Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
by Melissa Brooks
How many times have you walked around the bay area and have been asked for money? Enough to make you walk faster, turn a deaf ear and hold your breath? Yeah… me too. Not for Thomas Hawk and a growing number of photographers. You want a couple bucks from him? Let him take your portrait.
After realizing he would avoid people who asked him for money, he decided to change. Hawk’s belief in the goodness of human interaction and desire to celebrate other human beings as human beings motivated him to start the project. Making it a commercial transaction allows him the opportunity to engage with his subjects and makes it a win-win.
What does he do? To make things easier, he keeps $2 reserve money in his wallet. When asked for money, he offers them $2 in exchange for their portrait. While shooting, he talks to them to learn their story. The pictures and story are then posted to the Flickr $2 Portrait Pool.
The $2 Portrait Project has been going on for over two years now, so I asked him a few questions:
How has this project affected your attitude towards people who ask you for money?
Thomas Hawk: I think the biggest thing about this project in terms of my attitude towards people who ask me for money is that I no longer shirk from these people. I used to really go out of my way to avoid these people. Now I will no longer try and avoid them but see the interaction as a positive thing and actually welcome it. There are probably still times that I’ll try somewhat to avoid people asking for money if I’m in a rush or hurry or need to be somewhere or am late. But mostly I view the possibility of an interaction as a good thing.
Have you had any memorable stories while shooting these portraits?
Thomas Hawk: There are so many great stories while shooting. Each portrait carries little tidbits of the interaction. Some are more meaningful than others. I’ve met some real characters. Some that I know were lying to me about things, others who tell me sincere and heartfelt stories of desperation. I’ve been asked for money so someone could make it to a hospice to die. I’ve been told stories about lost children. About being knifed or beaten. About being in jail. About drug abuse. I’ve talked to younger kids and older drunks and lots of people in between. Almost all of them have a story. Some more interesting than others.
Do you have any tips or advice for someone who wants to shoot $2 portraits?
Thomas Hawk: The biggest tip I’d tell people about pursuing a $2 Portrait Project is to relax about it. Don’t feel stressed out about the conversation and confrontation. Almost all of the people who ask will agree to the portrait sitting. I think sometimes people are just afraid to ask another human being to take a portrait. This represents a great opportunity to do just that.
SHAWN by Thomas Hawk read Shawn’s story here
RENEE by Thomas Hawk read Renee’s story here
HARRY by Thomas Hawk read Harry’s story here
RAPHAEL by Jeremy Brooks read Raphael’s story here
BABY ELMO by Troy Holden read Baby Elmo’s story here
David by Erik Wilson – read David’s story here
Walt by Scott Roeben/LVShooter- Read Walt’s story here
Deon by Justin Korn-Read Deon’s story here
To explore more portraits or join the project, visit the $2 Portraits pool on Flickr
Friday, August 20th, 2010
By Brittany Coleman
After spending a nice weekend in Houston, Texas with her family, Chauntelle DuPree from Eisley spared a few moments to tell me about her love of art.
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chauntelle_art
Twitter: http://twitter.com/chauntelled
When did you start painting and sketching?
I’m the oldest of six kids and we never had enough money for professional lessons, though I was able to take a few small classes from a nice woman here in my town for a couple of months. I still basically taught myself how to draw, though. I set it aside for a good 8 years when I began playing guitar for the band. I just recently got back into doing art.
What are your favorite mediums to use? Paints, charcoals, pencils, pens?
I mainly sketched while growing up. But my favorite medium right now is acrylic paints. I also like to use other things such as pencils, charcoals and watercolors.
How do you choose which medium you’ll use?
I take requests, so whatever the person requests is what I’ll use.
What are your favorite scenes to draw?
I’m obsessed with Disney, so I really love to draw people and cartoons. I also love trees, ships and anything that’s sci-fi, so I try to incorporate those as well.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced with your art?
Well since I wasn’t professionally trained, I’ve tired to overcome my insecurities. It’s hard not to compare myself to other artists. Also, my dad is a graphic designer and he gives me tips all the time, and I love it because I hold his artistic opinions really high.
What inspired you to paint “Transcend the Red Moon”?
Books by C.S. Lewis inspired me to draw the trees like an aisle going down the center. And at the time, I had been reading the sci-fi novel Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. The person that requested the painting had no style preference. So a lot of that painting’s design is inspired from those books.
What inspired you to draw “Boy Under the Stars”?
Before we got married, my husband said he wanted a piece of art with stars and trees and a boy. So I decided to paint this for him for his birthday.
Do you listen to music when you draw?
I’m almost always listening to music. It’s such a huge part of my life! When I’m painting or sketching I have to have music playing or I feel restricted, creatively. I find that it really inspires me and even motivates me!
With the success from your band, how do you find time to draw?
I’ve had a lot of downtime lately. Currently, the band is in a legal struggle with Warner Brothers (our x record label). We’re trying to get them to release our music to us so we can get back on the road with these new songs. Until then, doing art at home is really helping me cope with all that frustration.
Has there been anyone in your personal life who has influenced your art?
My Dad has always inspired me, since he’s a very talented graphic designer. But my sister Sherri has also truly inspired me. Sherri draws a lot of ink drawings and sells them, and she would always say to me, “I never know why you quit, you were so good!”
Are you currently working on any paintings/drawings, or a series of drawings?
Actually, my sister Sherri and I are both collaborating our art on some custom electric guitars that my husband Todd is building. He’s a very talented luthie. My band plays all his, ‘LaRose’, guitars. We’re excited to see people’s reaction to these unique instruments!
I just finished the acrylic painting with the strange grey tree and orange moons over the ocean, for someone this week. I basically just draw whatever people ask me too. I imagine that I’ll do my own series someday as well.
Would you ever consider making art a part of your career?
If there is more of a demand, then yes, I’ll pursue an artistic career. But right now I’m just testing out the waters and having fun with it.
Who is your favorite artist/painter?
Norman Rockwell is definitely one of my all time favorites! I also like Van Gogh and all the colors he used.
What is your favorite piece of art that you’ve created? Why is it your favorite?
My favorite piece is a drawing of a little girl I drew when I was 14. The little girl is holding a flower in her hand and blowing it. When I had my daughter, I noticed that the picture looks just like my daughter.
Monday, June 28th, 2010
Name: Gabriela Salinas
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gabyrella/
Gaby Everywhere!
When did you become interested in photography?
About 4 years ago, back in the summer after my freshman year.
What equipment are you currently using to photograph?
I stick to my trusty Nikon F with a 50mm lens.
What is your opinion on the way photography has changed with the arrival of digital photography?
I think the change is good and bad. It’s made taking an editing photos easier. Before you had the hassle of going to a darkroom and editing it was complicated. Now, you just bring it into Photoshop, and with a few clicks and you’re done. But, I think that when it comes to photography taken for fun/art, it’s taken the skill and personality out of photography. There’s a big difference and feel in photos that were taken in film vs. digital. For the photographer, and the viewer.
Do you prefer digital photography or traditional photography?
I definitely prefer shooting film!
kitchen
Is there anything in particular you like to photograph? Nature? Objects? People? Bands?
I like to photograph still life, portraits, and candids of people.
What life experiences have influenced your photography?
Shooting with friends, and seeing their work has inspired me to try new things. Also, my friends suggestions like changing the type of film I use, using different tools and techniques. My photography is constantly evolving.
What are your current and future plans? Do you have any projects you are currently working on?
Currently, I’m hoping to turn my photography into a business. I’d like to specialize in children’s photography, senior portraits, engagements and weddings.
What type of things motivate you and inspire you to continue in your work?
Looking at fashion photoshoots, browsing other photographer;s work. I love vintage, thrift shop feel photos from the 50s or 60s. Also ideas that are out of the ordinary makes me wanna go out and find my own.
What obstacles/issues can you run into when shooting?
Light I think is something I have trouble with, haha. Since I can’t just click, delete and try again, I have to get the exposures right on the film. I don’t always get it right, so shots can turn out blurry, under or over exposed or grainy if I’m off.
Do you have a website, blog, facebook fan page you would like to mention?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gabyrella/
Do you have a favorite photographer? Have any photographers influenced your work?
I don’t have a favorite photographer actually, you’d think I would by now. I guess I could say my friends. I always love seeing what creative ideas the people closest to me come up with. I love it when they blow my mind and make me jealous haha. Influences, not too many.
What advice would you give to someone that is becoming interested in photography? What helpful tips could you give to a beginner?
I would definitely suggest to just go to locations they like and shoot whatever looks good to them. To just shoot for fun, and just make sure that each time they hit the shutter it’s a shot they really like. And to never stick to one thing, to always try new things because there’s always something new to try and your creativity grows.
Choose one picture that you feel is one of your absolute favorites. Describe it and how it was shot.
I love candids. I hate posed pictures because you can find those anywhere, but frozen moments are really hard to catch, and this is one of my absolute favorites. All it was was my friend Martin playing with his baby brother on the coach.
