Strangers Project #8

July 3, 2013

Sit somewhere , anywhere it could be Savannah it could be Chicago , Tokyo , Topeka or old Bombay , watch as the people pass . Observe their dress and style , the way they adorn themselves , What makes them choose their look , their style , the colors they choose ? Even if you are the greatest non-conformist on the planet earth . You are influenced in your choices by the choices of other people . You are influenced by your peers in some form . It's almost tribal instinct to be accepted as a member of the larger group ,

How many times have I sat and watch the parade of humanity pass and be stunned as to what people wear and maybe more specifically what they think makes them look good , what makes them cool , their persona , their image . What's sexy , practical , exciting , business like , taboo , head turning , boring or sport . Every time we dress there is a subconscious decision , is this the right look ? Whether we would like to admit it or not us humans are pretty darned concerned about what the other humans think . From spending trillions on fashion and cosmetics to the simple I think I look good in blue. .

Enter Jonathan , Such a great kid , but for the life of me I'll never understand why at night after being asked if you could be photographed , a person would search for their sunglasses before we could take the shot . Yes a big rant over a simple thing . It just left me puzzled . The only thing that I could think of is that this is how Jonathan thought he looked the way he wanted to appear . You know what ? After viewing the images I'm glad he did . Jonathan , thanks for the time you were cooler than cool . I'm Bob Gala photographer and it was my pleasure to meet you .

Strangers Project #7

July 1, 2013

While driving to spend another Saturday on the streets of Savannah , I discussed with my wife DeeDee some of the things that might give this 50 Strangers project more interest from the viewers perspective . It was decided that we needed to vary our location #1 . So with that in mind we set out . What a learning experience ! To accomplish our goal easier said than done . We arrived at about 2 in the afternoon , first mistake . Not only is that the worst light of the day but Savannah in the Summer heat ? We wandered from historic square to historic square and by 6 we had only accomplished a Sushi lunch and a Leopold's ice cream . There are plenty of fabulous locations in Savannah but our dilemma was there were no people there . There was an odd quietness to town . I had no intention of standing in some fabulous location for hours only to hope that one of few passers by would be interested in joining the project . It was decided that we would head to the busiest street in the city and somehow we would find a way to shoot around the crowds on River Street . Besides if I didn't find inspiration soon there was the potential of a mutiny as I watched DeeDee sweating , her displeasure with my artistic endeavour was increasing , the weight of the light stand bag she carried all day seemed to grow proportionally with her discontent . At this point I was about ready to hang it up , not only were we both wilted but DeeDee typically has that energy and smile that has convinced so many people to join in this endeavour . Without her persuasiveness this project on this night was in trouble.

Desperation led to being more aggressive . A mother walked by with a child in tow , she was on the phone and the young boy tried keep pace while trying to eat his melting ice cream cone . Hello mam , she walked by oblivious to our approach , but several yards behind was Kenisha keeping that I'm not really with them distance that teenagers are known for . Beautiful , young and so nicely adorned with hair extensions , I asked if she would like to be photographed . "Sure sounds like fun" her reply .O.K but I think I better ask your mother who just continued to walk until she sat 30 yards up the promenade . Kenisha said "I don't need her permission" with a rebellious tone I responded by asking "well how old are you"? she replied "18" , I smiled and said "well , let's do this then and proceeded to position her with the old river boat behind her . I hollered for DeeDee who was pursuing the mother still on the phone for her approval. It wasn't one of those get to know you times that I had hope for but Thanks Kenisha , I'm Bob Gala photographer and it was really my pleasure to meet you .

Strangers Project #6

June 29, 2013

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 .

Strangers Project #5

June 27, 2013

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 .

Strangers Project #4

June 25, 2013

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

Strangers Project #3

June 23, 2013

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