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Day 19 - Brian
Day 19 - Brian
colorcarnival


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Collection: People I Don't Know
Camera: Olympus E-500 EVOLT
Date: Jul 19, 2007
Date Uploaded: Jul 19, 2007

Viewed: 327
Comments: 9
Favorites: 0

 A series of photos today. I was going to subject you to this boring specimen (although it intrigued me)



and then there is this little abstracty number



but I chose the Brian photo instead.

This photo ended up becoming my number one choice for today's image because it made me step out of my comfort zone.

I finished running my errands and got home during a storm. The rain and wind picked up pretty good so I waited with the garage door open hoping that the deer might come out of hiding. (They magically appeared after the last storm but we have had such a drought that I do not even know if the poor dears are alive any more.)

So the rain slowed down, there was no sign of deer, and I was getting ready to go in when - along comes Brian.

Brian is the neighborhood watchdog. He is developmentally challenged but lives on his own, has a job, and rides his bike around and talks to EVERYONE. Usually I am in a hurry and don't make the time to talk, and brush him off. I tried to make an effort to be a better person today (today only kids - back to my normal evil self tomorrow). So we chatted about his plans to buy a car.

It is very awkward for me to just take photos of people I don't know very well without warning them or anything. This time, I just picked up the camera and did it. This made him very uncomfortable, which is unfortunate, and after I showed him the pics he left.

I actually like how this turned out and may get the courage to try something like this again.

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AuthorThread
 07/23/2007 10:39:43 AM
I really need to start doing this, I see some interesting people & wish I had the courage to take their picture. This is a great shot, I hope he warms up to it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/21/2007 01:49:11 AM
Congrats on you for taking the shot (I am rubbish at doing that, and I always assume my self consiousness is an indicator that I am not really a proper photographer)

My own thought is that its a good enough candid that Brian would probably be thrilled to have a copy and if when you gave it to him you explained that you wanted to take the photograph because he is so much of your home town community then rather than feeling upset about the incident he would feel happy and honoured to be recognised as such. He's probably never ever let you go past him again without trying to start a conversation but its gotta be worth it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/20/2007 12:21:35 PM
Great story behind the photo. I know what you mean, stepping out of your comfort zone. But it really yields results.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/20/2007 07:08:24 AM
I think sometimes we can do our best photography when we're out of our comfort zone. I know I tend to focus (no pun intended!) on exactly what I'm doing and not just aim and click the shutter. Of course, for candids sometimes you must do this. How did he feel about it after you showed him the picture? I bet if you printed this out (even on home printer), bought a frame at the dollar store, and gave it to him he'd be delighted.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/20/2007 05:20:43 AM
Good informal portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/20/2007 01:07:57 AM
It's a fantastic portrait, I hope Brian gets to like it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/19/2007 10:57:35 PM
Great portrait, and very raw. It takes a lot to get out of our comfort zones, don't know that I could do it. Wonderfully done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/19/2007 07:22:46 PM
Hey, a guy wearing a #3 hat can't be bad at all. :) I bet if you asked him to take his picture, he would be more accomodating and comfortable. you probably wouldn't get as natural a look, but I bet he would be fine iwth it. Great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/19/2007 07:07:55 PM
I'm glad you selected this photo, it has such an interesting story behind it. This has good character details like the two flag pins and the Earnhardt cap, and then the broken front teeth, too. I think anyone can be uncomfortable with a camera pointed at them -- I hate photos of myself!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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