We went out for breakfast this morning in Southampton and then on to the park so I could get some shots of all the lovely spring blossom.
I wanted to sit down for a bit to have a look at what I had photographed. My portrait lens was on the camera so I asked Ray to shift to the far end of the park bench so I could take his photo.
This series is about portraits of folk I know rather than strangers, although I intend to continue my strangers' portraits.
I've known Ray for 48 years and 24 days! I can be so precise because our first date was on April 1st, 1969, when we went to see 'The Trap' at the cinema in Ipswich.
We had met at the tennis club. He was an established member and I answered a request for new members in the local Evening Star.
For ages I kept the reply letter which the secretary sent to me. It was typed on a sit-up-and-beg typewriter and now seems a very formal way of inviting a new member to a club.
I couldn't play tennis for toffee but Ray was not grumpy when he had the misfortune to partner me - unlike Mr Smith, the club treasurer.
In fact, after that April1st, I didn't bother much with the tennis club. We got married the following year.
Ray has lots of interests: rambling, tennis, swimming, gardening, ambulance car driving... He also likes reading and the Nordic-type thrillers currently on TV.
I know everybody is being encouraged to talk about their mental health at the moment, but I've already done that so I shall not do it again.
Suffice it to say that it's been brilliant to have Ray with me.
Back to this morning: we finished with a visit to the Art Gallery and had a look at an exhibition called The Morris Dancer and The Rat Catcher.
p.s. I ran this past Ray to check he was OK with what I had written.
"Do you think anybody will want to read all that?" he said.
"They don't have to, if they don't want to," was my reply.
Of course they will read every word all adds to an image and what an image it is, wonderful tight crop skin tones, depth of field and fine detail, its a cracking portrait Hazel hope Ray was delighted with it, thanks for the interesting narrative looks like Ray got you well and truly trapped on the 1st April 1969 also, lol:)
I will, thank you, Babs!
Cracking portrait of your Ray Haze :)
Peter, I think Ray might have a somewhat different view!
Well done Phil for reading it all and thanks for comment on the portrait.
Wendy, thank you - funny what one remembers!
thank you!
Sam, thank you - could be an alternative view of course!!
Amy, thank you.
Thanks everybody for your comments on Ray's portrait and story. He's kind of a captive volunteer!
@brender @30pics4jackiesdiamond @gijsje @seattlite @laurieewilson @chris17 @agedrunner
Ferry, thank you for your visit and comment.