New York: Greene Street, Soho
Inspiration: If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you probably know that I go through phases with respect to the subjects of my photography. I've got the people/portraiture phase, the fashion phase, the architecture phase, the Central Park phase, the "something about nothing phase", the macro photography phase . . . and so on. I've realized that when I am in the throes of a "phase", I cannot think about the others. I don't want to focus on anything else. But one thing I am sure of is that they do come to an end and others start up again. I write all of this to say the obvious . . . I am stuck in a portraiture phase right now. I've finally remembered where I put the confidence to ask people on the street for photos. It was stuck in a back drawer in my brain the whole time I spent photographing architecture and quiet places all Winter. But I will be back to pure architecture, slice of life New York street shots and Central Park soon . . .
About the photo. I saw her leaning on a some scaffolding playing with her phone and thought she looked stylish and serene. For a color photo, check out The Photodiarist in Color.
She absolutely does look serene! Very unassuming and beautiful! How do you get the confidence to go up to someone on the street and ask to take their picture? What do you say? I want to do this but I'm so timid!
Posted by: Brooke Tucker (Life in the view finder) | March 29, 2011 at 09:12 AM
Ah, to wistfully glance into the distance... A prerogative of the young and beautiful.
... Great. Now I have a Britney Spears song stuck in my head.
Posted by: Relatable Style | March 29, 2011 at 09:33 AM
I've been a reader of your blog for a while, even though I rarely comment. I love your focus on portraiture because it is the genre that I think you do best -- simply because you have a way of capturing something about who the person is in your photographs. They are special. Not that I don't love your Central Park photos and photos about the streets of New York. I do. But it seems to me that you have way with (and a love of) people that comes across in your blog.
Posted by: Ellen | March 29, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Well done for finding your confidence phase. She is lovely and I like her gaze. Xxxx
Posted by: Fashionistable | March 29, 2011 at 02:38 PM
Your Street Photography phase is my favourite and your work has even made me brave enough to ask people for their photographs. Brooke, when someone says No, it's not so bad at all. :)
Posted by: @lice | March 29, 2011 at 03:03 PM
Ellen put it best. You have a knack for bringing out the best in the portraits you take.
Posted by: the nyanzi report | March 29, 2011 at 06:07 PM
I agree, she's very chic! I've never been able to ask anyone if I can take their picture-I just sometimes sneak and do it like a crazy stalker!LOL!
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2011/03/cleaning-up-past-friendships.html
Posted by: Lisa Petrarca | March 29, 2011 at 08:16 PM
Thank for the praises and commons, but I think I looked silly...
Posted by: Shirlyn Zheng | March 29, 2011 at 09:16 PM
great photo!
xo
Posted by: paristempslibre | March 30, 2011 at 03:00 AM
It's classic. You need to put together a book of photography. Thanks for sharing and drop by me too, soon.
Cheers.
Posted by: ellinor | March 30, 2011 at 03:18 AM
I like the off-camera gaze a lot.
I hope to get the nerve to photograph strangers some day!
http://thefoolishaesthete.blogspot.com
Posted by: The Foolish Aesthete | March 30, 2011 at 12:15 PM
I like all your phases. Just don't phase out.
Posted by: Don | March 30, 2011 at 08:25 PM
Yay for finding that confidence! It's such a struggle for me and it's sort of becoming a hindrance now that graduation is creeping slowly and the thought of having to push myself outside of my bubble is fear inducing.
Posted by: jackie | March 30, 2011 at 09:06 PM
She looks so sweet.
Posted by: Carole | March 30, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Ah, yes the phases. I know exactly what you are talking about. I switch hobbies. The last few days it was photography, now it's ... ah, actually I don't know.
Love this picture and I think it's rather intriguing that the plaid only shows in the color shot.
Posted by: San | March 31, 2011 at 08:11 AM
I too go through phases with my content. I went through an "Hermes" phase where I desperately searched out birkins constantly. Now I'm on the downside of my multicolored hair obsession. I think being a photographer lends itself to obsessive behavior. Although I'm sure a PhD could write a thesis on the connection between our drive to meticulously document reality and obsession.
http://www.chicagostreetstyle.com/
Posted by: Amy Creyer (ChicagoStreetstyle.com) | April 20, 2011 at 07:54 PM