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100 Strangers

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Maria Anna

Maria Anna

This morning I found the perfect spot in town where the sun rises between two tall buildings and is reflected in the windows of another. This creates a massive natural golden urban reflector at just the right height for only 5 minutes before the sun is too high. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anyone suitable for a photo before the light had gone. I was just about to head off feeling cold and disappointed when I noticed Maria Anna was walking just behind me so even though I had lost the perfect moment, I decided to ask if I could take her photo. Well, at least, I tried to ask but she didn't understand what I was saying as she only spoke Russian. After some poor attempts at communication, she graciously let me take her photo. It was only then I realised walking round in the cold without gloves didn't help with keeping a camera steady. Luckily, after taking a couple of photos I asked if I could take one more, and this one (above) wasn't a blurry mess! I guess the moral of the story is never give up and don't dwell on missed opportunities... But always wrap up warm.

100 Strangers

in

Fukumoto san of Dep bloc's, Fukuoka.

Fukumoto san of Dep bloc's, Fukuoka.

I took this photo in January while in Fukuoka staying at an apartment style hotel next to a hair salon. I walked past one day and was interested in the owner's style and asked if I could take a photo. I used a Pentax 67 with 105mm f2.4 lens which I really love. After waiting forever for the negative to arrive, I'm glad that this image has the medium format film look I was after. There's something about this picture that makes me think of a modern cowboy stylist that's quick on the draw with his trusty side snippers.

100 Strangers

in
Simon

Simon

Technically we are strangers but we met and chatted together over a year ago. I took a photo on my film camera and said I would hand him a copy next time we met. However, I didn't bump into him again until now and have no idea where the photo went. I was carrying my Canon so managed to get a second digital photo. He plays guitar around Frankfurt and is one of the nicest people with a very relaxed tropical island kind of accent when he isn't singing some acoustic classic rock music on the street. A lot has happened for each of us since the last time we chatted and I was grateful to have met him again. So if you see him, say hello and make a request!