July 20, 2014
It's time for a change. No, nothing drastic, but something more crucial to this project. I'm talking about a new photo spot I discovered to call my new "portrait utopia" and it happens to be Akron. Akron being my next door neighbor, really captured the big city vibe that brings me back to living in downtown Pittsburgh in my college days. I love that city and while walking around in Akron, brought out that feeling of déjà vu.

In the midst of looking for photo ideas along Main St., a gentleman walking towards greeted me with a full blown smile and asked me at point blank, "You like the haircut?"

I glanced towards his newly trimmed head, but didn't recall seeing anything eye-popping until I asked him what it looked like previously. Apparently my new friend, Durrell just lost his bushy afro and seemed proud and relieved it was gone. He was looking sharp!

Durrell who lives in the Northern part of Akron, works as a banner holder, protesting against the Amish community for not paying state minimum wages and refusing to pay their taxes. Now I wondered how this job could possibly generate income for individuals, but Darrell tells me he gets paid $10/hr and a paycheck every week. I'm not the one to get in a forensic battle and raise tension, so I left it there.

Thank you Durrell for the portrait and conversation. It was a treat to meet you and add you to the project.

Photographer Notes:

Camera: Nikon D600
Lens: Nikon 105mm f/2.8
ISO: 200
Aperture: f/3.5
Shutter: 1/800sec