TW 100 Strangers Photography Thread

I'm starting my own personal 100 Strangers project. Although I am calling it 100 Somebodies haha. There are a lot of photographers and those interested in getting out of their comfort zone as one here on TW. Join me in making this thread an awesome place to post your 100 new acquaintances.

Rules will be loose here. This is not a photography forum. No random posting someone you met once. This is for people who are deliberately trying to start a personal 100 (or any #) Strangers Project. I prefer to put any info I can get from them. I ask their name, some random questions that fit, and even if they have any prayer requests if they are religious (not for everyone, don't start flaming) and put whatever I can get. I have started this project before and never stuck with it so I figure if I have it up on Flickr, Facebook and here I will be held to making progress and sticking to it.

Feel free to start your own 100 Strangers project and share here!



I'll start with my first post in my personal series, 100 Somebodies
Brian - Somebody #1/100 by AdelphosChaz, on Flickr
Brian - #1/100

Brian is Somebody #1/100 and is the perfect start to this series of meeting 100 people I did not previously know. He is a polite, kind-hearted and simple fellow who walks everywhere he goes and really likes soda from the gas station. He is comfortable with saying hello and just as comfortable with an abrupt farewell. "Well. See ya later."

27mm (41mm equiv), f/5.6, 1/280, ISO 200


So, please post up if you already have a similar project or would like to start one. Please NUMBER your photos (ie 45/100) if you don't mind, so this doesn't become a thing where people just post one photo and never endeavor to persevere with the project ha and most importantly get out and meet some people! Their stories are always cool but sometimes just a face tells more than words can. You're call on that one. Happy shooting!

 

Hmm, gonna do this. Seems like an awesome way to meet new people.

 

I really didn't expect to have two more so soon but I had an awesome talk with a couple people who were waiting for the mail man just a moment ago

Their stories are on my Flickr if anyone wants to read further.

Karl - Somebody #3/100 by AdelphosChaz, on Flickr


Sharon - Somebody #2/100 by AdelphosChaz, on Flickr

 

Are you just walking up to them and introducing yourself? I brought the camera to the library to study .

 

Awesome so far. The story really makes it.
I am going to follow yours for sure.

 

Yeah. The Karl guy actually came to me ha I was talking to someone else trying to get to know him (I don't ask to take their photo right away, I just talk) and before I knew it I heard Karl yell, Hey, who's your friend? to the guy I was talking to. Well the guy I intended to photograph slipped away and next thing I know I was talking to Karl and Sharon. Really nice people!

Also, I never bring up the photo thing yet. Each time I talk to someone and get to know them until they've said "that's a nice camera" or "what are you carrying that camera for" and I just tell them the truth. I'm real with people ha can't be shady when taking people's photos. I just say that I really love photography and I always carry a camera and I like to take photos of people I meet. I tell them about my personal project to get to know people and take their photo and for me I go a little further and ask if they have prayer requests but obviously not everyone believes so I don't push that as the main thing, only if they seem keen to it.

It's amazing to me how much we would judge someone for being weird or whatever and then find out their story and how awesome they are ha Karl was cracking me up. I love that guy and I only talked to him for maybe 15 minutes haha

 

Yeah, I figure I would just do it around school in between classes. I feel pretty awkward with a camera pointed at people. I know, you are supposed to feel naked in front of the lens not behind it . Ill probably keep it in my bag and bring it up after a few minutes.

 

I'd wear it on the strap. That way people ask why you carry it and that can bring it up haha plus then it's not all awkward when you're pulling it out haha

A major point of this is to get over that uncomfortable feeling when taking people's photos so it would really help with that I think! It's a little deeper if you make it though. I like the idea of bridging gaps and getting to know people. It's funny how you can lean towards hating someone then get to know them for ten minutes and have compassion for them.

 

I figured it would be a good way to meet girls . Ill go ahead and just have it around my neck. Probably would be less creepy haha.

 

Gotta own it, man! haha Confidence! "Yeah, I am a photographer! I'm working on a personal project to meet 100 Strangers. Would you mind me taking your portrait?" Done. ha

 

This is AWESOME. I'm planning on traveling the world on my motorcycle in 8 years time, I need to get used to just talking to random people. I've been told the people end up being the major portion of any world trip, so documenting it in pics and stories seems a must.

 

Yeah, man. Documenting the trip is going to be the best way to remember things and of course to share the experiences with loved ones. Start a project like this, but with your own personal context. Maybe along the lines of asking people where they're from and something unique about their culture?

 

Meet any new people Chaz?

 

I have but they weren't comfortable with me sharing their portrait. This isn't as easy as the candid stuff I'm used to ha I actually have to ask for permission.

 

Haha I have met 2 people and forgot to even ask for a picture. I just talked to them and then had to run to class. I think part of me intentionally "forgot".

 

I've done the same. The longer I talk the easier it is to start talking myself out of asking for a portrait haha

 

Still working on this Chaz?

 

Yeah, man. As you can see the new Flickr is kicking my butt. I don't get it ha


Also a few of my subjects asked me not to share their photos on the internet so I respect that.

But for real. New Flickr = poo until I can post photos on here again . . .

 

Figured it out with the help of a friend. For some reason my old photos aren't showing up so I'll repost them and see what happens ha

 

Somebody #4 is Chad.


Chad - Somebody #4/100 by AdelphosChaz, on Flickr

His story is in the description of the photo on Flickr if you're interested.