As a photographer usually you have a certain “area of expertise”.
I used to think that I was a nature photographer. I still am, but when I did the Summer Intensive with RMSP back in 2008 I discovered that I’m not solely that. I’m much more. Nature is still a big part of my portfolio, but I’ve been cursed (or blessed?) with a 3rds grid and viewfinder marks in my eyes. Most of the times I’m looking around seeing in everything a potential picture. Slightly annoying sometimes, but it’s also made me so much more aware of what’s happening around me.
I’ve shot a wide range of topics. Studio, industrial, journalistic, and even portraits (I’ve met with the Finnish President for a commissioned shoot and I have a few of his pictures in my portfolio! How many can really say that? 🙂 ). I shoot a cracking portrait, when I get the opportunity. The downside is, believe it or not, I’m shy. I tend to think I’m social, I have no problem whatsoever interacting with people, but for me to shoot a good portrait I need to be acquainted with that person.
Awhile back I came across Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York via a friend who hinted me about it. Don’t ask me why I hadn’t heard of it before. It’s a great project. And it seemed like a great thing to do. Just doing portraits of random people on the street.
There was a big but there, though. I’m shy.
Just going up to a perfect stranger and asking if I could take a picture… That is so far out of my comfort zone that I could image doing it. But… I may be shy, but I’m also totally into new challenges, and I’m totally into stepping out of my comfort zone.
And so, inspired by Humans of New York, with two great friends and fellow photographers I started the project we named “Humans Captured”.
It’s basically the same principle, only we didn’t want to strictly limit ourselves to one city, since we’re travelers and we’re in different places all the time.
We’re just shooting where we are and where we see people.
I’ve been experiencing some “start-up” problems of my own. It takes a whole different level and a whole different kind of courage to just walk up to someone and ask if you can take their picture. It’s one of those irrational “fears”, I’m totally aware of it, and it’s ridiculous, and I will get over it, but it takes a tad bit of time and getting accustomed. And really… what’s the worst that can happen (apart from being beat up if you run into the wrong person 😀 😀 )? You get a “no” or “get lost” or something like that…
Owwell… It’s not a life rejection in any case.
Sofar the people I’ve shot were very sympathetic and forthcoming, and that gives you courage.
Let’s see where this will go.
Here’s a little teaser:
Super Mario
I’m not going to put a whole lot of pictures up here (there aren’t yet SO many, but posting every day will change that quickly 😉 ). If you want to see more, go ahead and visit the Facebook group or the blog.
https://www.facebook.com/HumansCaptured
And don’t forget to like us on your way in (or out) 🙂
