If storm clouds are forming around other teams, then it’s a bright day in Cleveland: Bud Shaw’s Sunday Sports Spin
Photo #40: Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!
Image by elycefeliz
This picture is #40 in my 100 Strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers in the 100 Strangers group www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/pool/ or at www.100Strangers.com .
Wednesday morning, I heard on the local TV news that Kal Penn was going to be at a Register For Change rally in Cincinnati in the evening. I recently watched the movie “The Namesake” which he starred in, so I thought: wouldn’t it be fun – and a challenge for my 100 Strangers project – if I went to the rally and asked him for a photograph. He would be my first “celebrity” stranger!
While Howard Dean was speaking, I noticed that there was a photography set-up over to the side of the parking lot. I also saw Jerry Springer standing near it. Since I had come to this rally to try something new in my 100 Strangers project by getting a “celebrity” photo, I wondered if I could get Jerry Springer’s photo, too. When I first heard of this project, I didn’t think I could ask a stranger for their photo – could I now ask Jerry Springer? And did I want to?
I walked over to talk to Rachel, and after I took her photo, I noticed that Jerry Springer was leaving! He was walking out of the parking lot with two other men. I had to make a decision, quickly, so I started running after them. So now I know what it’s like to be a paparazzo – one of the crazy stalkarazzi – it isn’t pretty!!! I was yelling “Excuse me! Mr. Springer!” as I ran. All three men stopped to turn around and look . . . I told him I was doing a photography project called 100 Strangers, and asked if I could take his picture. He was very courteous about it. I took two pictures and thanked him – I didn’t try to talk with him, as I was too embarrassed about my behavior, and I didn’t want to bother him any further. When you chase someone down the road, you lose the confidence that you can offer conversation that will be respectful and beneficial to them . . . : 0
So Jerry Springer is my first “celebrity” stranger photo. Now that I’ve done it, I don’t think I want to go after any more celebrities for this project. However, I DID STILL WANT to get Kal Penn’s photo. After Howard Dean finished speaking, they came down from the podium and people SWARMED around Kal Penn to take his picture. It was so crowded that I thought I’d go talk to Rachel and come back when the crowd has thinned out. I spoke to her for maybe five minutes, and when I looked up, Kal Penn was GONE! The boys were on the bus! And the bus drove off a short time later.
I was disappointed that I hadn’t gotten Kal Penn’s photo, since that was the specific purpose I had come to the rally for. And although this project is about "stepping out of your comfort zone", I think in this case I went WAY OUT of my comfort zone – into the OZONE! But it was an interesting learning experience, and one can never have too many of those! (:- }
Jerry, thanks for letting me take your photo!
See more "strangers" in my 100 Strangers Set
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