The Cville People Project, a documentary photography project, was partially inspired by the Humans of New York website, which is the result of the attempt of one photographer to provide a sort of photographic census of New York City.

However, the focus of this project is somewhat different. I believe that we come to know a city through the people who live there, so my goal is to depict the city of Charlottesville through its inhabitants. I intend to make portraits of as many Charlottesvillians as possible and share them, along with a little bit about each person, on this photoblog.

Feel free to contact me at cville.people@gmail.com if you would like to be part of the project or know someone who would.

You can see more of my photos on my other blog The Things I've Seen and on my Flickr stream. You can also follow me on Instagram (K_A_Sprouse) or Twitter (@K_A_Sprouse).

14th September 2012

Photo with 2 notes

Dasha, the dancer As I was strolling along the Downtown Mall on my way home from work, I saw a woman dancing while a photographer was taking photos of her.  You see all sorts of things on the Downtown Mall, so there was no way of knowing what was going on until I got closer.  She didn’t appear to mind the guy taking photos of her, but she clearly wasn’t posing — or maybe I should say dancing — for his benefit.  I thought about taking a couple photos of her dancing, since she was a vision in red and black, and her dance seemed to be inspired by flamenco, but there were so many people passing by that there was no possibility of getting a photo of her that didn’t include an unattractive background.  I waited a couple of minutes for the other shutterbug to finish and move on, then I approached and asked if she would be willing to let me make a portrait of her.  She agreed, but since her computer and speakers and other personal items were lying on the ground, she couldn’t really go anywhere.  If you’ve seen many of my portraits, you will have noticed that I try to find backgrounds that are suitable — not too distracting and complimentary in color whenever possible — and do my best to find some even lighting.  A quick glance around left me with only one realistic option, which was a large board blocking entry into a construction site, and I carefully placed her in a spot that had even shade.  She quite kindly tolerated my directions, and I made this portrait.Dasha is a student at the University of Virginia, and she was down on the Mall to attract a little publicity for the UVa Belly Dance Club and hopefully a few dollars from any passers-by who would donate something after watching her dance.  You can take a look at their website here: http://atuva.student.virginia.edu/organization/bellydanceclub I’ve never seen them perform, but maybe I’ll get the chance to check them out sometime soon. Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, VA

Dasha, the dancer

As I was strolling along the Downtown Mall on my way home from work, I saw a woman dancing while a photographer was taking photos of her.  You see all sorts of things on the Downtown Mall, so there was no way of knowing what was going on until I got closer.  She didn’t appear to mind the guy taking photos of her, but she clearly wasn’t posing — or maybe I should say dancing — for his benefit.  I thought about taking a couple photos of her dancing, since she was a vision in red and black, and her dance seemed to be inspired by flamenco, but there were so many people passing by that there was no possibility of getting a photo of her that didn’t include an unattractive background.  I waited a couple of minutes for the other shutterbug to finish and move on, then I approached and asked if she would be willing to let me make a portrait of her.  She agreed, but since her computer and speakers and other personal items were lying on the ground, she couldn’t really go anywhere.  If you’ve seen many of my portraits, you will have noticed that I try to find backgrounds that are suitable — not too distracting and complimentary in color whenever possible — and do my best to find some even lighting.  A quick glance around left me with only one realistic option, which was a large board blocking entry into a construction site, and I carefully placed her in a spot that had even shade.  She quite kindly tolerated my directions, and I made this portrait.

Dasha is a student at the University of Virginia, and she was down on the Mall to attract a little publicity for the UVa Belly Dance Club and hopefully a few dollars from any passers-by who would donate something after watching her dance.  You can take a look at their website here: http://atuva.student.virginia.edu/organization/bellydanceclub

I’ve never seen them perform, but maybe I’ll get the chance to check them out sometime soon.

Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, VA

Tagged: Cville People Project100 strangerscharlottesvillecvillestreet portraitportraitdowntown mall

  1. kasprouse reblogged this from cvillepeople and added:
    Reblogged from my other blog.
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