Dr. John McCarter is a geologist and professor with a ribald wit that is as sharp as it is bawdy. I met him and his poodle Sassy at a lecture and knew immediately that I had to photograph this distinguished gentleman. Indiana Jones doesn't have anything on Dr. John McCarter. He continues to travel the world as a scholar and teacher.
While he has been on Earth eighty-eight years, Dr. McCarter relates that he is only sixty-five years old. "I was given a new life over the North Pole in 1944. I should have died there." Dr. McCarter flew B-25C Mitchells with the 38th Bombardment Group in World War II. He is decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart among others.
I met Dr. McCarter at a Scottish Heritage Society meeting. He informed me the McCarter clan claims General Douglas MacArthur as their own. "Scots have won the lion's share of America's wars," he says. "It's in Scot blood. we will live free."
Dr. McCarter is my thirty-seventh stranger in the 100 Strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the flickr group page.
Awful overhead flourescent lighting. Nikon D200, 50mm.
The 100 Strangers website can be found at 100strangers.com/
Tags: 100 Strangers 37/100 Scotsman Veteran Studio d'Xavier Dog Dr. John McCarter Geologist Scientist 2009
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Every time I drove by the museum I said I would have to stop next time. The Touchstone Animal and Art Museum is a road side attraction in Haughton Louisiana from a time when huge concrete bears and giraffes drew travelers into Ma and Pa tourist traps. It is a modern anachronism, a dusty, moldy remnant from another era.
When at last I found time to stop, I found a sign outside that said "Cameras Welcome." Inside, I met Samantha Olson. Samantha is the daughter of the museum's founder, Sam Touchstone. She carries on his legacy as the mistress of mounted animals from all over the world. Most of the animals on static display at the Touchstone Museum were zoo animals. They died of natural causes in captivity. Only a few were taken through hunting.
Samantha showed me around the ground floor of the museum, and even let me enter the glass rooms to take photographs right next to the animals on display. We talked about her father, who had traveled the world, and who had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and acquisition. When I finally asked Samantha if I might take her photograph as well, she hesitated. I explained the 100 Strangers project, and she finally said "Well, at least it's a good hair day....." I took that as permission to shoot.
She asked where I would like to photograph her, and I suggested behind the counter where she works selling trinkets and painting backdrops for the numerous displays. I pulled a racoon mount in front of her, and she placed a skinless racoon form beside it. I chose to photograph her with the little Nikon point and shoot I carry as it is less obtrusive. I was able to get three frames before I sensed she was through. "The flash didn't go off," she informed me.
"It's OK, I have it taped over," I said. "I hate the look of flash photography."
I scrolled through the pictures of the taxidermy to show Samantha the photos of herself. "I hate the way I look in photographs," Samantha told me.
"You look fine," I said, "At least you're not a fat old baldheaded man like me."
"Oh, you're OK," Samantha said.
Samantha is my thirty-ninth stranger in the 100 Strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the flickr group page.
Overhead flourescent lighting with sunlight through glass door. Nikon D200, 50mm.
The 100 Strangers website can be found at 100strangers.com/
Tags: 100 Strangers 39/100 Samantha Museum Taxidermy The Touchstone Animal and Art Museum Roadside Attractions Studio d'Xavier 2009
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I went to the river take some shots of the water at flood stage, and when I crossed the levee, I was surprised at the number of people who were there to take photographs. The water had eclipsed a park that was on the river side of the levee, and people were walking down the blacktop road into the water for photographs.
I took a few shots of the crowds, and as I was swapping out my 20mm for a nifty fifty, Charity approached me to take a photograph of her with her daughter Scarlet wading in the water. I agreed and Charity handed me her Instamatic. I was surprised to see that she was shooting film.
After I captured a couple of shots for her, she agreed to pose one more time with Scarlet for me. I told them about the 100 Strangers project, and I look forward to Scarlet finding her photograph online.
Charity and Scarlet are my sixty-fifth stranger encounter. 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/
View On Black
Tags: 100 Strangers 65/100 Scarlet and Charity Scarlet Charity Flood Stage Flood River Wading Joie de la vie 500X500 Hip2BSquare Square 2009
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I was immediately drawn to Kelly by her large silver hoop earrings and enchanting eyes. The hooded sweater pulled over her head created a rather exotic personality. She was spreading a blanket on the sidewalk when I first saw her, and then she bundled up her two children to protect them from the morning chill.
Kelly was on the sidewalk with her children staking her claim to a small bit of real estate to watch a parade soon to wind through the streets. Mardi Gras can be an uproariously risque event, but the Krewe of Barkus parade is tailor made for kids. I asked if I could photograph them, and Kelly agreed. She started to gather the child on the right near, but I asked her to let him be. The composition was what I wanted.
I explained the 100 Strangers project to Kelly, and asked her if she ever modeled. She said no, but stated that she did some photography. Thank you Kelly, for being Stranger number seventy-five in my 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 75/100 Kelly Mardi Gras Mother and Child 8X10 Street Street Portraiture
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"Are you Mr. Sullivan?" he asked as I turned to face my camera. I was taking a non-pose pose self portrait, and I had a goofy jester's hat on my head. I must have looked a sight.
"No, I'm a photographer," I explained. "I needed a photograph of an address that was only the number seventeen." I was standing at the door of a vacant store front. The display windows were dusty and bare, but there was a 17 above the front door. The camera was winding down. I stood with my hands at my sides, feet together, staring blankly ahead. The camera clicked. He chuckled.
The man introduced himself as Conrad and we shook hands. He told me he was interested in purchasing the building, but could never find the owner. He explained that he owned quite a few rental properties, an endeavor that I have been interested in for some time. Conrad quickly informed me he could sell me a few, but his properties were not cheap. "I don't want cheap," I replied. "I want lucrative."
"That's smart," Conrad laughed. We talked some more, and I learned that Conrad had volunteered to join the US Army right before, and because of the Cuban missle crisis. He went to Fort Bliss and got to see Korea during his stint. "I love my country," He said, "Do you?"
I explained to Conrad that I, too, had served, forward deployed in the US Navy."That's good. I think military service would be a good thing for many young people," Conrad stated. I have to say I agree. We talked a while longer, and I explained the 100 Strangers project to Conrad. He readily agreed to be photographed. "Is this OK?" he asked as he crossed his arms over his chest. I fired off several frames.
"That's good," I smiled. Conrad gave me his telephone numbers and told me to get in touch when I am ready to buy rental property. I told him I would. Conrad is stranger number ninety in my 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
View Large and on Black
Tags: 100 Strangers 90/100 Conrad Real Estate Portrait 8X10 Ritratti
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