Photography News Issue 40

Photography News | Issue 40 | absolutephoto.com

36 Interview

Stranger things Pro focus

Words by Roger Payne

With his Canon EOS 5D Mark III in hand, Crash Taylor shoots portraits of complete strangers, and it’s provided a boost both to him and to his business

Last October, Crash Taylor started walking up to people he’d never met before on the streets of Nottingham and asking them this simple question: “Excuse me, can I stop you for one second? I’m a street photographer, my name is Crash, I have an Instagram feed called Strangers of Nottingham, it’s a project I’mdoing on people I find visually interesting, you look cool, do youmind if I take a quick portrait?” It heralded the start of a personal project that has already produced over 150 street portraits and will continue until the end of 2017, when he intends to have an exhibition, will use the images to help complete his MA and produce a fine art book showcasinghis favourite shotswith all proceeds going to Save The Children. We meet less than two months since it began, but he’s already learning a huge amount about himself, his photography and his fellowNottinghamians. “The drive for the project is simple. Everyone is on a device these days, nobody talks. There’s no interaction, we live inavirtualworldandyoudon’t meet anybody,”Crash tellsme aswe sit having a pre-shoot coffee. “You’re on your device, you go to work, speak to a few friends, you go home and that’s it. WhenIwaskid, youweremeetingand talking to so many different people. So I decided to get out on the street and not shoot candids like a lot of people

do, I wanted to meet people, go up to themand interact.” And interact he most certainly does. Drinks consumed, we head into the city and over the course of the next hour approach 15 people, ten of whom say yes to having their portrait taken. Although things don’t get off to the best of starts. We’re approached by a gentleman clutching two cans of cider and clearly a littleworse forwear.At 11am.He asks if we can spare any change and while most of us would normally avoid eye contact and walk past, Crash seizes the opportunity and offers him some change in return for a photograph. As he starts to shoot we’re approached by a second man who clearly doesn’t like what we’re up to, asserting that we’re taking advantage of poor people and that we should ‘watch our shit’. It’s unnerving, but Crash handles the situation with aplomb. “That situation would put some people off street photography for life,” he admits as we walk away. “But you have to get over it and concentrate on what you want to achieve. That guy was a little aggressive, but he backed off as soon as I explainedwhatwewere doing and that his preconceptionswerewrong.” Clearly, undertaking a project that involves walking up to all manner of people is going to carry some degree of risk, but the rest of ourmorningpasses

Images Instead of shooting candids, Crash Taylor approaches his subjects and asks if he can take their portrait for his Strangers of Nottingham project. The resulting images show a relationship between photographer and subject that’s rare for street shots.

Photo Professional

without incident and goes a long way to restoring my faith in humankind. Some people are tentative at first, others are flattered, whilemore simply find the whole process amusing, but it’s an inspiring way to spend an hour. “As a photographer you need to be working on personal projects,” confirms Crash. “I have lots of them

on the go: one with my son, one with mannequins, I’m always thinking about personal projects, I just shoot what’s interesting tome.” You can read more about Crash’s project in the latest issue of Professional Photo , and check out his portfolio at crashtaylor.com; instagram.com/ strangersofnottingham

This article first appeared in issue 128 of Professional Photo , on sale now. It’s packed with inspiring images and tips for aspiring pros and those already making a living. absolutephoto.com

You’ll findmore insight in the latest Professional Photo – the UK’s best magazine for full-time and aspiring pro photographers

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