David, as a volunteer roof guide, is wearing an orange hi-vis jacket; the folk wearing yellow hi-vis jackets in the background of my portrait shot are, as we were, visitors to a National Trust property, The Vyne in Hampshire.
Currently at this property there is a major project called Lifting the Lid in which the entire roof of this Tudor Mansion is being restored and replaced. A walkway has been constructed for visitors to share the experience. As far as possible materials are being replaced sympathetically such as old lead being re-cast and re-used, all the tiles being handmade and the bricks being wood fired. The opportunity is being taken to discover, from the fabric of the roof, as much as possible about the history of the house.
Until I was up on the walkway, I had no idea of finding a stranger for a portrait shot. When I saw David I thought he would made a characterful photo and was thinking about asking him as I walked towards him. He pre-empted my question by saying 'You look ponderous' so I said that I had indeed been pondering and explained my own strangers' portrait and the way in which I use the photos with accompanying stories.
I thought I would just have to be content with a portrait without a story as it was quite busy but David helpfully said he had time to talk.
He has recently retired from his profession of 40 years' practice as an architect . Like us, he visited The Vyne to see the work on the roof, and he subsequently applied to be a volunteer roof guide. He told me that he enjoys the freedom of working here in a voluntary capacity without the responsibilities he has had during his career.
After the completion of the roof, there will be some archaeological fieldwork starting and David hopes to participate in this.
He is learning French and Spanish but was not very enthused about his progress. He told me that he also spends much of his time with his grandson.
Thanks to David for his time: it was great to find a portrait in addition to shots of the countryside of the beautiful Vyne Estate and some of the work on the roof - in my case being careful not to look down whilst up on the walkway and declining the lift in favour of the steps to get up there.
I do sometimes receive lovely feedback from my portrait 'subjects'. I have already emailed this photo to David and have received this response from him which I sincerely trust he will not mind me mentioning: "I am normally appalled by my photos, but I like this one."
See this portrait with more associated photos here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150442566@N07/38484093692/in/dateposted-public/
The background is a bit busy with your fellow tourists, Might have been worth a cheeky " excuse me is it OK if you stand to one side a minute" :) I did that with my Julie and her horses picture :)
Agree about the background, Phil but I decided to use this shot as I thought it was the best one of David plus the orange/yellow jackets gave me the intro to my narrative. I did get a further shot where I asked David to tilt his hat slightly (he also offered to take it off but I had envisaged it as part of the portrait) - decisions, decisions!