100 Strangers : Round 3 : No. 257 : Lorenzo and Alex by phil_howcroft

100 Strangers : Round 3 : No. 257 : Lorenzo and Alex

If you look back at my earlier shots from this week there is a beautiful blossom tree photo of fallen blossom from Arnot Hill Park, named “No One To Enjoy the View”

Well when I walked Ruby (my little whippet) to the park today I saw some people “enjoying the view”

There was a photographer taking pictures of some young couples in the Rose Gardens near the blossom trees. The photographer had some serious equipment include a portable flash which was activated by a remote flash trigger on his camera hot shoe.

Ruby and myself went over to investigate (like you do !!!) and I struck up a conversation about camera gear with the photographer. He was shooting with a Nikon DSLR and a Sigma 85mm f1.4 lens, which is a superb piece of glass that retails at just under £1000 .

“That’s great for portraits I told him, especially the f1.4”

“You know about photography, are you a photographer” the photographer asked me.

I told him I was an amateur and shot with Sony equipment.

I watched him in action taking photos of the couples (one couple had a little baby)

The group were talking in a foreign language which I could not place, so I asked one of the young ladies what the language was.

“Romanian” she told me.

“Is this a family shoot” I asked

“I am just shooting some friends” said the photographer.

At this point I was quite confident with the group, so put my hand in my pocket and revealed my little Sony RX100 VII (it may be little and compact but it produces quite awesome photos).

The young lady who I had asked what language they were speaking saw my camera, so I smiled at her and asked if I could take some photos.

“Yes, of course she said”

“Is it OK” I asked the photographer.

“Yes, no problem, you will get some good photos”

Meet Lorenzo and Alex, who I asked to stand underneath the stunning blossom of the tree.

I moved them around a bit and Alex was really confident in front of the lens. She struck up several poses, tilting her head (which suggested to me she knew how to model, so must have had some prior experience). Alex gave Lorenzo a few kisses on his cheek during the shoot.

“Are you engaged to be married?” I asked
Lorenzo and Alex smiled and said no, but the photographer shouted “They will be”

I thanked them for the photos and asked them what “Thank You” was in Romania. “Mulțumesc” said Alex

“Mulțumesc” said Phil !

I gave them a card and told them to email me if they wanted the photos.

I then had a conversation with the photographer and he showed me some of his facebook photos.

Mulțumesc for the photos Lorenzo and Alex
Oh nice story! A very handsome couple! Nice photo😊
May 8th, 2021  
Wonderful shot of the two , They have surely posed nicely for you !
May 8th, 2021  
aren't people lovely! nice story - and photo
May 8th, 2021  
A very nice portrait of this couple! Well done.
May 8th, 2021  
Lovely shot and a great story! This could be an engagement portrait easily.
May 8th, 2021  
Great portrait, and I loved your commentary.
May 8th, 2021  
Nice
May 8th, 2021  
A lovely story and image.
May 8th, 2021  
Nice portrait, Phil. Your stories are always so detailed and interesting! Fav
May 8th, 2021  
Interesting story, nice shot of the couple
May 8th, 2021  
Great portrait shot of the two of them, Phil. Alex looks very confident in front of the camera; Lorenzo not so much. You always amaze me the way you manage to start a conversation you don't know and especially how you manage to convince them, and the photographer in this case, to pose for you.
May 8th, 2021  
Fabulous! I will be pestering you for portrait advice soon as I’ve been asked to do some school photos- pressure to do a good job!
May 8th, 2021  
I’m amazed his you get talking to people, like this...I have no problem talking to strangers I meet but you are brave enough to ask them to pose....I take my hat off to you! They will be very pleased to have this one!
Btw Bolton are doing well!!
May 8th, 2021  
I am not brave enough to ask people to take their photos. I will happily ask to take a picture of their dog should they have one with them.
May 9th, 2021  
@salza @happypat @judithg @sangwann @777margo @caterina @dide @pdulis @allie912 @ljmanning @marlboromaam @brigette @beryl @jackies365

Thanks everyone for your fabulous comments and support, when i look at this as a thumbnail image I am a bit disappointed by the tree branch behind Alex's hair as it is very similar in tone and on a thumbnail pic looks like an extension of her hair. I suppose we are our own worst critics
May 9th, 2021  
@phil_howcroft yes Phil, you are your worst critic
May 10th, 2021  
A great portrait against the pink blossom. I remember using my RX100V for a portrait and my subject said he thought I would have had a better camera!!
May 12th, 2021  
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.