I am Here Because - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/25/2009 08:14:36 AM · #1

I am Here Because

Last spring I stumbled across the SoFoBoMo project, and I had this great idea for a book: a collection of vignettes about the people of Powhatan County, Virginia, describing in their own words their connection to the county. It would be titled, "I am Here Because". I ran it by the editor of the Powhatan Today newspaper, and she thought it would make for a great serial, as well. Well, even though it�s a great idea, the logistics didn�t really lend itself to being able to get it done in a month�

But, it was such a great idea, we decided to pursue it anyways! We�re trying to produce it weekly, or at least as often as possible. Nine have been published so far, the 10th is in the can; I'll update this post as they are done.

The Basic Concept

I approach people with the idea of having a conversation with them about why they choose to live where they live, explaining that it will take 10-15 minutes, or longer if we're having a good time. I tell them that I'll record the conversation, and then when we're done, take a few photos. For the most part, people have been fairly receptive; there have been, as you can imagine, some who absolutely want no part of either being in the paper or having their picture taken.

For recording, I have a Sony IC mp3 DVR (digital voice recorder) that does a pretty good job. It has a built-in USB plug so I simply attach it to my laptop and copy the files. To listen to them, I'm using the free version of WavePad Sound Editor. To transcribe them, I shelled out the bucks for Dragon Naturally Speaking.

Transcribing...

Even though this does take some work, the more I do it, the easier it gets. DNS comes with a headset and that brings it all together. I listen to the interview played through WavePad, then repeat it into the microphone so that DNS can do the typing for me. It did take a fair amount of time "training" DNS to recognize my voice, but, the more I use it, the more accurate it becomes. It really is a lot faster than me trying to type what I'm hearing...and, it lets me pretend I'm a UN translator.

Editing

This is the real work, turning a streamed conversation into a readable piece. Even though I'm asking everyone the same basic questions, each conversation is unique. One of my primary considerations is preserving my subject's voice: the resulting text is essentially 99% their words, as spoken to me. I do move things around, and I have to cut, cut, cut, and cut. A typical conversation will have 2500-4500 words; I have to cut that down to 500-600! That is real work, deciding what to keep, what to cut, especially without losing their "voice."

Presentation

Even though the newspaper needs only a photo and the text in a Word document, I still use Adobe InDesign to lay out a page. I made a template, so, for the most part it's just a matter of plugging in the text and the photo. Sometimes, though, depending on the amount of text, it can be a little tricky.

The End Result

Allow me to present to you some of the citizens of Powhatan County, Virginia. Through them, you can get a real sense of what a special place it is... (and, by the way, I don't live there; it's about an hours drive for me to get there.)

[click the image]

So far, it has received nothing but positive feedback, both from the readers and from management. I'm just hoping that the budget ax doesn't fall on this project because it really seems to be striking a chord with the community, as well as giving me a great opportunity to broaden my horizons.

Many thanks to

Gordon for introducing me to the SoFoBoMo; hopefully, this will inspire others to look for other outlets to express themselves.

Cheers,
Skip

alfresco

Nikon D700

11/25/2009 08:45:02 AM · #2

Very cool, Skip. I love these types of pieces, showing real people.

A couple of Q's:

- You mention some people don't like the spotlight, what is you success rate on approaching people?

- Do you do some research on peeps before the approach (sorry, I'm practicing my city-talk), go with serendipity, or a combination of the two?

Thanks for sharing, but also thanks for inspiring. :)

ETA - The questions arise from this: I've been semi-approached to do something similar-but-different and have been contemplating the ins-and-outs of this type of project (since I'm not usually a people documenter.)

Thank you again for the inspiration you lend, at least to me. Your updates on what you do and how you do it are enormously valuable. :)

Message edited by author 2009-11-25 08:49:50.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/25/2009 09:03:39 AM · #3

thanks, JP!

Originally posted by alfresco:

- You mention some people don't like the spotlight, what is you success rate on approaching people?

it varies. i was given a list of potential interviews, and most of those (when i can connect with them) work out. when i'm out cold calling, like approaching people at gas stations or at various businesses, it's about 50-50; all the same, nothing ventured, nothing gained. when i know i'm going to be out there, i try to get 2-3 done in a trip, just because it is a bit of a drive. when i've been given referrals ("oh, you should talk to so-and-so!"), i'm batting 100%.

Originally posted by alfresco:

- Do you do some research on peeps before the approach (sorry, I'm practicing my city-talk), go with serendipity, or a combination of the two?

not really. since i don't live there, i don't really know anyone. if it's a name i've been given, i might know what they do, but for the most part, i don't know anything until we sit down and start talking. i have a handful of questions that i use to guide the conversation, but i never know where things are going to lead. i've also found that people are a LOT more trusting of me as a photographer after i've taken the time to get to know them.

good luck with your project! let me know if there's anything i can do to help you along. this really has been an incredible experience for me, especially getting to connect with people other than through the camera. (not to mention, developing a few more usable skills...) i do hope, ultimately, to turn it all into a book.

and, even though it's a significant investment ($300-400) for a decent DVR and the DNS, it has been more than worth it. there's no way i could have begun to do this project without those tools. the DNS is truly a PITA to get up to speed (i had to read until my jaw hurt, probably an hour or so, just to train it), but in the end, it has really worked out. (and it is really cool to watch your words appear in a document as fast as you can talk...)

citymars

Nikon D700

11/25/2009 09:08:40 AM · #4

Wow, that's just great, Skip. I'm really impressed with the whole story. Good job.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/25/2009 09:16:45 AM · #5

Cool Skip--I always knew you were a natural at this!

Louis

Nikon D800

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

11/25/2009 09:44:30 AM · #6

What a great project.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

11/25/2009 09:49:21 AM · #7

What a cool idea.

11/25/2009 10:11:43 PM · #8

thanks!

one other resource i get a lot out of is issuu, an online pdf presentation tool. it's pretty slick.

Ivo

11/25/2009 10:32:17 PM · #9

Brilliant, authentic and relevant. About sums it up! Nice work and goes to show you don't need to travel to exotic locales to find interesting people.

Its stuff like this that I find inspiring. Its 3 dimensional.

Move over Joey L, here comes Skip! :-)

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

11/25/2009 11:22:59 PM · #10

Skip, it may be that I have said this once or twice before (or more)
You are amazing. Continue to keep it on the top burner, good friend.
:-))

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

11/25/2009 11:57:55 PM · #11

This is really great. My favorite part is where Jenny says her brother doesn't want to go back to Michigan because of the cold and the snow...that made me laugh, but they were all great stories. Thanks for posting this.

I've got about a million questions I want to ask because I've often wanted to do similar projects, but never really knew how to get it off the ground. But, it's late here and I'm going to ZZZZ, so I'll pester you later.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

11/28/2009 05:09:40 AM · #12

thanks, again! (although I hesitate to compare what i do to JL, i appreciate the sentiment).

and spaz, i'd love to talk to you about this; i've still got a number of unresolved issues about what i'm doing and it would be great to have someone to bounce some ideas off.

Apple iPhone 5

11/28/2009 05:17:58 AM · #13

This is excellent!

Are you going to progress with the book idea? I assume this would be chapters made up of extended versions of the interviews?

11/28/2009 05:26:02 AM · #14

thanks!

Originally posted by JH:

This is excellent!

Are you going to progress with the book idea? I assume this would be chapters made up of extended versions of the interviews?

a book is definitely in the works! i'm not sure, though, exactly what shape the verbiage will take...that's one of the issues i'm wrestling with ;-)

Linwood Jackson: Here Because

12/06/2009 08:27:01 PM · #15

this week's installment

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/06/2009 08:29:49 PM · #16

I love this concept, and your portraits are perfect.

12/07/2009 07:30:29 PM · #17

Originally posted by posthumous:

I love this concept, and your portraits are perfect.

thanks, don!

Frank Vaughn: Here Because

12/11/2009 10:01:41 AM · #18

this week's installment

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

12/11/2009 10:35:36 AM · #19

I think I've said it many times, but these are great. Individually, they make great stories about different people. Together, they're very telling about the area.

Keep up the good work!

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

12/11/2009 11:09:24 AM · #20

Whoa, Skip. Your photography is pretty good, and your writing isn't bad either!
Nice work, good friend.
:-))
Alice

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

01/22/2010 04:54:48 AM · #21

we took a little hiatus over the holiday season, but are back in action with a vengeance. i went out to powhatan yesterday with no leads and nothing set up and ended up doing four interviews: a 19-year-old volunteer fire fighter, a collectibles shop owner, a mennonite preacher, and a self-described hard-core conservative, republican tattoo artist. to say the least, it made for an interesting day...

first up, the fire fighter.

Jeb Redmond: Here Because

and a belated thanks, alice & dan!

ikopanas

Nikon D7000

01/22/2010 07:51:37 AM · #22

Great Project! I Think that this is a major goal that suits my thoughts....! I ll think it over!

Meanwhile I visited the SofoBoMo site and I truly liked some of the treasures in there!

Let me ask you did you asked them to sign something giving you the right to publish the interviews and the shots?

Message edited by author 2010-01-22 08:03:03.

01/25/2010 10:29:05 AM · #23

thanks, Yannis! keep your eye on the sofobomo...that's a GREAT project!

Originally posted by ikopanas:

Let me ask you did you asked them to sign something giving you the right to publish the interviews and the shots?

no model release is required for editorial use here in the US. if i wanted to use the images commercially (either for stock, advertising, etc), i would need a release.

rooum

01/25/2010 11:01:35 AM · #24

These are fantastic Skip. Really enjoying the portraits and the stories. Wonderful project.