394/400 - Najoule (Explore) - a photo on Flickriver

I had taken the subway downtown and passed by the downtown university campus where I have successfully met a number of Strangers for my project. There was a concrete wall near the opening of a covered sidewalk which I have considered as a good location because it is shielded from direct light and yet captures adequate diffuse light. I’ve actually taken a couple of project photos at the north end of the covered sidewalk but this end being south has even nicer light.

I walked back and forth scanning the flow of pedestrians and didn’t have to wait long before this fellow came along. I noticed his eyes immediately and liked the way his skin glowed, framed by his hood. I didn’t even get my complete “pitch” delivered before he was agreeing to the photo, seemingly without hesitation. “I’m Jeff. What’s your name?” “I’m Najoule.” We shook hands and I led him a few steps to the location I wanted to use.

Najoule assumed I wanted him in the direct light but was happy to oblige when I explained my wish to have adequate light, but not overly bright. He understood the concept and let me position him. He gave me the “please look directly into the lens and you can use any expression that feels natural” look that I invited and I was pleased. After three or four exposures I realized that his face was a bit overexposed because of the concrete wall and I compensated -.7 ev which gave a natural rendering. Najoule was interested in my procedure and understood when I explained how the light meter in the camera makes the same assumption about white skin and dark skin and often turns them both grey unless one adjusts.

My first photos were in tight as is my usual preference, with the concrete wall faded out behind him. Realizing that variety is good I took a few extra ones with pedestrian traffic in the background. I told him I was hoping for someone with a bright coat to add something extra and I recruited him to let me know if he spotted one coming from behind me. He was amused at our partnership. The red coat did come from the direction I was looking but somehow I pulled the trigger at the wrong moment so that didn’t work out. In the end, though, I did choose an image with more environment as my main submission.

Najoule is 26 and is from Toronto. “I’m a city boy through and through” he said. I told him I was a “city boy” too but I grew up in Chicago. He was interested in that and he knew a bit about Chicago so we wound up comparing Chicago and Toronto which was fun. Najoule has a four year degree in Graphic Design and is trying to launch a career in that field. Meanwhile, he continues to do some construction work to pay the bills. We talked about how hard it is to launch a career even if one has talent and training. I noted that he is very personable and presents very well and should do quite well in interviews. He thanked me for that and said he’s hopeful of getting work in his field if he can just get past the resume stage and actually have face-to-face contact with someone who will look at his portfolio. I met him just after he registered at an agency for contract work.

When I asked Najoule if there is anything else I should know about him to help me introduce him to viewers of the project. He said he's also a musician and plays bass guitar for more than one band and plays "all genres" of music. He also said “You can mention that I get up at 4 a.m. every morning and spend an hour listening to motivational tapes to get my attitude in a positive place for the day. I think it’s important to always have a positive attitude in life.” While I’m in no position to judge Najoule’s graphic design work, he made a strong, positive impression on me with his personality and character. When I wished him success in launching his career, he gave me a firm handshake and a smile and wished me lots of luck in pursuing my project.

Thank you Najoule for participating in 100 Strangers. You are Stranger #394 in Round 4 of my project.

Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

To browse Round 1 of my 100 Strangers project click here: www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157633145986224/
To browse Round 2 of my 100 Strangers project click here:www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157634422850489/
To browse Round 3 of my 100 Strangers project click here: www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157635541434065/

Taken in: Canada / Ontario / Toronto / Downtown Toronto (show map)

Taken on: March 24, 2014

Tags:

Explore

Sets appears in: • Explore Photos • 100 Strangers Project - Round 4

Groups appears in: • 100 Strangers • WONDERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY IN GENERAL.MARAVILLAS DE LA FOTOGRAFIA EN

Camera: Olympus E-M1, f/1.8, 1/500 sec, 45mm, ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Olympus E-M1
Aperture:	f/1.8
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/500)
Focal Length:	45mm
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	-0.7 EV
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CS4 Windows
Show full info

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