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

Hi Iain
Your usual high standard but that shot of Helga is excellent. Beautiful pose and complementary background. The lighting is sublime, the b/g being muted but with colour and the face nicely highlighted.
Interesting expression on Madeline's face, not your usual eye contact but quite intriguing.
Still not sure about the part figure shots. The standard seems to suffer on comparison with the excellent head shots.? It is as if the concept does not work as well.
 
@superpippo
Thanks Alan, the lighting on Helga was all natural, not even use of a reflector. It was under open shade at St Katherine's Dock near Tower Bridge.
Madeline was a little reluctant to my making her portrait at first but obviously she agreed. Perhaps its that reluctance showing through. Because of her initial reluctance, I pretty much took the portrait where I first stopped Madeline, hence the harsher light.
The part figure shots I think lose a little intimacy with the subject, the head and shoulders portraits are all about the person whereas the wider shots introduce the environment more. My default shot is the head and shoulders but in order to expand my posing of subjects repertoire, I introduced the wider shots.
These are generally as an aside to the head and shoulder shots which remain the main image for each stranger.

Thanks again (y)
 

135:200 Strangers - Holly by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Holly from Sydney Australia was visiting Cambridge with her boyfriend Fabian who is French.

"I met Fabian in Byron Bay around 6 months ago. We've been travelling around Europe, last place we visited was Italy and we've been in the UK around a month now. Next we'd like to travel through Germany, Canada or New Zealand, wherever we can get a visa for!"

"Coming home to Fabian makes me happy!"

"The best thing to happen today was that we went on a punt, by ourselves, we done well."

I had given Holly my card with my contact details on when I introduced myself and my project before making her portrait.
She had noticed on the back of my card some portraits of strangers from my first round of 100 Strangers. Holly commented that they weren't smiling and asked should she smile or not. I asked Holly if she was a smiley person?

"Yes, definitely!"

Then smile away if thats you then Holly!


Thank you Holly and Fabian!
 

136:200 Strangers - Katt by Iain Blake, on Flickr

I noticed Katt and her friend having a cigarette break near Shad Thames, just along from Tower Bridge London.

Katt lives and works in London.

"My two kids make me happy!"

"In 10 years time, I would love to be away from London but I will probably be doing the same, a working Mum looking after my kids!"

Thanks Katt!
 

137:200 Strangers - Tom by Iain Blake, on Flickr

I noticed Tom, a professional falconer flying his Harris Hawk around Shad Thames. The hawk was scaring pigeons away from the area which is a mix of residential, commercial and restaurant properties.

Not wishing to distract Tom from his work for too long, I never really found out much more about him.

"My friends, family and playing sport makes me happy!"

Thanks Tom!
 

138:200 Strangers - Delphine by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Delphine lives and works in London.

"Shoes and clothes make me happy!"

"I should have listened to my Mother more. At the time, I thought she was talking gibberish but if I had listened, I wouldn't be where I am today!"

Was your Mother right?

"Oh my God, yes!"

Thank you Delphine.
 
Hi Iain well at last I've caught up with your thread, fabulous shots as always, although some didn't show on my iPad, not sure why that is.

The ones I like the best are the more unusual characters, there a so many very pretty girls about but I think it's those that are very distinctive that stand out for me .....Alice in your first shot.....Sandy #92 , and also the two guys Paulo and Muya. I also very much like Tom with his hawk although it digresses a bit from your normal choice. I though Kayla #71 had a very interesting story and I think this is an excellent part of your thread.

I read David @Pookeyhead comments and thought they were interesting, I think as you said in your reply there are lots of avenues the project could take you down, you have huge talent for this type of thing, plus you have the courage to ask which is a huge hurdle. I'm looking forward to seeing your new ideas as they come up and hope you'll be letting us follow them.
 
@susiejb
Thanks Susie, I haven't been shooting my strangers project for a few weeks, I had other commitments photography wise, second shooting for Damien @Slimbert at a wedding in Leeds and my great niece's christening in Scotland. It's all people photography which is good because that's the main reason for my starting the 100 strangers project.

I have a few ideas for shooting strangers, as I think I have mentioned above, off camera flash to name one. Shooting at different times of the day too, probably taking it into the evening now they are getting darker earlier will give a different look to my portraits.

With this second round of 100, I am more inclined to slow things down and almost shooting the project in the background. Approaching strangers as and when I notice them as opposed to specifically going out solely to shoot the project.

Thanks again for looking in Susie.
 
It's all good stuff Iain.

Do you have a preponderance for ladies with almost perfect skin or is there some retouching going on :) ? That B&W one you put in the B&W thread is amazing and you can really see the connection you're getting with your subjects who all seem relaxed and confident in front of the camera. Like Susie said, you do have a talent for this, and I'll be looking forward to your next project. You seem to be good with your subjects - how about going for some different expressions? Using that connection to push people a bit further?

Keep it up!
 
@Harlequin565
Thanks Ian, :D there is no retouching going on, a lot of the strangers do have almost perfect skin but it may also have something to do with how I process the portraits. I lower the clarity a little which has something of a skin smoothing effect.

I have retouched a couple of portraits previously. Not altering any physical features, more just removing spots or blemishes.
I have it on good authority, a female friend, that most females would appreciate this.

That's a good point about different expressions Ian. I know some within the 100 strangers group ask their subjects to pull a face or suchlike.
I'm not sure that's for me but I do generally take smiling and straight faced shots and post the one which I feel happiest with.

Thanks for looking in, you've given me a few things to think about.

Cheers
 
Its been a few weeks since I was last out shooting specifically for this project but i got back on it today up in London.
Results posted below.
 

139:200 Strangers - Yomi by Iain Blake, on Flickr

I saw Yomi and his fantastic hair striding along Shoreditch High Street and had to ask if I could make his portrait.

Yomi lives and works in London.

The future?

"Living happy and living comfortably!"

Thanks Yomi.
 

141:200 Strangers - Jess by Iain Blake, on Flickr


141a:200 Strangers - Jess by Iain Blake, on Flickr

I noticed Jess sitting at a bus stop with her boyfriend, particularly her great look and style.

Jess is from Glasgow but was down in London visiting her boyfriend.

Jess is a jazz singer with Strathclyde University Orchestra.

"Friends, family and singing make me happy!"

Thanks Jess!
 

142:200 Strangers - Kim by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Kim lives and works in London at The Chapelle Restaurant, near Old Spitalfields Market.

Advice to younger self?

"Save money and don't go spending it on nothing.

Be aware of danger around you, be careful of who you mix with, it is so easy to find trouble."

"When I was younger, I wanted to be a pilot in the Air Force, but that wasn't possible. Id like to find a job with less hours, so I can have more spare time. Id love to be an events planner, organising parties, shows, all over the world but ideally id like to say in London."

Thanks Kim!
 

143:200 Strangers - Keturah by Iain Blake, on Flickr


143a:200 Strangers - Keturah by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Keturah was visiting a Tattoo Convention but lives and works in Norwich.

I asked Keturah the origin of her name?

"Its from the Old Testament bible, Genesis I think. My parents are quite religious and named us all from the bible."

The future?

"Id love to have my own home in Nottingham. I went to university there and its where i am most comfortable."

"Id also love to travel, I want to explore!"

"As long as you feel happy in yourself, go for it!"

Thanks Keturah!
 
Had a great day today meeting up with like minded photographers from the Flickr 100 Strangers group around Brick Lane London.
A very productive day, results are posted below.
 

145:200 Strangers - Connor by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Connor from London was having a wander around with his friend.

"Having a good time with good people makes me happy"

"its easy to waste your time in London, spend it wisely!"

Thank you Connor.
 

147:200 Strangers - Nils by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Nils is from Norway originally but is now living and working in London.

"I learned to speak English and wished to live somewhere that spoke the language. My partner and I chose London."

"I love to ride my bicycle, it's what makes me happy!"

Thanks Nils.
 

153:200 Strangers - Cordelia by Iain Blake, on Flickr


153a:200 Strangers - King Che by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Cordelia lives and works in London. She was walking around with her son King Che.

I asked Cordelia if she could take her sunglasses off so that I could make her portrait to which she replied:

"This ain't the face man!"

"I don't wear make-up, so this ain't the face!"

"I would love to live somewhere hot and sunny in the future."

I asked King Che what was his favourite thing about his Mum?

"My Mum makes me happy!"

Cordelia is a songwriter and King Che designs tee shirts.

Thank you Cordelia and King Che.
 
Thanks Iain. I can see your reflector bouncing light from below in all the others, I just wondered if you had used 2 or if it was a reflection of the sun off of a building as he also looks back lit.
 
Talking of reflectors and catchlights; for the shot of Valentina, were you holding the reflector above your head?

And can I just say how much I enjoy your strangers project - thanks for sharing it with us.

Mike.
 
Great set as always Iain, if I had to chose from the latter's, it'd have to be Jason,
Cracking pose and a cracking expression too (y)
 
Brian_of_Bozeat said:
Thanks Iain. I can see your reflector bouncing light from below in all the others, I just wondered if you had used 2 or if it was a reflection of the sun off of a building as he also looks back lit.
Click to expand...

Come to think of it Brian, I seem to remember the light was behind King Che, I used the reflector lower down and there may have been further light reflected from buildings nearby as it is quite built up where I was shooting.

Bicko said:
Talking of reflectors and catchlights; for the shot of Valentina, were you holding the reflector above your head?

And can I just say how much I enjoy your strangers project - thanks for sharing it with us.

Mike.
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike.
No, I always use the reflector lower, as above in reply to Brian, there are a lot of tall buildings nearby which reflect the light too.

Cobra said:
Great set as always Iain, if I had to chose from the latter's, it'd have to be Jason,
Cracking pose and a cracking expression too (y)
Click to expand...

Thanks Chris,
Jason was a cool bloke, so laid back. He got the project and made for a great model.
 

154:200 Strangers - Karen by Iain Blake, on Flickr


154a:200 Strangers - Karen by Iain Blake, on Flickr

I found a background that i wished to use to make a stranger portrait and waited a while for someone to come along.

Karen came walking past talking on her mobile phone, I thought she would be a perfect stranger but didn't wish to interrupt her conversation. It wasn't long before Karen walked past again, by which time she had finished her call.
A little reluctant at first, Karen told me she was meeting a friend but as long as it didn't take too much time she agreed.
I was mindful not to take too long and as such didn't get to find out much about Karen. She spoke with a lovely soft Irish accent and told me.

"Friends are important, they make me happy!"

With that, Karen burst into a fit of laughter. Her friend Daniel from New York had joined her and was making her smile.

Thanks Karen!
 

155:200 Strangers - Ben by Iain Blake, on Flickr

I saw Ben and Kasia (#156) sitting outside Milkbar, a coffee shop where Ben is a barista part time.
Ben moved to London a year and a half ago. An actor, between roles whilst working in the coffee shop.

"I have dual passports, Australia and UK but its difficult to say where home is. I grew up in New Zealand but moved with my family to Perth, Western Australia. Both Australia and New Zealand taught me who I am, both contributed to the person I have become."

"Being comfortable leads to complacency. Complacency is boring!"

Thank you Ben and good luck!
 

156:200 Strangers - Kasia by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Kasia was sitting with Ben (#155) outside Milkbar, a coffee shop where she too is a barista.

Kasia is from Poland but has been in the UK 1 year today.

"I graduated from university having studied architecture but moved to the UK to challenge myself.
Friends, family, meditation and travel make me happy!"

"My future? I wish to be in the best place for me that I could be!"

Thank you Kasia!
 

157:200 Strangers - Jess by Iain Blake, on Flickr


157a:200 Strangers - Jess by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Jess is from Berlin but was visiting London with friends.

"I am deciding whether or not to get another tattoo. The tattoo artist whose work i admire is based in Naples but she sometimes visits London, so who knows what might happen!"

"I will get it that tattoo, I will"

"Just be yourself!"

Thanks Jess.
 

159:200 Strangers - Kalkidan by Iain Blake, on Flickr

Kalkidan is originally from Ethiopia but was brought up in Holland.

"I lived in the UK for a few years but grew homesick, and went back to Holland. I work for an Ethiopian Art Gallery within the media side of the business. I'm not an artist but wish I was!"

Thank you Kalkidan.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top