Daniel Peters is a fine art and documentary photographer. Half of his life, he grew up in the hearing world at Waterville, Maine and the other half of his life in the Deaf world at Rochester, New York. He studied Fine Art Photography at Rochester Institute of Technology. Since then, he worked as photography lab technician and then social worker for four years until he got married and moved to Brattleboro, Vermont, in 2010. Few of his works had been exhibited at Rochester, New York and around New England.
Currently, he is working on project called, “Deaf Meet Stranger”. Every time he meet and have conversation with hearing strangers. And then, he will photograph the hearing stranger and write on note how much he understand the hearing stranger. This show how limit the information Deaf people will get from hearing people, no matter what. Also, the emotion and expression of the hearing person’s face shows the awkwardness after having conversation with Deaf person.
Deaf Meet Stranger Project
"The Cowboy and The Guitar"
He asked me if I could take a picture of him, which I did. Then, he asked for money afterward because he saw cash along with my business cards in my right hand. I told him no and walked away. I knew he knows that I am Deaf since he mimed to communicate with me.
Deaf Meet Stranger Project
"Gray Hair Lady"
She kept talking without stopping and I barely understood her. I just nodded then took a picture of her.
Deaf Meet Stranger
"A Guy with his Dog"
He saw a hawk on the tree. He pointed to it and asked me about it and then he realized that I am Deaf. The rest of conversation becomes uncomfortable. Then, I asked him if he could pose for picture. He nodded yes and posed with his dog.
Deaf Meet Stranger
"Interpreter Lady"
To my surprised, I learned that she is American Sign Language interpreter. She was talking about wedding tattoo on ring finger. It was good conversation and I knew that she would not mind being photographed.
Deaf Meet Stranger
"Odd Glasses"
When I saw her from distance, I find her glasses very odd and wanted to photograph her. As she was walking toward to me, I asked her if I could take a picture of her. She nodded yes and shrugged her shoulders as she continued walking pass me as I was trying take a picture of her. I was not sure if we understood each other since she was in hurry to walk pass me.
Deaf Meet Stranger
"A Couple"
I saw a couple approaching behind me from the reflection of the camera's LCD screen while I was taking pictures of tree. I stopped and turned to them. They asked if I was taking pictures of the tree which they thought it was pretty. I told them that I agreed too and then, I asked them if they could pose picture for me. They agreed. During conversation, I was not sure if they knew that I am Deaf.
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