100 Strangers
#2 - Attending the Latino Festival (8/15/10) in Columbus, Ohio. While he looks like he has had a few skirmishes, he was in a great frame of mind.
I met Lance (5/15/13) at a UDF on the north end of Westerville, while my wife and I were having double ice cream cones on a beautiful Sunday evening. While we were standing outside licking away on our cones, Lance pulled up with his girlfriend on the back, looking like a bona fide Triumph motorcycle commercial. I asked if he minded if I got a shot or two of him and he said yes, and even offered to let me get on and take a shot of me on it! What a nice guy on a nice evening. Within about 4 minutes, Lance was gone, as his girlfriend came back out and they went riding off into the sunset!
I came across Ann (9/26/14) on the Oval at The Ohio State University where she was lying out in the sun, reading something obviously engrossing on her cell phone. After taking a few shots of her and moving closer, I asked if she minded if I continue and she said: "No, go ahead, I don't mind." This is my favorite of the shots I took of her because of the look in her eyes just after I asked her about her former boyfriend. Ann is a 2nd year art student still trying to figure out her path in life, but something tells me she will be just fine.
I met Ander (8/12/17) at the bus stop at Marconi & W. Broad St., after leaving the Latino Festival nearby. He seemed to be talking to himself as I watched him, while crossing the street on the way to my car just a few spaces away from where he was standing. When I neared him I spoke and he began to chat me up. He was on his way home from his job at Amazon, way out in Licking county, and proceeded to tell me that he was getting in trouble at work because he was telling people he would pray for them, and sometimes when by himself, praying out loud. Too bad, but something tells me there is more going on there ... not really sure what is going on with his hair, but it was a gooey mess, and you have to wonder how he could think it looks good. Who knows, maybe he has some kind of issue with his hair. Anyway, he was a nice guy to talk to for a few minutes, but I soon made my exit, fearing a long and protracted conversation.
I was walking with my Nikon in German Village (7/15/10) when I stopped to take an image of just the dog statue on the front steps of this home, when this lady stepped out. I told her I liked her statue and asked if she would mind posing with it and she did!
Nicole is a new shop owner in Westerville who drew me into her shop (9/14/13) by smiling at me twice, as I walked past her window. After I went in and talked with her for awhile, I found her to be dynamic, optimistic and fun!
I forgot to ask this man's name ...met him at the Octoberfest in Columbus (9/27/14), where he had a booth selling artful works of iron. I was drawn to him because of his kind face and flowing beard. I even told him that I liked his beard, and that I have never been able to grow one for some reason. I love the character n his face and the excitement in his eyes.
Met Phil (8/27/17) while wandering around uptown Westerville today, looking for a daily shot. When I saw him across Main St. I pulled my camera up to my face and took a couple of shots, and since he didn't flinch, I went over and talked with him for a few minutes. Pretty nice guy, Says he hasn't broken anything other than some toes and fingers over the years while skateboarding, but absolutely loves it. Figures he will continue to do so for years.
I met John at McDonald's during lunch, where we discussed the benefits of a vegetarian diet, the way McDonald's and Wendy's markets their food to children, and his Oracle class at one of the local colleges. Also found out John is engaged to be married in October ... congratulations, John!
Dina! I met this young lady and her friend at the Park of Roses on a beautiful afternoon when the sun was beginning to set to the west (5/11/14). You can see the lovely rim light the setting sun casts on her hair, which I think helps give this shot some punch. While she was kind of quiet, she did allow me to shoot some images of her. Don't you wonder now what color her eyes are behind those sunglasses?
I met Keith 6/15/14 at a small street bazaar in Frederick, Md. Although he looked a little griseled, I went ahead and asked if I could take his picture. He immediately asked ..your're not the police, are you?" Once I convinced him I was not, he said "sure, okay." Come to find out, he was very appreciative that I would want his picture, as he is kinda down on himself right now, but thankful he will be going into rehab for alcohol in just three days. I told him he made the right decision, promised I would say a prayer for him and he said "thanks man, have a good life" ... and we went our separate ways.
Jose Guzman - (8/31/17) nearby resident who saw the flames and smoke from today's fire near the office, and came over for a look. Found out he has a 32 year old autistic daughter who lives with him, and he was musing on how difficult and dangerous it would be to try to help her out of a building on fire. Nice gentleman.
This happy lady was selling some type of newspaper in the downtown area on a hot, 94 degree day (7/6/12). I told her she needed to make sure she stayed in the shade and she just beamed. So, I asked if I could get her picture and here is the result, after I made her move into the shade for a better exposure.
I met Aric (5/17/14) at a free outdoor concert in Westerville, when he came up to me and started talking to me about the Oakland Raiders, as I was wearing one of their sweatshirts. Turns out Aric is the nephew of a guy I used to work with at Huntington Bank years ago, and he is also a pretty good fisherman who currently owns the Ohio state record catch for Bluegills, and the city record (Galena, Oh.) for Large Mouth Bass. This guy may have a future in competitive fishing!
I met Nick (8/14/17) along the low-head dam in Alum Creek Park in Westerville. He said he had been there for almost 3 hours when I came up to him, and he hadn't hit anything yet .... tough day. He works as a guard at Marion Correctional and likes to fish to work out the stress from the job. Nice guy, hope I run into him again.
I met Eileen (9/3/18) while admiring the sunrise this morning. She said she was having her own little church, watching the sun come up, so I felt comfortable engaging her in conversation. I learned that she is married, has one son who is in a local college, but she would love for him to enroll in a different one, where she feels he would be in a more comfortable learning environment and get a better education. I told her to be patient with him, and that with a Mom like her, he would find his way just fine, in his own time. While talking, I shared with Eileen that I am currently unemployed for the first time in 47 years, and she was visibly concerned for me, which was nice. She then asked if she could pray for me, and I of course accepted. Right there, she took my hand and began to pray for my employment. Powerful. I then asked if I could take her picture for this project, after explaining what it is all about and she immediately said no, that she was not photogenic. I insisted she let me shoot her, and told her that I loved the way the sun was hitting her eyes, an her sincere smile. She then agreed, and I am glad she did.I gave her my business card and asked her to contact me, if she wanted a copy of the image that I post online. Thanks Eieen!