Haze's strangers: No.37: Tom by quietpurplehaze

Haze's strangers: No.37: Tom

I met Tom outside Wetherspoon's at the weekend where Ray and I had breakfast. He was having a cigarette; I was waiting for Ray to fetch an item from the car parked nearby.

It escapes me now who began to talk but Tom and I just fell into conversation. He was unhappy with the shops in Winchester as he had failed to find a case he was seeking for his tablet.

When Ray returned, Tom was at pains to tell him that he wasn't chatting me up. I remarked that had I known I was going to meet somebody, I would have brought my camera and portrait lens. I asked Tom if he would have agreed to have his photo taken and he quickly said yes so I suggested using my X20 (which I was 'wearing' ready for any s/c shots I might find down the town).

I took a few shots and had the camera set on bracketing (b&w, standard, vivid) and liked this b&w best (straightened, cropped, given a bit of shadow and contrast on Faststone). Tom is so tall that I had to ask him to sit down.

Tom used to work as a nurse at the hospital in Winchester, and then with older folk with dementia but he found this work too upsetting. He explained that he came to Winchester originally from Liverpool as a child with his family who are now all dead: mother, father, sister and brother.

He told me about a charity shop which sells second-hand cameras.............
A jovial face, weathered by life & time. Sad to hear that all his family have passed away........
February 23rd, 2016  
His smile made me smile.
February 23rd, 2016  
Lovely smile from Tom and a great capture. He had an interesting chat about his life with you.
February 23rd, 2016  
Great portrait and story line. He sure looks happy.
February 23rd, 2016  
A jolly man! What a lot of people he's lost though.
February 23rd, 2016  
Looks a pleasant man
February 23rd, 2016  
Nice capture,love his smile.
February 23rd, 2016  
cheerful chappie
February 23rd, 2016  
What a character he has a grin and a half wonderful photo fav:)
February 23rd, 2016  
A lovely portrait. He has a lovely smile, but such sad eyes.
February 23rd, 2016  
Wonderful capture; sweet open face :-). I love your strangers, Hazel!
February 24th, 2016  
@cathieg

Cathie, thank you!!!
February 24th, 2016  
beautiful portrait!
February 24th, 2016  
looks a bit "Phil Tufnell'ish" in his impish ways Haze . A nice encounter
February 24th, 2016  
@phil_howcroft

I looked that up and can see what you mean!
February 25th, 2016  
I think the happy aspect of many of your subjects says as much - probably more - about you than it does them. When do we hear about the charity shop then?
February 25th, 2016  
@vignouse

Thank you! Well it's like this - the charity shop apparently sells mostly film cameras - and I am not skilled enough for that! But I will take a look - and post if I find anything.
February 25th, 2016  
Awesome portrait.
February 25th, 2016  
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