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Strobist: AB800 open behind panel of white faux suede. AB800 with HOBD-W @ 1/4 power camera left. Reflector camera right. Triggered by Cybersync.

Tags:   Impromptu Portraits Biker Kalashnikov Sunglasses Bald White Background Leather Jacket AK AK47 365 365:2011 365 Days January 16, 2011 Strobist NRA Second Amendment RKBA Right to Keep and Bear Arms 7.62X39 Автомат Калашникова 47 Guns Firearms Chopper High Key 16/365 I'm no Kennedy. Portrait Retrato

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Yeah, I got a gold star for penmanship. What of it?

The Rogue Players: The Quest

Flickr Group Roulette 2.0: Out of Place Objects

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Strobist: AlienBee 800 with diffused HOBD-W camera right. Gold reflector camera left. Triggered by Cybersync.

Tags:   The Rogue Players TRP Gold Star The Quest Flickr Group Roulette 2.0 FGR 2.0 Out of Place Objects Biker Harley Davidson Hardly Dangerous Leather Sunglasses Strobist Portrait 8X10 Penmanship

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As I reached ninety strangers in my 100 Strangers project, I began to wonder who would be my 100th stranger, and I began to slow to a halt. I wanted somebody special, someone memorable. Enter a real McCoy, Jerry McCoy. Jerry had been a photographer in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He proudly told me that his favorite assignment had been to photograph the first female cadets at the Air Force Academy throughout their first year. Today, he was carrying a Canon point and shoot.

We talked photography a while, and Jerry readily agreed when I asked to take his portrait. I knelt down and squeezed off a flury of frames at 5fps, and he looked at me quizzically. "Digital," I said, knowing what he was thinking.

"Yeah, it's a whole new world when you don't have to worry how many frames you have left, isn't it?" he said. I smiled and Jerry instinctively looked the other direction as I fired off a few more frames. We chatted some more, and I gave Jerry my card. He told me he would be certain to look up my photostream and the 100 Strangers group.

Jerry is a member of The Patriot Guard Riders. The Patriot Guard Riders were formed in 2005 to shelter and protect the funerals of servicemen from the most contemptable protesters imaginable. On this day, many had come hundreds of miles to shield such a funeral.

In exchange for the privilege of photographing the riders, I agreed to not mention the specific group of protestors by name. The Guard's attitude towards the protestors is one of total indifference. Their mission is not to stop the protest, but to prevent the disruption of the funeral ceremony through nonviolent means, and to insure that a sincere respect is shown for fallen heroes, their families and their communities. Today, that mission was accomplished.

If you would like to be a part of the Patriot Guard, or if you would like to donate to their cause, visit their website at the link above. You do not have to ride a motorcycle to join. Your political affiliation and your views on the current war do not matter. You do not have to be a veteran. The only requirement is that you have a sincere respect for our fallen heroes.

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
~Voltaire

Thank you, Jerry, for being my one hundredth Stranger in the 100 Strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the flickr group page.

The 100 Strangers website can be found at 100strangers.com/

Nikkor 50mm ƒ1.8, Available Light

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Tags:   100 Strangers 100/100 Jerry McCoy Patriot Guard Riders Patriot Guard Photographer US Air Force Veteran Biker Harley Davidson Portrait 8X10

© All Rights Reserved

As I reached ninety strangers in my 100 Strangers project, I began to wonder who would be my 100th stranger, and I began to slow to a halt. I wanted somebody special, someone memorable. Enter a real McCoy, Jerry McCoy. Jerry had been a photographer in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He proudly told me that his favorite assignment had been to photograph the first female cadets at the Air Force Academy throughout their first year. Today, he was carrying a Canon point and shoot.

We talked photography a while, and Jerry readily agreed when I asked to take his portrait. I knelt down and squeezed off a flury of frames at 5fps, and he looked at me quizzically. "Digital," I said, knowing what he was thinking.

"Yeah, it's a whole new world when you don't have to worry how many frames you have left, isn't it?" he said. I smiled and Jerry instinctively looked the other direction as I fired off a few more frames. We chatted some more, and I gave Jerry my card. He told me he would be certain to look up my photostream and the 100 Strangers group.

Jerry is a member of The Patriot Guard Riders. The Patriot Guard Riders were formed in 2005 to shelter and protect the funerals of servicemen from the most contemptable protesters imaginable. On this day, many had come hundreds of miles to shield such a funeral.

In exchange for the privilege of photographing the riders, I agreed to not mention the specific group of protestors by name. The Guard's attitude towards the protestors is one of total indifference. Their mission is not to stop the protest, but to prevent the disruption of the funeral ceremony through nonviolent means, and to insure that a sincere respect is shown for fallen heroes, their families and their communities. Today, that mission was accomplished.

If you would like to be a part of the Patriot Guard, or if you would like to donate to their cause, visit their website at the link above. You do not have to ride a motorcycle to join. Your political affiliation and your views on the current war do not matter. You do not have to be a veteran. The only requirement is that you have a sincere respect for our fallen heroes.

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
~Voltaire

Thank you, Jerry, for being my one hundredth Stranger in the 100 Strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the flickr group page.

The 100 Strangers website can be found at 100strangers.com/

Nikkor 50mm ƒ1.8, Available Light

View Large and on Black

Tags:   100 Strangers 100/100 Jerry McCoy Patriot Guard Riders Patriot Guard Photographer US Air Force Veteran Biker Harley Davidson Portrait 8X10

© All Rights Reserved

He had done his time in the United States Marine Corps, and he is no doubt from a Southern state. I do not remember his name, but he rode his motorcycle in for a military funeral. It was a funeral for a man he had never met.

He is a Patriot Guard Rider. The Patriot Guard Riders were formed in 2005 to shelter and protect the funerals of servicemen from the most contemptable protesters imaginable. On this day, many bikers had come hundreds of miles to shield such a funeral. This particular rider had a Confederate flag on his vest. There are some who would no doubt take umbrage at that. The facts are, he had ridden over 200 miles to pay his respects to a black soldier and to help protect the grieving family from the media and protestors. Without charge and without reservation. Those who would take offense over a piece of cloth would do well to provide the same service.

In exchange for the privilege of photographing the riders, I agreed to not mention the specific group of protestors by name. The Guard's attitude towards the protestors is one of total indifference. Their mission is not to stop the protest, but to prevent the disruption of the funeral ceremony through nonviolent means, and to insure that a sincere respect is shown for fallen heroes, their families and their communities. Today, that mission was accomplished.

If you would like to be a part of the Patriot Guard, or if you would like to donate to their cause, visit their website at the link above. You do not have to ride a motorcycle to join. Your political affiliation and your views on the current war do not matter. You do not have to be a veteran. The only requirement is that you have a sincere respect for our fallen heroes.

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
~Voltaire

Thank you, sir, for agreeing to participate in the 100 Strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the flickr group page.

The 100 Strangers website can be found at 100strangers.com/

Nikkor 50mm ƒ1.8, Available Light

View Large and on White

Tags:   100 Strangers Patriot Guard Riders Patriot Guard Biker USMC Marine Confederate Flag Portrait 8X10

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