doctoral candidate in rhetoric and scientific and technical communication
Thursday April 13, 2006
Cross-posted at my main site: life inchoate.
I am doing a project for one of my classes. This project requires that I talk to people.
I know!
Gasp!
Me, talk to people.
Not only that. It requires that I take their photograph.
I am having trouble doing both of these things. Going up to people (even if I know them – even some family members) and asking them a simple question (What does peace mean to you?) and then taking their photograph.
It makes my stomach turn. It makes my hands shake.
No one else is doing a project like this. Oh, no. They are building web pages that talk about their visions of peace.
Building a web site, for most of them, is a difficult task. For me, that’s easy. I can whip out a simple page in a matter of moments and the colors will be purposeful, the design will be intentional. This is stuff I can do with my eyes closed.
I chose my project because it would force me to speak with people. But now…I’m having a hard time speaking to people. I don’t even know how to start.
Ahem.
Miss? Would you mind answering one question for me and allow me to take your picture?
Hah.
It’s not like I can walk up to people on the street and ask this.
I don’t have the cajones, unlike many of the street photographers that I admire so much.
I just don’t have that kind of a personality.
What to do? What to do?
It’s going to be a really cool project (that y’all will be able to see because it is a QuickTime movie) once it’s done.
I just have to get it done.
Ack!
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I always hated those sorts of projects (used to have severe social anxiety)– and fortunately haven’t had to deal with anything like that for a really long time. If it were me… I guess I’d look for a park where a lot of people take their dogs, maybe even a place where they have an off-leash play area. Look for a really friendly, happy dog– usually their owner will be really friendly and happy, too… a sort of “screening process” to get someone easy to talk to.
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I had a project where I had to interview someone and edit the interview (back when it was razor blade and tape) down to two different lengths of time. I sort of cheeted and did someone I knew. When I first got the assignement though I was very concerned. I couldn’t imagine going up to a complete stranger with a tape recorder and asking them to talk with me.It had to be someone that was very important to their buisness someone like a VP or something like that. I can appreciate your situation. Just start with people who you are most comfortable around. Good luck.
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ack indeed! i think once you do one person, you’ll be fine. i remember taking a day-long class and the lunch time assignment was to take a picture of someone or something that represents something. i picked a street musician and asked permission to take his picture. he said he didn’t mind. and _i_ am a shy person! you can do this! i know it! i’m taking this class and i’m interested in your answer to…and the assignment requires i take a picture. would that be ok? i’m sure you would be sensitive to people’s discomfort!