Challenge Next Week - Take A Portrait Of A Stranger

[jude_53]

It's not clear, dan.. it says find someone you don't know.. then it says tell them you're doing it for .. etc. It doesn't say YOU HAVE to ask them permission..

so there

[jude_53]

wait.. you mean a portrait.. not a candid portrait?

i'm so confused..

[camera0bug]

This is an exercise for those of you that haven't tried to engage a stranger to succumb to your portraiture efforts.

Look for an interesting person when you're out in the market, strolling through town, visiting friends, attending an event, etc.
This should hopefully be someone you've never met before.

You can always tell them it's for a "project" you're working on or that you're putting together a portfolio. You'll be surprised at how easy it can be and maybe you'll even make someone 'smile'.

_______________________________

Typically when you "engage a stranger", you actually make contact with them, before photographing them.

They're a part of the process and are reacting to your camera either by following your instructions or being themselves.
We're not really talking candid here so much as they know you're taking their photo.

It's almost an exercise in sociology. The results can be surprising.

Even sitting in a park, you're likely to come across several people who'll walk by and actually enjoy your interest in photographing them. Don't worry too much if someone declines. As long as you are friendly and cordial in your attempt, that's not an issue.

I'd say women have the advantage over men since they might come off as less likely to have a sinister motive for wanting to take a stranger's picture.
(Not that I ever have a sinister motive!)

Make sense?

[noearlybird]

Well I did this for the very first time tonight. Drug the kids all over three counties trying to find a good picture for today. blah, blah. Bought the kids two five dollar pizza's at Little Caesars and asked the very young counter clerk guy if I could take his picture. He smiled and said, sure.

Sixty seconds later, an older woman comes directly around to the counter and asks, "I need to know why you are taking a picture, we have POLICIES."

I said I was just trying to take an interesting picture of someone I didn't know for a photo assignment. jeez, she scared me with her directness.

Well next she said she thought that it would be okay. Did she think I was going to report the store to the board of health (oldest kid and second year law student advised me on this premise.)

Babbling, I'm a woman with a camera and fully admit to not having enough social skills to do this but also fully admit that I am very intrigued at the adventure involved.

I LOVE candid portraits.

[jeremygood]

Every other person seems to think they should ask "WHY ARE YOU TAKING THOSE PICTURES?"

Happens to me all the time. You just have to wonder why they care. No matter what you answer they always just go, oh, okay then.

Next time someone asks me, I'll say "Well I'm casing this joint for my gang. We need some photos to assess your security before we come back and rob you." I'm sure they'll just say, oh, okay then.

[jude_53]

I think I've got a grasp...

[losruiz]

Well...here in Argentina, specially in Buenos Aires, people seems to be a bit paranoid. We have motives!
So, if tomorrow you read in Buenos Aires´s newspapers that a crazy lady with a camera, shotting to strangers in San Isidro´s square has been arrested by the police...please...send me muffins to jail!
I really love muffins...with chocolate chips maybe?

[jude_53]

you know, it's just a matter of practice.. I do it every day for the newspaper - which makes it a lot easier. I say "Hi. i'm with the Evening Snooze... can i get your name?" AFTER I take their pic.. But truthfully. I've just walked over to peopel with my pen and little pad and said "can I have your name" and they don't even ask where i"m from.. i t's weird..

So yeah.. it's easier because I can say I'm with the paper.. and alot of people kind of have seen me and know I"m press... But it still took/takes a lot of guts to do it.. I about scared the life out of some poor woman and her kids this morning in a panic looking for a front page shot. I leaped out of my car .. hair totally flying out of the ponytail.. shouting "WANNA BE IN THE PAPER?"...lol

they like that..

[annayu]

When I had Frimpong the Bear with me there was a line of people waiting to get their picture taken with him. Heehee I had to take the whole lot not to offend anyone and delete most of them later on.

Lesson: it can help to break the ice if you have a teddy bear with you....

[camera0bug]

Ready to shoot some strangers?

[clickaway]

Oh, I see.....you have to ask first....omg....this is gonna be difficult for me!

I might have a go, but not sure if I can start tomorrow. Monday may be teddy bear shopping day instead

I'm getting nervous already.

[jude_53]

we start on sunday?

sigh...

I'm fully aware (at this juncture in time) that I scan what I read and skip a great deal..LOL

[clickaway]

oh, I forgot, its Sunday tomorrow, not Monday.............duh

[noearlybird]

got the little caesar's guy yesterday and today I managed to catch a guy who gave me a great big smile at the Disney store in the mall. He said he was shy but from his smile I wouldn't guess this at all.

After looking at all the "strangers" in the mall, I thought that this assignment would be harder than first anticipated because I didn't see too many interesting people today.

It's got to be about timing and opportunity.

I know, I know, quit over-analysing and just do it.

[camera0bug]

Start posting on MONDAY but you can stockpile them for now.

Break the rules and knock yourselves out!




"Do as I say and no one gets hurt".