Simon is a Colour Sergeant with the Band and Bugles of The Rifles, based at Sir John Moore Barracks, Winchester.
Four years plus of 365 has definitely changed me as never before would I have braved walking right in front of a crowd of people (quickly so as not to disturb everybody taking photos of the band with cameras and mobiles) in the High Street in order to ask him for a portrait.
In addition I only had my little Lumix with me as I had gone to meet a friend for coffee, not to find strangers, and when I set out it was tipping down with rain. The band was playing just under cover in the street and Simon was standing as if on guard near them. There was a policeman, a military policeman, photographers, press and otherwise, an army press officer sheltering under an umbrella.....
When I asked Simon for a portrait I thought at first he said something like 'Not on your life'. I obviously misheard him and also must have looked disappointed as he then repeated with a smile 'I don't mind, not at all.' It was very hard to have any conversation above the volume of the band's stirring playing.
He explained that shortly the band would be joined by contingents from the Army, Navy, and RAF in order to march back up the street for the raising of the flag ceremony to mark the start of Armed Forces Week.
Of Simon personally I cannot say much as the occasion was not conducive to much conversation. He was happy for me to use his photo but did not want to have it. I guess, being tall, handsome and smart in his uniform, he's used to being approached by photographers.
I found these snippets on the band's website:
"The band maintains traditions dating back over 200 years, including the use of the silver bugle and the distinctly fast marching speed - 140 paces per minute.
As far back as the Napoleonic Wars, the earliest Riflemen used bugles rather than drums to communicate orders on the battlefield."
It's never my intention, Phil,, to use the Lumix for portraits - but It didn't do too badly!!!!! (I can't really believe that I did this and in addition my friend Anne who lives in Winchester suddenly appeared at my elbow saying Hello as I was taking the shot I took a few shots on 'burst to try to catch the red cuffs of the conductor of the band as he moved his arms. The burst seemed not to be working but when I got home and uploaded the pics I had a total of 94 and realised it was working but I couldn't hear it over the volume of the music....)
June 21st, 2016
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Perhaps its that tidy moustache and beard - we've seen similar portraits of George V recently in pubs!
I've not done a stranger with my little Lumix yet !
It's never my intention, Phil,, to use the Lumix for portraits - but It didn't do too badly!!!!! (I can't really believe that I did this and in addition my friend Anne who lives in Winchester suddenly appeared at my elbow saying Hello as I was taking the shot I took a few shots on 'burst to try to catch the red cuffs of the conductor of the band as he moved his arms. The burst seemed not to be working but when I got home and uploaded the pics I had a total of 94 and realised it was working but I couldn't hear it over the volume of the music....)