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Stranger wanted to charge me
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I haven't actually started my 100 Strangers project yet. I keep telling myself to start, but I've also been doing a 366 project that has been consuming most of my photo-time.
Today in Rittenhouse Square (Philadelphia) there is a fine arts show. I saw a man wearing a jacket and hat which appeared to be covered in buttons. I decided he would be a great start for 100 Strangers. I approach and introduced myself (his name was Stewart) then realize they are not buttons on his clothes, but coins. Silver dollars, 50 cent pieces, and all kinds of other non-traditional coins.
I told Stewart the coins caught my eye and asked him if I could take his portrait, and he said "I charge for pictures". How much? "Twenty dollars."
I inquired about the coins, if they were a statement of some sort (when I thought they were buttons I thought he might have been a protester) - he said it's just something he does. He was very soft spoken and reserved which quite surprised me. I'd assumed he would have some big story about the buttons (or coins as they were).
I told Stewart to have a good day, shook his hand, and departed without a photo. Should I have negotiated a price? Just given his $20? Paid nothing, snapped a photo real fast, and ran? (kidding)
An interesting character indeed, I guess that's kinda the point of the project...
Originally posted at 11:01AM, 19 September 2008 PDT
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btjones edited this topic 57 months ago.
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I would have laughed and said nice try. We have discussed this before and the conclusion was obvious. No one should pay to take a portrait, at least not if it is for the 100 Strangers Project.
Posted 57 months ago.
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Perhaps offering the pictures for his time might work.
If not, there are enough other opportunities.
All this assuming your not making money from it.
Posted 57 months ago.
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You did the right thing!
Kenny from NJ
Posted 57 months ago.
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I guess Stewart doesn't make a heck of a lot of money from posing. Your description makes him sound interesting, but no money for him.
I wouldn't be surprised if somebody doing this project in the Philly area gets Stewart in their set for 'free', let's just watch and see what happens.
Whatever you do don't let Stewart put a damper on your 100 Strangers project!
Originally posted 57 months ago.
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Clark Westfield edited this topic 57 months ago.
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ya , thats an intresting charachter u had...but yeah paying some1 4a potrait...doesnt sound kul.
but lik Clark said, dont let this hinder ur 100 strangers project....its a lot f fun!!...
Originally posted 57 months ago.
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_Shutter Butter_ edited this topic 57 months ago.
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If you wanted the pic I would have paid as it is something they are doing for you and who knows how much someone needs that $20. I think about people in third world countries and how my mum said that if you want a pic they want money but that is survival there.
Posted 57 months ago.
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if one person pays to take a portrait then everyone will end up paying, its a bad thing to do. I think paying in the third world is even worse, yes the people there need our help and often support and at the time it may seem the right thing to do, but consider the long term problems. You go out and take a load of photos, maybe paying a dollar a time, the next guy goes out and end up paying $1.50 a time and eventually it gets so expensive that folks stop going, including those who go there to bring attention to their plight, so people forget that they need help and stop giving money at home.
Posted 57 months ago.
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snax, I have have taken photographs in the third world and then paid the person for their time. Just as I pay for directions and someone to carry groceries to my car. The arguement that people will stop coming because the price of pictures goes up does not hold water, to me, if my 50p or $1 helps feed a family and is a little extra to get someone a little further on in their life, then I will gladly do it.
I have been known to buy a weeks worth of groceries for a fmaily as well, to take pictures, but generally after the photos are taken do I offer. That possibly is my line if I am asked for money I don't take the photo. (My husband also thinks it is safer to pay because if the rich tourist does not hand over some change then devesting tourist of fancy camera is tempting.)
It is a matter of putting money into the economy (as wellas being street savvy).
Mind you I rarely give to beggars, that I think is prolonging a cycle but I give to projects that support the unemployed and homeless.
As for Stewart, I would not have paid. the Pearly Kings and Queens in London do not ask for money, so neither should he. The 501st legion take money for charity but that is a different situation.
Originally posted 57 months ago.
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LPM edited this topic 57 months ago.
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I think anyone who is being asked to be part of a portrait has a right to request payment for their time and image, but I don't think it's in the spirit of this project to get photos that way. If i wanted to go out and pay 100 people, I'd reach the hundred mark so much faster, but it would no longer be the 100 stranger project. It would be the 100 paid modeling gigs project. Lots of people pay models and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I see this project being more about a mutual interaction than payment for a service.
Posted 57 months ago.
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Brandon, I read your post the other day and saw the same guy around Rittenhouse square about a day after. I was in a rush but next time I see him, I will try to photograph him and see what he says.
Posted 57 months ago.
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My reply would have been: "Tell you what, I'll shoot you in exchange for sending you an 8x10 of the one I choose for the project."
On the subject of '3rd World' photography, a friend of mine takes along one of those small printers on her travels. A family portrait is a treasure for many of the people she shoots.
Posted 57 months ago.
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I don't open with an offer to pay but if the person asks for money they're often homeless or without work and I'll happily give any change I have on me.
I was so pleased with my B&W photo of Kevin (Pre 100Strangers by a few days) that when I spotted him soon after in roughly the same location I got him breakfast ($10) as a way of saying thanks. He's homeless and looks to have moved on since.
I think Stuart was pushing things a bit, but without seeing him I can't say if I'd have handed over the $20 or not. If you'd offered your change I wonder if he'd have accepted it.
@Ault, the travel printer's a very nice touch.
Posted 57 months ago.
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Brandon,
I've seen this guy in town too, though long before I found this group to join. I've tried to take his photo from a distance, without any luck- blurry images with too many things and people in the way. I know that's not the object of this group, but that's how I've previously taken interesting shots around Philly. He is indeed a colorful character. I'd say that he's like a lot of folks who charge for their images - trying to make a living. You tend to see these in touristy parts of the city. At least there are other characters around the square.
Posted 57 months ago.
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ulugeyik & neenyd03 - definitely let me know if you end up getting his portrait!
I do like the idea of offering a print in exchange for the portrait, maybe I'll try that out next time.
Maybe I'll ask him again with a point-and-shoot instead of the dslr and see if he still charges. I've been seeing so many interesting people since I moved to Philly (a month ago) that I shouldn't have trouble finding free (and interesting) strangers to photograph.
Originally posted 57 months ago.
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btjones edited this topic 57 months ago.
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In Battery Park in Manhattan there are a regular group of people dressed as the Statue of Liberty looking for people to take their picture with groups of people. People like that are making a living doing it, but I have contributed about 1 or 2 dollars into their collection box and that is fine with them. As long as you give some paper money it seems OK. But $20? No way.
Posted 57 months ago.
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