In my casual photography research and reading I came across this post on another photoblog. I am always looking for ways to keep the creativity going. Those who know me personally, know that I am pretty good about recommending personal projects.
There is a gentleman by the name of Roark Johnson (no relation) in Chicago, again never heard of him before who has been taking random photos of strangers. I think it is an awesome concept, even though the post is a little dated the idea could easily be put into play today.
Please find below some of the post with a link to the project. Also, a special thanks to all the recent visitors who have been sending comments about the blog here. For those who don't know, I have chosen to make my blog sort of a notebook of information that I personally use. So as I research, read, take photos, talk to others, etc...I use my blog as a way to organize and share that same information.
I have learned a tremendous amount about the business of photography, technical aspects of photography, marketing of photography, copyright, camera related sales, etc. and basically can no longer reference all the material. So this site serves as a clearing how of new information and old information.
Don't be afraid to leave a comment. We don't bite here.
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Stranger a Day
"Sometimes the people you want to photograph the most are the ones that just won't budge," says Roark Johnson of Stranger a Day: 2004. Johnson, a 44-year-old professional photographer from Chicago explains that he's been in this business for 20 years. His freelance portfolio includes names such as Good Housekeeping, Teen People, and Runner's World. Recently he was able to provide insight into his current photoblog project.
"You get bored taking pictures for clients," Johnson explains. Not that he doesn't enjoy his job as a professional photographer, but sometimes even a professional needs a personal project—a type of outlet for creativity. "I like spontaneity, nothing planned." Accompanied by his classic 8x10 Deardorff, Johnson was determined to hit the streets near his Chicago home. In fact, three-quarters of the pictures on his site are within a mile or two of his house.
Johnson, who prefers taking pictures outside, says there's a real need for sidewalk traffic for this type of thing. The range of candidates for his Stranger A Day portraits vary considerably. "I would expect people to have their guard up in Chicago, but it's just the opposite." It's the people in small towns, he explains that are often more of a challenge. Then there are the exhibitionists, "I try to stay away from them, they're too easy." Though anyone willing to commit a few moments to his project are welcome. "Street people love the attention—they're easier. Business men on their way to work are the ones that have no time for you." Johnson reiterates that with this type of project "there's a time commitment that people have to give." The willing individual can't really move for about three minutes while Roark gets set up. He often attempts different shots, but says he usually nails it in the first frame.
How do you get strangers interested in the project? "The camera is a real icebreaker," he explains. The 8x10 Deardorff camera is made of mahogany wood. You just don't see modern-day photographers get under the dark cloth anymore and the sight of Roark outside with his old-fashioned Deardorff camera peaks peoples' curiosity—drawing people in for a closer look. "It's liberating to have this big camera," he explains. "The negative is huge. You get incredible detail and resolution. The larger the negative, the better the quality."
More from this post here.
Roark's website roarkjohnson.blogs.com/photos/stranger_a_day
