Caiden

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When people ask me if I like kids, I always hesitate to answer truthfully. I know the inquisitor more likely than not buys into the almost universally accepted idea that children are innocent.

Innocent, huh.

Teacher

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I wasn't really thinking about The People of Detroit when I came across this young woman. The sun was still high in the sky, unfettered by clouds, and casting strong shadows that are generally unflattering for portraits.

That said, I thought this young woman had stunning features, so I figured I'd make of the available light what I could.

Connected

 

Canon EOS 7D | Canon 35mm f/1.4 | Natural Light

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It's funny the way things are interconnected.

For example, this photo is connected to the The Jones Family post. The Jones are a family of artists. When I spoke with them, they said they would have a booth at the upcoming Dally in the Alley open-air art festival.

I didn't see the Jones family, but looking for them put me into contact with Allison, the young woman pictured above.

The Jones Family

Canon EOS 7D | Canon 35mm f/1.4 | Natural Light

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This is the Jones Family. I ran into them at the Detroit International Jazz Festival. So much of this project is about looking for people whose appearance implies an interesting personality or occupation. I think my instincts were right on this one.

Turns out the Jones are a family of artists. As a matter of fact, they will have a booth at this weekend's  Dally in the Alley street art festival. Pay them a visit and tell them you saw their photo here.

p.s.: I love how the baby is starring off into the distance like, " DAAAAAAAMMMMMNNNNNN, shorty got a PHAT ass." No. I'm sure he was thinking innocent baby thoughts, but telling myself otherwise amuses me.

[View the ongoing project and meet more of: The People of Detroit ]

At the DIA

Canon EOS 7D | Canon 35mm f/1.4 | Available Light

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The Detroit Institute of Arts is one of my favorite places in the city. It is a repository for work by some of the world's most noteworthy artists. They even have a couple of names an art history ignoramus such as by myself would recognize like Picasso, and shit.

So, I went there on Wednesday with the intention of capturing some art lovers. I also was looking for a part of the museum that would lend itself to a nice portrait.

Cat Daddy

Canon EOS 7D | Canon 35mm f/1.4 | Natural Light

I'm a natural recluse. Ironically. So, there are times when I am tentative about approaching people for this project. But sometimes I see someone who is so obviously photogenic that whatever curmudgeon tendency I may feel at the time is instantly subsumed by my desire to realize the beautiful portrait I see in my mind's eye.

Such was the case when I saw this gentleman at the Detroit International Jazz Festival. I mean, clean white on green and a 70's era bebop hat? What's F-ing with that?

Bruce

Canon EOS 7D | Canon 35mm f/1.4 | Available Light

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As I've mentioned earlier in this project, the downtown summer festival season is one of my favorite things about Detroit.

One of the last festivals of the season is the Detroit International Jazz Festival. Detroit is a city full of music lovers and that was wonderfully evidenced by the throngs of people with collapsible chairs moving around downtown this Memorial Day weekend. Jazz fans were everywhere.

Mr Council President

Canon EOS 7D | Canon 35mm f/1.4 | Natural Light

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Before we get into this installment of The People of Detroit, I have to pause for the cause. You will notice that the descriptions of the gear used to produce this photograph are emboldened as hyperlinks. A couple of my readers on Flickr have communicated that this photo project inspired  them to purchase the legendary Canon 35mm f/1.4 prime lens. I am both happy for them (it is a wonderful lens and worth every got damn expensive penny it costs) and a lil sad for myself.