Had wanted to post my "2004 in retrospect" earlier but the net connection was down for the whole of yesterday. That kind of messed things up for the launch of my brand new pet project. In any case, here's the link to the entry.
Back to that project of mine: Notice how few of my photos have people in them? As part of my new year resolution, I'm going to change that. Presenting (cue drum roll)... Strangers Sunday, a weekly feature that would pit me against my innate shyness. Here's how it's going to work: I'm going to scout for potential photographic subjects in shopping malls, around town and places where people congregate to chill out. Upon finding the right target, I would then step up to my "model", introduce myself and ask in the most polite of manner whether I could grab a shot of him/her. In case it's a kid, I would then ask permission from Daddy/Mummy.
The premise sounds easy enough, but I assure you, for me, it's something right out of Fear Factor. I'm shy by nature; my cheeks go red for the slightest of reason. It's a medical condition that's not going to get cured by snapping pictures of strangers I meet (technically, I hunt for them) on the street, but that's beside the point. I feel that I've got to do this; overcoming my fears and start approaching people. Besides, I get to kill two birds with one stone for I aspire to be like one of those cool photographers in America's Next Top Model one of these days.
The only downside to having strangers posed for me is that they get self-conscious when a camera is aimed at them. So, it's not easy getting a natural-looking shot; that's especially true with kids. The little kid above was smiling from ear to ear as he climbed up and down the benches but when I wanted to snap a pic of him, that was the best he could muster for the camera. Not that it's his fault. Heck, if some "uncle" (I was called that by the parents) wielding a big camera wanted to take photos of my 4-year-old self, I would have cried, made a huge scene and embarassed my folks.
With that, I end the inaugural issue of Strangers Sunday. Strangers and friends alike, do check back next week for the latest installment of Strangge-geers Sunnn-dayyy (say it in a manly voice like they do "Superman")!!!