My First 100 Strangers by Jimmy Hilario

My First 100 Strangers Jimmy O. Hilario

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

This book is dedicated to all the strangers who allowed me to take their picture, which in a way, is to tell their simple story as well.

INTRODUCTION I first heard about the 100 Strangers Project in flickr.com. It took me awhile to get into it but I was interested in the project because it combined my love for portraiture, street photography, and engaging my subjects. For my first 100 strangers, I decided to water-down the rules a bit just for the sake of getting the ball rolling. I didn't want to make it any harder than it already is. My rules were simple. Just find a potential subject. Ask her/him if she/he wanted to be part of the project. If asked "what" is the project, I'll answer it's like a photo blog--it's a documention of people I meet everyday. If they agree then you have a shot. If not, thank the person and move on. To make things faster and so as not to intimidate my subjects, I only used my iPod 4th gen to take all the photos in this volume. Nonetheless I took several shots of each subject.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT Aside from the all "strangers" who participated in this book, I would also like to thank those who followed this project which I posted in my Facebook account [https:// www.facebook.com/jimmy.hilario] and who encouraged me to put it in layout format. For now, this is in pdf format only. If I get a sponsor, it might see print one day. This one's for you. Enjoy!

Stranger 1/100 I finally decided to get this project started. I was walking to the bus stop and it was drizzling. My throat was sore and there was this vendor selling cigarettes and candies. I bought menthol candies. Afterwards, I asked if I could take her photo. She immediately agreed. So, I'm off to a good start.

Stranger 2/100 There was this sidewalk vendor who was selling ballpens and pencils. He looked interesting. I was only getting started so forgot to ask his permission and just took a shot. I wanted to capture people as they are.

Stranger 3/100 This vendor was selling synthetic sleeves that bikers and jeepney drivers used. He was resting under the shade and humming a tune. I asked permission to take his shot. He simply nodded and carried on with his song. What a cheerful chap.

Stranger 4/100 The security guards in this mall always dress-up for the occasion or the season--in this case, chinese new year. The good thing about them is that they immediately agree to have their photos taken. No questions asked.

Stranger 5/100 I asked directions from this lady--a concierge in a mall. I said my usual piece and showed her some photos I have taken. She agreed.

Stranger 6/100 My parents and I would eat in this restaurant every now and then; and this waitress would often wait on our table. I took her photo in one of our gatherings. I recently went back to the restaurant with some friends. Too bad she didn't work there anymore.

Stranger 7/100 I liked her attire but didn't get the chance to get her permission. I rare glitch in my project.

Stranger 8/100 The cell phone shops is a haven of strangers. I think I bought a case or a screen protector. I took her shot first and asked permission later.

Stranger 9/100 I covered a trade exhibit. The were lots of sales personnel I made friends with. By the end of the affair, they were more than willing to have their photos taken.

Stranger 10/100 Another sales rep in the same trade show I talked about. She told me her story--a working mom, has to get up early to travel to work, and stay up late to tutor her kid. This story is replicated across the city by many working mothers.

Stranger 11/100 I obviously didn't get her permission but I thought it would be interesting to have a photo of a blind-singing beggar in the street. This is a common sight in the city.

Stranger 12/100 I covered an event inside a mall with some friends. Even if the sales lady agreed to have her shot taken, she refused to look at the camera.

Stranger 13/100 This man was offering rush ID and passport scan services outside the city's overseas employment agency.

Stranger 14/100 A model of a product exhibit featuring headsets, cameras, and MP3 players. Part of her job was to pose for pictures. So this was easy. Surprisingly, there weren't too many people taking her picture.

Stranger 15/100 She's a sales person of sporting goods store. I often drop by to buy some stuff here so it was just a matter of time for me to take her photo.

Stranger 16/100 As a rule, I don't normally take photos of children but since I was just getting started with my project, I wanted to hit 100 as fast as I could. Anway, I bought flowers from him.

Stranger 17/100 It can't be helped. She asked me to buy from her as well so I took her photo too.

Stranger 18/100 I entered the "lion's den". Surrounded by several tinderas (sales ladies) in a tiangge (flea market), I told my piece and asked for volunteers for my project. They were all ears but only one agreed to have her photo taken. This is hard work.

Stranger 19/100 Also from a trade show exhibit I covered. She is one of the sales ladies in the reception area. No problem taking her photo.

Stranger 20/100 From the same trade show but I had to do some convincing to take her photo. I told her that since she is head of a sales force, she has to overcome her shyness. With that she finally agreed.

Stranger 21/100 A teller in bank that I frequent. She has a friendly smile and eyes to go with it.

Stranger 22/100 This is the other bank teller. If you get one to agree, the others will follow.

Stranger 23/100 A customer service staff from the same bank. I obviously didn't look like a security threat.

Stranger 24/100 Another staff from the same bank. They would end up being my friends.

Stranger 25/100 She was looking after some metalscraft for sale in a mall. After some cursory questions about the artpieces, I asked if I could take her picture. She agreed after I showed her photos I have taken. I didn't buy anything from her.

Stranger 26/100 Some kid outside a restaurant my friends and I took some snacks in.

Stranger 27/100 Friend of the kid from the previous photo.

Stranger 28/100 They come in three's.

Stranger 29/100 Another bank teller. I made sure there was nobody waiting in line because I had some explaining to do.

Stranger 30/100 Around Christmas time, the security guards in this mall donned tin soldier's attire,

Stranger 31/100 She was selling uniforms. I approached her about the project and showed some pictures. When she saw the photo of the lady (stranger 30), she said she knew her and with that she agreed to have her photo taken.

Stranger 32/100 A tindera from a tiangge. (I frequent the tiangge and when I began my this project, I took a good number of sales people from the flea market.) I don't remember what I bought from her.

Stranger 33/100 I bought a pair of socks from her and after giving my usual spiel, she agreed. She was also being teased by the other sales ladies.

Stranger 34/100 Obviously it wasn't hard to convince this one. She had a ready smile and squealed when I asked to take her photo. She was selling Christmas decorations. Unfortunately, I didn't see her anymore the following year.

Stranger 35/100 This is the friend of the girl from the previous picture. She was more reserved but readily agreed to have her photo taken.

Stranger 36/100 I had a medical check-up in a clinic. She drew my blood (it hurt a bit) and with that she was more than accommodating to have her photo taken.

Stranger 37/100 A real estate who wanted to get me to fill-up a form; so in exchange, I asked to take her picture.

Stranger 38/100 Another real estate agent who gamely posed even if I told her I didn't have money to buy a unit from her.

Stranger 39/100 From the same medical check-up; she was the staff that took my ultra-sound. The results came out ok.

Stranger 40/100 My friends from igersmanila (instagram group) celebrated our anniversary in this restaurant. This waitress served our table and kept on dishing out unlimited rice servings.

Stranger 41/100 I was looking for a restaurant and this mall conceirge pointed me in the right direction. She was kind enough to have her photo taken as well.

Stranger 42/100 A tindera in a tiangge. I don't remember what I bought from her. Looks like she was selling paintings and frames. Chances are I just asked to have her photo taken.

Stranger 43/100 Another tindera in a tiangge. I think I bought a speakerradio in the shape of a soda can from her. She even demonstrated it. It had a usb port as well. Made in China for sure.

Stranger 44/100 A tindera in a tiangge selling bags and watches. I think I bought a sports watch which I still use whenever I play hoops or badminton.

Stranger 45/100 The companion of the previous stranger in the same stall. I'm not sure if they are related but they look alike. Nice smile... I would return and buy another watch from her for a discount.

Stranger 46/100 A tindera selling Christmas decorations. I ended up buying several Christmas decorations, shopping bags, wrapping paper, and even Christmas lights from her. I would see her the following year.

Stranger 47/100 A garderner in a cementery. Her daughter cleaned and repainted the lettering in the tombstones of my grandparents and uncle. She didn't want her photo taken so I ended up with her mother.

Stranger 48/100 The husband of the previous stranger, also a gardener. Both have a peaceful and quiet job.

Stranger 49/100 An election volunteer. She knew my father, who was with me so I didn't have trouble taking her photo.

Stranger 50/100 Another election volunteer. When I was about to take her picture she said, "Not too close!" So I had to step back-you can see the voting cubicles behind her.

Stranger 51/100 A friend and I had lunch. We were discussing a project. After the meal I decided to shoot the waiter. He agreed. The food was good but I haven't gone back to the place yet. It's packed at lunch time.

Stranger 52/100 When this waitress saw me taking the picture of her colleague, she easily agreed to have her photo taken as well.

Stranger 53/100 Not wanting to be left behind, the cook of the same restaurant wanted her photo taken as well. What a merry bunch they were. If only all strangers were this forthcoming.

Stranger 54/100 One of the guys I met at the badminton court. I don't see him anymore though. Maybe he found another court or another sport.

Stranger 55/100 I had a client call and asked some of the staff around if they wanted "in" on my project. This one readily agreed. Sweet smile...

Stranger 56/100 An officemate of the previous lady also wanted in, showing her stamp of approval.

Stranger 57/100 Yet another officemate of the previous ladies who also wanted to be part of the project. I don't think I'll have trouble getting along with these ladies.

Stranger 58/100 A saleslady of cellphones and accessories. I had a screen protector installed on my cellphone and I asked several ladies if they wanted their photo taken for the project. She was the only one who agreed. Brave soul.

Stranger 59/100 A receptionist in a univeristy I go to. I have several clients in the school so I was a familiar face.

Stranger 60/100 Another receptionist in the same school. I actually just met her. She would end up being a facebook friend and she'd tell me her story. She is an active member of the Bayanihan Dance troupe!

S t r a n g e r 6 1 / 1 0 0 A sales lady selling watches and accessories. Her husband worked in the second floor. He sells and repairs cellphones and computers. They're an enterprising couple.

Stranger 62/100 An attendant in a sports shop. I think I had my badminton racquet re-strung.

S t r a n g e r 6 3 / 1 0 0 Another attendant in the same sports shop. Game, set, and match.

Stranger 64/100 A receptionist in the badminton court. She's a bit shy.

S t r a n g e r 6 5 / 1 0 0 A bindery staff in the press I used to work for. I was just passing through and decided to shoot around.

Stranger 66/100 A reliever bank teller. New tellers normally move around several branches before getting permanently assigned to one branch.

S t r a n g e r 6 7 / 1 0 0 The bank branch manager. After seeing me shoot her tellers, she agreed to have her photo taken as well. I think I should have shot her first but I was more acquianted with the tellers.

Stranger 68/100 Another bindery staff in the press I used to work for.

S t r a n g e r 6 9 / 1 0 0 Also a bindery staff... Like shooting fish in a pond.

Stranger 70/100 A t-shirt vendor. Not sure if I bought something from her. But I definitely had to explain my piece.

S t r a n g e r 7 1 / 1 0 0 A sales lady in temporary eye lash/eye liner kiosk. I obviously didn't have any business interest there except for taking her photo. Good thing she agreed.

Stranger 72/100 The other sales lady in the eye lash kiosk.

S t r a n g e r 7 3 / 1 0 0 A sales lady selling shirts. I think I bought a shirt with the Batman logo.

Stranger 74/100 A cashier in a popular designer clothing shop. I actually had some film developed and bought a couple of film rolls. Their shop is a drop-off point for these services.

S t r a n g e r 7 5 / 1 0 0 He also works in Team Manila. Friendly dude. Had to put on a cap on before I took the picture.

Stranger 76/100 A tindera in 168 shopping mall. At this point I was still window shopping. I would end up buying some shirts somewhere else.

S t r a n g e r 7 7 / 1 0 0 A cashier in a supermarket. I bought ice cream.

Stranger 78/100 A security guard in a mall wearing a tin-soldier costume. This was around Christmas. Happy times...

S t r a n g e r 7 9 / 1 0 0 A vendor in chinatown. He didn't speak english. Good thing I was with a friend who translated for me. He told my friend "I hope he isn't a bad guy." [You have no idea ;) ]

Stranger 80/100 Another sales lady in chinatown. I had to take a quick shot because she was about to change her mind about the whole thing.

S t r a n g e r 8 1 / 1 0 0 My friends bought lots of shirts from her so she demurely agreed to have her photo taken.

Stranger 82/100 Another sales lady in a fleamarket. She's a quiet lady and just nodded in agreement with this whole "strangers" thing. We are still strangers.

S t r a n g e r 8 3 / 1 0 0 After a long day of walking around chinatown with some friends, we finally had dinner. He was one of the waiters in the fast food chain we ate it.

Stranger 84/100 A waitress from the same fast food chain.

S t r a n g e r 8 5 / 1 0 0 A sales lady at Mr Quickie. I didn't have anything for repair but I liked her "antlers" and asked permission to shoot her.

Stranger 86/100 A sales lady in a popular drug store. Some say she has star quality.

S t r a n g e r 8 7 / 1 0 0 I met her in the badminton court. She was training with a coach. I don't see her anymore. Her training's over I guess.

Stranger 88/100 A sales lady in an outdoor fleamarket. I bought some stuff from her for exchange gifts. This was Christmas time.

S t r a n g e r 8 9 / 1 0 0 Another sales lady in the outdoor fleamarket. She was with the previous sales lady.

Stranger 90/100 Sales lady at my favorite donut shop. She would eventually resign and work for a bakery shop/restaurant.

S t r a n g e r 9 1 / 1 0 0 Another sales lady in the outdoor fleamarket. She tried on several dark glasses she was selling before I took her picture.

Stranger 92/100 An accounting clerk in the press I used to work for.

S t r a n g e r 9 3 / 1 0 0 She sold all sorts of candies. I think I bought gummy worms and menthol candies. Recently, I have given up on sweets.

Stranger 94/100 Another sales lady in the open flea market. She acted like the boss.

S t r a n g e r 9 5 / 1 0 0 She sells coconut-based products. I bought coconut-based soap. Not sure if it helps my skin. I'm not an expert in skin care. I'm actually fine with cheap soap.

Stranger 96/100 He sold all sorts of toys. He had a worried look on his face. I would see him the following year; buy something from him again, but didn't take his picture anymore. He still had no hair.

S t r a n g e r 9 7 / 1 0 0 A sales lady in the flea market. She had a easy smile and it wasn't hard to ask her to join the project.

Stranger 98/100 Another sales lady in the flea market and also with an easy going way. I think sales ladies should have that open attitude to facilitate their dealings with customers.

S t r a n g e r 9 9 / 1 0 0 She works for a courier service. I had to ship something to the US. After our transaction, I told her about my project. She looked like an internet savvy lady and knew about blogs and journals; so she understood what I was into.

Stranger 100/100 I hit my 100th stranger at Christmas time. She was a Salvation Army volunteer asking for donations by the entrance of a mall. I dropped some coins and took her photo [I got her permission of course].

EPILOGUE As soon as my "first 100 strangers" project ended, I knew I would come back for more. I more or less got into the habit of "shooting strangers" and I wanted to keep the momentum going. So this was just the beginning. Thanks for reading through all 100 stangers and if you just skipped to the end, thanks for showing your interest. This volume is currently available in http://issuu.com/ stitch. I'm not sure if this is the right way to get started in publishing these series. Consider it an experiment. Until my next volume...

J.O.H. February 2015