3.22.2010

they always say yes....

sometimes
they're just sitting out back
on a break from where they work
and
let me get a close up of their amazing tattoos
sometimes
they're sitting right next to me while i'm eating my lunch
sometimes
they want to know what kind of camera i have
and
sometimes
they ask me if i want to take their photo
before
i even have a chance to ask them
if i can
sometimes
they ask what i'll do with their photos
and
sometimes
they're curious about my blog
and
sometimes
they sing a beautiful song
while
i sit on the park bench across from them
just listening
*
these are some photos from friday
while i was out searching for that perfect spot for the book drop
{see earlier post}
~~
i'm not sure what it is that i find so fascinating about strangers
but
they pull me in every time
and
make me smile
and
if strangers can make a photographer smile
well
they must be doing something right
~~
next time
i hope to start adding a little bit of a bio to go along with the photos
thinking
that if i find a photo of them interesting
that their stories or just a little blip about them
would be
amazing
*
and
blew me away
thank you
kiki


50 comments:

Geezees Custom Canvas Art said...

Great photos!!

Barefoot from Heaven said...

How wonderful you can do this. I would be to chicken.

Love them Beth.

Cat said...

street portraiture is the BEST! beats the hell out of contrived and stiff studio work!! at least it does for me! great stuff!

Karen said...

We all have a story, and your photos give voice to just a little slice of another life. Love it!

And love your new header..

Macrina said...

I absoutely love this entry and used it for my morning prayer.

bekkah said...

These are incredible portraits. You're absolutely right, a little something about each would be amazing...but not TOO much...sometimes it's nice to let your mind fill in the blanks ;)

Scott (AKA Bull Rhino) said...

Your love for people is inspiring! Awesome job. I'm going to try to get better at that.

Rochelle said...

Those photos are amazing and I am so impressed. Many times I've encountered someone who I've wanted to capture on film (in digital?) but was too shy to ask - you've inspired me to just do it!

Traci said...

Very cool post and very cool idea. I tend to be shy, so once the weather changes, this may just be a great way to stretch myself - photographically and socially...loved your book give-away, too.
Thanks for the inspiration!

Kiki Says said...

Lovely photos! Sometimes I "people watch" and make up elaborate stories to go along with the folks I see. Like the guy with the braids has a quirky girlfriend that actually did those for him and she thinks he is adorable! It would be interesting to know what the real bios are.

Dani said...

i'm not just being nice when i say you fascinate me.

suzanne said...

oh just a glimpse of a story with the stranger would be fascinating. beautiful work, beth. and that banner...whew, you are so gifted!! xx

mrs mediocrity said...

I am in awe of your ability to approach people and get such great portraits...but that is the sign of a true photographer, which clearly, you are.

Frau said...

Great pictures I love them. I think it would be really interesting to read a little bio on your strangers. I'm interested what do you say to some one that you want to take their picture. I never know what to say or the right words.

~JarieLyn~ said...

I'm still working on people pictures. I haven't quite captured the skill I need to approach people. I love your photos. Each person has such an interesting face.

TechnoBabe said...

Oh my, these are some interesting looking and great faces! And hair! And clothes. And tats. What a fun afternoon you had on Friday.

Kris said...

COOLNESS!

Green Girl in Wisconsin said...

One of the most wonderful things about my time in Madison was the people watching. And the street musicians. And I could go on and on. Thanks for the memory trip.

Char said...

mine never say yes. and sometimes they warn me of spirit stealing souls or that graven images are a sin. *sigh*

very interesting portraits.

Brooke said...

I am lusting over that guy's gorgeous leg tattoos! What a cool post. :)

Marion Williams-Bennett said...

I love strangers, and love the way you captured them here, their personalities are just abundant!

I'll echo Brooke's comment on the man with the tattoos! Yowzers!

Bernie said...

As I look at their lovely faces I realize everyone has a story, I love how you managed to take their pictures, not sure just anyone would of been able to manage this task......:-) Hugs

ELK said...

artistic . brave . talented ..now famous...so happy to visit you my friend ..you made me smile today and that is always a real blessing from you!

Vicky said...

The camera is a great ice breaker. I think its very cool how you are "seeing" people that perhaps don't get more than averted eyes and avoidance.

Yes, its because they have a story to tell and its oozing through your pictures... can't wait to see how you take this further with more of their stories! How bold and exciting :)

donna said...

Beth, who could say no to you? The answer - not a soul. You should hand out cards to these intriguing people so that they can easily find your blog. I looked at these photos several times so as not to miss a single detail.

donna

Caroline said...

I am sooooo glad you took those shots! I love them. Very cool dudes for sure!

Claire said...

you never cease to amaze beth. never.

yes please do the bios. i would love to read their stories.

Erin Wallace said...

This is a wonderful post, Beth. Just more great stuff!

joyce said...

You must be an awesome "people" person. I can't even ask my friends if I can take pictures, let alone strangers!
By the way, that book drop sounded like a cool idea!!

Meri said...

What a great gift you give: focused attention, if only for a few moments.

Kim Mailhot said...

You have some very cool subjects these day, Photographer Beth !Amazing shots. They tell storieson their own but bios could be fun additions...
Those tats are something...beautiful.
Big Love to you !

Carol said...

Amazing, I especially like the one guy with the cigarette. You are braver than I, I am still quite shy about approaching strangers :-)

Dee said...

You just never run across interesting people like that in my tiny town. There is a man who has a blog called "I heart strangers" that takes a photo a day of a stranger and adds their story with it. Very very interesting to read.

Country Girl said...

You are too cool. Love what you did here. And what kiki wrote about you. And I've always loved the name of your blog.

S. Etole said...

you've presented us personalities well ... what gift!

Kim Klassen said...

gosh girl....
do you have any idea how amazing your images and words are? like seriously!!
FANTASTIC...
you draw me in EVERY SINGLE post... :)

look at the interestingness you found!
wow!! REALLY GOOD STUFF...

and you made me lol with your comment over at my "place"..... seriously so funny!!

xxo, kim♥

jill said...

so you!! :-)

Mark said...

Oh, I see the bio idea being very very interesting.

tainterturtles said...

Ahhhh, I love it. You must have been near State's street. I love downtown Madison. Nice photos....I'm homesick!

Elena said...

I agree w/ Kiki. My family used to tease me because my mantra was "I hate the people". When I started reading your blog you forced me (through your pics) to see people differently. These photos are beautiful. What great looking guys in the first two. And I have seen the next two guys!! Madison right?! I used to go there for work seminars all the time. Beautiful Beth; just beautiful.

Jakki said...

i love your williness to get to know and become acquainted with people you do not know...your openness is such an inspiration and really...somewhat hot, LOL...keep it up! I would love to 'hear' the stories that go along with the faces...

Patti said...

a snapshot of Life unrehearsed- love it!

slommler said...

Love the photos!! the tattoos are amazing! A little bio would be cool! Thanks for sharing your day!
Hugs
SueAnn

Jaime said...

This is why I would so love to meet you... You have the biggest, loveliest, wide open to the world, welcoming, non judgemental heart.
You are my favourite kind of people. :)

Barb said...

I could make up a story about each of your portraits, but I'm sure that the words of the subject would be much more amazing.

Jeanie said...

You tell stories with your camera, my friend. I don't know how you do it, but in finding the people you do and capturing them in the way you do, I feel as though I'm part of that moment. I could make up whole short stories about every one of them -- probably all wrong, but the image you capture is so perfect, it moves the mind!

Missy said...

I love these images, and a peek into other people's lives.

Robin said...

Love all the photos but the first one---WOW!! He is a handsome devil!! Looks like he should be sitting on a street corner in Barcelona or somewhere!!

Marilyn said...

Yes! They do draw us in. Great photos!

Life in Eden said...

Such great observations! Yet some how, I think they weren't total strangers -- you can tell they had a connection with you by the shots. Nicely done.