i heart strangers: October 2008

31 October 2008

31 october, 2008

jake . 35 years old / new york city . new york

in new york for the day, visiting a couple friends. i was out for a ride with my buddy on his two classic banana seat cruiser bikes and had told him that i needed to shoot someone in costume today, it being halloween. we pulled up to an intersection and 'superman' was very smiley and said something about the bikes and them being super cool. i took that as a good sign, so quickly asked him if he'd like to participate in my project. he readily agreed.

i was off in every way during the next two minutes. i repositioned him several times, in search of "my" light and never managed to get it. i was getting increasingly nervous with each shot as i was messing up and a lot of people were around, making a performance out of the whole thing. he was also much taller than i, so that made for some new challenges. anyway, while this shot has its flaws, i think it is passable. i still think i need to learn how to deal with that pressure more effectively. another day, another lesson.

30 October 2008

30 october, 2008

allison . 32 years old / boston . massachusetts

i rode my bike into boston early today to allow myself some time to get my photo before delivering wine. this morning was one of those quintessential new england fall types - blue sky and crisp air, maybe 45 degrees. i was happy to be out in the city and was casually walking, scrutinizing every passer by - disqualifying most for some reason or another. i needed another woman (still to even out the numbers) but would have taken an interesting looking man or anyone elderly or non-caucasian.

i saw allison darting across the street, briefly lost her in some traffic and then caught her eye as she passed in front of me. it is not often, but occasionally the case, that when i say "photographer" or "project" the look in the person's eyes suggests interest instead of guarded skepticism. allison seemed interested.

29 October 2008

29 october, 2008

gina . 27 years old / somerville . massachusetts

out for another walk today, looking for a new stranger. the only criteria for today was that it had to be a woman. i have been shooting more men lately and their numbers are getting a little high.

it was chilly outside and i my steps were heavier than i would have liked them to be. as i walked, i kept finding no one. the people i passed did not interest me or they were walking dogs or pushing carriages or wearing glasses or something was not right.

the time was passing, probably just a few minutes, but it felt longer and i started to get a little bit worried that i would not find someone to shoot before the sun went down and the light disappeared.

as i was starting to go over the possibility of extending my walk, i spotted gina, getting out of her car. she was in the right spot for the light and she had an interesting look about her. she readily accepted my proposition. i am rarely 100% satisfied with my shot and today is no exception, but i do like it better than i like others.