This is the follow up to my previous shot which was scene setting this story.
I was photographing the Major Oak pub in Arnold or the Ma Oroak (missing J from the front name sign). The missing J attracted me to the photograph.
As I was photographing the building, there was a couple, Tony and Sharon smoking cigarettes near the front doors, they had a dog with them.
“Are you from the brewery” shouted Tony
“No” I replied and made my way towards them both
“I thought you might be” continued Tony “The pub is due a refit”
“I’ve never been in, I am an amateur photographer, I thought it made a nice bit of urban architecture, I was also attracted to the faulty signage”
“The J has been missing for a long time” said Sharon “if you go down the side, the other sign has the J on it”
“It sounds like a Chinese Restaurant” I replies
“If you want architecture , The Greyhound, pub in Arnold is good to photograph, that’s our other local” said Tony.
“Yes, it has a good hanging basket display” I said
I then asked about photographing them, both Tony and Sharon were willing sitters.
“If you stand in the doorway it will make a great photo” I said, “It will be a frame within a frame, which is a good way of presenting a photo”
“Shall I pick up Sky or keep him on the floor”
“I think he will look great with you holding him, is he allowed in the Pub?”
“Yes he can come with us”
So I clicked away on my Sony RX100, asking them to look at the camera, which they all did including Sky.
“So are you both retired?”
“We are indeed”.
“So after your drinks here, what do you do next”
“Go home , have some lunch, feet up for a rest”
“Do you fall asleep?”
“I don’t, Sharon does though”
I shot some full length shots and that was it, I told them to enjoy their lunch and enjoy the sunny afternoon, We shook hands and off I went, not before taking a side shot of the pub, with the sign including the J
This is a nice portrait and the composition is perfectly framed by an entrance (door?). I like that their puppy is part of it and the B&W allows us to go to the essential, their faces and body language.
Yes, the framing's pleasing; nice contrasty tones too. I like how your subjects are posed too, more natural and relaxed looking than straight on, side-by-side. You're quite good at this aren't you? ;-)
Sounds like they're enjoying their retirement.
@dulciknit thanks Alison, I hope I am good at it , I should be after 300+ , I am a lot more confident now than when I started, but it is always a bit daunting asking for a photo :)
@corinnec thanks corinne of your thoughtful comment, it is the entrance door , it's a classic composition technique
Sounds like they're enjoying their retirement.