During our recent stay in Portobello, we took the bus into Edinburgh to visit the National Portrait Gallery, an elegant and beautiful building, both the exterior and interior aspect.
Inside there are several small exhibitions, each one different and compelling. We climbed the stairs to begin at the first floor and I took a shot looking down into the 'ambulatory' with its rich colours and patterns.
Then I noticed a young man sitting intently sketching a marble bust and thought he would be a great subject for a portrait. Hesitating for a moment, I walked past him but found myself turning and asking if I could take his photo. He agreed and I explained my strangers' portrait project.
After I had introduced myself he told me his name: 'Javier'. I heard the 'h' but could not visualize the 'j' and must have looked rather dense as he quickly wrote it on a small scrap from his sketching paper.
To cover my confusion I explained that I do speak a bit of Spanish but that 'escuchar es diferente de leer' and he agreed that listening is different from reading.
I took several shots, some of Javier sketching, some more portrait style. I liked the concentration in the one I have chosen.
Javier has lived in Edinburgh for four years and prior to that was in Manchester for two years. He was sketching as part of an assignment for an art course he is taking and, in addition, he works as a chef.
'Tapas?' I asked.
'No,' he replied, 'Asian'.
Javier wrote his email address for me to send him a photo. He also took mine planning to send me a bit more information about himself. I guess his busy life has intervened but I am content with the photos and what I discovered about him at the time.
I am very happy that he agreed to let me take his photo, which I have emailed to him and wish him all the best in his work and on his art course.
n.b. I think my initial hesitation stemmed from only having my little RX100M4 with me. It's a great little camera but does not really look 'the goods' when approaching a stranger to ask for a portrait!
my strangers' portraits:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150442566@N07/albums/72157674948019094
Peter, it's a brilliant little camera just that I feel people looking at it will think it's too small to do what it can do! And not looking like a serious camera!!!