A few weeks ago, I came across an article titled 100 Strangers Project. I found this very intriguing as the author of the article challenged himself to use only one specific lens and to approach total strangers and ask if he could take their pictures.
This experience can be unnerving, to say the least. Besides, what in the world do you say to these people when you pluck up the courage to stand in front of them? Well, the article stayed in my mind, and this weekend, while I was out at a farmers’ market (awesome place for this type of project), I decided I was just going to go for it. Obviously, I could have been more prepared and had some business cards made, or at least remembered to ask people their first names. But no – I just launched lest the fear struck me still.
I walked up to this lady who was in an art store and just blurted out that I was working on a photography project and wondered if I might take her photograph. And, voila – she smiled, said she was flattered and posed for me. At this point, I had not even thought to change the lens to the one I wanted to use for my project. I just did a portrait shot, thanked her and left contented.
I just had my first stranger!
Once I had done this, I kept scanning the crowds for other interesting, beautiful faces to shoot. Not really finding too many and hesitating to disturb people about their business or enjoying the live band, I just kept searching. I walked past a stall where there were two young girls, chatting and laughing away. One was a fiery redhead and the other had lovely eyes. They were both beautiful. I had to get a shot.
So, I walked up to them and this time, I explained the project I was working on, told them they were beautiful and asked if I could take a picture. They both said yes! I also explained that my lens – 50mm 1.4 – meant I had to get up close to their faces. They didn’t mind and just laughed and let their personalities shine through.
