Roaming the brightly lit hallways of the Life Sciences Complex, junior Ted Rysz scans each room before moving to the next. Camera in hand, Rysz searches for strangers. It is Day 29.

Eliminating six options, Rysz zeroes in on a young man with black-rimmed glasses sitting in a bright red lounge chair. Rysz looks around, paces a few steps in every direction, confident he has found his ideal subject.

‘There’s just something about those glasses,’ he whispers.

Rysz approaches the student, who will soon identify himself as Connor.

‘Hi,’ says Rysz, a television, radio and film and information management and technology dual major. ‘I’m Ted.’

Connor looks up, curious.

‘I was hoping I could take your picture,’ Rysz says, holding up his camera. He adds quickly, ‘I’m doing this project where I take 100 pictures of 100 people I don’t know.’

Slightly confused, Connor obliges, continuing to work as Rysz retreats into photographer mode.

Rysz brings his camera to his face and begins taking shots. He asks, ‘So where are you from?’

The two chat and the tangible awkwardness of an up close photo shoot diminishes. Onlookers revert to their work as their intrigue fades. The two discuss photography while Rysz shoots 25 frames of Connor.

Then, it is over. Rysz thanks Connor for his time, handing over his business card in case Connor wants to access his photo online later. Connor gets back to his work, and Rysz walks away smiling.

Rysz, an avid photographer, participates in 100 Strangers, a project that requires him to take one photo of one stranger every day for 100 days. The project aims to help photographers become comfortable and more confident in approaching subjects to take their photos.

Rysz’s passion for photography started in 2009 when his parents bought him a Canon Digital SLR camera. Rysz fell in love with photography and began taking on projects like 100 Strangers to prove it.

‘I don’t know what it would be like to go a day without taking a photo,’ Rysz said. ‘It’s literally become what I do.’

Rysz’s 100 Strangers project represents just one aspect of his larger endeavor, 365. It’s an attempt by participating photographers to take a photograph every day for an entire year. Rysz began 365 in May. On Dec. 8, Rysz will take the 197th photo in 365, and photo No. 49 in 100 Strangers. Rysz previously completed Project 50, requiring photographers to use a 50 millimeter lens to shoot every photo for 50 days.

These projects are conducted through Flickr, an online tool in which users can upload photos and reflect critically on photography. Currently, the 100 Strangers group on Flickr has 7,106 members.

The group has always been fairly active, said Sue Fagg, a moderator for 100 Strangers. She is currently involved in her own 365 project, taking all photos with her iPhone. She said it’s most rewarding to see group members grow and develop a style.

She has followed Rysz’s work since Day 1 and said although his style was clear from the start, he has had tremendous growth.

‘What changed is his confidence. If you compare Stranger 1 with Stranger 45, it really shows,’ Fagg said. ‘He is a natural at portrait photography.’

Increased confidence and comfort stem from participation in the project, but it’s possible to get too comfortable, Rysz said. He stressed the importance of constantly searching for new perspectives. Therein lies the true challenge.

‘How do I angle the photo differently?’ Rysz said. ‘I see this chair every day, but how does seeing this chair today differ from how I’ll see it tomorrow?’

Rysz doesn’t search for subjects, he said. He simply observes. Whether on Marshall Street or outside Hendricks Chapel, Rysz targets someone who seems to have an intriguing story to tell. In six months, Rysz said his perspective has changed 180 degrees.

‘It’s incredible,’ Rysz said. ‘I’ve already matured so much in my photography, and there’s still almost 200 days left.’

Rysz has an uncanny ability to make his subjects feel comfortable. For him, the entire process is about getting to know someone, no matter how short the conversation. Rysz asks his subjects about their days, where they’re from and what they study.

On Day 12, Peter Wayner was in the lobby of Newhouse III when Rysz approached him to ask to be a part of his project. The master’s student in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications agreed. He liked Rysz’s sincerity.

‘I liked his personality immediately,’ Wayner said. ‘He seems like the kind of guy who remembers you just because of that five-minute conversation.’

Freshman Coralis Rivera-Aponte was sitting on the Quad writing under a tree when Rysz chose her as Stranger No. 14. Though reluctant at first, Rivera-Aponte, an international relations and policy studies major, heard his explanation and found the project cool. As Rysz took photos, Rivera-Aponte continued working.

‘That’s the best side of people, when they keep doing what they’re doing. It’s genuine to their personality,’ Rysz said. ‘As they relax, the best pictures come out.’

Rivera-Aponte checked Flickr later and was impressed by her photo.

‘I think it’s the best picture someone has ever taken of me,’ Rivera-Aponte said. ‘It captured my personality and who I am.’

Rysz’s project inspired two of his peers to start their own. One of them, Newhouse master’s student Emily Shearing, started 365 a month ago, inspired by Rysz’s drive to pursue a project for himself and not for school. The two share photos and exchange constructive criticism, Shearing said.

‘The project is about being and feeling inspired every day,’ Shearing said. ‘You have to see something in the world to take a photograph you’re proud of.’

Next semester, Rysz will study in London and stay for an NBC Olympics internship. There, he will complete both his 365 and 100 Strangers projects. Rysz, intrigued by London, said he’s excited to test his talents in the big city.

As much as it’s about photography, 365 tests the photographer’s determination and perseverance, demonstrating character and passion. Rysz stays motivated by the prospect of simply finishing the project.

‘My whole thing is that this is a year out of your life,’ Rysz said. ‘From whenever it starts it tells a huge story about who you are as a person.’

mainthia@syr.edu 

Published on December 7, 2011 at 12:00 pm