New project 100 faces of society

[Karl12347]

Hi Everyone

I have decided to start my own little personal challenge. My aim is to take some shots of interesting looking people from different backgrounds and profession. Nowadays society is so diverse, I was hoping to get a representation of it within 100 photos.

Recently I haven't been using my camera much and decided I need a challenge to focus on. Having recently bought the 35mm prime lens for my Nikon D3100 last week I will use this lens with a variation of aperture settings and post processing styles.

I was hoping to post the photos on this thread to get feedback and ways to improve on the shots so I get progressively better throughout the challenge.

Hopefully I should have my first photo in the next few days.

Any words of advice to start with would be great.

 

[HopefulM]

good luck with your challenge, looking forward to seeing your images
x

 

[Karl12347]

Hi Everyone

This is my first shot for the challenge. This lady caught my eye in the street with her pink hat and zig zag jumper which was quite unique compared to the clothes most people were wearing. She was more than happy to pose for the shot which made made me wonder what I was worrying about in the first place.

Having gone out in my lunch hour to Peterlee Town centre I was asked to leave due to them having rules regarding photography (some rubbish about it being private property)
This meant that I was left with no real background for the shot where people were passing.

I kept the aperture wide open to blur as much background as possible and set the focus point to her nose.
Post Processing I simply increased the contrast slightly to boost the colours on her jumper.

I would appreciate any advice or feedback on the shot.


100 Faces of Society #1 by Karl12347, on Flickr

 

[wildsam90]

Great idea for a challenge, As you said society is so diverse.

I find my self watching people walk past the shop window often thinking what type of back ground they have as you can't read people like front cover!

As for the image, Perhaps look where the light is coming from to remove the shadows,
Other than that love the dof and good luck!

 

[Karl12347]

Great idea for a challenge, As you said society is so diverse.

I find my self watching people walk past the shop window often thinking what type of back ground they have as you can't read people like front cover!

As for the image, Perhaps look where the light is coming from to remove the shadows,
Other than that love the dof and good luck!

Thanks for the feedback, think the problem was someone walked past as I took the shot causing the shadow but because I was nervous and rushed, I didn't want to hold the woman up too long I didn't realise.

On with the next shot tomorrow. Bit calmer this time...

 

[posiview]

Subscribed and .

I'm quite confident but cannot for the life of me ask strangers to pose

Good start and issues have been mentioned.

Regarding the shopping centre, if you're going back I'd do some research and see if it is private or public. If public, politely make who ever asks you to leave aware of your rights to photograph on public land.

Cheers and good luck.

 

[Jao]

Karl, an excellent project indeed. I think the theme of the diversity of people around us is a really good one. I have been doing some candid street portraiture for a few months and have been working up to asking people to take their portraits in the street.

Great first image, really like the subject. Depth of field is great and focus is nice. I agree with Sam about the shadow on the face, but hey I have a raft of grab shots which I have taken in haste on the street with exactly the same issue. I completely associate with your comment: "because I was nervous and rushed"' I know exactly how that feels and I have a raft of images that don't quite cut it for that very reason!

So much so I have just bought a cheap RF flash remote unit with the view to shooting with a flashgun in one hand and camera in the other to try and brighten up the faces, just working up the nerve to use it now.

Anyway thanks for posting the challenge I need to take a leaf out of your book and get myself in gear and get on with a similar challenge.

Thanks for the motivation.

 

[leftcurl]

well done Karl... firstly for deciding to do this, secondly for actually pushing yourself to break the ice as it were.

I've thought about doing this many times, but never taken it further. Don't know if this suggestion is any good for you, but my thoughts were to print a few business cards out (myself, not paid for) with my name, email, some sort of title/logo saying '100 strangers' or similar and flickr address to the project - i could then use the cards as an ice breaker / introduction and also allow the people to view their pics online. i would also ask the person a few minor details to add to the portfolio.. ie... first name, age, occupation.. i know parting with that information might put a few people off, but i'd hope it would add a bit more depth to the project and give a little more insight to the viewing audience.

Keep it going, i'll be watching with interest