Haze's strangers: No.182: Tina by quietpurplehaze

Haze's strangers: No.182: Tina

The day was sunny yesterday so we decided to pay a visit to Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, mostly because it's possible to hire a mobility scooter there and my osteoarthritis no longer allows me to walk far with my trekking poles (albeit shiny and purple!).

We had travelled round the Winter Garden with its snowdrops, daffodils, hellebores, birch trees with peeling bark, and were returning along the path through the Centenary Border when I realised that just ahead a small group of people were standing in the path so I decided to pull over to one side and stop to let them pass.

As they approached the lady at the front of the group stopped and spoke to me and asked how I was getting on with the scooter. I explained it was my third time of using it and it was OK. We had a chat about the pros and cons. She told me she was asking with her 91 year old mother in mind. (The irony of the situation did not strike me at the time, but only as I am writing this, as I am not near 91!)

As usual I was 'wearing' my camera and the conversation progressed to photography and I was speaking about my passion for it when it suddenly occurred to me to ask for a stranger portrait. She agreed - I asked her name - Tina.

I took some shots: the light was right, Tina had a lovely sunny smile and the backdrop was a few bare trees.

I asked for a little information to accompany Tina's portrait and learnt that she is retired from employment from the Winchester Cathedral Shop but still works there voluntarily one morning per week. She is also a volunteer bereavement visitor with Winchester Bereavement Support and has been involved with this for seven years.

Tina also enjoys spending time with her mum and with her soon-to-be-four-years-old granddaughter. She likes her garden.

I enjoyed this stranger encounter which came to me rather than me searching for it.

I gave Tina my card and she has since emailed me including: "Hazel you were lovely to talk to and thank you so much for taking the time to do so." I share this just to illustrate that I have found it quite difficult to approach strangers since I have developed mobility problems and have really mostly put this 'work' on hold until now.

Tina and her husband are shortly off to South Africa for a holiday, including a visit to her sister who lives in Knysna . I wish them a great time.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/150442566@N07/49476970577
Great story Hazel. And good portrait.
February 2nd, 2020  
@gosia

Thank you so much!
February 2nd, 2020  
Lovely portrait and narrative Hazel!
February 2nd, 2020  
Bep
Love your story, Hazel. It's a beautiful portrait of Tina. I hope that - in spite of your mobility problems - you'll be able to continue this wonderful strangers' series.
February 2nd, 2020  
Very nice portrait
February 2nd, 2020  
Great stranger portrait Hazel Tina sounds like a lovely lady to meet and talk to.
February 2nd, 2020  
What a lovely and helpful conversation for Tina as well as for you. Super portrait as always
February 2nd, 2020  
Lovely happy portrait
February 2nd, 2020  
@gijsje

Bep, thank you for your comments. I shall continue but more slowly than before.
February 2nd, 2020  
Thank you all for visits and nice comments.

@jacqbb @susie1205 @wendyfrost @casablanca
February 2nd, 2020  
Nice! You always do a good job getting nice portraits
February 2nd, 2020  
@julie

Julie thank you!
February 2nd, 2020  
Well what a great chat you had....that’s the best part about getting out & about. She sounds a looks a real friendly girl.
February 2nd, 2020  
Haze, It is good that you found Tina and that she helped reduild your confidence for approaching strangers, not that you ever lost it. It's a lovely portrait and it is really good when a stranger "falls into your lap" , photography wise not literally :)
February 2nd, 2020  
Beautiful portrait and interesting narrative Hazel:)
February 2nd, 2020  
She does have a beautiful smile
February 2nd, 2020  
A wonderful portrait with a great smile.
February 4th, 2020  
I really admire you with this project - especially with limited mobility. Lovely result too
February 4th, 2020  
Super shot and love that pom pom on her head!
February 6th, 2020  
Hi Hazel, another one of the ‘originals’ still on 365. It’s so lovely to see so many familiar names.
What a lovely sunny portrait, you are brave but it paid off so well. I bet Tina was pleased with her portrait shot.
February 6th, 2020  
Great capture.
February 7th, 2020  
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