Searching For Joe

Over the last few years I have taken a number of photographs of homeless people. Mostly the homeless people of my hometown Newcastle upon Tyne. It was never my intention to document homelessness; it just happened via a mixture of chance encounters with interesting people. One of the most engaging homeless characters I have met recently is Joe. After taking the initial photos below I have seen him a few times and stopped to chat with him and provide him with some food and a warm drink. 

See 'Searching' on flickr here © Anthony Dorman

Due to a set of random contacts I am about to look specifically for a homeless person willing to pose for a book cover for a novel written about an ex-homeless persons experiences of life on the street. Joe may or may not be a suitable face but I will be out again tomorrow searching for him to see if he will help me in my quest. 

 See 'Joe' in my 100 Strangers Project Here © Anthony Dorman

Despite his circumstances Joe offered a cheery chat and happily posed for his photograph. He offered to help me locate the homeless people of Newcastle if I wanted and we had a good chat about photography, the weather (as you do when you are British) and other things. I saw strangers look at me with some kind of mixture of shock and disgust when I shook Joe's hand when we finished chatting. I am always amazed by how pathetic and prejudiced people can be towards the homeless. I don't know Joe's full story yet but I do know that he spoke to me with a friendly, gentle and honest manner I wish was more common in the more fortunate population.

See 'Joe' in my flickr page here © Anthony Dorman

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100 Strangers Fleeting Moments

The personal project that always inspires me to pick up my camera is the 100 Strangers Project. The idea of the project is to learn not only about portrait photography but also to improve social skills by interacting with complete strangers. The flickr group is heavily moderated and there are a number of rules to guide participating photographers through the challenge.

I always have my camera with me as you never know when something or someone interesting might appear. The three images below were taken very quickly in three very random locations including the beach.

71/100 "100 Strangers" view the image on flickr image here. © Anthony Dorman

 71/100 "100 Strangers" view the image on flickr image here. © Anthony Dorman

79/100 "100 Strangers" view the image on flickr here. © Anthony Dorman

I'm always on the lookout for different types of people for my project. You can see my set so far by clicking this link; http://www.flickr.com/photos/16059306@N08/sets/72157624767974686/with/7184948775/

I tweet; https://twitter.com/#!/AnthonyDorman

I tumble; http://digitaldorman.tumblr.com/

Homeless Man Newcastle (Revisited)

On April 2010 I took the following candid photograph of a well known homeless man in Newcastle upon Tyne. Read my original post here;

 http://www.anthonydormanphotography.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Homeless%20in%20Newcastle

                                        View this image on flickr here © Anthony Dorman

Whilst walking in Newcastle last week I saw him again. This time I wanted to ask him if I could take his photo. I was expecting him to say no as he generally avoids people - you never see him begging or being a bother. He stopped in his tracks and quietly said yes. I took about five quick shots aware that this was a rare  and special privilege. I did not want to hassle or embarrass him so this all took about 90 seconds. At the end of the encounter I thanked him and gave him a few quid to help him out.

View this image on flickr here © Anthony Dorman

View this image on flickr here  © Anthony Dorman

View this image on flickr here  © Anthony Dorman

I have been contacted about this man via the first image I took and posted on flickr a number of times. Thankfully I can say that the emails I have received have been great with people telling me how they have helped him out with a bit of money or food. Hopefully these new images may inspire the same results.

I have been interviewed for a new photography website called Worth The Shot recently about my approach to street portraits and other stuff. This is a new page that will feature photographer interviews, tutorials and all things photography related.

Check the site out here: http://worththeshot.co.uk/

check out my flickr page here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16059306@N08/

I also tweet here: http://twitter.com/anthonydorman

The Many faces of James

As part of my 100 Strangers Project I am often found wandering the streets of Newcastle for someone interesting to photograph. Often as in this case it can take hours to find someone of real interest. I was about to give up shooting and head home when I saw James swaying from side to side saying hello to passers by. Most people would have gone out of their way (everyone else was) to avoid James but not me. I asked him if I could take his photo and was treated to 10 minutes of surreal emotional entertainment. This guy had so many expressions it was amazing, as we talked II just kept shooting and got the following images (and more).

James is one of those characters destined to be on the fringe of society, he was erratic and unstable in his dealings with me, one minute happy, the next intimidating. Above all he was a dream subject because he played to the camera and offered a human insight that you rarely observe from the general public. If James ever sees these photographs I would like to thank him again and wish him luck in life. 

See my photos of James on my flickr page here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16059306@N08/

Strangers In The Night

I have been shooting more strangers for my 100 Strangers Project recently. Due to the weather, boredom and lack of inspiration I was in some kind of hibernation mode. One night recently I thought sod it go out and see what wonderful strangers would be on the streets of Newcastle at 10PM. I took a few that night but these were my favourite images. Both were taken with the available ambient light, no flash was used.

 View this image on flickr here

View this image on flickr here

Kez

I was out last night shooting a young guy named Kez (featured) I am a massive fan of rich colour in photographs and I do like night time shooting and anything which gives a cinematic feel to an image.

view this image here on my flickr page © Anthony Dorman

view this image here on my flickr page © Anthony Dorman

I have been to both locations featured here recently for shoots as I am drawn to the possibilities of the Bokeh in the bottom image and the tones in the top image.

If you would like to feature in one of my outdoor portrait shoots and like my style please contact me through my website www.anthonydorman.com

07-03-11 My new website is now live http://www.anthonydorman.com/

07-03-11 Today I launch my crazy Red Nose Day 2011 (1000 Faces 1 Day Project)

I will be attempting to take 1000 portrait photographs of the people in Newcastle on Friday 18TH of March. I estimate that this will take between 10 and 16 hours of almost constant shooting!!!!!!!!!! I am aiming to raise as much money for charity as possible. If you would like to take part or help with this project please get in touch at onethousandfaces1day@yahoo.co.uk or a.d.one@talk21.com

Here is the address to my Red Nose Day giving page where you can donate to the charity;

http://my.rednoseday.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=350708

Here is the flickr page where all the images will be available when the project is complete;

http://www.flickr.com/people/60389389@N08/

Many thanks,

Anthony

A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints

I was in Glasgow last year and I had been on my feet all day taking photographs all over the city and getting a mixed bag of results. It was getting late and I was dead on my feet when I passed a group of young guys playing basketball under the bizarre street lights that feature in parts of the city center. I must of walked past them about three times before the compulsion to as I call it "shoot strangers" kicked in. Now for me this was a city that I don't know well and I am asking a group of strange young guys if I can take their photo. Something must have told me that they were a good group of guys and indeed they were. After the initial awkwardness they really seemed to be at ease in front of the camera. Indeed one of these photos is probably my favourite photo that I have taken. When I look at them I am reminded that I am not a kid anymore but it allows me to see their story unfold with the knowledge that the time they have now is fantastic and to be enjoyed to the maximum. I recently watched a film called "A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints" which is an all time favourite of mine. When I watched the film it reminded me of this set of images. When these guys are older with families and history I hope they will look back and remember the days and nights they had together as friends and all the crazy stuff that you do which shapes you forever.

View this image on flickr by clicking here © Anthony Dorman

View this image on flickr by clicking here © Anthony Dorman

View this image by clicking here © Anthony Dorman

View the image on flickr by clicking here © Anthony Dorman

View this image on flickr by clicking here © Anthony Dorman

View this image on flickr by clicking here © Anthony Dorman

The Musician

This photo was taken yesterday. The other photographs on this blog are older images and I am trying to catch up with my current work. I was in Newcastle with a fellow photographer Chris Harrison when I saw this man setting up his busking gear. I love his face and his wild hair. I am going back to find him and see if I can take some more images of him and his violin.

View the image in high resolution on flickr here © Anthony Dorman

Ojay

Ojay is my third stranger from my 100 Strangers Project, not only that but he is one seriously cool guy. Ojay "the awesome base guy" is well known in Newcastle for producing some amazingly creative electro Jazz with his base guitar.

Ojay

Check out my photo of Ojay on flickr © Anthony Dorman

Check out Ojay's Facebook page Here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ojay/269626896135