Tara, Michael, Yip & Tony - No 7

A beautiful evening at the O2. I wanted to get some images of the snow and ice - there is a little bit of both about at the moment. I also felt that this location would provide an opportunity to carry on the 'Strangers 365' project. I made the decision to use fill in flash and look to make the backgrounds more interesting.

I was taking images of the snow and ice formations on the 'wall' when a German lady walked past and made a comment about what I was looking at being interesting. I asked if she would mind me creating a portrait and it was a definite no! On asking why she could not give a reason - she just didn't like having a photo taken of her. She also mentioned that her mother has not got a photo of her over the age of 15. 'Miss Deutsche' was a striking lady and I find it more and more intriguing why people don't want images of themselves. I'll explore this a little more in a later post when I've talked to more people.

The O2 has a covered walkway of glass linking the North Greenwich Underground Station to the Arena. This was holding snow which was breaking and creating interesting shapes and patterns. I took a lot of shots which should will make intriguing abstracts.

Whilst pointing the camera skywards Tara, Michael and Yip walked past and smiled. A smile is a universal sign of friendliness and it makes it more comfortable for me to approach. I'm a reasonably smiley person, so maybe that is why I'm getting more acceptances than rejections.

I asked if they would mind me creating a group portrait and it was an immediate 'Yes!' I recognised the ice 'wall' would make a pleasing background and with some fill in flash should great a good portrait. This is the result.
It would be better to not have the dividing lines between the green and white, but it is nice. Tara is from Malaysia, Michael from Hong Kong and Yip from London. Tara and Michael are studying Hospitality in Switzerland.

They probably thought they'd escaped the snow and ice!

Tony is a delivery driver from London. I'd finished what I wanted to do and was watching the light to see if any pleasant early evening colours appeared. He asked me if this was North Greenwich Jubilee Line Underground Station as he had parcels to deliver. I said he was and he thanked me and disappeared. I knew he'd be back. He left his van parked as a big clue. As he seemed a nice bloke I thought I'd wait and ask to create his portrait. Tony was gone for 15 minutes which gave me time to plan what I wanted. This is the result:

I like this. Canary Wharf in the background and Tony pleasantly lit. There is a nice catchlight in his eyes and the eyebrow piercing can be seen clearly.

The downside? The cap. There is a slight shadow under the peak, but it could have been worse. Oh! It is! That badge! I'm a Spurs fan!!!

Once again many thanks to my models. It was lovely to meet you.

Elizabeth - No 6

Heavy snow today. I got back home with snow falling and it only got heavier. Plus the natural light was fading. Wandering around I found reasonable light from a store window. But people looked miserable and stressed. Probably concerned they wouldn't be able to negotiate the incline out of the car park.

And the snowfall became heavier.

I decided to go and shelter under the A2 overpass. Which is where I saw Elizabeth. Bending over, sorting out her bike, and no doubt building up will power for the next stage of the journey.

'Excuse me, do you mind if...?
I thought I was chancing my luck. Would I be open to having a portrait taken after struggling through snow on a bike having, it turns out, just having been to the gym, with still a few miles to go to get home. I like to think I would, but then I like photography.

'I'd rather you not.' Replied Elizabeth. Which I could whole heartedly understand!

When rejected I always ask why. In this case it was probably a stupid question! Statistically I believe 85% of the British public do not like having their photograph taken. Today, in this weather, I should imagine it was closeer to 99.999%!

Like a lot of people Elizabeth found it a difficult question to answer.

Then, taking me by surprise she said 'Go one then.'

I had to ask if I heard right! I had! So had, once again, to think very quickly. I didn't want to keep Elizabeth from her journey, but I also wanted to get a reasonable portrait to be able to send on to her.

I tried to use the lights from the underpass which worked to a certain degree. Unfortunately I needed to get Elizabeth to raise her head to add some light. If someone was with me I'd use a reflector - I will make sure I carry a small one with me in future - to bounce light into the shadow area below the headwear. I liked the background being bright. I don't like the colour caste created by the street lights.

But I really like this portrait! It is not just a photograph. It is a pictorial memory trigger for the day a mad photographer met a pleasant and determined woman battling to get home through rediculous weather. I think it is a situation we will both remember for a long time!

Thanks, Elizabeth.

Jo & Vimbayi - No 5

I was attending a workshop today, so was surrounded by strangers. Jo and Vimbayi were very willing portrait models.

My time and concentration was on the workshop, so had to get these images during a break. I was hoping to get the sun coming through the unusual window grating to create some interesting lighting. However, the sun disappeared so I was left with indoor lighting.

Black and white looked a good idea for Vimbayi, especially with the coat. I might experiment and try both in colour and both in black and white.

The portraits so far in this project are nothing special in terms of style and technique, but it is proving invaluable in creating something very quickly under time pressures (in this case) and lighting limitations. I'm certain as I do more I'll relax more, and help my collaborators to relax more, as well as having better poses, backgrounds, lighting etc.

This is a lesson in thinking quickly, but remaining relaxed and creating a rapport with my subjects to get better and better results.

Peter - No 4

Thurrock Services - cold! Very Cold! So many thanks to Peter who I managed to accost whist he was loading a trailer with pallets. I'm not too happy with this photo. Too many shadows and harsh light. His left hand is slightly blanched by the flash but it isn't to far of the 'natural' colour ...it was cold!

This was a real grab image. I had a long day with travel and work, and was struggling to think of where I could get someone in a different location to my normal haunts. The useful part of this experience is thinking on my feet, but also starting to plan places where I could get interesting portraits in unusual locations.

As you may have noticed...it isn't too difficult... no women yet! Several rejections...no change there, some would say. Fortunately my wife hasn't rejected me, and has given me some useful ideas to work on.

The challenge within the challenge is to photograph at least one woman in the next seven days.

Si - No. 3

This was the easiest and the most difficult portrait to create so far.

Easy because Si grabbed my attention straight away! And there are links to my outdoor past with him flying a sport kite.

Difficult because the light was fading. It was a beautiful late afternoon and the light was gorgeous, but to get Si's portrait at the same time as the wing he was flying proved very tricky. Unfortunately the sun had set by the time I had worked out the best position (Under the circumstances!) to stand in relation to Si, the wing and the direction of the fill in flash.

Si was great! Didn't bat an eyelid at my request to photograph him, and I spent a good hour chatting to him - both ending up with near frost bitten fingers. He needed a breeze to fly the wing - but this created a severe windchill. Blackheath has tremendous views and attracts all manner of Londeners keen on outdoor activities.

I hope to rejoin Si on the 17th when there will be a gathering of flyers.

Ste - No 2

Only three rejections before Ste accepted. But being a New Yorker, now living in Kent, he has probably experienced many more strange requests!

He was taking his dog, Sam, for a walk before heading off back to work as a recovery driver. Our weather recently has kept him more than busy.

People's reactions to being asked is very interesting! Usually very wary and make a decision quickly about being photographed or not. It appears so far that I'll be asking at least 3 or four people before one accepts. There is often nervous laughter, and always a smile - whether a portrait is made or not.

Already this is proving a very interesting and useful learning process.

Arthur - No 1

So! It starts!

I met Arthur and his son Derek near where I live. A late start to the day (it is New Years Day, after all) meant I was wandering around a ghost town. Arthur and Derek had just been to check on their sprouts growing at a local allotment.

Derek was a keen amateur photographer in the past, and immediately asked if I knew anywhere that my be interested in his old, and now unused, darkroom equipment! No wonder they had no difficulty with my odd request to take their portrait! They were more than happy being in front of the camera.

I left them wandering into the local pub.

This is going to introduce me to all manner of characters!

I will be publishing my favourite portraits on my website - www.robcolinthomasphotography.com

The full selection will appear on my Flickr site.

I would always appreciate your thoughts and comments.