Sixty one gracious years, I believe.
Thank you, Herbert, for allowing me to photograph you for my ongoing portrait project.
Jim (#930) 10-12-15
On my way to the coffee shop, I found an angle parking spot half a block away. A car pulled in to the next spot simultaneously. As we both got out our eyes met and I saw the glorious mustache. Following a few steps behind, he obliged me by stepping into the coffee shop; all I had to do was follow. While on line, I introduced myself and made “the ask.” Jim was surprised, but totally cooperative and friendly.
Jim is originally from Syracuse, NY. He worked for Chrysler Corp., manufacturing drive trains and trans axles for Chrysler, Ford, GM, BMW and others. I had no idea that the other companies bought drive trains from Chrysler. Jim and his wife began Vacationing on nearby Siesta key in 1986. Nine years ago he retired and made the full time move.
We spoke while still indoors. I asked him to step into the doorway while I held it open. The geometry wasn't exactly as I preferred. I wound up outside, holding the door open with my foot, while Jim was a few steps inside. Sometimes you just have to work with what you get.
Thank you, Jim, for allowing me to photograph you for my ongoing portrait project.
Bob
Dayle and Kristen (#929) 10-06-15
After parking in a high rise lot, I descended the stairs to a plaza that included Buddy Brew Coffee. But I didn't even get there. Dayle was sitting on a couch right in front of my favorite charcoal grey wall. Perfect spot. Having not approached a stranger for a few weeks, I felt awkward.
When I explained the project, she immediately agreed, but was curious about my intent. The Photostream on the phone helped. And I explained that it was more about getting out of my comfort zone than photography.
Dayle is from Nassau County, New York. She had been back twice in recent weekends and remembers shoveling snow vividly. She is now a realtor on nearby Longboat Key. Dayle did not particularly like my first images, so I let her pose herself however she wanted. I don't think that the two looks are all that different.
As we spoke, her friend Kirsten walked up. She expressed no reservations about being photographed, and changed places with Dayle. Like Dayle, she did not like the first pics, so I let her pose herself too. They took cards and asked for a digital copy of the images.
Thank you, Dayle and Kristen, for allowing me to photograph you for my ongoing portrait project.
Bob
James (#928) 09-26-15
On a rainy day, I entered my favorite coffee shop. Several tables on the sidewalk are covered by umbrellas, but I chose to sit inside. Until James came in. He had a backpack and seemed out of place, and uncomfortable. After placing his order, he found a table outside fairly protected from rain. So I went out to meet him with a plastic bag for the camera, if necessary.
James is originally from Birmingham, AL, but now lives near Destin, in the Florida Panhandle. He is an architect working for the St. Joe Company. For many decades it was the St. Joe Paper Company. It owned a zillion acres of forest that it harvested for paper. Now it is a real estate development firm. James says that the goal is to eventually build 170,000 houses in five communities.
I commented that this sounded like the nearby Lakewood Ranch. A planned community popped out of nowhere and now is a center for retail activity. “Lakewood Ranch isn't my favorite. There is too much control, it's not authentic.” He used to live in Sarasota and watched Lakewood Ranch being developed first hand.
He approved of the images, especially the contemplative look. But he did not want a copy.
Thank you, James, for allowing me to photograph you for my ongoing portrait project.
Bob
Max (#927) 09-07-15
I have been "off the streets" for a while, for personal reasons. The time has arrived to become productive again.
During this sabbatical, I have photographed a few baristas and waitpersons, while obtaining little personal information. Max works at a restaurant that I visit fairly frequently. Although there is a large staff, max always seems to get stuck with me.
Bob
Gunner and Jan (#926) 08-12-15
As I passed a restaurant on Main St., Gunner and Jan were on a bench in front of a restaurant. His expression caught my eye. I had never photographed in this spot, but the light looked acceptable, and Gunner's face was more than acceptable. So I made the ask. The response was positive, but lukewarm. Jan was into it more than Gunner.
He said that his portrait would break my lens, I've heard that before. He moved here from Mass., but would not say where he was born. Jan tried to egg him on, but Gunner was not talkative. After I got the shot, Jan agreed, but would only give me a camera smile. They both live in the same apartment building.
In the past, I would not have posted these images. I wrote the entries for the 100 Strangers Flickr group, which requires more story (in my opinion), than Gunner and Jan. But that all changed about a month ago.
I got a surprise notice from the group moderators. I had about 670 entries, another fellow had nearly 800 and a woman from Finland had a staggering 1,200. The moderators felt that we were posting too much and not developing as photographers, and that is the mission of the group. So I have been politely barred from posting in that group. At first I was surprised and disappointed. But in a way this is liberating. I feel free to photograph anyone I want and give as little or as much as the case warrants.
Thank you, Gunner and Jan, for allowing me to photograph you for my ongoing portrait project.
Bob
Hayley (#925) 08-10-15
At noon on a Sunday, I parked in a high rise garage, crossed the street and headed to Giuseppe's Ristorante. I had photographed Giuseppe a few years ago. https://www.flickr.com/photos/bobdeinphoto/8083805112/in/album-72157627425474507/
Alas, it was closed for lunch on Sundays. Drat! So I headed back toward the garage and passed “Old School Bar and Grill, a Music Joint.” It looked a little rough, but how rough could a place be at noon on a Sunday? So I went in to the dark, noisy establishment and had a decent taco salad. More importantly, I met Hayley.
She was my waitress, and as soon as I saw her I mentally kicked myself in the rear end for not carrying the camera. But it was in the trunk of the car, 90 seconds away. When I finished and Hayley asked if there were anything else I wanted, I said “Yes”, and explained how I wanted to meet her and make a portrait. I showed her my photostream on the phone and she was quite impressed with the lighting. A mature observation. So I settled up, got the camera, and was back for action. The open doorway into Old School was a good spot.
Hayley was born in Virginia and came to Sarasota at age 11. She went to Bradenton Prep, a now defunct high school. The job at Old School has good hours for Hayley, but this is not a career. She works nights during the week so that she can be home during the day while her husband works. They share duties taking care of their 'very active' 16 month old son. On weekends, the boys have 'guy time' while she works during the day. Hayley plans to be a stay-at-home mom when their second is born (no, she's not pregnant yet).
Thank you, Hayley, for allowing me to photograph you for my ongoing portrait project.
Bob
Will (#924) 08-03-15
Back where I belong, sipping Coke (Coke? Too hot for coffee) in front of Pastry Art. Will was perched precariously on a large display window ledge, reading a paperback. He looked serious. But he was very approachable and eager to cooperate.
Will is a native Sarasotan, having graduated from Sarasota High School. He works at the McCurdy's Comedy Theatre and Humor Institute, about a half mile away. I said that it must be nice to work at a comedy venue where patrons won't get drunk and rowdy. “Yeah. Well, usually (smile).”
“What book are you reading?”
Turned the cover over. “Nuclear War and Environmental Catastrophe.”
“Wow! Which do you prefer, comedy or nuclear Armageddon?”
“Both. I'm very dualistic.”
I guess so!
Thank you, Will, for allowing me to photograph you for my ongoing portrait project.
Bob
Jordyn (#923) 08-01-15
As I entered Buddy Brew Coffee, another barista (baristess?) was at the counter. After placing my order, I asked if she would allow me to photograph her. “Sure. I've heard that you have been photographing other employees.” Uh oh, the word is out!
Jordyn is from Sarasota, having graduated from Riverview High School 10 years ago. She has held several jobs, but so far Buddy Brew is best.
“Do you see yourself working here indefinitely?”
“Nothing is indefinite. There are lots of things I'd like to do.”
She liked the image and gave me her e-mail address to send it.
Thank you, Jordyn, for allowing me to photograph you for my ongoing project.
Bob
Laura (#922) 07-27-15
As I walked by Cafe Clasico, a woman seated in an alcove addressed me. Immediately her light gray hair stood out with the dark background and I was interested. She asked me for financial assistance to spend a night in a shelter. The request was no surprise, but her location at the restaurant was. As usual, I made a 'deal.' Laura was happy to be photographed.
As a child, she lived in Central Islip, NY, just a few miles from where I had lived. Laura has been homeless in Sarasota for 5 years. As we spoke, I slowly realized that I had met, and photographed her before. A couple of winters ago on a cold morning, I met her while she wore a hooded coat. I never saw her hair.
I later went into the restaurant and ordered a bowl of soup. When it came, I told the waiter to take bowl out to Laura, put it on my tab, and not tell her where it came from. A few minutes later the befuddled waiter said that she had already eaten and was no longer hungry. Go figure.
Thank you, Laura, for allowing me to photograph you for my ongoing project.
Bob
Then and Now (#921) 26-07-15
I met and photographed Anthony last March. I see him every two or three weeks. The second image is from yesterday. He is proud of how he's 'cleaned up."
