The Flickr Peopleofmadison Image Generatr

Jabari caught my eye as he was trying to take pictures of Cash (the puppy) in the middle of State Street in downtown Madison. The light was right and I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, I introduced myself and asked if I could take a picture of the two of them for inclusion into my (608)strangers Cash seemingly looked at Jabari for approval and he agreed, we set up a quick spot while the traffic was light. Clicking off four or five frames, I was surprised at how patient Cash was with the camera. After we parted ways I couldn't help but notice the subtle detail of how the leash on Cash meshed with the liner on Jabari's coat. I may never know if it was intentional or not, but certainly hope we cross paths again.

Check out the 100 strangers group here on Flickr for more inspiring stranger photographers.

An in-camera double exposure on my #fujix100vi of my classic #canon5dmarkii and a tiny portion of the portrait collage I made of almost 200 strangers I'd photographed over a 8 year span (2009-2017). I keep telling myself with some extended time off the bike, I will do a new collage after all the project is over 400 now. It's always humbling to find the many connections through portraits and the city I call home.

I told this man who identified himself as "Mike," that I liked his hat, he informed me that he indeed was a hat man. He expressed that he likes this hat, but also told me that he would likely be selling it in the new year to get a better hat to keep his head warm during the winter months ahead. I requested a photo for the (608)strangers and graciously agreed. Roughly a month has passed, and I opted for a no edit to show off the raw awesomeness of Mike and his hat.

In sharing photos over the years in the 100 strangers group here on Flickr, I've seen my share of great stranger photography. I highly recommend checking out the group if this fits your fancy.

Seen scene at the Madison Night Market on State Street in downtown Madison, June 2024.

Seen scene at the Madison Night Market on State Street in downtown Madison, June 2024.

Seen scene at the Madison Night Market on State Street in downtown Madison, June 2024.

Since when is the year 2000 considered vintage? Seen scene at the Madison Night Market on State Street in downtown Madison, June 2024.

Ken Fager captures my picture. Seen scene at the Madison Night Market on State Street in downtown Madison, June 2024.

Seen scene at the Madison Night Market on State Street in downtown Madison, June 2024.

Seen scene at the Madison Night Market on State Street in downtown Madison, June 2024.

Seen scene at the Madison Night Market on State Street in downtown Madison, June 2024.

I met Cisco and Toni on their bikes at Tenney while holding out hope that I might catch a glimpse of blue sky after an almost all day rain event on the isthmus. A newer version of the Schwinn Stingray that I had as a kid growing up, I fondly remember the large rear wheel and skinny being something so foreign to me back when I had mine.

We acknowledged one another with head nods as I passed by and I decided to out on a limb and explained my interest in capturing them for my (608)strangers project and they both shook in agreement. It was during this minis-session that I learned that after some time apart the brothers reconnected and pulled the bikes out of storage, where they had been resting for the last three years.

A simple backstory but great to connect a brotherhood through bikes, we parted no longer as strangers and vowed to extend our salutations if should ever cross paths on the isthmus again. I never did get a look at blue sky on this day, but think I got a decent inclusion all things considered. If you're lacking inspiration and want to try and capture portraits too, I highly recommend checking out the 100 strangers group here on Flickr, plenty of awesome work there!

December 2023
Dennis caught my eye during some perfect lighting outside Wilson's on Atwood, we made a little small talk where informed me that he wished the mayor would bring a bus stop back to South Fair Oaks. He had a certain wittiness about him and when I asked if I could take his picture for my (608)strangers project he agreed as long as I shared them with him. It took only a few clicks to nail the focus and execution of exposure with the lighting. I showed him this frame and and smiling he told me that it "looked better than the one in the post office!" We both laughed and went our separate ways, no longer strangers.

I highly suggest joining the 100 strangers group on Flickr for more fun stranger stories and encounters. If you want to check out All the strangers I've captured over the years, most certainly feel free to do so! Might even spot someone you know.

Canon EOS 1
50mm f/1.4 USM
Kodak Portra ASA400

Developed courtesy of my friend @brian_film

As I was about to return to my car on a rare day I didn't ride my bike downtown, a rather tall and large bearded individual with a kick ass Surly Krampus caught my eye. I explained to him that I had several Surly bikes of my own at home and was a tad jealous I wasn't out riding one. He then informed me that his girlfriend does the social media for Revolution Cycles on Atwood and was able to get him the bike. I asked if I could take a photo of him with his Krampus and he agreed. I explained the concept behind the (608)strangers project and we made quick work of the limited light the late December afternoon provided.

While I missed the focus with the 35mm, I was armed with my digital as well (thus a double posting of nearly identical photos. We parted ways no longer strangers and maybe a new face to recognize when out on two wheels.

Props to my friend @brian_film for developing the roll for me. If you're interested in doing your own strangers project, the 100 strangers group here on Flickr is a great spot for inspiration. Should you feel so inclined, All the strangers is a collection of my ongoing documentation of the people I meet in the 608 and beyond!

Didn't miss my focus on the digital shot of Jordan and his Krampus from Revolution Cycles.

I spent the day walking about on a beautiful day in September at the Willy Street Fair I met Kyle and Jake who were discussing hats among many random things. I explained the (608)strangers project and they were more than happy to let me capture a photo. If you're interested in doing your own strangers project, the 100 strangers group here on Flickr is a great spot for inspiration.

All the strangers is where you'll find my collection of random people and their stories from Madison and beyond!

I spent the day walking about on a beautiful day in September at the Willy Street Fair I met Kyle and Jake who were discussing hats among many random things. I explained the (608)strangers project and they were more than happy to let me capture a photo.

Thanks again to @brian_film for developing this roll for me, you should look him up and give him a follow for more great 35mm content. If you're interested in doing your own strangers project, the 100 strangers group here on Flickr is a great spot for inspiration.

All the strangers is where you'll find my collection of random people and their stories from Madison and beyond!

Alexis write-up for the (608)strangers project.

I met Alexis while out for a photo walk on State Street, as usual I was curious to know what she was capturing. As it turns out she was just out exploring with a borrowed lens from school as she was on spring break from Madison College where she is studying photography. After a bit of candid conversation she inquired to me (after I explained my 365 project) if I had any advice for taking portraits of strangers as it was part of her photojournalism class taught by none other than my good friend @steveappsphoto @steveapps_anywherewisconsin


I expressed that in order to get a good portrait, you must first gain the trust of your subject in addition making a little small talk about something you may share as a commonality is a good idea. This is when I recommended that she take my portrait for her class and in return I would take hers for my (608)strangers project. A fair trade, photographer photographing another photographer. Knowing this would be a fun surprise for Steve to see my portrait in front of his class. As it turns out she did in fact use my her assignment, which turned out for the better as Steve used me as an example of living the photographer life and having a day job. So thanks Steve for the kind words, and I'm glad you're teaching the future creatives.
Check out the 100 strangers group on Flickr for more fun faces and amazing stories!