Week 10 of the 365 Day People Picture Project was a nice slide back into reality after the thrill and excitement of week 9. There are no famous rock stars or well-known authors this week… just 7 nice people who were kind enough to let me take their picture. To me, they're all rock stars. If you're just checking in for the first time, I've challenged myself to take a picture of a person every day for an entire year. I post each picture to my Instagram, daily, and then do a recap of the week's photos here on the blog.
The majority of my subjects have been random strangers, but my friends, family, and co-workers are also helping me out as well.
I'm not a photographer, but I have a desire to learn. This project is forcing me outside of my comfort zone. I'm now signing up for a few photography classes and I spend a little time each day studying online resources. Someone asked me why I didn't first take a few classes and then start the project. Hmmm, that seems like it should have been the logical progression. It's ok. I don't regret that I dove into this thing head first and in doing so, I've realized just how much I don't know and just how much there is to learn. I also think I may have never started the project had I first had real instruction. Learning my deficiencies (which are plenty) in these first few weeks and months will help me know how to ask for proper instruction and training.
Day 64 - Jill the Runner
I had just wrapped up my 7 mile walk and Jill was half-way through her 7 mile out-and-back when I stopped to ask if she would let me take her picture. She looked so fresh-faced and strong, I thought she was just warming up! Jill happily agreed to let me take her picture and we visited a little about our shared love of that trail and being out in nature.
Jill has a few marathons under her belt, but now she's running just for the love of it. She will continue to run half-marathons but she's not so sure about full marathons. She has a quote hanging on her bulletin board that keeps her moving. She couldn't remember it exactly, but it's something like…"the run isn't the distance, it's the journey."
Day 65 - Two Skaters at Tabor
I approached these two as they were about to start their ascent up the stairs of Mt. Tabor. They were cool with me taking their picture but it was on the condition that I be quick about it because they were in a hurry to skate! I was so quick that I blew the shot of them with their boards and failed this picture as well. Among other troubles, the guy on the right isn't in focus. I have to learn to nail it the first time, and nail it quickly!
Throughout this project, I've had an average of about 1 minute to get the picture after quickly explaining the project and asking the subject for permission to take their photo. I've had one subject in which my spiel and photo took a total of 45 seconds, or less!
In addition to being a complete beginner, rather, a beginning-beginner, I sometimes get nervous with certain subjects. Knowing these guys were in a hurry made me stressed. In reality, I had no less time with them than I do with the majority of my subjects, but I didn't want to inconvenience them and by worrying about the time pressure, I blew it. They're still cute skater boys and no matter how badly I blew the picture, you can still see that for yourself!
Day 66 Dog Walker at the Park
I debated which picture to share with you. I ended up with a lovely picture of just the woman alone. I'm more pleased with her "portrait" but decided to share this one instead. I think it more accurately conveys the experience.
I had an ah-ha moment in week 9 and inadvertently realized why I've had so many problems taking pictures of dogs with their humans. Actually, Roger (from day 61) showed me the error of my ways. Although I struggled with the conditions, Roger made me realize the key to taking a picture of a human and a dog, is that I need to close the distance between the two. Roger did the work for me. He crouched down close to Hana and they became one compact little unit.
When I spotted these two in the park, they were already a compact unit because the woman is so petite. I thought, for once, I'd be able to get a decent full-length shot of a person with their dog. Again, I was mistaken and I blew it.
The dog kept lunging at me…she was lunging for lovins! I could tell that the owner was working with the dog on this but I was just too irresistible. Well, most likely it was the fact that she could smell my own dog so she just really wanted to get to know me a little closer. The owner explained that her dog loves cameras! She was actually quite the ham and she loved the click of the camera. However, she would get so excited that I didn't get a good shot of just the dog either. Had we taken more time, I'm sure we would have all settled down and the results would have been different but I had fun with the two of them.
The owner gave me a suggestion and I can't believe I hadn't thought of it. She said I should carry doggie-treats with me! Don't be surprised if I catch these two again someday. I'd love a do-over. Hey, I never made a rule against using the same subjects twice and I think it might be pretty interesting to do so.
Day 67 - Jonathan
Jonathan works at one of the best pizza places in town - Blind Onion Pizza. Jonathan, (as is everyone who works there) was so friendly and nice. I figured the odds were in my favor if I were to ask him if he'd let me take his picture for the project. He agreed and as soon as he did, he got a rush of customers.
I took this picture after things had settled a little. Poor guy…I snapped 4 pictures so quickly that he rubbed his eyes after I finished because I had just "flashed" him in rapid-fire succession. I felt kind of bad for temporarily blinding the Blind Onion guy.
Day 68 - Edgar
Edgar is another co-worker. He has onehellofa hard job. He's our production manager. We've worked together for 13 years but in that time, we only ever talk t-shirts. Edgar's job is stressful. In trying to think of what to tell you about him, I had the realization that Edgar is always in control. No matter how tense things can be or how much stress we're under, he handles it. We're in a deadline-driven industry and the pressure can sometimes be overwhelming, but Edgar is always mister cool. I appreciate that about him…he keeps us level.
We car-pooled on Thursday because his car was being worked on so that gave us a chance to visit. We sat in traffic for so long, I was able to convince him to be Day 68 because he saw first-hand that there wasn't one other subject available between work and our neighborhood. Lucky for me, he was willing to fill the void!
Day 69 - Ryan
I sent out a frantic text to a few of my friends on Friday night, hoping they'd be out and about. I hadn't found a subject for the day so I knew my only hope at that point was to hit up a bar. Luckily, my friend Anne agreed to meet me. It was a great excuse for us to catch up!
Anne and I had dinner while we were scoping the place for potential subjects. I searched the entire place but kept going back to the same person, Ryan. After looking through my pictures, I've realized my mind sort of favors furry bearded guys as subjects and my preference is for a black and white photo. Color is great too, but I've determined that a man's beard makes for great texture in a black and white picture.
Ryan was out having a great time with his friends when I approached him to ask if I could take his picture. I think they were just about to dive into their potato skins when I interrupted them. As awkward as it must have been, he agreed to let me take his picture.
With winter and daylight savings time approaching, I suspect I'll have to start searching for subjects at happy hour. Luckily, my friends have a much more active social life than I! Anne now knows that it might be a frequent occurrence for me to text her to ask her whereabouts so that we can meet up and I can get my picture for the day. It's a win-win! I'll get to see more of my friends and I also have some help in finding a subject.
Day 70 - Lorri
I've known Lorri for 27 years. She is the sister of my dear friend, Debbie. Because of my friendship with Debbie, Lorri is practically like my own big sister.
Their entire family came to town to celebrate Lorri's 50th Birthday. We had such a beautiful night! I laughed and cried and laughed some more. I knew I wanted Lorri to be day 70 but there was just one problem…we didn't stop laughing the whole first 4 hours of the party! I didn't even take any pictures because I was having so much fun enjoying everyone.
We took turns telling Lorri stories and I don't think I've laughed so hard since the last time I was around this bunch. This is one special woman and some of my very best memories are of times spent with her and her family.
Lorri's daughter-in-law and future daughter-in-law both gave such loving tributes to Lorri and they summed her up perfectly. Lorri is the kind of person who welcomes you into her family with open arms and she makes you feel comfortable from the moment you meet her. She's always been a welcoming, loving and accepting person…she welcomed me into their lives 27 years ago.
Happy Birthday, Lorri. I love you!
Thank you for following along on week 10! If you were a subject this week, thank you! The only reason this project is even alive is because of you. I appreciate your time and thank you for letting me take your picture.
If you'd like to follow me on Instagram, my username is @missellanea. I'd like to follow you back!
Have a great week!