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

Brian_of_Bozeat said:
Hi Iain,The headshots are as good as ever but I like the longer shots even more. Perhaps its because I like a bit of variety and the headshots are so alike?

It's becoming difficult to comment on this project as you have the technicalities of the shooting and the processing down to such a fine art, and I've run out of superlatives!

Keep it up! :cow:
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Agree with the above
 
blakester said:
@Pookeyhead
Thank you David, first up, I wholeheartedly took this in the spirit it was intended, no criticism of the work taken :)
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Good :) The portraits are excellent... I'd hate you to think otherwise.
 
Looks like I commented and forgot to 'post reply' :banghead: because I remember commenting on Paulo.

Anyways, the portraits are, as always, wonderful. Full of interaction, cracking BGs beautiful people.

Of the recent posts:

Gwen, obviously a cat person :) stands out with her warm smile and slight tilt of her head.

Ksenia, with her uber red lipstick, Audrey Hepburn glasses and creamy BG.

Helena has a very intense stare that i like but her eyes look a little OOF.

David makes some interesting point and I'll have a look at the links. Any books on the horizon :)

Cheers.
 
I must admit to enjoying your street captures and it is enlightening that you have days that don't go to plan.

I notice that many of your subjects are often colourful, outgoing people often with bright hair or body art. My question is:- are such people easier going and more likely to strike a pose, or do you specifically 'select' them to give life to your art?

Oh, and do keep going, I enjoy reading and looking at the portraits immensely.
 
Haven't visited this thread for quite a while... Was great to catch up!

The subjects really seem to pop from the background no matter what location you have chosen. Are they lit? Reflected? PP'd?

Thanks in advance.
David.
 
@posiview
Thanks Andy, on the subject of a book, it's a job in progress. The easy part was taking the photographs, putting them and the words together in a book, not so easy. I thought it would be a case of photograph on one page, writing on the other but it's not as straightforward as that, for me. There's a matter of choice of font, layout and how it looks. I am working on it, just don't know when it will be finished.

shreds said:
I must admit to enjoying your street captures and it is enlightening that you have days that don't go to plan.

I notice that many of your subjects are often colourful, outgoing people often with bright hair or body art. My question is:- are such people easier going and more likely to strike a pose, or do you specifically 'select' them to give life to your art?

Oh, and do keep going, I enjoy reading and looking at the portraits immensely.
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Thanks Ian,
On subject choice, I do look for colourful characters, or just someone who looks interesting perhaps subconsciously as I think they are more likely to pose.
I have been thinking about this lately and wish to shift away from a certain demographic and bring more diversity into the project.

minnnt said:
Haven't visited this thread for quite a while... Was great to catch up!

The subjects really seem to pop from the background no matter what location you have chosen. Are they lit? Reflected? PP'd?

Thanks in advance.
David.
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Thanks David,
It's all natural light portraits with use of a reflector for fill light.
I am tempted by the idea of off camera flash for the coming months when it starts to get dark earlier.
 
minnnt said:
Thought they looked reflected.

Keep up the good work mate, will look forward to seeing you progress to OCF in the coming months. Don't rush through them too quick!
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Thanks David,
I have slowed up somewhat in this round of 100 strangers so no chance of rushing through them.
The OCF idea will take a little working out, I don't fancy carting a load of gear around the streets so will be a bit minimalist in my approach.
 
After something of a hiatus from my 100 Strangers project, I paid a visit to London today to get the project off the ground again.
Didn't think I was going to get anywhere today after walking quite a few miles but finally did in the end and the results are posted below.
 

128:200 Strangers - Dominika by Iain Blake, on Flickr

I spotted Dominika in all her colourful style walking along.

"I'm on my lunch break!"

Dominika is from Poland but lives and works in London as a make up artist and hair stylist for a photographic studio.

She laughed when I used a reflector to lift the light on her face a little.

"This is a real photoshoot!" she said with a smile.

"I'm in a good mood, the sun is shining and I feel good. I am having a brilliant day!"

Thank you Dominika!
 

129:200 Strangers - Sandy by Iain Blake, on Flickr


129a:200 Strangers - Sandy by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Sandy was walking along Long Acre in London looking so colourful.

I asked sandy what kind of day she was having?

"Not too bad really, Ive just come from the National Portrait Gallery where I tried to get into the Audrey Hepburn - Portraits of an Icon Exhibition but it was booked for today, I am going back tomorrow."

Sandy is a photographer and artist, she showed me her drawings which she had entered into a competition, The Jerwood Drawing Prize. The Jerwood Drawing Prize is a joint initiative, led by Professor Anita Taylor at Bath Spa University and supported by Jerwood Charitable Foundation through its contemporary gallery programme Jerwood Visual Arts. Selected from original art works, it has established a reputation for its commitment to championing excellence in, and promoting and celebrating the breadth of, contemporary drawing practice within the UK. By showcasing the work of emerging artists alongside established artists, the Jerwood Drawing Prize has helped contributed to the careers of numerous well-known British artists over its history since 1994.

Sandy's style or medium is as she told me;

"Drawing household items such as oil and vinegar onto photographic paper and developing it"

I noticed it gave an abstract effect to her drawings.

I asked Sandy what made her happy?

"Engaging with people, meeting new people and connecting with them. Too many people are engrossed in their smartphones and don't really engage with others!"

Sandy is having an exhibition of her work in Wimbledon in September as part of her graduation for her Masters Art which she invited me to come along and see.

Thank you Sandy.
 
Hi Iain I'm on my iPhone and have had a few JDs, but Sandy made ne go "wow" she really pops and the blue hair (which I had some years ago :)) brought back memories.

I'll comment further shortly :)

Cheers.
 
@posiview
Thanks Andy, yes Sandy was a lovely subject for many reasons, personality and photographically being a couple.
She was very engaging, I stood chatting to her for quite a while. Sandy showed me her art work which I particularly liked.

Cheers
 
You are a real glutton for punishment aren't you Iain? :D
Its looking good (y)
 
Cobra said:
You are a real glutton for punishment aren't you Iain? :D
Its looking good (y)
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Thanks Chris, its a bit of an addiction now really, couldn't help myself going onto a second round :D
 
Boy have I missed a cracking thread again, didn't realise there was a second 100, fantastically started off with Alice!!! and the quality continues to shine through Iain, I wish I could offer some criticism but these are so way above any crit from me, so all I can say is keep them coming mate, this challenge is even surpassing your pebble theme for me for quality images, especially like how you choose the background and then wait for the subject, they so work that way around (y)
 
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posiview said:
:whistle:

:D
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:D Yes I know!
My project has slowed a little, but i have had a few shooting days where it just hasn't come together.
I want to change the project up a little but it's just taking longer to get the changes off the ground.

Cheers
 
Dark Knight said:
Boy have I missed a cracking thread again, didn't realise there was a second 100, fantastically started off with Alice!!! and the quality continues to shine through Iain, I wish I could offer some criticism but these are so way above any crit from me, so all I can say is keep them coming mate, this challenge is even surpassing your pebble theme for me for quality images, especially like how you choose the background and then wait for the subject, they so work that way around (y)
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Thanks Dean (y)
As mentioned to Andy, the project has stalled a little but ultimately there's no rush with it.
I rattled through the first 100 but this time round, there's changes I want to make, it's just taking a little working out to instigate the changes.

Cheers Dean
 
posiview said:
OOOOoooo, sounds interesting.

Cheers.
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Nothing too fancy Andy really, just OCF, on camera flash or other supplemental lighting.
I have the necessary equipment, just need to sort it so as I can travel with it.
Then there's the small matter of engaging with strangers and convincing them to let me make their portrait in what's essentially an alfresco studio :D
 
minnnt said:
Dylan Patrick style, Iain? :D

Can i ask which 50 you're using?

Ta.
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There are a few others in the Flickr 100 strangers group who are shooting OCF, but they mostly work with others whilst shooting.
This has been a solo project for me so far, so it's going to take a bit of working out. Not too difficult I feel, just need to get going on it.

I use a Nikon 50mm 1.4 lens David.
 
@Dark Knight

It does a little Dean, yes.
I've got lightweight light stands, shoot through umbrellas which pack down very small.
The problems arise when trying to set the lights up and get the correct exposure/light setup etc.
I just need to learn how to do it on the fly and not take up too much of a strangers time.
 
blakester said:
@Dark Knight

It does a little Dean, yes.
I've got lightweight light stands, shoot through umbrellas which pack down very small.
The problems arise when trying to set the lights up and get the correct exposure/light setup etc.
I just need to learn how to do it on the fly and not take up too much of a strangers time.
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Can you get triggers that do TTL, it would be worth reducing the hassle so well worth the investment by the sounds of it??

... even for a Scotsman :exit:
 
Dark Knight said:
Can you get triggers that do TTL, it would be worth reducing the hassle so well worth the investment by the sounds of it??

... even for a Scotsman :exit:
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:mooning:
:D Cheers Dean, yes I've been considering that option.
Need to make the whole set up as streamline and slick as possible.

posiview said:
I bought this combo and very please with it so far.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IN2DA40?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CSFCDKK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01
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Thanks Andy, those are the very ones I'd been looking at.
Those are the ones that Bernie used at the mega meet. (y)
 
posiview said:
I was amazed at the price as well. Well constructed and no issues.

Cheers.
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Thing is though Andy, I have a couple of yongnuo 560II flashes and a Nikon SB900, I don't think the yongnuo flashes work in ttl with those triggers?
 
My project has stalled a little of late between one thing and another, but hopefully its been kickstarted into life again after a visit to London today.
 

130:200 Strangers - Miki by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Miki from Manchester was down in London on a shopping trip with her daughter Leah who is 16 next week.

"I'm proud to be a Manc!"

"Best thing to happen to me today? The fantastic street food in Camden earlier, it brought a tear to my eye, it was that good!"

Miki and Leah were heading off to go on the London Eye.

Leah says about her Mum:
"She is dead hard, gets tattooed on the side of her head but is scared of heights!"

One word to describe your Mum?

Miki: "Don't say mad!"

Leah: "Fabulous, no, amazeballs, no, she is sweetabix!"

Thank you Miki and Leah!
 

131:200 Strangers - Helga by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Helga seemed in a bit of a rush alongside St Katherine's Dock when I stopped her to ask if she would be part of my strangers project.

Helga is originally from Cape Verde Islands off the West coast of Africa but has lived in the UK for 13 years and has her own hairdressing business.

"Dancing makes me happy!"

Helga had been heading to her dance session when I had stopped her. I walked with Helga a little of the way to find out a little about her.

Thank you Helga!
 

133:200 Strangers - Drew by Iain Blake, on Flickr

I noticed Drew or to be more to the point, I noticed Drew's shirt when he was walking along Bishopsgate with a couple of friends.

From Yorkshire, Drew was visiting London for the weekend.

"Beer makes me happy!"

"I love beer!"

Thanks Drew!
 
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