be a very competitive area. He had had such a restaurant in Pittsburgh for 10 years, and offered specialty hot dogs. I suggested a frankfurter shaped like Dali's mustache. With a pensive look, Greg held up his forefinger, “That's a thought!'
Bob
Al (#582) 04-30-14
I saw Al with his constant companion, Kash, the wonder dog. Al is a dog lover, and acquired Kash in Germany, eight years ago. A young couple walked by with a Siberian Husky puppy, the kind with blue eyes. The man held a leash that lead to a collar around the dog's neck. Al spoke with them at length about a better leash solution, one that lead to a harness around the dog's chest. They shook hands and the young couple walked on (I wish that I could have photographed them too).
Al told me that he is homeless. I was surprised, as his clothes looked clean and the facial hair was trimmed. Al smiled, shrugged, and said “Being homeless doesn't mean that you are a bum. And I am not into any kind of substance abuse either.” Al spends his nights in a parking garage that has an outdoor sink. The owner is a friend, and looks the other way. As we spoke, a lady proprietor came out of a nearby store and put a bowl on the ground; “For Kash”, she said. Al seems to have an infrastructure.
In the early 2000s, he had an art gallery and framery on Royal St., in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina destroyed it. Then he worked in a gallery for a while in Portland, Oregon, but the economic downturn of 2008 removed that job. One thing lead to another, and here he is. Born and raised in Sarasota, he returned home, although all family and friends are gone.
I cannot overstate how well spoken Al is. Homelessness comes in many forms.
Bob
