100 Strangers : No. 5 : Val

It hasn't took me long to include a mono shot in my 100 strangers project.

We went into Nottingham this morning (Sunday). While Jane went to get her eyebrows plucked, I had a wander around Hockley and the Lace Market.

It was really quite this morning but I saw Val walking in front of me towards the top of Hockley.

She paused to text somebody on her phone.

"excuse me can I ask you a favour, do you mind if I take your photo, I'm doing a photography project taking photos of strangers"

"yes of course you can, I am only texting, where shall I stand"

I took a shot in the street in landscape format but the light wasn't brilliant.

"Do you mind moving around the corner a bit where the light is a bit better"

"Yes that's OK"

I shot another couple of shots and showed Val the images on the back of the camera.

"can you just move a little bit into the shade please"

"Yes that's OK, people might think I am famous with you taking some shots of me"

I smiled

"I get a little nervous asking strangers for photos, I worry people might think it is a bit strange"

"No I don't think so , I would imagine most people will say yes"

Val lives in Nottingham, her daughter was rehearsing for a pantomime at a nearby theatre and she had some time to kill before she picked her up.

"You are my stranger number 5 in my 100 strangers, so I have a long way to go"

I showed Val the images on the camera.

"Do you want me to send you a copy"

"No it's OK thank you"

"Are you sure"

Yes , it's fine"

I shook Val's hand and off we both went in opposite directions.

I edited this in Rawtherapee, with an Ilford Pan F Plus 50 film emulation. I went for mono because I wanted to show Val's hair but her bright fleece top was competing against her smile and hair.

Shot with my Canon 450D with the 50mm f1.8 lens

This picture is number 5 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

[Maggiemae]

You are having some bright little moments in your day! Good result and I shall remember your opening line!

[Allison Williams]

She was quite laid back about being photographed, as we say in the States. I'm impressed that you even got her to pose several times to improve the portrait. I wonder why she didn't accept your offer. It's a great shot.

[Al Bailey]

I have seen a couple of the 100 stranger projects - very brave of you I think. I am not sure I could do this!
Very nice shot that works well in black and white :)

[PhotoCrazy]

Wonderful!

[Phil Howcroft]

@maggiemae thanks maggie :)

@allie912 You cannot always tell if it is a good shot on the back of a camera :) . I did wonder if I ccould have gone more contrasty

@willowdragon I am not sure if I can either Al :)

[Pat Knowles]

Well asking Val to go round the corner with you might have been construed wrongly, thank goodness you have an honest face! Made me laugh....the nerve of you!! It's a good portrait too! If I take someone I don't knows picture I aim wildly & just press the shutter!

[Phil Howcroft]

@happypat thanks Pat, it is a bit daunting to approach a stranger , I am surprised how many say 'yes' , in fact I rarely get turned down (although I choose carefully) :)

[Ali P]

Great shot and brave too...

[Hazel]

Fab portrait of this warm and gracious lady and well done for also getting a variety of locations to find the best background.

[colinbarber013]

Great portrait Phil

[Ivan]

Nicely taken, Phil.

[Annie D]

she has smiling eyes

[Gena Pegg]

I like this in b&w...so nice that she was so obliging and good that you shared the other photos with her to put her more at ease. The clarity of your portraits is always great and I bet this is the one where she moved to the shade. Nice one PHil.

[Phil Howcroft]

@eyesmile you are right gena this is the shade picture :-)

[Nick]

Really nice. B&w works well if her jacket was a distracting colour. By the time you reach 100 you won't be the least bit phased about asking strangers for photos.