In fact not 'What the butler saw' but it was me who saw the butler rush down the corridor at Lanhydrock (National Trust), Cornwall.
I thought I had missed a portrait opportunity but later I found him standing in the corridor: butler's black long-tailed coat, white gloves and shirt, and holding a small silver salver (for visiting cards) aloft in one hand.
Brian, a National Trust Volunteer, aka Henry Herne, the butler, was happy to oblige with a photo. I thought he held the slightly aloof pose of a butler perfectly. He works as a volunteer on Saturdays at Lanhydrock.
He told me about two of his other passions: swing jazz, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington et al, which he plays on clarinet and saxophone, not in a band but just for his own pleasure; astronomy which he enjoys in his own observatory at home equipped with a powerful telescope.
Everyone has a story to tell.................
It is quite difficult now, for various reasons, to find stranger portraits: especially with the spectre of Covid-19 lurking around any encounter. So I am revisiting some existing colour portraits, seeing how they suit b&w conversions.
