As I waited to take some photos of the pianist, Angela Zanders, in Chichester Cathedral, another visitor approached to ask to have his photo taken with his phone. I asked Ray f he would do this as I am very uncomfortable taking portraits without using a viewfinder - but I did offer my camera to take a photo and send via email. This offer was accepted by the visitor: meet Johnpromise.
I went on to explain my strangers' portrait project to Johnpromise and he was willing to be included. It was fortunate to have a good background of a plain stone wall. After taking a few regular portrait shots, Johnpromise asked me if I would take a full-length photo, which I did.
Johnpromise told me that he is from Nigeria and is a trainee Catholic priest studying at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, Guildford. He is currently based at Havant where he is doing his parish placement as part of his training, and is in year 4 of a 5-year course.
It being his day off, the priest under whom he is doing the placement asked him to treat himself to a trip to Chichester. Having read a lot about Chichester Cathedral, Johnpromise decided to make it his first stopping point and said he was fortunate to find the lovely Angela Zanders in concert. After the concert, he was having a walk around when we met.
I asked Johnpromise what he likes doing when he is not studying and he spoke about physical activities: gym, running, football, and especially supporting Chelsea, his favourite team. He enjoys cooking and mentioned two dishes which he particularly likes to make: a dish from Nigeria of fried rice, chicken and plantain; English Sunday roast dinner. And of course he likes socializing with his friends.
I have emailed him the full-length photo and there are more portraits to follow together with my links to his entry in my strangers' project.
It is lovely to have totally unexpected meetings and opportunities for strangers' portraits so thank you to Johnpromise and my best wishes for the remainder of his time as a seminarian.
I am constantly amazed, humbled and grateful at 'where my strangers' portrait project takes me'.
see more portraits of Johnpromise here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150442566@N07/28763062058/in/photostream/
Peter, thanks. I was walking backwards with my 50mm lens to get the full length shot being careful not to bump into other visitors!
Be assured, Pam, there is no bravery involved and I meet such lovely people.
I agree it is lovely. However it initially caused a little confusion for me and I had to check it was just a first name, and did not include the family name!
Richard, I regard that as a big compliment, thank you but have to take issue with you calling yourself a competent snapper. I respect your photography, also your knowledge of photography and have enjoyed following some of your challenges in the past (especially using a prime lens with no post-processing for a month, very helpful) and, of course, recently, a little conversation about bokeh or non-bokeh!
I must admit to preferring the regular portrait shot over the full length photo but it was interesting to take that and of course, it was Johnpromise's choice. The framing from that little alcove was good too. Thank you all for your interest and comments.
Thank you and yes, such a lovely and unexpected photographic experience.
Babs, I think I find equal enjoyment in the story as in the photo when I'm doing a stranger portrait.
I would join for a week. Or maybe a month!