Sunday, January 23, 2011

And the rest… {100 Strangers in Portland}

Devan posted her pictures from yesterday a little while ago, and here’s my share. 

If you’ve arrived at this blog because we photographed you, thank you for being willing to participate in our project! If you’d like a high resolution copy of the picture, just let us know. You can email me at theawkwardphotographer@gmail.com or Devan at madcapphoto@gmail.com.

The Experience

We started off early in Lake Oswego, entirely by accident after missing an exit.

Initially, we had everyone hold a number and tried to take few pictures, later asking their first name, where they were from and their occupation. As the day went on and we photographed more people, it became more of a challenge. So, eventually I gave up writing information on the cards. Devan kept it up though, which is great. (At some point, we might update these pictures with the subject’s information, because there was some really interesting occupations in there!)

After a slow start downtown, my friend Coralie joined us and took us to Hawthorne. We found quite a variety of people there.

I was impressed by the number of people that were willing to have their portrait taken. But, there were a few that refused, some nicely and some more firmly. I must confess that every time someone said no, I felt rather foolish for starting the project and wanted to just give up, especially during the second half of the day. I gradually lost enthusiasm. It was only with Coralie’s help (approaching people and explaining what we were doing) that we were able to reach our goal.

We heard a variety of comments regarding our endeavor – ranging from ‘what a neat idea’ to ‘what’s this for exactly?’ There was also quite a bit of nervous laughter and raised eyebrows.

In the end, I’m glad Devan and I decided to do this. It’s helped me to realize that the worst thing that can happen is that someone says ‘no’ (and maybe thinks you’re a bit crazy). But, the pictures that I ended up with…. Well, I wouldn’t trade all these pictures for any nervousness or awkwardness I may have felt while taking them.

The Photos

20110122-DSC00076

Above: Our first willing participants.

d_portland_9

Above: When we explained what we were doing, this sweet gal said: “You can take my picture!”

20110122-DSC0010020110122-DSC00098-2

Above: He asked us if we had heard of The Sartorialist. Awesome.

d_100portland_2 20110122-DSC0010720110122-DSC00108 20110122-DSC00109 d_portland_7

Above: The suspenders, the shoes, the jeans, the attitude! It all works. We didn’t even ask him to pose. He just went WABAM! and gave us this.

 d_100portland_4 d_portland_1020110122-DSC00114

Above: Devan, giving another participant our card after photographing her.

d_100portland_6 20110122-DSC00133

Above: We spotted this photographer moving his tripod into the street when the traffic had cleared. I wish we had asked him what he was doing.

20110122-DSC00147 d_portland_12 d_portland_13 20110122-DSC0012620110122-DSC00148 d_portland_15 d_100portland_920110122-DSC00158d_100portland_1020110122-DSC0015720110122-DSC00159d_portland_16 20110122-DSC00175 d_portland_17

 Above: The gal in this picture was carrying her own camera, so I figured they wouldn’t mind a brief pic. I love that this unexpected moment (on the right) was captured. After this, I took a picture of them with her camera too. Nice people.

20110122-DSC00179

Above: The obligatory feet picture.

20110122-DSC0018220110122-DSC00183

Above: I must confess, I love this picture… mainly because it looks like the statue is totally checking these guys out. I mean no disrespect former mayor!

 20110122-DSC0018420110122-DSC00191   20110122-DSC00188 d_portland_18 20110122-DSC00196 20110122-DSC00201 20110122-DSC00203 d_portland_19 20110122-DSC00208 20110122-DSC00217-2 d_portland_20 20110122-DSC00223-2 20110122-DSC00221 20110122-DSC00212 20110122-DSC00211 20110122-DSC00213 d_portland_21

Above: I saw this gal (on the left) several times before we finally walked by where she was sitting. Love those sunglasses! And I love the mural that was painted on the side of one of the buildings. I stood in the way of traffic (accidentally), before Devan saved my life. :)

20110122-DSC00225 d_portland_22 20110122-DSC0025620110122-DSC0025320110122-DSC00255 d_100portland_11 20110122-DSC00251 20110122-DSC00236-2 d_portland_23 20110122-DSC00249 d_portland_24b d_portland_25 d_portland_26 d_portland_27 d_portland_28 d_portland_29 d_portland_30d_portland_31

Yay! We made it to 100! What an awesome day.

20110122-DSC00279-2