Clinton by joysabin

Clinton

Last night when I was downtown to exercise my fisheye lens, I met a very interesting soul. Clinton, a silversmith who works in Sedona and a member of the Hopi nation. He was in need of to help to get back home. It is quite a distance from Flag, about 100 miles, northeast.
I wasn’t going to post this at first. I didn’t get any kind of a sharp focus but the more I thought about it, I knew that I had to. While we were talking, he asked me if he could share a Hopi blessing with me. It was a true honor in my humble opinion. We parted shortly afterward and wished each other well.

I am trying to make more of a concentrated effort to step out of my comfort zone and engage people and work on my long neglected stranger project.
I'm glad you were able to photograph him and share part of his story. I hope he makes it home safely. I really like the shot- it gives off a feeling of isolation that he probably feels in being separated from his family. Well done on leaving the comfort zone and the shot!
December 7th, 2019  
@olivetreeann Thank you most kindly. Meeting new people is tough for me but I know that I need to, they most always enrich my day.
December 7th, 2019  
Wow that is so hard ..............I have the same issues talking to strangers.
I like the fisheye effect it gives a feeling of loneliness!
December 7th, 2019  
Love the fisheye shot and his expression. Even more, I like your story about him. Hope he made it home safely. Fav.
December 7th, 2019  
@radiogirl I have no real talent to talk to strangers though I wouldn't mind testing those limits more. I started a "strangers project" about 15 months ago, didn't make much headway but got the idea from Hazel (@quietpurplehaze ) who does her's with regularity and beautiful work. I was in need of some change so the fisheye has been helping in that respect.

@eudora Most appreciative of the fav. I didn't start talking to him with the idea of my stranger's project but glad I did find the courage to ask. I also wish I'd thought to ask what is words meant. Listening to Hopi and Dine (Navajo) being spoken is a listening to a beautiful song.
December 7th, 2019  
Well done. This photo tells a story.
December 7th, 2019  
Love this fisheye shot. I’ve never worked with that type of lens. Great story of your interaction. His expression says it all. I wonder if this would also work in b&w.
December 7th, 2019  
This is lovely and unusual. Good luck with your strangers’ project.

I had no idea you took inspiration from my work but am glad you did and I thank you for the comments. Since July osteoarthritis in my hip has taken a turn for the worse necessitating my use of trekking poles. Besides the difficulty of wielding poles and a camera, I found myself embarrassed approaching folk for portraits so stopped temporarily but now have begun again. It made me realise that nothing is fixed or can be taken for granted. Hope this makes sense - and all the best!
December 7th, 2019  
Love this fisheye shot. It gives a deep sense of isolation and loneliness. Fav.
December 7th, 2019  
It's a very poignant scene - beautifully taken.
December 7th, 2019  
The way you're using fisheye is Is so intriguing
December 8th, 2019  
@sdutoit Thank you so very much. Spending time with him was a gift.

@jernst1779 Thank you a great deal for the fav. I will have to work with your idea of B&W.

@quietpurplehaze Your work is most wonderful. I hope that you continue. Maybe a set of poles that also are monopods- I have a hiking stick from REI that has a screw on top so I can use it as a monopod. ( https://www.rei.com/product/155737/mountainsmith-trekker-fx-lite-monopod-single ). Never under estimate a woman, we are so innovative and creative.

@haskar Clinton was a gem to encounter. He was sitting outside in the cold but has a very warm soul and heart. Truly grateful for the fav, thank you kindly.

@robz I admit to not thinking about taking his portrait at first, I feel shy often. I so enjoyed meeting him and sharing time. Thank you so very much for the fav.

@francoise Thank you for such a nice comment. I was listening to a photography podcast, usually don't, but they were talking about taking only one lens when you went out to shoot and just push and pull the limits of the lens to spark some creativity. It was fun to try different things.
December 8th, 2019  
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