week 7

WHAT I DID: NOT A LOT! but i always feel like i didn't do enough. i thought i would connect with people aka find subjects to photograph over break but i didn't. i spent like an hour contemplating what to put on my timeline draft, and then another hour writing it out, then scribbling out parts and moving them around, then staring at it and wondering if i can actually accomplish what's on there or if I'm being lazy and should add more, then typing it up. hi- I'm Lauren, the professional worrier- nice to meet you. I spent studio time talking to people and explaining my project. I've been getting very different feedback about who my subjects should be. In response to this feedback i decided that for my December review I'd like to get through the whole process with 2 people. if it turns out to be more that's great. I'm going to start with a girl I've seen before who is a similar age and will be open to modeling. I've talked to her once before this project, about myself- not her and she is not in IP. I set up an interview with her tomorrow. since I've seen her before i already know what my first impression photo will be and through talking to her I'll find out what the second photo will be. this is the method i originally planned to use when i thought of the idea. the second person i use i hope will be an older male outside of the school environment and i plan to do my method in reverse. this means i seek out someone with a specific hobby, then find out another aspect of them, possibly their day job if they aren't lucky enough to do their hobby for a living- but this is a more difficult task to pull off. I felt guilty for being too chicken shit to seek out someone during break, so today i mustered up some bravery and went into the Harley-Davidson dealer!!! i know i look like i could be a biker sometimes, but I'm not so it is a really big deal. i guess i did do some things in the last 2 days- yay for guilt.

WHAT I DISCOVERED: i discovered that talking to strangers IS scary. but i knew that. it's not as scary as it is in my mind, but it's still scary. I'm pretty sure it was obvious i was nervous. they were pretty nice to me for the most part. most of the staff said they'd be willing to get their portraits taken and gave me their business cards so i can explain further via email. i had a couple guys who immediately said "no,no, no I'm not photogenic" ha ha. here's what i hate about this kind of stuff:
-when you try to explain your project and people just stare at you funny and then go "why would you want to do that?" which happened with the owner.
-when people project onto you what they think you're project should be such as "ooohhhh you know what would be soooooo cool? if you got us all in a row and did like a big group shot!" because i don't want the job of bursting the bubble of the people who are willing to help me with my project by saying "no, that's not what i want- you don't get it."
The owner said he would be willing to participate but kind of acted like "why can't you just take my picture now, and then it's done" he looked at me like I'm insane when i said i wanted to meet with the same person 3 different times.
I guess he leads meetings of people who are into harleys and there's a meeting this Sunday. He said it wouldn't be appropriate for me to come but said he would ask if there was anyone interested in participating in my project which is awesome. if i got someone who is super into bikes but has a totally different day job - that would be exactly what I'm looking for.
so here's the problems:
-I have a man speaking for me that doesn't really have any understanding of the project i want to do, but he's reaching out to a group i wouldn't have access to if i hadn't met him.
-i have all these biker mechanics who are totally willing to participate (i think) and might be confused/disappointed if i never use them. It's possible that if i explain the project further via email that they won't be interested anymore though... but unless i get a club person or search another venue i might not have the liberty to be choosy.
-lots of people thought maybe i should immerse myself in a subculture and reveal that though they look similar, they are very different people. that wasn't my original idea, but this biker world seems like a rich environment, and when i left the place i had this feeling like picking just one person to represent the biker stereotype is kind of unfair. my favorite novel was written by a photojournalist who did her Harvard senior thesis on strippers... i like strippers but spending 4 months photographing them seemed the opposite of appealing. When i met these guys today, i felt excited and intrigued, and REALLY REALLY AWKWARD. hopefully whatever my project manifests into i get more comfortable with it otherwise it'll be miserable.

HERE'S MY TIMELINE: which I'm sure will change :)

10/22-10/26 Make contact with two subjects

Interview subject 1

10/27-11/2 Interview subject 2

Shoot 1^st photo for subject 1

11/3-11/9 Shoot 1^st photo for subject 2

Plan & prepare for 2^nd photo for subject 1

11/10-11/16 Shoot 2^nd photo for subject 1

Plan & prepare for 2^nd photo for subject 2

11/17-11/23 Shoot 2^nd photo for subject 2

Review and edit all photos

11/24-11/30 Print all photos

Prepare presentation

12/01-12/07 Continue preparing presentation

Practice presentation

12/08-12/14 Meet with subjects to give prints as gift

Continue practicing presentation

WHAT'S NEXT: my meeting with subject 1 tomorrow, emailing the Harley store owner so he has my contact information and waiting to see if i get replies after the Sunday meeting. If not, then emailing the employees a project explanation and hoping to get volunteers. also, scheduling and shooting the first portrait of my 1st subject. SEE LAUREN TALK TO STRANGERS... NOW SEE LAUREN FOLLOW HER HANDY DANDY SCHEDULE...........

what a mood I'm in...........