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
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
by Melissa Brooks
People, Places & Spaces is an urban photography exhibit at DWNTWN Skate Supply (644 Hyde Street, SF) that kicked off to a nice crowd Thursday night. The exhibit highlights scenes from the streets of the bay area by Brad Evans, Travis Jensen, and Troy Holden. It runs thru September 19th so check it out!
DWNTWN
Travis & Brad
“Frank Chu: Answer to the Meaning” by Travis
“Six Two Nine Six” by Troy
“H1N1″ by Brad
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.
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
The local photography series will include an interview and relevant information about local photographers. Although the set of questions remain the same, each photographer has sent in their different viewpoint and opinion on several subjects.
Photographer : Rodney Brown Website: www.flickr.com/photos/rosneybronze/
TBAN: When did you become interested in photography?
RB: I’ve been interested in photography since middle school. My sister was in a black and white photography class and had a pentax camera that she didn’t do much with. I decided to pick it up and shoot it around. I had no idea what I was doing but I loved it.
TBAN: What equipment are you currently using to photograph?
RB: I stay strictly film. I use an old Canon AE-1.
TBAN: What is your opinion on the way photography has changed with the arrival of digital photography?
RB: Photography is photography. It depends on the person, you can take great pictures no matter what you use. Digital makes photography more accessible. Whether they stick to it, and fall in love with the art of it is a totally different story. I feel film makes you more involved with your art. It really shows who you are and you focus on composition because every exposure counts.
TBAN: Do you prefer digital photography or traditional photography?
RB: Film all the way! It empties my wallet but i love film
TBAN: Is there anything in particular you like to photograph? Nature? Objects? People? Bands?
RB: I love to take pictures of people. Not just people but moments. Capture a piece of time.
TBAN: What life experiences have influenced your photography?
RB: I think the little things. Nothing major. I guess the times where you are like “man, this is awesome. I wish I could save this”.
TBAN: What are your current and future plans? Do you have any projects you are currently working on?
RB: Well, I really loved themed pieces, but I’ve also been wanting to go for more of a candid approach. We’ll see. I kinda make it up as I go haha.
TBAN: What type of things motivate you and inspire you to continue in your work?
RB: When people love what I saw through my eyes.
TBAN:What obstacles/issues can you run into when shooting?
RB: $$$$. Film is expensive. I think I should start a paypal account where I accept donations.
TBAN: Do you have a website, blog, facebook fan page you would like to mention?
RB: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosneybronze/
TBAN: Do you have a favorite photographer? Have any photographers influences your work?
RB: Really, I’m not too educated in the arts. I’m really inspired by local artist though. My friends. People like me. I gotta plug their streams.
Brad Brockman – http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradbrok/
B.C Long – http://www.flickr.com/people/theonlymagicleftisart/photosof/
Gabriela Salinas – http://www.flickr.com/photos/gabyrella/
TBAN: What advice would you give to someone that is becoming interested in photography? What helpful tips could you give to a beginner?
RB: Shoot what you want, not what is trendy or what everyone else is shooting. Learn your stuff. Read. and enjoy.
TBAN: Choose one picture that you feel is one of your absolute favorites. Describe it and how it was shot.
RB: This one is called Red Handed. No, its not blood. It’s glitter. I just like how simple it is, but it tells a story at the same time. I didn’t know exactly what I was going for, I just ran into the art store and grabbed some glitter. Ended up being one of my favorite pictures.
