Come see me at the NE Art-A-Whirl this weekend! I’m in the Waterbury Building at 1121 Jackson, suite #121.
May 18, 2012
April 28, 2012
a brand new minneapolis no. 28 (cedar-riverside) on Flickr.
Mamiya 645 1000s | Mamiya Sekor-C 80mm f/1.9 (shot at f/5.6) | Fuji Acros 100 | Rodinal (1:50)
This is Molly. I met her walking around Cedar-Riverside, pretty close to where I met Ali, also know as no. 27. It’s a really vibrant neighborhood, with a large Somali population, but also a lot of blue collar bars and music establishments (400 Bar, Palmers, Triple Rock), art centers (Cedar Cultural Center), and the University of Minnesota. The food is also really good in that area (Acadia, Chai’s Thai, the Wienery). Anyway, Molly caught my eye as an interesting person (I think I liked her scarf) and after a little convincing, she agreed to this nice portrait. Thanks Molly!
This picture is the twenty-eighth in my 100 strangers project, to learn more and see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis, click here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
April 18, 2012
a brand new minneapolis no. 23 (nicollet mall) on Flickr.
I’m slowly running down the 100 strangers queue I’ve had building up in Lightroom for some time now. This photograph was actually taken a few weeks ago, so I’ve forgotten much of the backstory involved. I’m not sure there was much anyway. I do like the fine detail in his skin and leather jacket though, gotta love medium format film! The other good news is that because I’m running out of characters, I need to go back out into the streets and shoot some more. I’ll try to get away from Nicollet Mall for the next batch. It’s just so easy to find interesting people there. Also, for the people who dislike my color shots (not that it really matters what you think about my choice of film), never fear, for I will be shooting black and white almost certainly for the next roll since I have quite the stockpile leftover from my trip to the Sand Dunes. That’s kind of the thing that bothers me about some commenters—-they comment on utterly subjective things like whether I shoot in color or black and white! I really do appreciate insightful comments about the technical aspects of my portraits, e.g., what is in- and out-of-focus, the composition, the lighting, but I can’t stand thoughtless, inane banter such as, “I don’t like your color portraits.” Well, sorry, they (my color portraits, that is) don’t like you!
This picture is the twenty-third in my 100 strangers project, to learn more and see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis, click here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
April 18, 2012
a brand new minneapolis no. 21 (nicollet mall) on Flickr.
Mamiya 645 1000s | Mamiya Sekor-C 80mm f/1.9 (shot at f/2.8) | Fuji Pro 160c
Another unintentional selfie here, sorry! I was waiting to cross the street when I saw this gentleman about to cross on the other side. I was immediately drawn to the reflective glasses and the large dark hood framing his imposing face. So, I walked in place or something similarly awkward until he reached my side after the light turned. I asked for his photo and he obliged. Sometimes the scary looking people are the nicest!
I do plan on getting out of downtown and exploring some more neighborhoods soon, but I have a few more downtown-themed portraits in the queue, so thank you for bearing with me. So much city to see, only 79 more strangers to go! I’ll be away for a few days, taking a trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park with the girlfriend. Can’t wait. There will be some sand-inspired shots to come in my photostream, I do predict….
This picture is the twenty-first in my 100 strangers project, to learn more and see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis, click here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
March 27, 2012
a brand new minneapolis no. 20 (nicollet mall) on Flickr.
Mamiya 645 1000s | Mamiya Sekor-C 80mm f/1.9 (shot at f/2.8) | Fuji Pro 160c
Meet Tomahawk. I saw her step off the bus and knew I had to ask for her photo, her style was just so unique! She was really fun and easygoing too. She told me that she just started a tumblr page, so I hope she finds me! Oh, and isn’t color film great? Seeing color in medium format was kind of like when the Wizard of Oz switched over for me! I plan to do mostly black and white, but for some people (like Tomahawk), only color would do them justice. More to come, thanks for looking!
You can find a full view of her outfit here, Sartorialist-style!
This picture is the twentieth in my 100 strangers project, to learn more and see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis, click here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
March 27, 2012
a brand new minneapolis no. 19 (nicollet mall) on Flickr.
Mamiya 645 1000s | Mamiya Sekor-C 80mm f/1.9 (shot at f/2.8) | Ilford HP5+ | Rodinal (1:50)
I saw this gentleman outside of the Minneapolis Public Library. I asked for his picture and he asked for a cigarette. I didn’t have one, so he asked for fifty cents. I shrugged and gave him a dollar. Just after I took the shot, he started dancing! I think he thought that I had a video camera. Oh well. I don’t like to give the strangers I shoot money, but sometimes I randomly relent and fork over some money. I mean, there are a lot of strangers out there who would have their picture taken for free, right? Oh well, I guess it’s a small matter in the grand scheme of things. At least he gave me an interesting expression (right before he started bobbing his head in dance, that is)…
A Brand New Minneapolis teaser: color is on its way…
This picture is the nineteenth in my 100 strangers project, to learn more and see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis, click here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
March 27, 2012
a brand new minneapolis no. 18 (nicollet mall) on Flickr.
Mamiya 645 1000s | Mamiya Sekor-C 80mm f/1.9 (shot at f/2.8) | Ilford HP5+ | Rodinal (1:50)
This gentleman was over 90 and I caught him as he strolled down Nicollet Mall. I asked what he was doing and he replied that he used to walk Downtown Minneapolis 75 years ago. Wow! I asked if things had changed much and he just laughed. We spent about five minutes talking about the camera I was using (he was amazed that it wasn’t digital), Minneapolis, and life in general. It’s interactions like these that really give me the energy necessary to keep walking up to strangers and asking to take their pictures. What a sweet guy. I was so caught up in his story that I didn’t realize until I looked at his photograph that his hat (which was bright orange, too bad I had shot my roll of color film already) had a big ant on it! No reason, I suppose; I mean, what reason could you possibly have to put an ant on your hat but that you’re 90 years old and can do whatever you damn well please!
This picture is the eighteenth in my 100 strangers project, to learn more and see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis, click here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
March 7, 2012
![a brand new minneapolis no. 14 (nicollet mall) [explored] on Flickr.Mamiya 645 1000s | Mamiya Sekor-C 80mm f/1.9 (shot at f/2.8) | Ilford HP5+ | Rodinal (1:50)
I had just finished speaking to a very nice 90+ year old gentleman (preview: he’s #18) and was just feeling good about people in general when I asked this stranger for her portrait. She kindly said yes. I guess the moral of the story is to ask first and ask why later—-sometimes the most interesting shots are spur-of-the-moment.
This picture is the fourteenth in my 100 strangers project, to learn more and see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis, click here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0j8vk6opN1ro5kono1_1280.jpg)
a brand new minneapolis no. 14 (nicollet mall) [explored] on Flickr.
Mamiya 645 1000s | Mamiya Sekor-C 80mm f/1.9 (shot at f/2.8) | Ilford HP5+ | Rodinal (1:50)
I had just finished speaking to a very nice 90+ year old gentleman (preview: he’s #18) and was just feeling good about people in general when I asked this stranger for her portrait. She kindly said yes. I guess the moral of the story is to ask first and ask why later—-sometimes the most interesting shots are spur-of-the-moment.
This picture is the fourteenth in my 100 strangers project, to learn more and see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis, click here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
March 6, 2012
a brand new minneapolis no. 13 (franklin & 27th) on Flickr.
Mamiya 645 1000s | Mamiya Sekor-C 80mm f/1.9 (shot at f/4) | Ilford HP5+ | Ilfotec DD-X
This portrait is a little different than the rest thus far in A Brand New Minneapolis, but I really wanted to get the Jim’s Barber Shop storefront in the shot. In keeping with the stranger tradition, I had never met Jim, but always walked by his modest barber shop and wondered about this charming little shop. I really enjoy the quiet professionalism of the Midwestern barber, he definitely knows his craft and his little station is equipped with the essentials and nothing more. A true craftsman. I popped in as Jim was sweeping the floor after a customer, explained my project, and asked him to pose in the window as I shot from the outside. He kindly obliged and I got the shot. If my hair weren’t so damn short, I’d definitely be a regular at Jim’s Barber Shop. Another hidden charm of Minneapolis.
This picture is the thirteenth in my 100 strangers project, to learn more and see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis, click here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
March 4, 2012
a brand new minneapolis no. 11 (dupont & 25th) on Flickr.
Mamiya 645 1000s | Mamiya Sekor-C 80mm f/1.9 (shot at f/2.8) | Kodak Tri-x 400 | 8x ND | D-76
This gentleman, who may be a distant relative of Clint Eastwood, was ambling down the street in the residential part of Uptown when I asked for his photo. He thought about it for a few seconds and finally agreed. When I asked how he was doing, he said, “Better than last week.” I guess that’s a good thing, right?
This picture is the eleventh in my 100 strangers project, to learn more and see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis, click here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
March 2, 2012
a brand new minneapolis no. 10 (lake & hennepin) on Flickr.
Mamiya 645 1000s | Mamiya Sekor-C 80mm f/1.9 (shot at f/2.8) | Kodak Tri-x 400 | 8x ND | D-76
Although many of my subjects thus far have been a bit world-weary, it’s not my intention through this project to only take pictures of these types of people. The bottom line is that I’m trying to find interesting people, whether it be an interesting character, like no. 7, or an interesting expression, like no. 1. This young woman was interesting to me because of her otherworldly calmness which I think shows in this portrait. Amongst the hustle and bustle of Uptown, it was striking to see someone at peace in her own world.
This picture is the tenth in my 100 strangers project, to learn more and see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis, click here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
February 26, 2012
a brand new minneapolis no. 8 (bryant & lake) on Flickr.
Mamiya 645 1000s | Mamiya Sekor-C 80mm f/1.9 (shot at f/2.8) | Kodak Tri-x 400 | 8x ND | D-76
This gentleman and I made eye contact as he crossed the street. It was the kind of contact that has the potential to be awkward (well, what kind of contact doesn’t?!) but I quickly motioned his way and asked if I could take his photograph. He readily obliged, wished me luck, and went on his way. Easy peasy.
This picture is the eighth in my 100 strangers project, to learn more and see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis, click here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
February 20, 2012
a brand new minneapolis no. 4 (lake & hiawatha) on Flickr.
Mamiya 645 1000s | Mamiya Sekor-C 80mm f/1.9 (shot at f/2.8) | Ilford HP5+ 400 (shot at 320) | Rodinal (1:100, 75 min.)
This gentleman was waiting for his bus when I asked for his picture. I could see him as I approached a block away. The bus stop was on a small hill and his profile immediately caught my eye. It’s fitting, then, that that’s how the portrait turned out. When I got close, I asked if he would mind if I took his picture. At first he didn’t hear me (notice the headphones), but I asked again and he nodded his assent. But then his bus arrived. Apparently he thought I had already taken the shot, but I had not (again fumbling with the focus!). I did manage to square away my focus and took this as he slowly made his way onto the bus. He was in his own little world.
This picture is the fourth in my 100 strangers project, to learn more and see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis, click here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
February 18, 2012
a brand new minneapolis no. 2 (lake & cedar) on Flickr.
Mamiya 645 1000s | Mamiya Sekor-C 80mm f/1.9 (shot at f/2.8) | Ilford HP5+ 400 (shot at 320) | Rodinal (1:100, 75 min.)
Thank you for checking out this new project of mine, A Brand New Minneapolis. This is the name of my tumblr and etsy shop, but the spirit of this project is more specific. Here’s a summary of what’s behind it: Minneapolis is always in the news for being “the most” of some category or another. Be it “most bike-friendly,” “most literate,” “gayest,” “smartest,” “healthiest,” you name it—-if it sounds good to the NPR set, you can bet that Minneapolis is atop or near the top of that list. I am convinced that Minneapolis is a great city for all of these reasons, but also so many more. The “more” reasons are why I am setting out to photograph 100 strangers I meet while walking through this city. I hope that finding people from all walks of life will help me define for myself what makes Minneapolis special.
This woman was walking her dog along the cemetery on Lake and Cedar. She had a large collie who was very patient while waiting for this photographer’s fumbling. The woman was happy to hear that I was “an artist,” and gladly posed for this shot. She didn’t really look into the camera, but at her dog instead. I think that, in combination with her sunglasses, makes this an interesting portrait.
This picture is the second in my 100 strangers project, see the rest of A Brand New Minneapolis here.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
February 6, 2012
winter river on Flickr.
Canon EOS 600D/T3i | 21mm, f/22, 1/25 | Processed in LR3
Goodbye, sweet Canon EOS Rebel T3i, how I shall miss you! This is one of the last shots I took on my new-ish Canon DSLR. I traded it in the next week. Am I crazy? Probably. I enjoy the convenience of digital (I traded it in for a Fuji x10), but I just can’t explain the magic of film and want to explore that for a while. So consider this my Canon’s swansong…I’ll miss you!
Also, the St. Croix River is beautiful in winter. My dad and I explored the MN and WI side of the river and, surprise surprise, the Minnesota side was way cooler…
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