100 Strangers **Complete** 15th July 2016.

Dark Knight said:
Another good set of strangers Iain... for me Andy's image is the crop of this bunch, I really like the background in combination with his appearance/style, glad to see you get this rolling again (y)
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Thanks Dean, i aim to complete this round of strangers and then move onto other projects.
It will still involve people photography, thats where my interests lie now. It may well be that the strangers project runs in tandem with other projects, my ideas can be interlinked.
 
susiejb said:
Hi Iain, just had a catch up and thoroughly enjoyed looking at your shots, two stand out ones for me....Saga #144 there's something stunning about her face, and Nick #180 ....he looks like man with a story to tell. But as usual they are all first class.
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Thank you Susie for visiting my thread and having a catch up :)

I found out afterwards that Saga is a model, so she was a natural in front of camera.
I agree Saga is stunning and her style matched so well with the background:D

I really enjoyed my encounter with Nick, we had a lovely chat for quite a while.
You're quite correct, he does have a story to tell.
 
To start the year as I mean to go on, I paid a visit to Cambridge today to continue with my 100 strangers project.
It was good to be out in the fresh air and did wonder what to expect of Cambridge and whether there would be anyone else out and about.
The city was quite busy for a cold January day.

Results are posted below.
 

167:200 Strangers - Kit by Iain Blake, on Flickr

I noticed Kit and his sense of style walking around Cambridge with a friend.

Kit is from London but visiting Cambridge for a few days over the New Year period.

"I am writing a book on Covenant Theology. Last year was horrendous for various reasons but I am looking forward to this year.

I look for the good in everyone, my friend Dave thinks that people are essentially bad but I disagree. Everyone has good in them.

My faith keeps me happy!"

Thank you Kit!
 

168:200 Strangers - Laura by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Laura is from Auckland, New Zealand and is visiting the UK for the Christmas & New Year period with her parents.

"I custom make clothing and bedding products for dogs. I add my own personal fashion & decor tastes to what I produce."

"Ask anyone what Laura likes and the answer is dogs!"

See Laura's Facebook page:

Dogs Of Desire and website

dogsofdesire.co.nz

Thank you Laura!
 
I prefer the colour version of Kit :thumbs:
( I saw the B&W before I saw this one)
Happy new year Iain :thumbs:
 
Cobra said:
I prefer the colour version of Kit (y)
( I saw the B&W before I saw this one)
Happy new year Iain (y)
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Thanks Chris, I do a B&W conversion of all the stranger portraits as a matter of course but do agree, I feel the colour version has the edge over the mono.
As with Laura's portrait too, I much prefer the colour version here too.
 
Dark Knight said:
Really well suited backgrounds as usual Iain, Laura's is very nice with the converging lines, but pic wise I like Kit's photo, a great character !!!
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Thanks Dean, Kit was such a stylish character walking along in Cambridge, he stood out from the crowd with his sense of style.
 
I have a notion to make a portrait a day for this year and this notion saw me out again today in Bury St Edmunds to try and achieve that.
I can see this going ok whilst I am on holiday from work but once I start back I feel it may be too much of an ask due to my workload/commute.

Anyway, the result of today can be seen below.
 

169:200 Strangers - Nicole by Iain Blake, on Flickr

It was Nicole's sense of style which made her stand out from the crowd on a very dismal day in Bury St Edmunds.

Nicole lives in Bury St Edmunds but works in London as a teacher at a private school teaching children with autism. She was shopping in company with her three children today.

"Teaching children with autism is very rewarding but difficult too. Its essentially rewiring the brain to learn how to deal with the condition."

"I am an individual, I enjoy challenging convention. I love people, they make me happy!"

Thank you Nicole!
 
Wow, Iain, there are some amazing shots in this thread. What an interesting project. I don't think I would have the courage to ask strangers if I could take their photo. Do you get many rejections?

I love the little story attached to each one. There are some very interesting people around.

One more question - do you do much PP? The eyes on most of them are really stunning. I realise that the light is really important but do you process the eyes separately?
 
jennyb said:
Wow, Iain, there are some amazing shots in this thread. What an interesting project. I don't think I would have the courage to ask strangers if I could take their photo. Do you get many rejections?

I love the little story attached to each one. There are some very interesting people around.

One more question - do you do much PP? The eyes on most of them are really stunning. I realise that the light is really important but do you process the eyes separately?
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Thanks @jennyb Jenny.
It is a great project, I love shooting 100 strangers.
Of the 169 portraits i have made, I would guess there are around 20-25 people who have said no.
The first couple of rejections take a little getting used to but now, I don't mind.

PP wise, I do all of my editing in Lightroom barring any cloning which perhaps needs done. I only clone away temporary blemishes, spots, shaving cuts etc.
Everything else is what makes a person who they are.
I do global changes, contrast, highlights, shadow etc. The eyes I will do local sharpening on them, thats it. Anything else tends to alter the colour slightly so I leave alone.
I do like using the split toning in Lightroom, and will often adjust colour tones of the overall image to what i like the look of. You will notice particularly in Laura and Nicole's portraits above, I have tended towards more pinkish tones. Again, I feel this suits their skin tones, colouring and in Laura's case matches her scarf.

I don't want to be too stylised with the look of my portraits but do wish a sense of consistency and overall style.

Thanks again Susie :)
 
Not commented for a while Iain and I'm trying to work out why.

I wondered whether it's because "all your photos are good", but I ended up thinking that it's because this feels like a project from someone who knows what they want, how to get there, and also has the ability to get there. I'm truly not sure what more I can add other than to say keep at it!

One question though... Does this project still challenge you? What's the next Blakester Project? Wait. That's 2...
 
Harlequin565 said:
Not commented for a while Iain and I'm trying to work out why.

I wondered whether it's because "all your photos are good", but I ended up thinking that it's because this feels like a project from someone who knows what they want, how to get there, and also has the ability to get there. I'm truly not sure what more I can add other than to say keep at it!

One question though... Does this project still challenge you? What's the next Blakester Project? Wait. That's 2...
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Thanks Ian.
In answer to your questions, it does still challenge me, not in respect of the photography as such. I have a formula for that, and I know it isn't ground breaking camera craft anyone can do it. The challenge comes more from my subject choice. A few people have said that it's mainly young woman that I take photographs of. Granted, the majority are female but I like to think I have at least attempted to address that balance. The ratio is around 1 male subject for every 3 female.
This is where my challenge comes in, I have become very particular about stranger choice. Many times, I have checked myself and said no, I won't ask that particular person. Try and ask a male or an older woman.
I wish to park this project but I wish to finish it on 100.
Next project? Something still within people photography. I live in a cul de sac and wish to make every resident in the road portrait.
I was attempting a portrait a day but due to work and commuting that isn't practical.
Thanks again Ian.
 

170/200 Strangers - Tanya by Iain Blake, on Flickr


Oscar by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Tanya was born in New Zealand, but a Canadian by nationality now living in London. Tanya and her son Oscar were having a day out around London.

"I love to immerse myself in my art, conceptual stuff and some photography too. I haven't being doing that lately though, other things get in the way and demand my attention, so I am a little envious of you doing the 100 strangers project."

Thanks Tanya!
 
Couple of questions from me...

How did you get the even light under Oscar's hat brim? Lifted in pp, or reflector? Or was it such a flat grey day that the light was like that?

Also, did you include the blobs of orange to the left of Tanya's face deliberately? I find them a bit distracting,
 
@Harlequin565
Ian,
I used a reflector to light under Oscar's hat. They were stood beside a metallic building which had angled, non vertical walls which threw some extra light back. It was a grey day but the reflector helped a lot.
I did try and have a go at the orange blobs in PP, they are desaturated from what they were but not quite enough that they don't distract you.
 
Today saw me return to shooting my strangers project after what seems like such a long time.
I visited London again today but around an area that I haven't visited before for shooting strangers. Around Sloane Square and the Kings Road.
Result is posted below.
 
Grace is from Northampton but was in London shopping at her favourite clothes shop which had a sale on near Sloane Square.

"My kids and husband make me happy but I am having a are day off. I am hardly ever alone but today I am enjoying my freedom, so this is wonderful being surrounded by people eating oysters and listening to jazz!"

Thank you Grace!


171:200 Strangers - Grace by Iain Blake, on Flickr
 
Evening, iain, missed a lot here.

Gotta give a little crit...some of the photographs don't look as sharp as usual :thinking: Oscar for example.

That said, some absolute belters :clap: and too many to comment on. However, Laura is wonderful, so fresh and I get a real positive feel from her. Kit, boat loads of character and I agree with his assessment of people.

Yup, you are maintaining a high standard.

BTW, we need to arrange a meet sometime. I know @blondie606 @Robbi , amongst others, are keen for a meet up :thumbs:

Cheers.
 
posiview said:
Evening, iain, missed a lot here.

Gotta give a little crit...some of the photographs don't look as sharp as usual :thinking: Oscar for example.

That said, some absolute belters :clap: and too many to comment on. However, Laura is wonderful, so fresh and I get a real positive feel from her. Kit, boat loads of character and I agree with his assessment of people.

Yup, you are maintaining a high standard.

BTW, we need to arrange a meet sometime. I know @blondie606 @Robbi , amongst others, are keen for a meet up (y)

Cheers.
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Thanks Andy (y)
For some reason, I uploaded Oscar's portrait to Flickr at 800px on the long side, that may account for the lack of sharpness on that one.
Laura was a lovely stranger, she had a great outlook on life and I feel that has come out in her portrait. Kit, another wonderful character, I thought he was famous in some way, he had a certain look/way about him, can't quite put my finger on it.

We certainly do need a meet up sometime, it's been too long.

Cheers!
 
danpug said:
Fantastic work. The quotes are just as interesting as the pictures.
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Thank you!
The interaction and engagement with the strangers is the most important part of the project for me to be honest.
I feel that it helps me enormously in my photography if I can make that connection. It doesn't and hasn't happened every time, sometimes I think it shows in the portraits too.
 
As others have said, I wish I could be as brave as you to be able to approach people, I'd love to do this but there's no way I could due to confidence! I imagine once a few have consented it gets a bit easier though.
 
danpug said:
As others have said, I wish I could be as brave as you to be able to approach people, I'd love to do this but there's no way I could due to confidence! I imagine once a few have consented it gets a bit easier though.
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Quite a few people have said this before you @danpug, and I always say the same. You will be genuinely surprised at people's reaction.
In this my second round of 100 strangers, I'm guessing around 10-15 people have declined. The worst that can happen is they say no.

You are quite correct, once a few have consented, it does get easier as you find a successful approach/dialogue and stick with it.
 
I really like the idea of this project and really liking some of the images you have captured and its definately one that i may have to consider doing similar or at least take inspiration from. Have you come up against many challenges and if so were they just the normal, what do you want it for, where will it end up etc...
 
33L said:
I really like the idea of this project and really liking some of the images you have captured and its definately one that i may have to consider doing similar or at least take inspiration from. Have you come up against many challenges and if so were they just the normal, what do you want it for, where will it end up etc...
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Thanks Lee.
No, I haven't really came up against any challenges beyond the usual.
I have cards with all my details on them, email, Facebook, Flickr pages and my mobile telephone number which I give to each person whose portrait I make.
Before that though I explain its a personal project which will go on my open Facebook photography page and Flickr.
Beyond that, the only challenge is that which I put on myself. It's so easy to ask good looking 20 somethings who don't mind having their photograph taken but I try hard not to ask them. I have been out many times with my camera and not made any portraits. It's not that I didn't see anyone to ask, more that I put constraints on myself to only ask those older than their twenties etc.
The project has slowed considerably of late, I wish to complete it but don't want to rush through it at the expense of not quality but ethos and shooting a those good looking 20 somethings :)
 
blakester said:
Thanks Lee.
No, I haven't really came up against any challenges beyond the usual.
I have cards with all my details on them, email, Facebook, Flickr pages and my mobile telephone number which I give to each person whose portrait I make.
Before that though I explain its a personal project which will go on my open Facebook photography page and Flickr.
Beyond that, the only challenge is that which I put on myself. It's so easy to ask good looking 20 somethings who don't mind having their photograph taken but I try hard not to ask them. I have been out many times with my camera and not made any portraits. It's not that I didn't see anyone to ask, more that I put constraints on myself to only ask those older than their twenties etc.
The project has slowed considerably of late, I wish to complete it but don't want to rush through it at the expense of not quality but ethos and shooting a those good looking 20 somethings :)
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I can see how a card with the public info is a good idea and my line of thought was going down the same road. As for the demographic i can see how they can be an easy shot to get. I am possibly thinking of somehow getting a theme (not a clue yet) to tie in all the characters. I will have to give this some thought...
 
@33L
Lee, I find the cards really help. Beyond their first name, I don't request any personal details from the strangers.
It is then up to them should they wish to contact me by any of the means on the card.

A theme is a good idea. It could be location, Simon @juggler is shooting a similar project at a nature reserve which works well.
The demographic could be the theme, or tattoos, or another physical feature. Good luck with whatever you choose..
 
blakester said:
It's so easy to ask good looking 20 somethings who don't mind having their photograph taken but I try hard not to ask them. I have been out many times with my camera and not made any portraits. It's not that I didn't see anyone to ask, more that I put constraints on myself to only ask those older than their twenties etc. :)
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I find this a real problem - I was determined from the start of mine to stop anyone who didn't look too busy, regardless of whether they're an interesting looking character or not - but I find my definition of 'too busy' is somewhat elastic.
 
juggler said:
I find this a real problem - I was determined from the start of mine to stop anyone who didn't look too busy, regardless of whether they're an interesting looking character or not - but I find my definition of 'too busy' is somewhat elastic.
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Are you finding yourself looking for more interesting characters Simon?
I mainly shoot in London so there is never a shortage of people but even then I can go out for hours and not make a single portrait!
 
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