Overcoming fear - 100 stranger's project

Right, Lack of photos!

Mixture of reasons really!

first reason is the weeather has been **** all over london and finiding it hard to take pics in the wet rain!

second of all, my confidence last week and the week before was on a low. just couldnt get the balls to even attempt to ask someone for there pic :(

But last friday i managed to grab some balls and asked a couple of people. one was during lunch time when it was raining a bit and the other was after work. Both said no but im fine with that as i just wanted to gain confidence in asking in the first place.

the 2nd person i asked said she wasnt having a good day as her reason for declining me, i apologized and she replied and said "its ok" and we went our seperate ways.

What i should have done was maybe try and strike a conversation with her especially when she opened up and to me a bit on the reason why she declined me.

Part of this project is not just taking a picture of a stranger, but interacting with them and this is something i will hope to learn in this project.

First thing i want to accomplish is the "fear". i want to be able to ask anyone and everyone freely without thinking and being afraid too. i also want that confidence to be with me permanently as i have heard people doing this project, when they take a break away from it and come back into the project, the "fear" creeps back in.

After that, i want to be able to interact with the subject a lot better. I want to be able to chat to them about random stuff and to also chat to them about what i want from them in the shot for composition and framing.

The last pic i took, the person asked, what should she do?.

im hoping i can achieve these goals at the end of this project and if all goes well, i could go past 100 strangers.
 
An Exception said:
Notice it was when Zack relaxed a bit and wasn't so (high voice) "pretty please can I take just one picture", that people were more receptive.
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indeed. i noticed that too. and i bet his a fella who actually does this type of work as a daily job so if a guy like that need "warming up" before he becomes comfertable at it then you are right in saying the fear doesnt magically go away
 
Took a week and a bit break again due to weather and a bit of "fear" controlling me again but once i came back i went mental and took 8 shots in 2 days!!!

the ones below were shot on Monday


Portrait 10# by jonneymendoza, on Flickr


Portrait #11 Linda by jonneymendoza, on Flickr

out of the two below which one do u like better?


Portrait #12 Michela by jonneymendoza, on Flickr


Portrait #12 Michela 2 by jonneymendoza, on Flickr

these are from yesterday


Portrait #13 Laura by jonneymendoza, on Flickr


Portrait #14 Pierre by jonneymendoza, on Flickr


Portrait #15 Carolina by jonneymendoza, on Flickr


Portrait #16 by jonneymendoza, on Flickr


Portrait #17 by jonneymendoza, on Flickr
 

Stranger 64.jpg by jonneymendoza, on Flickr

I met Jackie sitting alone near Shoreditch as i was making my way back to liverpool street station when i approached her.

As soon as i introduced myself i already had a feeling she would say yes because the way she responded to my approach was very positive.

She was in a very good mood and so i took a few shots of her.

She liked the results and we went our separate ways after.

This caption is only half the story of what followed 2mins later after i took this shot. Please read the next stranger i took a picture of.


Stranger 65.jpg by jonneymendoza, on Flickr

After taking a picture of Jackie, Rodge approached me a few minutes later asking if he can take a picture of me for the same project!

I was shocked and excited at the same time as i never thought i would encounter another photographer doing the exact same project i am doing!

Of course i agreed when he asked me and what's funny is that the reason why he approached me is because he saw me approach and take Jackie's picture previously as he was about to do the same!

Anyways, after agreeing for Rodge to take my picture we walked towards a grey wall and he handed me a reflector for me to hold while he takes my picture.

We talked for a bit afterwords as he asked me a bit about myself. I then took a picture of him as well and exchanged details and went out separate ways.

Rodge has take over 130 strangers and started last year September

What an amazing encounter! Rodge will upload my picture soon so stay tune!!!

Now i know what it is like being at the other side of the camera!
 
DB_SamX said:
I might have posted this on here but in another thread, but it's relevant.
http://www.humansofnewyork.com/

The connection to the subject is incredible; thanks to the captions. One day I'll get the guts (and time) to attempt this.
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yes i saw that and it is awsome!

Here is the shot that Rodge took of me :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rojwhitelock/9428482928/

9428482928_4b4c563b44_c.jpg


Caption:

This is Jonathan.

When I left the office last night by chance I bumped into a friend. For no special reason we decided to wander down to Brick Lane, which took us into Rough Trade Records. By chance 'Scott and Charlene's Wedding' were playing a free gig, so we stayed a while. We parted company at Spitalfields Market where I entered true 'stranger mode', my eyes scanning the crowd. By chance I spotted a young woman sitting on wall and was considering a shot when Jonathan appeared. I saw him chat with her, take some shots, hand her a card, shake hands...this was all very familiar.

I tagged along behind Jonathan and when I caught him up offered a traditional Essex greeting - "Excuse me mate, are you doing 100 Strangers by any chance?"

And sure enough he was.

The idea of a stranger shot of a stranger shooter was quickly agreed on and too much fun to resist. I found a spot with even light and a neutral background and we agreed to shoot each other at the same spot.

Jonathan is a software developer with a passion for photography. He works in Oxford Street but had popped down to Spitalfields to collect some moo cards. He's shot around 60 strangers now and was a pleasure to meet - a true gentleman. You can check out his photostream right here: www.flickr.com/photos/josh1408/with/9425555398/

Good luck with the rest of the project, Jonathan - I'll post a link to the shot you took of me in the comments below. Maybe we'll bump into each other around Liverpool Street again one day.
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