I ran out of PZ680… Just when you finally start to appreciate something it gets sucked out from under you. The same could be said for this week long mini project. I have met 20 new people, and taken 20 photos of them. Some smiled, some stared off into the distance, others would just keep doing what they had been as if to purposely ignore me. Yet it is all in jest, as no matter what each person did they showed how they reacted around strangers themselves. If they were a friendly person, or stern, or lackadaisical (I love that word) it showed up right there in the photo.

But even on a subconscious level I affected that somehow. My first question was always the same “may I take your photo?” and based on how they replied to that changed what I would say next. Be it a reason why wanted to take it, or if they talked about the camera itself. Because lets be honest the Polaroid Macro 5 is a weird looking camera.

I may continue to do this from time to time, exploring each and every person on an instant print. But we can see how it goes, because for now it is back to only one photo a day.

Time today: 35 mins

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Today was frustrating… I got turned down 6 times. In the past three days combined only one person had said no to me. It wasn’t fun. Someone said on this topic that one person saying yes will give you the confidence to ask 5 more people. What they don’t tell you is that one person saying no discourages you from asking 5 more people.

But I was on a mission. With good friends and good beer waiting for me once I completed the days work (I had forgotten how much homework sucks) I powered through not letting much of anything stand in my way. One of today’s subjects even asked if the camera emitted radiation or x-rays after I mentioned the Macro 5 was originally a dentistry camera.

Tomorrow is another day, and the last one of Roid Week. I’ve been having a lot of fun with this project. So much so in fact that I may very well continue to do it from time to time if I am feeling risky.

Total Time: 20 minutes, I’m not sure I can beat that.

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My feet hurt so bad. I’m getting better at asking people but not good enough to where I can do it instantly. I compared myself to an old car the other day. I may take a while to start up, but once I get going it’s rather quite enjoyable… I suppose that’s true for more than just photography (ba dum psh).

Also it’s strange to notice people seeming to care less the more relaxed I am. Tonight I didn’t receive twenty questions, only a modest “but I’m not very photogenic” to which I very smoothly replied “that doesn’t bother me”. That photo ended up being my favorite of the night and that I have shot so far. But as I have done before refrain from making any sort of description. You’ll just have to guess what image you believe I like the best.

I wish I had more to say tonight, I really do. But as I (seemingly quickly) get better at approaching subjects and asking for their photo. I feel as if I am not paying attention to the moment I am caught up in with this person I have never met. The first day I was stalking my prey, watching them to see if they were alone, or on their phone, or listening to music. Anything that would get in the way. Now it doesn’t seem to phase me. I pointed out to my girlfriend who was with me tonight as one of my image subjects walked towards us. Remarking “They’re going to get it”. In retrospect that paragraph sounds a lot more inappropriate than I would have liked.

Time tonight: 45 mins.

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Does anyone else remember the days of going to the pool when you were younger. The small diving board would only satisfy your need for a sweet cannon ball so many times before you hungered for more. Eventually working your way to the 9 foot board. But once you got to the edge, toes curled over as if they could hold you on if need be. Finally after standing there in awe you would leap off coming back out of the water mere seconds later thinking to yourself… “hey that wasn’t so bad”.

Today was like that, meeting new people. Including the first person to turn me down, and I believe she felt more awkward than anything. However nothing beats on of my subjects today. When asked if they would like their photo taken had a conversation ending in “for free?” which made me laugh quite a bit. Another one had some phenomenal news that they had just recieved! And two more, in what would be something that would leave me with a bit of confusion replied when asked if they would like their photo to be taken “of me?” in disbelief.

But I suppose different strokes for different folks. Having a stranger walk up to you in a public area asking for your photo can very easily catch someone off guard. And who knows, maybe it made their day having someone take enough interest in them as a person to ask for a photo. Either way, I’m really starting to enjoy this.

Finally, I said I would chart my times yesterday and I did. Today I clocked in at shooting all 4 images in just over one hours time. Exceeding my goal of 90 minutes by a fair amount.

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Today marks the start of Roid Week 11. A 5 day (M-F) week devoted for most people around the world to only shooting Polaroids… and lots of them. Since this for me has been Roid Year I decided that maybe I could do something special instead of just keep shooting as I normally would.

So I came up with a plan: shoot 4 images each day instead of the one with a different related theme each day. Yet as time went on I had one of the 4 themes stick out at me more and more “Photograph 4 different complete strangers.” It stuck out for a number of reasons, I love portraiture. I love street photography. And I love photographers who have the juevos to go up and ask for photos from people they have never met. A great fear of mine.

This idea then evolved to the point where I had decided to shoot 4 portraits of complete strangers every day during Roid Week. It would hopefully smash any worries I would have in the future when shooting random people, and help me grow as a photographer. Something that I was hoping to get from this entire project!

And as today was the first day, I went out and did my business. Meeting 4 very different people with very different reactions to my simple question of “may I take your photograph?” One was as simple as “sure” and then we went our separate ways, another I sat down and chatted with for a good 20 minutes sharing stories about going cross country. Finding out how that person ended up here in Portland and where they intended to keep going. It took me 3 hours to shoot all 4 photos today. I am curious to see how that grows as each day progresses. Maybe I will be able to get it done in under half an hour by this Friday? Who knows, anyway enjoy Roid Week everyone! I look forward to seeing your images as well. Send me a message if you’re shooting anything for it!

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