100 strangers on 50 mm Photo Gallery by Roy Birger Nilsen at pbase.com

100 strangers on 50 mm

This is a gallery where I intend to put 100 pictures of
total strangers using my new 50 mm lens (f1,4 G), hence the title.
This is to challenge my shyness when photographing people in the streets.
The only thing they have in common are that they know they are being photographed.
Update january 2012 : The project is now finished.It took 7 months.:-)
Link to a slideshow of these pictures on Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/35245985

100. Cafè worker..........	99. Father and son......	98. Marcos,photographer......	97. Polish builder......
96. Shy girl.....	95. Working on the railway......	94. The Lord and his servant......	93. Photographer.....
92. Friendly cafe-worker......	91. Iphone-photographer.....	90. Mall-singers........:-)	89. Sceptical....
88. National costumes.....	87. The glassblowers assistant.............	86. Working on the big christmas tree.........	85. Hoseman.......
84. Mirror.....	83. Matching colors......	82. A train enthusiast from Japan.......	81. Spanish revolution? In Bergen,Norway?............
80. Heavy load......	79. At the fish market.......	78. UN-veteran soldier......	77. UN -veteran soldiers....
76. Organizer.........	75. Yellow rabbit.......	74. Axe-warrior........	73. Heavy bag........
72. On the tram.......	71. Striding along........	70. Students moving heavy stuff...........	69. Having a cigarette........
68. Escaping the rain.......	67. Empty carriage.......	66. Young photographer..........	65. The skipper......
64. Posing....	63. Feeding the pigeons.............	62. Cool dude.....	61. Cute smile.......
60. Waiting.........	59. Slipslidin` away.........	58. Sceptical.......	57. Another happy bride..............
56. Next to the king...........	55. Sceptical ladies.......	54. The baloonman...........	53. Sceptical pro............
52.Chef on a break............	51.Headstand.................(literally)	50. Oh no,he is taking our picture ......!	49. Hairdresser-break.........
48. Colourful couple............	47. International group......	46. Just married........	45. Cute smile...........
44. Feeding the pigeons.........	43. Playing with dad.......	42. Confused tourists.........	41. Green and pink............
40. Wet dog.......	39. And yet another hat........	38. Another hat.......	37. Love the hat.........
36. Even here...........	35. Ready for takeoff........	34. Surprised tourists......	33. Offline.....
32. Souvenir shop.......	31. What is he doing.......?	30. Waiting for the rain to stop.....	29. Trying to get a view....
28. Cat on a leash.....	27.Love your costume,can I take a picture?	26. Yeah,go ahead and take a picture.......	25. Angry street musician....
24. Money for hungry ducks......!	23. Happy stonecutter.....	22. Could you look over here.....?	21. Texting.......
20. Why me...........?	19. In the sunday best ..........	18. And now: a bride to be....	17. Stealing the bride`s attention...
16. Through the hole......:-)	15. Curious......	14. Two for forty.........	13. Wet but cheerful.......
12. What are you doing..........?	11. Museumguide........	10. Walking the dogs........	9. In blue..........
8. Soaking wet......	7. The speaker and two participants.....	6. The speaker at todays fun and games...	5. The artist
4. Trying to hide........	3. Victory	2. Summerdress....	1. Rock on!

comment |

Unrepentant snapshooter!		07-Mar-2014 01:51
Great gallery! Good people skills!

Long Bach Nguyen		01-Nov-2013 15:46
Excellent gallery and concept and Congratulation v

Guest		14-Dec-2012 15:45
This is a fantastic challenge and we are many to face the same difficulties and questions. But you also managed to create a very interesting and fun gallery with many great photos. I love this gallery. -V-

Jan Bakker		12-Dec-2012 13:11
Great use of the 50!!

Marc Demoulin		11-Dec-2012 17:40
Congratulation on this achievement Roy!! Bravo!! vVv Marc

Bill Morgenstern		07-Dec-2012 12:56
Two questions, were these single shots only of each person or group of people and why did you not move in closer with your camera for a more intimate shot?

Bill Morgenstern		07-Dec-2012 12:48
Roy - Your project here is well done, sensitive and enlightening. I appreciate your sensitivity towards your subjects and the interaction that gained you a moment of trust and truth. Thanks for providing important information on how you accomplished these images of total strangers. Like you, I have always had a hard time bringing myself to do this type of photography because I don't want to invade someones space by sticking an unwanted camera in their face. I learned from your experience here and may try a project like this myself. Bill

Roy Birger Nilsen		18-Jan-2012 14:07
Dov: Sometimes I ask permission by voice and sometimes I gesture towards the camera and get a nod back saying yes.I come a long way using a lot of smiling and interaction with the subject.F.ex. the last shot,nr 37 where I had a conversation with the woman about the hat she was showing to some costumers.By smiling a lot and asking her politely I got her to try the hat on.She then came up with the V-gesture and we smiled and winked at each other as I left.Since I started this project I have taken 2-300 pictures like these,and only two times have the subject said no.I am very careful about taking pictures of children and always ask the parents`s permission first.I carry a card with the adress to my site here and also a mail adress for people to reach me if they want to be removed.I have given out maybe 10-12 cards since I started.Most of them wanted to see themselves on the net and found it funny.I have received 5 e-mails from people I have photographed and none of them were negative.The bottom line is that it is your responsibility to treat people like you would yourself like to be treated,respect and humour are two keywords.If you feel down,do not do this kind of shooting.

Roy Birger Nilsen		18-Jan-2012 01:02
Claude: I think this project has helped on the natural shyness I have when facing people in this way.You think:Oh no,I`m sure he/she will say no and be angry.Most people actually say yes when you ask and are quite flattered that someone wants to take their picture. Smiling a lot and talking helps a great deal of course.Flattery is always good:"You look great,can I take your picture?"Polite and smiling approach is the key.

Walter Otto Koenig		17-Jan-2012 16:59
What a great concept and even better execution. Looks like you've overcome your shyness. I hope to overcome mine too. "V"

slhoornstra		05-Dec-2011 02:44
I can imagine the pleasure of doing such a striking collection, wonderful and random, moving wherever you feet take you!! Very interesting and fun to see. BV

rousselziak		20-Oct-2011 10:30
An excellent work and concept! -V-

Ann...		20-Aug-2011 10:02
Fascinating idea and gallery, I love it!

123		21-Jul-2011 02:50
After your write up on the experience, I am now convinced that your pick-up skills have been sharpened. :)))

Brian		20-Jul-2011 16:30
Very well done great idea big vote.

Paolo Peggi (aka Bracciodiferro)		20-Jul-2011 08:23
very creative work ! Vote Paolo

Dov		19-Jul-2011 15:38
Did you ask permission before taking each picture? What percentage agreed? Please tell us. This is very interesting, we can all learn from this. Thanks for daring. V for your courage

Susanne v. Schroeder		18-Jul-2011 22:22
Congratulations - a wonderful project. I admire your bravery.

joseantonio		18-Jul-2011 20:04
Very nice street scenes

Gary Holt		09-Jul-2011 09:30
Your a brave man...I just started doing some street photography and I'm usually shooting at 150mm...and doing it very quickly..!!

Pieter Bos		03-Jul-2011 09:56
Beautiful collection! ~V

Buba Jafarli		29-Jun-2011 16:32
Enjoyed this wonderful collection! Thank you, Roy, and looking forward to seeing the remaining 75 shots! V.

Guest		28-Jun-2011 19:00
God ide, liker prosjektet ditt. 50mm er jo veldig fint til gatebilder.

lisamidi		28-Jun-2011 18:37
That's a fantastic idea and abig challenge too! Superb resutlsts. Bon courage!!!! v

Marc Demoulin		28-Jun-2011 16:21
A great challenge Roy!! I would be lousy at this. Good luck and you have all my support!! vVv Marc

Walter Otto Koenig		28-Jun-2011 15:49
Great concept to challenge yourself with this subject and the use of a prime lens. I really like what you have posted so far. Congratulations on the new lens. :)

Ken Smith		23-Jun-2011 19:22
Loving this new gallery Roy. So good to see the street life.

Guenter Eh		23-Jun-2011 17:19
The perfect lens for street photography...bravo for the courage to take these wonderful shots Roy! :-)

Aud Elise Sjøsæther		21-Jun-2011 12:37
Interessant prosjekt! Og du har skaffet deg en meget god linse : ) Gratulerer!

shatterbug		20-Jun-2011 21:13
An admirable undertaking, love the 50mm goodness!

Mike W.		19-Jun-2011 14:07
A very interesting project you've set yourself and you're off to a cracking start;-) Looking forward to our photo trip in the summer.

Ray Rebortira		19-Jun-2011 11:51
This is an awesome project which I personally find intimidating. But you are off to a good start and one can see how, with each photo, at ease you are with the genre. You have me cheering all the way at this fabulous marathon. Bravo!!!

Tor		17-Jun-2011 10:28
Utrolig bra Roy Birger! Har ofte tenkt på det samme men har fremdeles ikke kommet meg over terskelen. Gleder meg til å følge med på fortsettelsen. Alltid like inspirerende å se på bildene dine :).

an nguyen		17-Jun-2011 03:48
Let's rock the streets with 50mm and all .

123		17-Jun-2011 00:59
Let the stranger fest begin! V

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