99% Digital

#90 Alex, a photo by haggisandchips on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

When I first spotted Alex he was wandering along quite relaxed and looking like he was in no particular hurry, so I approached him and popped the usual question. As so often is the case the reply was a slight shrug and "sure" without a care in the world. I handed him a card and explained about the project as I dug my camera out.

Alex works in recruitment and specialises in engineering so with no real common ground there (and lets face it, who wants to talk about work during their lunch break anyway) I asked what he liked to do in his spare time and discovered that he likes football and is a season ticket holder at St James’ Park (for those familiar with English Premier League football I refuse to call it anything else). He’s been going for a couple of seasons now and is obviously (again, to those familiar with English football) more than happy with the way our season has gone.

Next up I popped my usual maddest thing question, and got an immediate and superb answer …

… I had a massage from an elephant in Thailand.

I was really tempted to leave that answer as it stood but ultimately I couldn’t resist asking for an explanation. Whilst on holiday he volunteered to go in goal – or be the innkeeper as my son calls it 😉 – so that an elephant could take a shot on goal. Afterwards though and having already volunteered he then found himself lying on the ground whilst the elephant gave him a massage by pressing down on him in various places with its feet. Sooner him than me!

Alex travels quite a lot and his favourite places are Thailand and New York, which he visits quite often.

Alex, thanks very much for helping me with my project – I hope you like the photo if you decide to look.
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Please feel free to provide constructive critique on the technical aspects of this photograph.

This picture is #90 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

#89 Alan, a photo by haggisandchips on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

A very brief encounter today. When I asked Alan if I could take his photograph he started to explain that he was waiting for someone and then they were going to return to their parked car which was about to run out of paid time. I explained that 5 minutes would be plenty of time and in fact I could take less if he wanted. At this he agreed – I wouldn’t say that he was reluctant but I did get the impression that he was slightly edgy about time. He had no interest in looking at the photograph so my card remained in my bag.

Where we stood he was under the canopy at the entrance to a shopping centre so I asked him to step out into the street a bit and after a couple of shots with his sunglasses on I asked if he would mind removing them and when he obliged I fired off another couple without.

In between these two bursts a woman joined us and laughing, asked what on earth are you doing, so I explained about the project for a second time when Alan delegated to me for an explanation. She then retreated out of the way quite happily.

As I was photographing Alan without his glasses he almost seemed to be edging away and was clearly conscious that time was marching on so I called it quits on the photograph. As I obviously wasn’t going to get a chance to ask him many questions I popped my "maddest thing" question hoping for a good one liner …

… the maddest thing that Alan has ever done is swim in some underground caves in Mexico. I decided not to push it by asking how that came about so simply thanked him for his time and said goodbye.

Alan, I guess you will never see this but thank you very much for your time anyway.
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Please feel free to provide constructive critique on the technical aspects of this photograph.

This picture is #89 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

#88 Tommy, a photo by haggisandchips on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

One of the first things I learned about Tommy is that he has a little Irish blood in him – I reckon that smile is 99% Irish blood ;).

Pretty much the next thing that I learned about Tommy is that he loves life – and again, doesn’t that smile tell the story ;).

Tommy is from Dunston (which is quite a coincidence because at the time I approached Tommy I was listening to AC/DC – whose lead singer is also from Dunston) but he’s long since retired as a bricklayer and when asked what he liked to do with himself I learned that he is a member of the Irish Centre – a private club that I myself belong to so I will need to keep my eyes open lest I see him again. He is a member of a local Labour Club as well and when I approached him he was waiting for his mate prior to enjoying the hospitality of the Percy Arms so I think it is safe to say that Tommy is making good social use of his retirement.

I struggled to hear every word he said (as did he struggle to understand me) but he liked to talk so I did little to guide the conversation. Dancing cropped up several times – he obviously greatly enjoys dancing (and did a wee shimmy by way of demonstration in the middle of the street on at least a couple of occasions) joking that it helps keep him young.

He told me a story about one time when he went to a function where it was £4 for a pint of John Smiths … "****** that" he thought and went and sat down but later when he got up for a dance he came back to his seat to find a pint sat waiting for him. A while later the same thing, up he gets for a dance and when he got back there was a pint, sat waiting for him. There was a wonderful twinkle in his eye as he related this story!

After a bit he changed tack and I thought he was going to say goodbye but instead he asked me what my name was and shook my hand again when I reintroduced myself – he was obviously intrigued by the project now rather than simply agreeing to a photo as he had done at first. When he asked how he could see the photo I handed him one of my cards as I had pocketed it earlier when he said he didn’t ever use the internet and he studied it carefully before asking what he needed to do – did he need to ring up to get it – I simply assured him that anyone that was familiar with a computer would be able to help him. I hope he does look at the photo and likes it – it makes me smile when I look at that smile ;).

Tommy, thanks very much for taking time out to talk to me today – perhaps some day I’ll get the chance to buy you a pint of John Smiths in the Irish Centre to say thanks.

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Please feel free to provide constructive critique on the technical aspects of this photograph.

This picture is #88 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

#87 Zat, a photo by haggisandchips on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

I first spotted Zat browsing in a shop I can’t mention until after Mrs H&C’s birthday on Sunday but I was in full-on present shopping mode at the time and running out of time so I let a clear opportunity pass. A while later though I spotted Zat coming out of another shop and no longer able to resist I pounced on him just before he dived into the next shop …

… yeah sure, but keep it short … and not embarassing!!! OK – I can do that (well the quick bit anyway) – although it did mean that I ended up taking the photo exactly where we stood despite the HUGE window with loads of natural light streaming in no more than 20 metres away so I took the shot at f/1.8 to ensure the busy background was thrown completely out of focus. Zat moved about quite a bit not knowing where to look and I couldn’t get him to angle his head away but still maintain eye contact and every time the eyes came back to me so did his head and there was one occasion when he was looking to his right then just as I was about to take the shot he stepped to his right and looked to his left instead. Eventually I got a shot that showed off the mohican although it lacked the eye contact I was after. Nonetheless I was keen to talk to Zat as well so I put my camera away after checking the last shot was sharp and started to ask him a little about himself.

Zat is a window cleaner from Sunderland named after Emil Zátopek – a very famous Czechoslovakian runner that I had to confess to never having heard of … although I obviously should have!

Pretty much the next thing that I learned is that Zat and his partner (wife/girlfriend – I don’t know) were out shopping for her birthday today but at the moment they were looking for new running shoes for him as he has recently started running again after a long absence.

I also learned that they go to Thailand for a holiday every year – and whilst he rarely gets asked for a photograph in Newcastle it happens all the time on holiday.

They are in fact just back from Thailand and learned about a dog sanctuary Soi Dog that they have volunteered to raise funds for (by running).

Conscious that he didn’t want to take too long over the photo I asked two final questions:

When I first spotted Zat I was struck that he had F*** the System emblazoned across his back – I have little doubt that is a very rare occurrence in the shop we were in at the time. I enquired if that was a band or a motto and learned that it is an album by The Exploited – but he does agree with it as a sentiment as well. It was easy to agree that the world is quite beyond repair at the moment – at least the supposedly developed part of it anyway!

Secondly, and many of you know the score by now, so my final question won’t come as a shock …

… the maddest thing he has ever done is hung from the top of the Eiffel Tower!!! Oddly his partner didn’t seem impressed by this pointing out that there was still a platform beneath him. "50 feet below" he countered! Nonetheless …

… the absolutely maddest thing that he has ever done is surf naked on top of a van racing through a Polish forest! Both seemed in agreement that that was pretty mad ;). I agreed ;).

During the maddest thing answer I learned that he used to be in a band called Snarling Horses which I Googled to have a listen to, which then led me to his next band Holy Racket which then led me to quite a cool wee anecdote …

Was that the lad out the Snarling Horses?

Zat,smashing lad,still does the windows,not sure mind.

… that made me smile – great initiative.

Zat, it was great meeting you today, you don’t have the tallest mohican in my project but it certainly holds it’s own in style! Hope you had a great day with your missus and good luck with the fund raising!
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Please feel free to provide constructive critique on the technical aspects of this photograph.

This picture is #87 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

#86 Maria, a photo by haggisandchips on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

Having decided I now wasn’t going home until I shot my fifth and final stranger of my mini challenge I was pleased when I saw Maria – a very pretty girl and with fabulous eyes once I got closer.

She was a little reserved but this came across as entirely due to the odd nature of the question rather than anything else and after a bit of explanation she agreed.

I took three shots and had a look on the screen and Maria became my second stranger to proactively have a look herself (something I have found to be very rare throughout this project) – the photos were nicely focused and well exposed but Maria wasn’t smiling as much as I would have liked so I took another couple after asking her to smile (which I think I did quite bluntly – sorry) and I was rewarded with a couple more shots that I was happy with. On reviewing the photographs at home prior to posting however I realised that the original shots were the better ones and whilst Maria was only smiling slightly it was a much more natural smile.

Maria is my second Maria, the previous one I now know to be Latvian but I didn’t establish that at the time. Nowadays I’m a lot more confident though so picking up on the accent I learned that Maria is from Lithuania and is in Newcastle doing the 1st year of a Media, Communication and Cultural Studies degree. As well as studying, Maria works at Newcastle’s Jazz Bar. In her spare time she enjoys art and recently volunteered for the local AV Festival which I must confess I’ve never heard of despite it running for an entire month!

Maria, thank you very much for taking part in my project – I hope that you like your photo!
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Maria is the fifth and final stranger I photographed today having set myself the personal challenge of photographing 5 young women in a row – a "group" that I must admit to generally shying away from. Others may think nothing of this but I found it difficult for reasons explained in the introduction to Daisy.

I achieved this on the first day of trying (albeit my second attempt at the challenge) with the help of Daisy, Kat, Ah’freee, Lindsay & Maria. Thank you all!
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Please feel free to provide constructive critique on the technical aspects of this photograph.

This picture is #86 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

#85 Lindsay, a photo by haggisandchips on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

Having taken 3 strangers’ shots at lunchtime I was really up for the project today and took my usual two stop detour before getting the metro home. As an indication of how bouyant a mood I was in I had 3 rejections in a row and within the space of only a few minutes but still walked boldly up to Lindsay and asked her to be a part of my project.

Whilst she stopped straight away to listen and even gave a little half smile there was something about her expression that told me I needed to explain myself quickly so I did and thankfully she agreed.

I took two almost identical shots of Lindsay (possibly even a single burst – not sure) and the most cursory of glances at the LCD told me that I had the shot already – I asked Lindsay if she would like to have a look but she declined. I asked her a little about herself but wasn’t planning to spend long chatting to her as I wanted to get home before my son went to bed and given the circumstances of my personal challenge I had pretty much decided I wasn’t going home until I had all 5.

Lindsay is doing an Accountancy course at Newcastle University and her spare time (and money) is taken up keeping horses.

Lindsay, thank you for your time today – I hope that you do have a look from the comfort of your own home and that you like the photograph.
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Lindsay is the fourth stranger I photographed today having set myself the personal challenge of photographing 5 young women in a row – a "group" that I must admit to generally shying away from. Others may think nothing of this but I found it difficult for reasons explained in the introduction to Daisy.

I achieved this on the first day of trying (albeit my second attempt at the challenge) with the help of Daisy, Kat, Ah’freee, Lindsay & Maria. Thank you all!
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Please feel free to provide constructive critique on the technical aspects of this photograph.

This picture is #85 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

#84 Ah’freee, a photo by haggisandchips on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

Meet Ah’freee – 3 e’s – very important ;).

What a wonderful character! I was heading back to work but having started work pretty early this morning I was happy to run over my hour and with 2 strangers already under my belt I wandered around close to work looking for another, and that was when the most colourful character walked past … happy smile, bold headscarf, bright earrings and a seemingly carefree mood … perfect!

When I asked Ah’freee she had little hesitation and I had the feeling this was going to be a good one to finish off a great day (hold that thought).

As I was digging out my camera I learned that Ah’freee is a love poet – also know as Radikal Queen – and can be found on the Apples and Snakes website showcasing performance poetry and spoken word.

Once I had my camera in hand I asked Ah’freee to face the sun, my intention being to try in that direction and then with her back to the sun but she wasn’t happy with that and clearly the sun was making her squint a lot so I picked a nearby plainish background instead and took a few side-lit shots – she was very obliging to a little bit of direction but I was struggling to get an even light on her face – nonetheless we got to the point that I started to review the shots and Ah’freee was immediately interested asking to see as well so I shoved my camera into the darkest shadow I could find (not very) so that she could look at the LCD but she didn’t like any of them so I suggested we cross the road (to the shade) and try again. Clearly intent on getting a shot she was happy with and apparently enjoying our meeting Ah’freee was more than happy to do this.

On the other side of the road we had another "photo shoot" and review session and still she wasn’t happy 😉 – I must admit I was greatly enjoying this as Ah’freee was so animated, pulling faces, smiling, cocking her head this way and that and laughing most of the time – which was both a challenge and a delight and given that when she asked what she should do I simply replied "be yourself" I was very much getting what I asked for. By now we were well past my record number of shots for any stranger and still we were reviewing/selecting and I think we did 4 "sessions" in all with a final short-list that comprised the one shot that I insisted on including, plus a few that Ah’freee liked and I promised to include one way or another (but not necessarily as the main shot).

This I think is the only time I would say that I have collaborated with a stranger and I must say that I really enjoyed it – I always like it when they get in touch but to be so engaged at the time as well is fantastic.

We chatted a little about the project as well and the way that many people find it difficult (although I hadn’t mentioned my sub-plot so we were just talking generally) and Ah’freee was very encouraging putting across the point so often made on here – don’t take rejection personally, just be yourself and everything will be fine.

Finally, I couldn’t resist my "What’s the maddest thing you’ve ever done?" question …

… one time when on the phone to her Mum, Ah’freee got something in her eye so she took her contact lens out to lick it and give it a clean – at this point her Mum made her laugh so much that she swallowed her contact lens!!!

So? Did Ah’freee finish off a great day … nope … but she was a fantastic middle in a great day ;).

Ah’freee thank you very much for helping me with my project – I think I’ve said it all above … it was fantastic fun photographing you and I hope you like the selection that I have chosen as well as the main image, even though I know that won’t be your favourite ;).
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Ah’freee is the third stranger I photographed today having set myself the personal challenge of photographing 5 young women in a row – a "group" that I must admit to generally shying away from. Others may think nothing of this but I found it difficult for reasons explained in the introduction to Daisy.

I achieved this on the first day of trying (albeit my second attempt at the challenge) with the help of Daisy, Kat, Ah’freee, Lindsay & Maria. Thank you all!
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Please feel free to provide constructive critique on the technical aspects of this photograph.

This picture is #84 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

#83 Kat, a photo by haggisandchips on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

Walking along Newcastle’s Northumberland Street I saw Kat and instantly grabbed by her lovely hair I made a bee-line towards her but was pipped to the post by a charity worker. I hung around for a second or two to see if she engaged with him or politely excused herself and moved on – unfortunately for me it was the former so I headed back the way I had just come keeping my eyes open for someone else and also to keep an eye on what Kat was doing. At this point I bumped into a colleague so I stopped and chatted to him for a while which killed some time nicely. Not long after he had moved on (not to scare the fish away as he put it) I noticed that the spot that Kat and the charity worker had been occupying was now empty … panic! Quick look around though and there she was, pretty much right alongside me.

Having waited/stalked Kat for at least 5 minutes no way was I hanging back or bottling this one, so … "Excuse me, I know that you have just been accosted by a charity worker – but …" – a brief explanation and she agreed!

I took quite a few photos of Kat and much more than I realised at the time but the light was harsh so between trying with and without sunglasses plus different angles in the light and different angles to try and get her right eye peeking out from her hair (phew, there was a lot going on in my head) I racked them up quite quickly but when I got home I liked several of them and ended up having to choose which ones I liked the best (rather than which ones were acceptable as is often the case).

Kat is a 4th year Politics student but has no intention of becoming a politician – I think her response to that question was something along the lines of "Oh God, NO!!!" – her plans are to work for an NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) such as the United Nations.

When asked what she likes to do in her spare time it was a simple case of hanging out with friends … and music! She likes all sorts of music but Reggae was the one that she specifically mentioned – between that and wanting to work for the UN, I suspect that Kat wishes that the world was a better place – and I sincerely hope that she helps to make it so!

Kat also become the first stranger to get in touch with me before I uploaded their photograph – she sent me a nice email explaining that she hadn’t fully understood the point of the project but having looked into it afterwards she thought the concept was "wonderful" and wished me good luck with my project – cool and thank you ;). She also told me that she was a fellow photographer – I must be slipping as I didn’t get that out of her at the time! That said I was painfully aware that I had stopped her no more than 50 yards from the last person to stop her so I was happy to get the photograph at all and let her continue with her day.

Kat, thank you very much for taking part in my project, yes it was a short meeting but nonetheless I enjoyed talking to you and I wish you well with your studies and whatever the future holds – I hope you do change the world because a lot of it is broken!
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Kat is the second stranger I photographed today having set myself the personal challenge of photographing 5 young women in a row – a "group" that I must admit to generally shying away from. Others may think nothing of this but I found it difficult for reasons explained in the introduction to Daisy.

I achieved this on the first day of trying (albeit my second attempt at the challenge) with the help of Daisy, Kat, Ah’freee, Lindsay & Maria. Thank you all!
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Please feel free to provide constructive critique on the technical aspects of this photograph.

This picture is #83 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

#82 Daisy, a photo by haggisandchips on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

I exorcised a couple of demons today!

First of all I asked a police officer which is something I have been meaning to do for ages (she declined), secondly I have long been aware that I have a bit of a block with attractive young women – the mainstay of many projects on here. I think the problem is that two of my worst rejections have been young(ish) women and on both occasions I’m pretty sure that I have really freaked them out and then not had the chance to even begin to explain. A few months ago I resolved to make my next 5 strangers young women but I fell at the first hurdle. Yesterday I set out to ask just 1 but came away empty handed but not through lack of opportunity given the lovely weather that we are currently enjoying which is bringing everyone out into the sunshine. So last night I told Mrs H&C that I was again going for 5 in a row … I got all 5 in one day today, as well as 5 rejections (all polite and in light of a full explanation about the purpose) and took a total of 38 photos – you’ll need to wait for #84 to discover the story behind that somewhat high number!

BTW I don’t have a complete block in this respect so the several young women that have already agreed to be part of my project need take no offence at this background story – it’s a simple fact that you are in the minority in my project ;). Anyway …

I kicked off early with a rejection then spotted Daisy who caught my eye with her confident style and bold sunglasses and chased after her as she strode off in the opposite direction. When I approached though she was happy to get involved with minimal explanation.

Daisy is studying product design at Newcastle University and currently designing a lunch box but it will not be made or sold, it’s purely for her course.

When I asked her what she likes to do for fun, she told me that she is in a band with a record deal in the offing and someday she may be famous – she said this whilst striking a showbiz pose ;). Obviously comfortable in the limelight then! Her band plays indie/electro pop which meant little to me so I asked who her/their influences would be … Phoenix and Friendly Fire … erm, OK … still none the wiser ;). At this point my headphones were dangling loosely and still blasting out Shinedown’s newest album – an American Rock band (which I shall unashamedly point out includes my #69 stranger Barry Kerch) – so little common ground musicwise.

These guys are not mucking about though … Mausi … not my kind of music but seriously talented and given they just signed a band manager yesterday they have real ambition and if the polished website, single and samples are anything to go by they are a real watch this space band. Good luck Daisy et al!

Somehow finding time, Daisy also enjoys street photography – basically photographing anything interesting – a bit like me then as I had several interesting encounters today of which Daisy was definitely one!

Daisy, thanks very much for taking part in my project today – it was a pleasure to speak to someone so relaxed (and especially given the context of my "mission") and whilst I approached you for the reasons mentioned above it was great to find myself speaking to someone that confirmed my belief that everybody has a story if you ask the right questions.
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Daisy is the first stranger I photographed today having set myself the personal challenge of photographing 5 young women in a row – a "group" that I must admit to generally shying away from. Others may think nothing of this but I found it difficult for reasons explained in the introduction above.

I achieved this on the first day of trying (albeit my second attempt at the challenge) with the help of Daisy, Kat, Ah’freee, Lindsay & Maria. Thank you all!
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Please feel free to provide constructive critique on the technical aspects of this photograph.

This picture is #82 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

#81 Sigmund, a photo by haggisandchips on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

Still on holiday, I went on my travels today resolved to speak to someone that wasn’t British and I got what I deserved with my first mime-nod-click stranger.

When I saw Sigmund he was kitted up in Spanish branded gear and astride a rather flash looking Specialized bicycle so he was a good non-tourist candidate. Off he cycled into the distance though, but as I continued on my walk I saw him again sat on a bench seat so I went and sat beside him, said Hola and asked if he spoke English …

… No he replied smiling and given it is such a short word and so easy to say I picked up no trace of an accent so I thought he was joking and asked if he was British. Apparently not … Isle of Man he explained … now I was confused, did he speak English or not? A few seconds later though we had it sorted – he hadn’t said Isle of Man he had said Alemania!!!

So he doesn’t speak English, I don’t speak German and we also established that I was letting the side down by not speaking Spanish so after exchanging names that only left gesturing to get the permission I needed. I mimed taking a photograph, pointed at Sigmund then pointed at my business cards and specifically at the Flickr web address … he nodded so I was good to go as far as I was concerned.

I took three shots with a bit of negative exposure compensation on the last to cope with the bright backlighting and then, much as I would have liked to ask where he was going on his expensive looking bike I realised that would be too painful to struggle through without a common language so I thanked him for his time (in Spanish which was a bit dumb given that I know enough German to have said Danke if I’d thought about it) and continued on my way.

I forgot to leave Sigmund my card so unfortunately there is no chance he will find this portrait but just in case … thank you.
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Please feel free to provide constructive critique on the technical aspects of this photograph.

This picture is #81 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