People Fascinate Me

Mitch wrote me that in her last letter. People fascinate me too. There are so many people I want to talk to, so many people I want to know. There are people I want to write into stories, and people I would love to photograph. People I want to converse with, discuss with, debate, interrogate, brainstorm, dream. I love things like this that explore human connections, and things like this that capture strangers.

I want to do that. I wish I was better at talking with people I have never met. As Darcy says, "I... do not have the talent of conversing easily with people I have never met before." I'm always afraid I'll say something stupid, or there will be awkward silence, or I will be annoying them. I love people, so I must get over those fears. It's not easy though.

Rules of Photography

I am a person who likes rules. I like organization and I like guidelines. If there aren't rules I will usually make some (though I am more likely to break my own brought on rules than those set by others). When it comes to photography, what are the rules? If I am traveling am I allowed to take pictures of the locals? If I am downtown is it acceptable for me to take pictures of the handmade sign in the store window offering ice cream? Is it okay to take pictures while shopping?

This is a subject I mentioned earlier in a post about project #1. Is is creepy if I ask an acquaintance, teacher, classmate, etc if I can photograph them?

There is a street in the city next door with amazingly colorful houses. I found the street by chance one day while driving about and I fell in love. I had always wanted to go back to photograph the houses, but I was afraid. Finally yesterday I went back with my boyfriend. I took a few shots, but he was uncomfortable with it, and so I gave up (he didn't mean for me to stop but I am easily discouraged).

The houses are so fun and the shots I got aren't so great, but is it creepy/rude/unacceptable to take pictures of people's houses? If I had a house this decorative I would be completely fine if people took photos of it (as long as they weren't stalkers and I wasn't in the photos), but does that make it okay?

So, when it comes to photography, what do you think are the rules?

Project #1, Post 2

I want to photograph people. There are a few people I have in mind, but I don't want to be a creep. What would you think if someone you knew, but didn't know well, asked if they could take your picture for a project they were doing to get better at taking portraits and photographing strangers? What if a stranger asked you?

I really want to do this, but I also really would like to not be a creep. Is it only fear that is stopping me? If it is then I should do it. "To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong." -Joseph Chilton Pearce. Right. Though, I think he could have stopped after fear. I must lose my fear of what people think. I must lose my fear of being uncomfortable. I must lose my fear of embarrassment. I must be brave. If only it weren't so difficult.

Photos For Thoughts:

Jelly Bellys are marvelous. Beautiful and delicious and so much fun.

Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jelly Sandwich: a dorm room dinner for champions.