100 Strangers : Round 5 : No. 497 : Ben

This is Ben who I met last Friday in Nottingham. I was looking in an Art Gallery window and noticed a poster advertising “Skateboarding in the City III skate festival” a four day skating event. One of the venues was the Peoples Hall, as I walked away I realised the Peoples Hall was behind me !!!

Outside the hall was Ben, he was building and painting some wooden ramps. I went over to introduce myself and asked about the event. It was being hosted by Skate Nottingham, which is a non-profit, sports development and alternative education organisation rooted in Nottingham’s globally significant skateboarding community

Ben has his own business, recycling skateboards into various gifts. When I asked him for a photo he told me he admired my Sony camera and stated he has a Sony A6000 but doesn’t really use it to it’s full potential. I told him the A6000 was still a fabulous camera. He also said he feels awkward having his photo taken, not knowing whether to smile or look serious. I told him to just relax and he would be OK. Judge for yourself whether I made Ben feel relaxed in the photos.

Thanks for letting me take your photo Ben, I hope the Skate fest was successful.

[Casablanca 🇬🇧]

Wow, a lot of tattoos there! Striking portrait.

[Phil Howcroft]

@casablanca thanks Casa' , that's kind of you

[Shirley]

A nice candid as Casablanca said so many tattoos

[Mags]

Ben has got some interesting tattoos!

[Carole Sandford]

Hard to tell from his expression, perhaps not too relaxed. He’s a bit of a work of art with all those tattoos.

[Kerry McCarthy]

Wonderful portrait, especially considering his discomfort.

[Lynda Parker]

Ben looks cool, rocking that beard and tatts. What he's doing, recycling skateboards is cool. Seeing they're 8 layers of maple and are classed as a hardwood, is brilliant! I'm an ex-skater, and always used a maple timber board for its durability.

[Zilli~]

Lovely portrait

[amyK]

He does look relaxed; nice portrait

[Annie D]

You succeeded 😊 His tattoos suit him...I would watch the skateboarding 😀

[Kate A 🇦🇺]

Great portrait although I think he looks a little uncomfortable

[Dione Giorgio]

A great portrait and capture, Phil. You sure meet the most amazing and varied people in your walks. I think he is similar to me because he doesn't know exactly how to put on a smile.

[Beverley]

I feel he is a little nervous but looking into his eyes he's connecting with you, and there’s a warmth in his look….

Im sure you made his day… he appreciated talking. I think it’s a great capture

[Judith Johnson]

Yes, he looks very relaxed, you did well Phil, and you great Ben in your yellow t-shirt