Sunday, March 25, 2012

strangers

I like to photograph people, but a lot of times it's hard to get them to work with you. They shy away from the camera, or make faces, or look too posed. This is why I like to photograph strangers. Just ordinary people you see in public places, at a park or museum or on the street. It's not being a stalker; it's witnessing life and wanting to capture it. They're most natural when they don't notice you, and though you may not know their story, you get to glimpse just a minute of it.

If they don't catch you, it's easy to snap as many pictures as you want. And if they do catch you, you can simply slip away into the crowd with the comforting knowledge that you will most likely never see them again. You get to be there for just a moment of their life, and then they're gone. (Like ships passing in the night...)




Strangers intrigue me. There are some people I've seen once and still wonder about.

I wish I had taken their picture.

(These are all from California a few weeks ago.)
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10 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 25, 2012 at 2:26 PM

    I love strangers.
    And I also love how you captured small pieces of their life and from that, there is a story that we can build up and a person we can imagine. And it might never be true, but to me it will be.

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  2. HopeMarch 25, 2012 at 2:33 PM

    These pictures are all amazing- the last one is adorable! I love taking pictures of strangers too, or sometimes me and a friend will go out, grab some ice cream, and people watch! It sounds creepy but it's really fun :D

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  3. mary annMarch 25, 2012 at 3:14 PM

    Aww, the cute little hugging kids are so adorable! I love stranger pictures, too :)

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  4. JoceeMarch 25, 2012 at 4:21 PM

    oh gosh. the last one.
    and for the record, i think the exact. same. way. i love you, girlie!
    -jocee <3

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  5. Paper Bird and Little FairyMarch 25, 2012 at 6:25 PM

    these are all really good. i'm intrigued by the whole idea.
    LF

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  6. madison kateMarch 25, 2012 at 10:25 PM

    so you've inspired me. gosh. these photos say so much, and yet i don't even know the stories behind them. amazing. hopefully i'll find the courage to capture some unfamiliar faces sometime. xx

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  7. kimberlyMarch 25, 2012 at 11:48 PM

    I usually don't have enough courage to photograph strangers...I'll need to give it a try sometime soon. Your photos are beautiful.

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  8. ZoéMarch 26, 2012 at 1:29 AM

    A single square. Imagining that someone's life is a patchwork quilt, you have captured, cut out quite neatly one of the prettiest squares from this quilt. As Kimberly says, I wouldn't have the courage to do so.

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  9. austenofaustinMarch 26, 2012 at 6:09 PM

    Like ships passing in the night, exactly. I love the first one, it's like picture-taking inception.

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  10. Paper Bird and Little FairyMarch 28, 2012 at 4:43 PM

    I love this concept. I think it really represents what photography is all about - capturing a moment in time. Loved the pics Kendall.
    PB

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Hey, you. Be nice.

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