I commenced participation in a photography project last weekend that I really think will do wonders for my social skills on top of being a fantastic opportunity to practice something that really invigorates my spirit, photojournalism. The project originated from a group on flickr and for its participants its goal is to approach and photograph 100 people that are complete strangers and then provide some background for how you met this person and who they are. I’ve been wanting to start this for a few weeks now but have found myself in deeply entrenched paralysis when presented with great opportunities. It would have been perfect to start with the small Asian man who sketches (quite nicely) fashion model portraits from magazine ads at 2am in the southside coffee factory, or the downtrodden, flask-wielding wanderer that pulled up next to me like I was an old friend on a downtown bench illuminated by the festive lights and sounds emanating from the live jazz spot, or even that man dressed in the bull fighter’s outfit that I previously mentioned.
This last weekend I went to Knoxville with my brother and his wife to see Tom Waits perform. They knew about the project and, through my persuasion, my brother has actually started the project as well. I really wanted to capture my first stranger on this trip and knew that several opportunities would likely arise. Well, as we got into town, immediately there were intriguing potential subjects everywhere. There were the two very tall and attractive females outside of Starbucks and the super friendly barista behind the counter, there were the guys in the moving crew outside a residential property in downtown Knoxville, the bluegrass band and their attentive crowd in a store and even a photographer that asked about my Nikon. Each time I made up excuses not to pursue. When we eventually made our way into a letter press store/workshop, I couldn’t make anymore excuses. The place was amazing and everyone in the shop seemed incredibly interesting. As I was trying to figure out who I would approach I overheard a guy about my age say that he was from Iceland and was in town to see Mr. Waits. That was it. I told my brother and sister-in-law about my plans. Once again, I hesitated. The more I hesitated the harder it became to approach him. As he was starting to slip away, my sister-in-law stepped in and commented on his neon green headphones. I was able to take it from there.
It turned out to be a very pleasant experience and I was pretty happy with the result. As you can draw from this entry, I have a ways to go when it comes to engaging strangers or even acquaintances for that matter. I also lack a penchant for acting on opportunities when they present themselves at times and this project will force me to recognize opportunities and act on my impulses. My initial experience gave me renewed confidence and had cameras been allowed in the music venue I would have had my second contribution in the form of a friendly death metal singer/harpist with an angel’s vocal chords and her friend from Nashville, easy.
