100 Strangers : Round 2 : No. 116 : Elaine

My second stranger portrait from the Nottingham Forest versus Bolton Wanderers match at the weekend.

Elaine was outside the stadium (the City Ground) selling matchday programmes.

I'd seen her in her little kiosk selling her programs and she had a big smile and a nice manner with her customers, so I thought she would be a good person to ask to photograph.

Elaine has been selling programmes for Forty years (that's FORTY YEARS !!!).

I asked her if she had been in the same location all those years. "I've been in this location 20 years". Elaine's pitch is behind the West Bridgford End and close to the away supporters turnstiles (hence me spotting her for a stranger).

"Did you get recognised for your long service?" I asked Elaine.

"No, but I did get my picture in the programme"

"It started as a Saturday Job was I was 13 and here I am 40 years later"

We then had a chat about Forests halcyon dates of the late 70's and 80's when they were the top club in England and Europe.

I told her I moved to Nottingham 39 years ago and Bolton never win in Nottingham (1 win in the city in all that time)

"Don't say that" said Elaine "You might win now"

True to form though we lost 3-2, in fact Elaine would still be outside selling her programmes when Forest scored their first goal only 2 minutes into the game. Elaine closes her kiosk shortly after 3 O'clock

I edited the photo in Darktable and GIMP, softening Elaine's skin tones a tad to take away the harshness of the icy winter winds (at a guess Elaine had probably been stood in her kiosk for the best part of 90 minutes)

Thank you for being stranger 116 Elaine

Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

https://www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/

My own strangers can be seen here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/57144254@N08/albums/72157657822400168

[Judith Johnson]

What an interesting story and what a lovely lady

[Lee]

That's dedication. 40 years and not recognised for it. Well she is now Fave.

[Beryl Lloyd]

A lovely lady and story , and beautifully portrayed in B/W . I love the softness of the tones adding to her loveliness ! fav

[KWind]

Nice portrait. My mother in law's name is Elaine!

[Dione Giorgio]

This portrait is one of your best, Phil. Your processing has brought out even more her lovely features. I enjoyed reading your story (as always). Fav.

[Pat Knowles]

I like this soft portrait of Elaine Phil. The softness is perfectly judged as a stronger sharper look would not be right for this lady. I don't know why I feel this perhaps as her spectacles are rimless she already has that gentle look that would have been ruined by a stronger & darker image.

[Kerri]

Awesome shot

[Alison Hewitt Bailey]

I like the subtle tones in this very much, they are expressive of Elaine's character and femininity.

[Phil Howcroft]

@dulciknit Alison, thank you for your continued support . I used some new editing options in Darktable to create this look :)

@kerristephens thank you kerri

@happypat Pat thank you for your lovely observation on tis shot :)

@sangwann Dionem that is very high praise from you regarding this being my best portrait

[Phil Howcroft]

@kwind thanks you very much :)

@beryl thanks beryl , i am pleased with the end result of this pic :)

@gamelee thanks for the fave lee

[Phil Howcroft]

@busylady thank yo very much judith