Alice (#882) 06-03-15
I met two other photographers who wanted to follow me around, to see how I approach strangers. This puts on the pressure. So we arranged to meet at Buddy Brew Coffee, my new favorite light spot. I got there first. My favorite (small) black wall was available, and three young blonde ladies were nearby. I was so tempted to approach them, but I dutifully waited for Gen and Nora. Just as they arrived, another young woman sat on a couch right in front of 'my' spot. Drat! But I reasoned; If a woman stepped into Richard Avedon's studio and sat down, surely she expected to be photographed. So I approached Alice with that mentality. As I was finishing my spiel, she said, “You've asked the right person.” Nice!
Alice has lived most of her life in Ft. Lauderdale. She just finished her junior year at the University of Miami. Her major is Marine Biology, but during the past year, she decided that nursing was for her. Specifically maternity work. The U of M has a program in which a B.S. in nursing can obtained in one year if you already have a bachelor’s degree in something. Hence, the best course for Alice is to finish her degree in Marine Biology and then enter the nursing program.
Her real passion is midwifery. Alice is visiting a friend in Sarasota for the summer while she attends birthing classes (she greatly prefers Sarasota to the Florida east coast). My friend Gen spoke up, she has a friend who is a midwife and is looking for two students to mentor. Alice snapped to attention, sat up straight, and got out pen and paper. For the next couple of minutes they exchanged demographic data, and Alice vowed to contact the midwife.
Boy, I hope something good comes of that. This project creates spinoffs; when people get together, unexpected relationships can occur.
Bob
Rob and David (#881) 06-02-15
Two fellows walked out of the coffee shop in a very animated discussion. They took seats nearby as I got the camera ready. The topic was professional basketball, especially the Cleveland Cavaliers and LaBron James. The tone sounded argumentative, but they were actually agreeing about some things. Not being a big roundball fan, I summoned up as much faux interest as possible and approached them.
Rob and David were pleasant, and happy to oblige me. The real topic of conversation was the firing of Chicago Bulls coach, Tom Thibodeau, even though he had won almost 2/3 of the games over the past five years. They think that the bulls' owner is crazy.
Rob
David
Both work for Inlanta Mortgage Co. Their business has been very brisk lately. They were impressed that I read a newspaper article saying that over 50% of home sales in our area are for cash. But even with a minority being financed, Rob and David are doing well. They are both from Philadelphia, and they KNEW each other in Philadelphia.
“You two have known each other that long and you're still friends?”
David, laughing, “Yeah. Amazing isn't it? (Eyes rolling)”
Maybe Philadelphia really is the 'City of Brotherly Love.”
Bob
Julia (#880) 06-01-15
As I sat outside of the coffee shop, Pastry Art, Julia walked in. Her look was so compelling that I dared not miss her leaving, so I went inside and intercepted her. As she waited for a latte, I explained my intention, and she was game. I told her that I would wait outside.
As she emerged, there was the latte in one hand and a pastry in the other. After a brief conversation I asked her to stand in the doorway, which I propped open with my foot as I shot. I asked her to remove the sunglasses, but her hands were occupied; I reached up and removed them. After photographing, I carefully put them back on.
Julia moved to Sarasota at age 11. She graduated from Booker High, a school specializing in the arts.
“Are you an artist?”
“Yep, musician.”
She sings and plays guitar. Bar tending is her 'day job'.
“I worked for seven years at the Gator Club, and seven years at the Five O'clock Club.”
“Wait a minute, that's too many years. You're not that old.”
“I started earlier than I should have, working in clubs.”
“Well, at least you never consumed alcoholic beverages there.”
“Oh no (eyes looking up).”
Bob
Newspaper article (#879) 05-31-15
Several weeks ago, I spoke with a stranger when a second woman walked up. I got a few shots of both, with minimal interaction with the second. I gave them both cards.
Two weeks ago the second woman, Katy, contacted me and said that she was a reporter for the Sarasota Herald Tribune, our main newspaper. On May 19 she interviewed me and followed me for a while as I did my thing. on May 26, an article about me, and 100 Strangers took up 2/3 of the front page and spilled over to page 6. The entire text and a 2 minute video is here:
www.heraldtribune.com/article/20150526/ARTICLE/150529793/...
This is my "Fifteen Minutes of Fame." :-)
Bob
John and Kathryn (#878) 05-31-15
I sipped coffee in front of Pastry Art, awaiting my chance. A couple sitting nearby were having an animated conversation and seemed to be 'in the moment.' So I approached them, and as I gave my spiel, the lady began to smile -a good sign. But when I finished, they just sat staring and said nothing. That was a very long three to four seconds. Finally I looked at John and raised my eyebrows. He shrugged and said “I guess so”, and, of course, Kathryn followed suit. Whew!
John was taciturn, and every phrase was measured. He was born in Sarasota and graduated from Cardinal Mooney High school. Getting his law degree at Stetson University, he now practices case law in Sarasota.
Kathryn is a Physical Therapist at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Originally she was from Orlando.
“Happy to get out of Orlando?”
“Yes, very.”
Disney has altered Central Florida so much that I feel sorry for families that have been there for generations.
Bob
Melody (#877) 05-30-15
Melody and her husband, Andrew, have the Edy's Ice Cream concession on Main Street. She lived in Illinois for much of her life. In 1988 she went to Jamaica and stayed for three years. There she met Andrew.
I commented that Jamaicans in the U.S. Have the 'don't worry, be happy' upbeat attitude, but in Jamaica people seem unhappy. She disagreed. “Jamaicans are a wonderfully generous and happy people.” Americans see locals in the tourist areas, a different population from the countryside.
Melody and Andrew had an Edy's store in Tarpon Springs for 12 years. Edy's used to carry frozen yogurt, but sales dropped off after nine eleven and it was discontinued. She conjectured that with world events so uncertain, people were less concerned with diet and went for real ice cream.
The allegedly ideal location for their store would be St. Armand's Key. But the rents are so high, and traffic so abysmal, that they prefer a more laid back spot. Then she went into some stupid employee stories – that is ultimately why they run the store themselves. I told her about an episode in a Dairy Queen. My wife ordered the smallest Blizzard. Accidentally the employee made the next size up. When I pointed out the error, he shrugged, threw the Blizzard in the garbage, and made the smaller one. Melody howled. Yep, that's why she and Andrew run the store themselves.
Bob
Ryan (#876) 05-29-15
Another accommodating potential stranger sitting in a perfect spot. Thank you God! And Ryan instantly understood the project and was very willing.
Ryan was born in Germany, but on a U.S. Military base, so he has no accent. As an army 'brat' his formative years were spent in several locations, including time in Virginia and Maryland. But his main memories are of Columbus Ga, when his father was stationed in Ft. Benning. His father now lives in Orlando, and his mother in Bradenton.
Ryan is a chef at the local Ritz Carlton resort. He likes the job and is appreciative of the opportunity. But his goal (soon) is to head to Los Angeles. He wants to be a film director. Since age 10 he has been involved in amateur film production. And he thinks that his quality time with Ritz Carlton will serve him well. Ryan works with quality people and has developed a background in logistics, useful for a director. He is well aware that many wanabees in L.A. Don't make it, but it is a dream; “I have to give it a shot.”
When he stood by my new favorite wall, he immediately assumed these poses. I would call them cinematic.
Bob
Jillian and Friends (#875) 05-28-15
Three young ladies were chatting and laughing by my new haunt, Buddy Brew Coffee. Had I met them a mile away, I would want to transport them to exactly where they were sitting: good light and neutral background. Minimal post processing, works for me!
As I explained the project, they immediately 'got it.' Jillian said, “Oh, sort of like 'Humans of New York.'” I said “I wish. I don't have the guts to ask the questions that Brandon Stanton does.” She said that she had his book. So do I.
Jillian
Well, my desired 'character shots' weren't going to happen. All three are into fashion and are very conscious of posing and glamor. I had my work cut out. The three went to high school together, in nearby Bradenton. Jillian currently lives in Chattanooga and works in a woman clothing store. She stated the name but it meant nothing to me.
Cami
Cami has designed a line of woman's clothing. “Oh, is it sold in Jillian's store?” Laughing, “No, that's my next goal. Kelly is 'in transition'. Actually that is a euphemism for unemployed. I prefer 'in transition.' She said that she would like to be a stylist. Cami spoke up and said that Kelly would be perfect, she has a good eye for art and color.
Kelly
All three liked 100 Strangers and took cards.
Bob
Nolan (#874) 05-27-15
I stepped into the coffee shop, Pastry Art, to get a cup of Joe prior to stranger hunting. Pastry Art has had some employee turnover, so there are a few new faces behind the counter. One young fellow commented on my camera – the Olympus OM-D E-M5 (it took me a long time to learn that by heart). What kind of camera is that? is it film? etc. So I explained the camera and said, “Guess what I like to photograph?” So a minute later he was obliging me by standing in the doorway while I clicked away.
His name is Nolan.
“Is there a 'D' on the end?”
“No, it is not like Roland.”
Nolan is from Chattanooga and says that the weather there is more mild than you might think. He and a friend took a trip to Oregon, but Nolan would up staying for two years. He worked at a Starbucks at an airport.
“Oh, so it was the same kind of work as here.”
“Yeah, it's that the coffee cost twice as much there.”
He has been in Sarasota for a month and a half, working at Pastry Art the whole time. There is a sign on the door, “Baristas wanted.” Nature of the business I guess.
After several clicks, I showed him the images. For some reason, he likes keeping his mouth open; in most images his mouth was open wider than this. He laughed and said, “Oh Jeez, I look stoned.”
He did.
Bob
Nicole (#873) 05-26-15
I saw Nicole at the Farmer's Market, in direct sunlight. I waited a bit as she ambled along and then chose my spot to meet her. There are so many interesting people at the Market, but the backgrounds are all busy and contrasty. There is no good place nearby. So I try to pick a location with acceptable light and be resigned to more post processing than I like.
Nicole was rather surprised when I approached her, but became a 100 Strangers fan over the next couple of minutes. She is from Utica, NY, and did her schooling there. Now she is a Child Protection Officer. She lives in Orlando and commutes to work in Kissimmee.
“Isn't that a rather long commute?”
“I just live with it, the job is worth it.
She often goes to a Farmer's Market in Winter Park, an immediate Orlando neighbor. Nicole likes the Sarasota one better and was glad that she visited for the weekend. She took my card and is interested in getting a copy of the photos.
Bob
Louise and Jerry (#872) 05-25-15
Louise and Jerry are Brits. They lived in London and moved to Tampa seven years ago. Louise is retired, a retired housewife. I'm not sure what that means for Jerry. He works for a factory that manufactures “soda pop.” I was not aware that any major soda brands were produced in Tampa. Turns out they aren't. He makes soda for store brands, like Publix. I never knew that store brand soda was produced in separate factories from Coke, Pepsi, etc. Isn't 100 Strangers a great learning experience?
I have been impressed by the number of local residents with British accents.
Me: “How do so many Brits find Southwest Florida?”
Jerry: “It begins with Disney. People from overseas go to Disney and later tour the rest of Florida.”
Me: “But after a Disney vacation, who can afford to travel anymore?”
Jerry: “Well, you come back 20 years later when the kids are grown.”
Me: “Ahh...”
Louise: “Once here, you just cannot return to the constantly gloomy days of England.”
Makes sense to me.
Bob.
