Strangers Project #6

Portraiture in the perfect world is an attempt to capture a small bit of the persons personality and character that hidden essence of who they are .  Given the brief time that I have with some of these subjects it presents quite the challenge . As with our other volunteers we met kati along with a friend headed to river street . Dressed uber-casual as many visitors come from the nearby beaches and Savannah is just a night out from one of the nearby islands . 

    We are in a time when EVERYONE is a photographer. Iphones , instagram , facebook as a whole we are taking photos at a breakneck pace . I see girls that can't be 6 or 8 years of age break out their full fashion model smiles just seconds before mom's shutter clicks . Finished , Done , now we could put that in the folder that mom has added to almost daily since she got that iphone . I think it's great but are those say cheese  moments really who they are ? 

       Kati is just a gorgeous young lady and once in front of the lens she flashed that brilliant smile , I got three shots . Big smile , Big sunglasses . I don't think that she was exactly pleased when I asked "can we get one without the glasses" . Her expression changed in an instant and she gave me this are you kidding me glare . I clicked the shutter the glasses came down and in that 60 seconds the shoot ended . It was this one moment that I thought was the most truthful .   That is what I'm looking for , Still beautiful and so much fun , so thanks Kati Savage , I'm Bob Gala photographer and it was my pleasure to meet you .

 

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Strangers Project #5

 With the posting of the 5th portrait it has only now occurred to me the enormity of this project . At this pace it will end sometime in early September . I am so excited because of the challenge , now that DeeDee and I have broken the shyness barrier , the task that now lies ahead is to continue to present quality portraiture in fresh and creative ways , we embark on an artistic adventure . 

     We stand and watch the flow of people descending the steep stairs down to river street , and I can assure you that steep is not an exaggeration . After that there is the sloping street that runs to the river . Most call them cobble stones but in truth they were ballast stones removed from ships entering the historic port . Even the young with the best of shoes have a difficult time navigating the odd shapes . Fashionistas border on comical as they try in their high heels , it would be out right hilarious  if it didn't appear that we were just waiting for the next sprained ankle or fall . 

      It was coming down these stairs that I first spotted this young man , accompanied by family I instantly knew that he would be an interesting portrait . Built like a bull , forearms defined with muscle , wide in the shoulders he walked with a presence . I told my wife I want HIM !! She wobbled across the awkward street and approached the family . We have faced some skepticism when we approach people out of the blue . This time his mother instantly asked "why my son , what do you want to photograph him for" she was being a mama bear even if he was a full grown grizzly . As I waited by the equipment I saw hand waving in animated conversation then they turned and stated my way . We got him I thought . I extended my hand to welcome him " Hi I'm Bob Gala" his reply "They call me MAZE" what a great guy "O.K what do you want me to do" was his question , so relaxed and if I could be a bit cliched comfortable in his own skin . From just the short time I didn't learn a lot about him , but I can say this, Maze is a guy I'd pick for my team any day . Hello Maze Melendez , I'm Bob Gala photographer and it's been my pleasure to meet you .

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Strangers Project #4

Another from a group of young people headed out on the town in Savannah . I could only think that as we approached them , That we were asking them to do something that was probably exactly what their parents told them not to do . Just the words strangers and alley is enough to send shivers up the spines of most parents these days . Perhaps it was our age , perhaps it was the obvious camera and lighting . Whatever the reason the answer was yes or more realistically a enthusiastic yeah sure !

     Enthusiasm and youth such a combination . After a few minutes of quick questioning I was able to identify some of the more obvious personalities of the group .  Enter Elle with a personality as bright as her hair . As I asked who would be next there was almost a cheering section for Elle . "You go Elle" said one "Elle's a superstar" echoed another and one more chimed in with "She's going to be success" , WOW talk about supportive friends . It only took a moment to discover why . With a confidence that took me by surprise she turned quickly to the lens and flashed a genuine and magnetic smile . Then in rapid succession another one and another and another . "Give me a pouty look" bang it was there , and the shutter clicked away . 

      I asked where she would go to school and it came as no surprise that she was headed far away Cal State her choice and with that spirit that didn't stop she added that she wanted to "manage rock & roll bands" get involved in the music business . I really could understand the worries of a parent with a child as free spirited as Elle . I could also congratulate them , confident , ambitious and smart and equipped with a wisdom that seemed beyond her years , I agree with her friends . I certainly cannot read the tea leaves nor the future , but on this day Elle was a star and I certainly wouldn't bet against   it continuing . Hello Elle Showalter , I'm Bob Gala photographer and it was my pleasure to meet you .

She did ask if I could "take away her roots" in the first image I did 

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Strangers Project #3

        With the world's population topping 7 billion it a source of amazement to me that we each have been able to keep our own individuality . We're all human and although there is a bit of variance , we all have so many things we share as members of the human race . Sure there are the short and the tall , the big and the small but all in all we mostly fit into the averages and we are the size , well we're the size that humans are supposed to be .     

          Then what is that special thing that inherit quality that makes us individuals ? We come from different areas of the world equipped with different skin colors and a sense of style that somehow evolved , most likely from a need and purpose, more than the desire to be fashionable . There still remains the biggest single thing that makes you you  and me me . That my friends , based solely on opinion is the spirit that each of us holds deep inside . That spirit cannot be replaced with a transplant procedure . It cannot undergo the scalpel of the cosmetic surgeon , It cannot be shaven , dyed or tattooed . Maybe most importantly it cannot be photographed . It is you and it will be you till the day you die. 

           Today was fun in Savannah and I'm not the only one going there for a good time travelers from around the world come to visit and enjoy . We set up in an alley about 20 yards off River Street and continued recruiting some unique people to volunteer fro my 50 stranger project . This is Shelby , Hello Shelby Pulley from Cape Coral , Florida . Young and beautiful Shelby's heading off to The University of Florida next year . In town to have a little fun we talked briefly and the whole group got in on the shoot . Hello Shelby , I'm Bob Gala photographer and it was my pleasure to meet you 

Strangers Project #2

I'd like to introduce you to James Pringle and if there was ever a big man with a gentle spirit this was him . I first spotted James from across the square , I must have been at least 50 yards away . There he sat alone arms spread , it seemed as if they covered the bench from one end to the other . The late day sun shined through his ceiling of live oaks , their curtains of spanish moss hanging as it has forever . Walking in his direction I first heard this booming baritone voice " Lord Lord soon it will be fathers day " " The fathers day is coming " . I am certain that I've never heard a voice so big , so bold , deep and rich yet clear and on key . Then he repeated his chorus for the day "Lord Lord soon it will be fathers day" . Being it was the day before the American holiday that pays tribute to dad's it seemed appropriate , But as I later learned it was something of a much higher calling . 

        I introduced myself and told him of my 50 Strangers project and asked if he would mind if while we chatted I could photograph him " No No , not at all people always taking pictures here "  . Around his neck hung an identification badge , James Pringle crafter , to his side a bunch of sweetgrass that he made into roses , hearts and other simple shapes that would appeal to the tourists now starting to emerge with the passing of the midday heat . With hands so big that their sheer size made one wonder of their power , it's with these that he wove the most intricate little trinkets , then out of nowhere "Lord Lord soon it will be Father's day " 

        We talked more, I asked "Do you know Walter or Ezekiel" ? "Well that Walter still around plays the blues ya know" his voice still leaving me amazed with it's deep tonality "Ezekiel , well that a sad story , they got him in one of those nursing homes , Last I heard he was trying to get back to playing that saxaphone" Then with hardly a breath in between he broke out that baritone voice and started another negro spiritual almost as if it were a tribute to his missing friend . I sat a bit surprised wondering a bit just how to act as he sang . It reminded me of a tune from "Showboat" , how I could remember something that was before I was born I don't know , but I did . Here is a taste of what was in my mind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSzYRo9j7YM . Well so James Pringle , I'm Bob Gala photographer and it's been my pleasure to meet you

 

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The Strangers Project

This is the 1st in a series of posts about a new project  Strangers . I am attempting to introduce myself to people that I do not know and photograph them . This is not simply to snap a photograph and leave , but also to find out a little about their lives , and maybe more importantly their views of life and their choices on how to live it . I hope to find out about their hopes , their dreams and where they fit into this wonderful journey called life . This will also not be a get the simple one shot project . I intend to bring my studio to them . Using Nikon's best technology I'll be lighting the subjects with strobes and flashes . Remotely triggering them so that I can control the light giving me the opportunity to be expressive as a photographer . Savannah , Georgia a town that has a rich history and seemingly has embraced the many free spirited souls that call it home . A recipe in which tradition and tolerance are two of the main ingredients . Since I live not far from here there is no doubt that these will not be the only sessions shot there . In fact the idea of an extended project on Savannah sits somewhere in the back of my head . 

       So here I'll introduce Michael Houston  , unlike many of the elder statesmen of the Savannah street music scene he is a very young 18 years of age. After a simple introduction he was very receptive to the idea of being photographed while he played for change in Ellis Square . My first thought was , how could a man so young be here playing only hoping to hear the sound of coins hitting the empty violin case that he stood behind . Our conversation started with a simple question "You live here in Savannah" . His answer came quickly "No Sir , I'm from Beaufort and I just graduated" . He took me back just a bit after I asked "So what now on to college" ? Another quick answer as he looked me in the eye "No Sir , I don't think so" . Somehow I had hoped that I would hear just the opposite. "So what's next for you have any plans" ? And this is when it got good . With a look that only a youth could have he said "I'm a violinist" well O.K then I thought "I'm also going to be a translator" . "So what do you translate " ? He then rattled off all of the languages he spoke so fast that I couldn't possibly remember them . It was then that I realized that this was just the encounter I wanted to start my 50 strangers project . Michael Houston if we never meet again I'll remember you . May your youthful enthusiasm turn into achievements , May your translations bring understanding to our world and may your violin give pleasure to many .Well hello Michael , I'm Bob Gala photographer and this was my pleasure to meet you today .