Via Flickr:
Today saw another fun encounter … and a rejection.
I’m now pretty much at ease with this project now – I walked straight up to Patrick, chatted throughout and took some photos whilst he continued talking. Like others recently he offered to pose or at least move elsewhere so I decided on a shot with him smoking his cigarette and I like the one I got – makes him look very chilled and at ease with the world which is pretty much the impression I got of him.
Patrick is studying Japanese and Cultural Studies at Newcastle University (he started doing Chinese but switched) and next year he is going to Hiroshima for his gap year. He seemed quite confident he would get what he needed and he reckons he’ll probably go on to do a Masters after he graduates. And the best bit … he doesn’t even think that he is good at languages!!!
We talked a bit about approaching people, comfort zones and the 100 Strangers project and he thinks it’s a really cool idea – so here’s one “stranger” that I know is going to follow up and check out the image and the project as a whole. He seemed vaguely surprised that anyone would have a problem walking up to a complete stranger and asking to take their photo even though he appreciated it is not a common thing to do. He was also the second person in two days to shrug and say sure when I asked to take their photo without caring what the reason was.
Random comment – he’s still not convinced he likes his hair and not entirely sure why he did it.
Given my new found comfort zone I’m probably not going to talk about the approach much from now on unless there is something specific to say – such as getting rejected …
… which happened a few minutes later. Pretty girl with deep red hair and huge blue earrings (think Pat Butcher style but twice the size and really nice). She did stop long enough for me to explain the whole project but nonetheless I don’t think I’ve ever been eyed quite so suspiciously and she simply said “not looking the way I do” (talking about herself not me) but I suspect this was just her polite way of saying “get lost weirdo”. I thanked her anyway and left and I can honestly say it didn’t faze me one bit – I’m amazed I got so far before getting my first rejection. Onwards and upwards!
Thanks for taking part Patrick – it was fun chatting with you and I wish you all the best with your studies and especially enjoy your gap year!
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This picture is #14 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
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