[Leica] PAW 36: One more hooper

[aaron.sandler at duke.edu (Aaron Sandler)]

Doug Herr wrote:
>Aaron Sandler <aaron.sandler@duke.edu> wrote:
>
> > It's been really fun having a little "project."  It's not something I've
> > tried much before, but I'm enjoying shooting the same scene over and
> > over, week to week.
>
>IMHO the quality of the photos has improved each week... I think some of
>these are quite good.  Has the feedback from the LUG influenced your photos?

Interesting question...I hadn't really thought about that.

I think LUG feedback has provided a great deal in terms of encouragement to 
go back and continue shooting.  A few people have been kind enough to offer 
advice or suggestions, and their words always stick with me.  It would 
often be nice to get more such comments, but that's a lot to ask from a 
bunch of busy people with so many photos coming through each week.  Getting 
any response at all makes me feel like I'm on the right track.

Any improvement is probably due mostly to me getting more comfortable 
shooting there.  Being a big tall guy, I'm often afraid to take pix of 
people I don't know (especially women or kids) for fear that I'll be 
perceived as some kind of creep or make someone uncomfortable.  Now that 
I've met some of the regulars and given them some prints, they're happy to 
see me and that spills over.  If someone I don't know makes eye contact, I 
ignore my inclination to look away and instead smile.  Easy to say, hard to 
do (for me), but very effective. Also, I had some cheapo cards printed up 
with my name, email, and web address and if a parent asks me why I'm taking 
pictures of their kid I explain the PAW concept, give them a card and tell 
them that if they email me I'll be glad to email a copy of their kid's 
photo.  Most people don't ever email, but it seems to put them at 
ease.  I've probably given out a dozen or so cards at the hooper events, 
and the 2 who have gotten in touch have been very grateful for the 
pix...makes me feel good and I know it'll be even easier for me to 
photograph them the next time.

Best,
Aaron