I was looking forward to shooting a lot of portraits of strangers in the 3-day weekend we just had here in Singapore. But due to time constraints brought about by personal chores, I wasn’t able to go out on my usual 3-hour jaunts of just wandering around and looking for great faces. Instead, I just had an hour of shooting last Friday, and another hour last Saturday – and after the long weekend, I only got one portrait. I was initially glum about it. But looking at this portrait, of the 65 strangers I’ve photographed so far, I think it’s one of my favorites – and made me feel better about the weekend that just passed by :)
So after an hour of walking around last Saturday at about 6pm, I saw a slight sunlight partially shining through the overcast sky. I knew this was just perfect soft light for portraits, so I camped out on a spot in Orchard Road that was free of trees and shade. After a few minutes of waiting, I saw her walking briskly, listening to music in her ipod, completely standing out of the crowd with her unique beauty. I stopped her and asked if I could take her photo. I could sense her hesitation so I explained what I was doing and handed her my call card. She finally said ‘yes.’ After a few clicks, I thanked her and she went on her way. I knew immediately that I had a keeper shot.
This photo reached #1 in Flickr’s Explore for May 31, 2010. ‘Explore’ is Flickr’s countdown of the top 500 photos of the day. This is my 2nd photo that reached #1… the first one was my keeper of the month last April.
Big big thanks to this beautiful stranger :)
Really awesome portrait, Danny. My favorite in your stranger series so far. The beautiful freckled girl comes a close second. I was hoping to shoot more strangers last long weekend too. But due to some over-piled-up house chores and schizo weather, I was just able to take 2 shots. Still happy though because both were keepers (if i may borrow the term from you). :)
With a beautiful girl like that, you can’t go wrong. You captured her very well! I absolutely love it! You’re lucky to have met such a beautiful stranger.
Really gorgeous portrait.
she looks like a model posing just for you…definitely a keeper.
I hope she gets to drop by your website Danny :) that would be awesome and she would not be a stranger anymore!
http://gmoyame.blogspot.com/
Hi Danny. I love your amazing talent to catch beauty when it’s most unexpected by the object of beauty. I love photography but have no formal training. How do I gather up enough courage to start on my own random “walks” here in Miami?
@Gwendy: The shyness and fear in approaching strangers will not go away.. I’m down to my 65th stranger and I still get nervous. But the more you approach a stranger, the more you get comfortable with the fear. So just take the big first step, and it will eventually get a little easier :) Oh, and it helps to smile and just be honest with the stranger on what you are doing… most are usually open to it :)
Thank you!
Just found your blog through Outre and I loved it! The way you capture things are so incredible! You make Orchard Rd looks different (in a good way!).
Hi, I really love these photos. They really capture the essence of a lot of your subjects, which is really impressive as they are all strangers! I’m just starting photography myself, and am always unsure of whether to ask people before shooting, or just go for it to try and get that candid shot? Any advice would be fantastic!
@Patrick: I started out with doing candid shots from far away, until I got nearer and nearer, until eventually I found myself asking permission to get that close up. I guess it’s a natural progression. But anyone can always start the other way around. The candid shot and the shot with permission both has it’s appeal, but is very different with each other. You just have to figure out which one appeals to you most.
great shot! it was worth the wait
The bokehs colors are so pretty!
Isn’t that Alexa Chung? Beautiful pic!
my my she is gorgeous, she looks like a model.
She got Angelina’s eyes and slightly her lips..pretty =)
Found this portrait while Googling ‘Great Faces’ for photography/painting inspiration. She is really stunning and a great shot from you.
Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, very good site!
Has anyone seen a Mia Khalifa
complete biography?
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Они предназначаются с целью создания начеса, уменьшения растяжимости полотна. Различное сплетение нитей, формируют различную плоскость полотна и этим наиболее дают ему конкретные качества. Отличается с материи этим, то что нити, с поддержкой каковых возникают петли, пребывают в независимом пребывании и формируют независимую текстуру, а в материях данные нити фиксируются твердо. Материал приобретают из-за результат переплетения 2-ух нитей, а трикотажное основание с поддержкой одной нити в специализированных трикотажных автомобилях. Характеристики трикотажного полотна заключают в для себя: гибкость, ткани и трикотаж легкость, отличную эластичность, гигроскопичность, значительную воздухопроницаемость, теплозащитность, теплопроводность. В зимнее время греет, а в летний сезон в трикотажных продуктах никак не горячо. По предназначению текстиль делят в бельевой, наружный, чулочно–носочный, младенческий текстиль и т.д. Бельевые и верхние продукта – шьют с трикотажного полотна, а другие производят с поддержкой трикотажных автомобилей. Таким образом с целью изготовления различных продуктов с трикотажа, нужны различные трикотажные полотна – филигранные, рисунчатые, ровные очень и не достаточно растяжимые. Данное находится в зависимости с направления продукта.
Hello there :)
Anybody home?