A street-photography project where I approached strangers on the street, took their portrait and conducted short interviews. This project took place between September 2017 and June 2018.
Stranger 1/100 – Justin aka Manok $ Roe
Welcome to my first 100 Strangers portrait! I’ve been inspired by so many people in this group (a special shout out to Vijay Britto, Steve M and iain blake). Ever since I discovered the 100 Strangers project, I knew it was something I had to do.
I live in Charlotte, NC (USA) which has a population of about 800,000. While walking around the city center, I locked eyes with this stylish individual sitting on a bench.
Meet Justin.
Justin is a rapper who is also known as Manok $ Roe. He described his style as a cross between Prodigy (Mobb Deep) and Jadakiss. As he was talking, a guy told him that he sounded like Frank Sinatra (which he took as a big compliment).
He told me that his average day is “trying to survive and provide for my family”. He has a little girl and a son on the way.
When asked if he was getting any traction on YouTube, he said “I’m not speaking what they want to hear. They want to hear lies, and I’m telling the truth”.
Best of luck in the future Justin. I hope our paths cross again.
Technical Notes: I realized after the fact that I should have used a reflector (which I had with me) to light the right side of his face and shirt. I took a couple shots of him up against a building but they looked a bit flat, so I repositioned him on the curb which created a more dynamic background. I captured several frames with different hand gestures, but I found this simple, relaxed pose to be the most compelling. I have a lot to learn.
Stranger 2/100 – Al
Shortly after photographing Justin (stranger #1), I crossed Tryon Street and headed towards the main library. There were two women taking pictures of each other in front of the Charlotte Buddy Bear — a 7-foot tall artistic bear statue given to Charlotte by several German organizations. I offered to take a picture of both of them using their cell phone, and they were happy for me to do so. As I turned to leave, I saw this guy smiling at us as he walked by.
Meet Al.
Al seemed friendly and approachable, so I quickly walked up next to him, said “hi” and asked him how his day was going. He just came from the library and had been been filling out employment forms. I asked him what kind of work he’s looking for and he said “anything”. He had previously done work shooting video for different groups.
Al is from a smaller city southeast of Charlotte and has family all over the Charlotte area. When I told him about the 100 Strangers Project, he smiled and said “…and I’m one of them.”.
We walked a little further down the street together after taking the photo. I wasn’t able to learn much more about Al as our conversation was interrupted twice with music blasting out of a nearby car and again with a loud argument on the sidewalk.
I wished him luck with the job search and he wished me luck with the 100 Strangers project.
Technical Notes: I only took three photos over a timespan of less than 15 seconds. All shots were natural light with no reflector or flash. I directed him to hold a serious pose for the first two which looked great. Then I told him he could smile if he wanted to. He turned his head away and came back showing some teeth. This is the picture I chose because I felt it showed more of his personality.
Stranger 3/100 – Will
I took a short trip up to Durham, NC to see and photograph the band Touché Amoré. After the second opening band finished, I headed outside the venue to take a break. As I glanced over the crowd milling around outside the Motorco Music Hall, this gentleman caught my eye.
Meet Will.
Will is from the neighboring city of Raleigh and works at North Carolina State doing IT work. He’s also the bassist for a hardcore band called Oxidant.
When asked about a cause he believes in he said “I think veganism is important, but I don’t feel like I’d push that on everyone. Not everyone can be vegan necessarily because everyone has different dietary needs.”
When asked what advice he’d give to his younger self, he said “I think I’m a strange person because I don’t think I’ve changed that much. I wish I could tell myself to be less awkward or kind of be more outgoing… I don’t really know.”
Approaching complete strangers can be challenging but Will made it so easy with his relaxed and confident personality. Thanks so much Will for being part of my 100 Strangers project, and it was a pleasure to meet you.
Technical Notes: This picture was taken at night, so I positioned Will under the neon sign of the venue. There was also a very bright streetlight lighting him from his left side. The out of focus lights behind him created an interesting background element.
Stranger 4/100 – Abigail
As I walked past the Bank of America building in uptown Charlotte, a young lady asked about the reflector I had hanging from my hip. I explained what it was used for and then quickly told her about my 100 Strangers project. I asked her if I could take her portrait and she quickly said yes.
Meet Abigail.
Since we were in harsh sunlight, I suggested we keep moving until we find some shade. Abigail was adamant that we visit a particular statue and made a big point about how much it looked like an erect penis (it actually did).
Abigail has worked in the copy center of the Fifth Third Bank building for about a year. She wants to start her own business — a web site that promotes all-natural organic products. One of her slogans is “When you’re healthy, you’re happy.”
The advice she would give her younger self is: “I would have stuck to the first thing i went to school for — Business Administration. I changed my major so many times.”
When asked what message she would put on a billboard, without hesitation, she said “Eat more plants!”
Her alternate billboard message was “Share the love”. She went on to say “So many times we’re so egotistic and we’re just all about ourselves. We all share the same emotions. What you want, I want. Just to be happy and to have love. So many times we just put people down. It’s easier to tear people down than to build them up.”
It was a pleasure to meet you Abigail and thank you for the inspiration.
Technical Notes: This photo was taken in natural light with no flash or reflectors. We were in complete shade from the building she was standing in front of. I chose a tight crop to focus the viewer on Abigail’s face.
Stranger 5/100 – Aleah
Walking by Two Wells Fargo Plaza, I noticed this beautiful, soft light that seemed perfect for a portrait. I quickly looked around for a suitable stranger and, as luck would have it, this young, photogenic female was walking by.
Meet Aleah.
Aleah is 19 and lives in Charlotte. She was in the uptown area with her boyfriend and is currently in the process of enrolling into a community college.
When aksed what she does when she’s not working or going to school, she replied “Right now I’m very much of a homebody.”
When asked what advice she would give her younger self, she said “Look up more.” In other words, get out of your bubble and your head and pay more attention to the outside world. In today’s technological world, this is advice we can all take to heart.
It was a pleasure to meet you Aleah especially under such serendipitous conditions. Thanks so much for participating in my 100 Strangers project.
Technical Notes: This photo was taken in an open plaza with light grey pavers. The sun was behind a building and the light was very soft. If I could do it over, I would have rotated her 90 degrees counter clockwise to light her face more evenly and reduce the shadow on her right side.
Stranger 6/100 – Donna
While hanging around Tryon Street near The Green (a small Charlotte park with a world literature theme), I spotted an interesting couple walking around one side of a circular grassy area. I quickly walked around the other side so I could “casually” run into them.
They said they were in a hurry, so I had to act fast and wasn’t able to ask them many questions.
Meet Donna.
Donna is from Costa Rica and was visiting Charlotte with her companion Fuji. Her beautiful red scarf and purple eyeglass frames definitely accentuate her bubbly personality. She was enthusiastic about my 100 Strangers project and was very gracious to give a few minutes of her time.
Meeting you and Fuji was one of the highlights of my day. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Charlotte.
Technical Notes: This photo was shot out in the open on a relatively sunny day. The sun was behind a cloud providing us with nice soft light. No flash or reflectors used.
Stranger 7/100 – CJ
When making street portraits you have good days and bad days. This was definitely a good day…
As I Walked down Tryon Street, I spotted this handsome and stylish man sitting on a bench.
Meet CJ.
CJ just arrived in Charlotte from his home in Washington DC. He’s here visiting family and friends, and so far he thinks Charlotte is very pretty. When not working he said he’s “just chilling.”
CJ is very friendly and laid back. He has a relaxed sense of confidence that permeates through the camera lens. He put up no barriers and left no distance between his face and the camera.
This project has already taught me about the power of connecting with strangers. My encounter with CJ only lasted 60 seconds, but with a simple gesture of reaching out, I was able to briefly stare into the eyes of a stranger. I was able to capture a timeless image of someone that I otherwise might have walked by without even noticing.
Thank you CJ for being part of my project.
Technical Notes: This photo was taken in natural light in a shaded area. He was somewhat backlit, but I was able to bring up his skin tones in Lightroom. I took pictures from two different angles. They both looked good, but the backgrounds weren’t very attractive. Once I saw this tight crop, I got goosebumps.
Stranger 8/100 – Demetria
It was the earrings that first caught my eye, then I noticed the beautiful woman wearing them taking a selfie in front of a statue (the same one where I met Abigail).
Meet Demetria.
Demetria was born in Charlotte and has been here for 37 years. She’s looking to start school in January to study forensic and criminal justice technology (she says “I read in between the lines of everything”). She hopes to eventually move to a larger city like Atlanta.
The advice Demetria would give to her younger self is “when people show you who they are, believe them.”
Our talk took a much more serious tone after I asked Demetria to describe her perfect day. She started off mentioning things like getting up, feeding her kids and getting them off to school. Then she said “Just waking up and being alive considering my story and what I’ve been through…”
I asked if she felt comfortable sharing, and she said “I don’t have a problem with my story.”
“As a teenager I had abandonment issues. My mom left. My dad and mom both were heroin addicts. My mom actually passed away from a chronic illness when I was 23.”
“I chose the wrong path in life. Between the ages of maybe 13 and 16 is when I started dibbing and dabbing with drugs. I started out with just alchohol and marijuana. I started hardcore drugs at the age of 26. I started slowly but surely losing things in my life, and I still couldn’t admit that I was an addict. I didn’t feel I had a problem until, you know, you start sleeping on people’s couches and you have 3 kids that you have to take care of. I said ‘Ok Demetria, it’s time to get it together. It’s time to do something different.’”
“I did go to rehab. That didn’t work for me because I didn’t want to do the authority thing and be under somebady else’s rule. I do make meetings every day. I’m actually on my way to one at 2 o’clock. I have a sponsor that has a sponsor for them.”
“I live my life real simple today because I have to be mindful of my triggers so I won’t go back out. None of us are exempt especially if you have the disease of addiction. I have the traits in me from my dad and mom being addicts. I’m very aware and mindful of people, places and things.”
“Living a simpler life helps and taking one day at a time.”
Before we parted ways, I asked Demetria if there was anything we talked about that she didn’t want me to share. She said she didn’t have a problem with my sharing her story, and she expressed the hope that her story would help others.
It was a pleasure to meet you Demetria. Your ability to overcome adversity with so much grace is inspiring.
Technical Notes: This photo was taken in natural light with no flash or reflectors.
Stranger 9/100 – Anthony
Walking down College Street, I heard some cool R&B guitar sounds and a drum machine. When I followed the sound to its source, I ran into this cool cat.
Meet Anthony.
Anyone who works in uptown Charlotte has certainly seen and/or heard Anthony play as he’s out there on the street working it almost every day.
Anthony is a rhythm guitarist who’s been playing for 43 years. He’s performed in many places including New York, Florida and New Jersey, but he now calls Charlotte home. Anthony said “This is where I work. This is what I do for a living, man. I’m here all year long… November, December, January, February…”
He told me about the different musicians he’s known over the years including members of the Funkadelics and Kool and the Gang. The bass player he plays with now is the son of Al Green. Besides busking, Anthony also performs at his church.
I wanted to learn more about him, but felt like I had already taken too much of his time. It was amazing to meet you Anthony and best of luck.
Technical Notes: It was a clear sunny day, but Anthony was located in a nice shady spot on a street corner. The sun was behind him to his right. No flash or reflector used.
Stranger 10/100 – Alex
After I asked this young woman if I could take her portrait for a project, she smiled and playfully replied “Well, it depends on what kind of project it is.” Upon learing about the 100 Strangers Project, she agreed right away.
Meet Alex.
Alex moved to Charlotte six months ago from Detroit, and she works for an insurance company. She enjoys being outdoors, hiking and spending time with her dog named “Moose”.
Her advice to her younger self is to “live life from the vantage point of your deathbed.” In other words, live your life in such a way that you have no regrets when it’s over. She explained that her move from Detroit to Charlotte was in keeping with this philosophy.
Alex is very outgoing and was a joy to photograph. There were so many great shots, but I chose this one because I feel it best represents her.
Nice to meet you Alex, and I hope you continue to enjoy your life in Charlotte. Thanks for being part of my 100 Strangers Project.
Technical Notes: It was a cloudy day, so the light wasn’t too harsh. A reflector could have helped fill the shadows on her left side however, I’ve decided to keep things simple and leave the reflector at home for the time being. I want to get more experience before I add another distraction to the process.
Stranger 11/100 – Josef
When I arrived at the Scaleybark train stop, I noticed a young man practicing skateboard tricks. He agreed to participate in my 100 Strangers project just as the PA system announced that the train would arrive in one minute. I quickly shot several pictures on the platform and we walked into the train together.
Meet Josef.
Josef has lived in Charlotte for two years now and is originally from New York. He was on his way to work at a nearby grocery store.
I asked him what he does when he’s not working. His face lit up and he said “Ah! Skateboarding bro! Like, skateboarding is my life.” Josef’s favorite skateboarder is Lizard King (whose logo appears underneath his skateboard deck), and he wants to be sponsored by Deathwish someday. He’s currently working on performing a kickflip.
When asked if it’s hard to get sponsored, he said “Yes it is, but if you can go down 16 staircases, that will get you sponsored real quick.” I didn’t get clarification on exactly what that entails, but it sounds very difficult (not to mention dangerous).
He says that Charlotte is pretty cool about skateboarders although he did get stopped while skateboarding at the Charlotte Transit Center once.
Josef got off on the next stop, so that ended our conversation. Great to meet you Josef and good luck nailing that kickflip!
Technical Notes: I didn’t feel confident about the outside shots, so I asked him for a few more inside the train before the doors opened. He produced a relaxed, serious pose, and I took several more shots. This is the last frame I shot. No flash or reflector used.
Stranger 12/100 – Aquilla
I asked this stranger if I could take her portrait for a project I was working on. She asked, “is it a project documenting short people?”
Meet Aquilla.
After introducing myself, she told me her name and then observed “Now we’re not strangers anymore…” I had only just met Aquilla and I already liked her.
Aquilla said that her parking was about to run out, so I tried to make the most of the little bit of time we had.
She works in uptown Charlotte at Wells Fargo.
Her advice to younger self is “Connect more with mentors.” I asked her if she has been able to do this and she said “No. I’m very introverted.” I told her that I was an introvert too and that’s partly why I was doing this project.
I then asked her what her biggest challenge is, and she said, “Getting out there… getting out of my comfort zone and connecting with people. I’m constantly in my head.”
I didn’t want her to get a parking ticket, so I thanked her for her time and for participating in my 100 Strangers Project.
Technical Notes: It was a bright day, but we were in the shade of her building. I positioned her facing the street where the light was coming from. Since the window behind her was so close, I used a wide aperture to blur it out.
Stranger 13/100 – Trip
I ran into this distinguished gentleman at the same time I met Josef (stranger #11) at the Scaleybark train stop. He’s probably the most well known stranger I’ve met so far in this project.
Meet Trip.
Trip is a local TV personality that does early morning traffic reports for WCCB Charlotte. He was heading downtown to meet with the master of his masonic lodge.
Even though he’s a self-described night person, Trip arrives to work at 3am everyday. He does his on air traffic reports every ten minutes starting at 5am and is done by 9am. He says it’s a lot of fun working in the studio and you meet a lot of interesting people there including celebrities.
Before he worked reporting the traffic on TV, Trip actually flew the plane that monitored traffic. He did that for four years before transitioning to the studio. Very impressive.
Trip really hammed it up for the camera making our brief photo shoot a lot of fun. It was great to meet you Trip and thanks for participating in the 100 Strangers Project.
Technical Notes: It was an overcast day under a glass train station shelter so the light was very soft.
