Strange. Yet getting stranger.

My name is Danny, the other person you see in this picture is my 11 year old sister, Sophia. Combining our interests of photography, and meeting new people we decided to do a little project called 100 strangers. The idea is to approach 100 different people, get to know them a little, and take their picture. 

This blog is to compile all of the photographs, along with a little description of our encounter with each 'stranger'. This project will be done in Liverpool, England.

Find & Follow:    @dannyjon_

Stranger #1

Arrived at Lime Street station and met our first stranger, this was taken at 10:01.35. This train conductor was quite happy for us to take his picture.

Stranger #2 and #3

Two nice ladies we met outside St Georges Hall.

Stranger #4

'Scuba Diving Dude'
We first saw him sitting on a jeep whilst, two guys took his picture. He seemed to be in a rush by the time we approached him, so we didn't want to stop him for long, but he was happy for us to take his picture. We gave him a card and he was on his way.

Stranger #5

We met this lady outside St Georges Hall, we had a brief chat about what we were up to. The first person we had to persuade for their photograph. We were happy to have met this lady.

Stranger #6

Our sixth stranger was called Peter, he worked at this fabulous place.
As he was the 6th stranger of the day, we were still quite nervous about asking and unsure of what to say first.
I would say, 'Excuse me, hi, can I take your picture?'
After a moment of confusion, I would explain what we were doing. If they said no, then I would put my camera in my pocket and apologise for bothering them.

Stranger #7 and #8

We figured that the best spots to meet new people would be in and around the main tourist attractions of Liverpool. These two women seemed very interested in our project, and we taken their picture and given them our card. They admitted to having a lack of technological awareness, but said that they would attempt to find their picture on our blog. Let's hope they did!

Stranger #9

We approached this woman in St John's Gardens. She asked if either of us smoked... we don't smoke.

Stranger #10

This guy was also on a bench in St John's gardens, he was quite skeptical at first, but after we explained what we were doing he was happy to be stranger number 10. Turned out he was quite a nice guy!

Stranger #11

We gave out a card to almost everyone, a few told us that they wouldn't want to see their picture on the blog.
This lovely lady seemed to be on her way to John Moores University, worried at first about whether she looked nice enough for a photograph. We agreed to take it and we were happy we did, hello stranger number 11.

Stranger #12 and #13

We approached two bus drivers whilst they were on a break, two very happy people 'working together in partnership'.

Stranger #14

She looked like an interesting stranger, so we approached her in a van and told her our story. Her eyes were closed on the picture, but this is still a great shot.

Stranger #15

We had to pay a visit to the Royal Liver Buildings, where we met this fine man! We had some standard stranger banter, he was happy to be a part of the 100 Strangers.

Stranger #16

This photograph was taken at midday, and after a slow start our 15th stranger had come after two hours. We were quite disheartened after we had our first rejection also.
However, when we met Johnny Larsen busking in the centre of Liverpool, all was restored and we remembered why we were here; to meet fantastic individuals and here peoples stories. We had a nice chat with him and he said we were very cool. One of the best strangers of the day! Remember the name. Johnny Larsen!

PARADISE STREET PIANO

"From Bon Jovi, to War of the Worlds. Solo Piano, and maybe some vocals for good measure…come & judge for yourselves!" taken from tickletheivories.org

Stranger #17

For a guy that didn't say much, he seemed friendly enough!

Stranger #18

Where do I start... Well we approached this fine fellow, got a picture and given him one of our cards. After we formally introduced ourselves we learnt that he goes by the name of Captain Custard! We spoke of our project, and he told us why we had chosen the best city to do it in. I told him what my plan was for university and where I wanted to study, and he spoke about his ideas for films! I won't share any of his great ideas, because me and Mr Custard have great plans for these films.
An entertainer with great ideas, a true inspiration.

'Two tigers can be exactly the same... not with people. Every single person is different' (at least I think this is what he said.

After our 20/30 minute conversation he suggested that we go to the Subway round the corner and speak to a guy called Joe! He said he would be happy for us to take their picture...

Follow this to find him on Facebook

Stranger #19 #20 #21 #22 #23

Stranger #18 told us to come here and visit Joe! (the guy in the middle) We had a little chat with them about what we were doing, by far the most enthusiastic strangers of the day.

Two great photos, they weren't so bad at making sandwiches either. Here's to the Subway team!

Stranger #24

Eddie the taxi man outside Blakes Restaurant, he kindly shown us the way to the Albert Docks.

Stranger #25

We approached two men, stood with their bikes. Unfortunately his friend did not want his picture taken, nevertheless three hours into our task we had stranger 25!

Stranger #26 and #27

We knew these two strangers would be friendly before we even spoke to them, the man was holding an ice cream when we approached them. I guess he must have hidden it behind his wife.

Stranger #28

An ice cream man on the docks, no questions asked, he was happy for us to take his picture. We still given him a card, hopefully he gets to see his picture here!

Cool as ice.

Stranger #29 and #30

Rita and Walle, two very nice people.

Two strangers, both with cameras, we had to approach them and we were glad we did so. After we explained what we wanted, we had a little conversation about cameras. These were the first strangers who actually taken our picture! 

Stranger #31

This nice man is Shaun, he was interested in our project and suggested us to do it in New Brighton. He spoke of the many events and the things that go on there, especially on Sundays.

Stranger #32 and #33

A nice spot for a break, two construction workers on the docks who seemed quite interested in our cards.

Stranger #34

Our French connection, Hendric asked us if we wanted him to smile... apparently he doesn't smile.

(I'm almost certain he was French, I apologise for any offence caused).

Stranger #35

Stranger number 35 was more than happy for us to take his picture, being a photograph enthusiast he even suggested his positioning for better lighting. We talked a little about our cameras, and we gave him our card. Nice to meet you Peter.

Stranger #36

This young lady admitted to being a little bored after we approached her, she was concerned why we wanted her picture (alike most of the people we met). Out of the two photographs I taken she suggested I should upload the top picture, I wasn't told I couldn't upload both. Besides their both good.
I hope your day brightened up after we left!

Stranger #37

Didier Bernardoni, he only spoke one sentence of English and that was to tell us that he only spoke Spanish. Even so we still managed to turn him round to get a better picture! To meet someone who is part of the 2012 Olympics was quite exciting.

Stranger #38

Number 38, on the docks.

Stranger #39

This man was nice enough to position himself back in the original pose that we seen him in, didn't even need to ask.

Stranger #40

Selling the echo, this man was nicer than he looks.

Stranger #41 and #42

Day eleven of their twelve day busking tour, two guitarists from Basingstoke and London! We had a nice chat with these guys, after explaining what we were doing we wished each other luck and went on our way. Didn't even catch their name, but they were great strangers!

Stranger #43

This girl was just leaning, listening to music. She was cool so we asked for her picture. Remain interesting, stranger number 43!

Stranger #44

We met stranger number 44 in Liverpool One. She, like many other women needed to know where the picture would end up. Thankfully she agreed for us to take it in the end, nice to meet you Debbie.

Stranger #45 and #46

Very cultured, very colourful. These guys seemed to enjoy the attention of the photograph in the end, even if they did seem a little shy at first.

Stranger #47

We didn't want to disturb his playing, so we gave him a pound and our card, and took his picture. A fine fellow who we refer to as 'The Bearded Busker'. He was playing the song 'In My Life'.

Stranger #48

Another stranger, another busker. He seemed to be enjoying the attention from everyone around, he was playing 'Living On A Prayer' when we met him, and the crowds were singing along!

Stranger #49

John the door man, more than willing for us to take his picture he even asked where we would like him to stand!

Stranger #50

John at the Cavern pub on Matthew Street, it taken us 4 hours and 45 minutes to get to the half way point!

Stranger #51 and #52

A Scottish couple (we think) in great Matthew Street. They said it was okay for us to take their picture, as long as there were no catches.

Stranger #53

I have seen this stranger playing here once before, seeing him at the bar I decided we had to get his photo. Such a nice guy, who wished us the best of luck with our project. I'm not sure there are many things cooler than performing at the Cavern, it's a shame we couldn't stay longer to see the rest of his set.

Stranger #54

Armmado Capaldi, an Italian stranger!

Stranger #55 and #56

Two strangers in the middle of Liverpool, they make pizza!

Stranger #57

At first we thought he said his name was 'Tammy', after we taken his picture and given him our card I asked what his name was again... turns out it is 'Alan'!
Nice to meet you Alan.

Stranger #58 and #59

Two strangers in The Beatles Shop, reccomended places for us to visit to help us out with finding our 100 Strangers. Very nice, and we very much liked her t-shirt.

Stranger #60

"Singer/Songwriter Anthony Proctor performs piano versions of his favourite songs and his own material" Stranger number 60, picture taken at 18:56. He played 'Yesterday', he was nice enough.

Stranger #61

Angie was one of the nicest strangers we met, unsure of what we wanted the picture for at first though.

Stranger #62

A friendly stranger on the docks.

Stranger #63 and #64

Mally & Chris - we could have their picture, but we had to prove we weren't police officers.

If there was an award for the best strangers, it would probably be handed to these guys. We spent at least 30 minutes talking to these homeless guys. At first we agreed to exchange some spare change to have a photograph of these guys. Already knowing that I was short on cash I got my wallet out and emptied it in front of them, the 70 'odd' pence that I had left was more than worth what we came away with...
Chris (right) told us a story of his best mate that had passed away only recently, after getting quite emotional he then told us a joke or two to cheer us up. He told us how much he loved John Lennon, and made sure we got a picture showing his t-shirt.
Before we left, he began telling us how he likes to read and write poetry. He told a few poems, and his friend Mally (left) joined in. And then he wrote one for us!

Stranger #65

A quiet man sitting alone looking out onto the Mersey. He didn't have a problem with having his picture taken, afterwards he offered to take our picture!