All Narfed Up words (and some photography pre-2010) by Bryan Villarin
A skeptic
I’m taking $1 portraits as long as money permits. (See Thomas Hawk with his $2 portrait project and Justin Korn with his $1 portrait project.)
What’s the premise? I’ll offer $1 to anyone who asks me for money in exchange for their portrait. I’m a shy person, but I’ll do my best to find out a little about the person. You never know if it’ll make someone’s day for at least talking to them a little bit.
While I was on the escalator at Wilshire/Normandie, this man asked me if I had a dollar.
“What do you need it for?”
“I’m need to get a ticket for the bus, man.”
I awkwardly told him about my $1 portrait project. At first, he hesitated. I reassured him that it was only a photography project, allowing me to interact with people.
I noticed his eyes were slightly yellow. Jaundice? Sad.
At the top of the escalator, he finally agreed. He walked to a spot away from foot traffic, then I snapped his portrait.
“Where you off to now?”
“I gotta get some food, man. I’m hungry,” walking in the direction of the bus stop.
“Alright, take care.”
I never did get his name.
View on Flickr / Buy this print / View more $1 portraits here or at Flickr
Rick
I’m taking $1 portraits as long as money permits. (See Thomas Hawk with his $2 portrait project and Justin Korn with his $1 portrait project.)
What’s the premise? I’ll offer $1 to anyone who asks me for money in exchange for their portrait. I’m a shy person, but I’ll do my best to find out a little about the person. You never know if it’ll make someone’s day for at least talking to them a little bit.
—–
Rick stopped “briefly” talk to me while I was waiting outside Regent China Inn. He told me that someone took his photo a few days ago, even though he didn’t give him permission.
Trying to decipher a myriad of his tangents (over the course of 10 minutes), I learned that he was from Culver City.
- A Metro bus driver refused to honor a monthly pass he just purchased. (No idea how long ago that way.)
- He had $2,000 while in Glendale. Down the street was a Shakey’s, but he told some guy that he wanted to go to the one closer to home.
- Save that card from Surf City because you can get a free smoothie.
Rick was on his way to a facility down the street to see if they were giving out food.
He never did ask me for money, but I offered him a couple bucks anyway because he seemed pretty nice. Other than that, I didn’t really get a chance to get a sentence in. He was a talker.
Before we parted ways, I asked him if I could take his photo. He positioned himself in a better light – and away from the front of Phillipe’s – but the bill of his hat blocked most of it. Oh well.
Sidenote: My cousin, Cheryl, is a psychology major. She suggested that he could have a mild case of schizophrenia.
View on Flickr / Buy this print / View more $1 portraits here or at Flickr
Juan
I’m taking $1 portraits as long as money permits. (See Thomas Hawk with his $2 portrait project and Justin Korn with his $1 portrait project.)
What’s the premise? I’ll offer $1 to anyone who asks me for money in exchange for their portrait. I’m a shy person, but I’ll do my best to find out a little about the person. You never know if it’ll make someone’s day for at least talking to them a little bit.
Juan meekly asked me for fifty cents (in Spanish) as I was walking towards the entrance to Pershing Square station. I asked him if he spoke English, then told him about my project.
He basically agreed. I pointed him towards this spot with better light. When I held up my camera to take the photo, he was turned to the side. I guess he didn’t want a straight on portrait or something.
I snapped a couple, then thanked him. I took out my wallet, but found that I only had five dollar bills. Gah! I told him I’d be back with change. I walked to Taco House nearby, ordered a burrito, then came back to him to give him the dollar I promised. He thanked me and walked off.
As for me, I sat on the corner to eat the carne asada burrito I had just bought before going to the subway. (It was delicious!)
Wayne
I’m taking $1 portraits as long as money permits. (See Thomas Hawk with his $2 portrait project and Justin Korn with his $1 portrait project.)
What’s the premise? I’ll offer $1 to anyone who asks me for money in exchange for their portrait. I’m a shy person, but I’ll do my best to find out a little about the person. You never know if it’ll make someone’s day for at least talking to them a little bit.
Fourteen months ago, Wayne flew to Los Angeles from Hawaii. He held a tall can in a brown paper bag, sipping beer – I can’t remember which brand.
I wished him well and continued on my photowalk.
Zorro
I’m sort of joining Thomas Hawk with his $2 portrait project, but knocking it down to $1, like Justin Korn. (I’m a struggling student.) I know I did $2 last Saturday, but I can’t do that on a regular basis.
While walking to Pershing Square station, Sergio [last name withheld] came up to me asking for 4 cents. (Seriously.)
I told him about my project and he quickly hopped onto the ledge to pose for me like this.
Afterwards, he told me to let him know where the photo would be on the internet. So, I took out my index cards and pen, then asked him to write down his email address.
He scribbled nothing legible, except 1-310 (the Los Angeles area code), then handed it back to me.
I asked him his name, and he said, “Sergio…Zorro…[last name withheld]“. Some of his other buddies were laughing (not in the photo).
“Okay, Zorro, take care, man.”
About
Bryan Villarin. 20-something. Bass guitarist for The Scarlet Paradigm in Pasadena, CA. Bryan Villarin Photography. Blogger. Twitter user (@bryan). Read more about me...
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