Haze's strangers: No.36: Kev by quietpurplehaze

Haze's strangers: No.36: Kev

We went out for breakfast this morning and I took my X20 with me to Winchester in case I might get a red s/c shot.

As we were making our way up the main street, this seller of the Big Issue, seeing my camera, actually invited me to take his photo. I needed no invitation of course, and this is the fourth one I took of Kev.

Kev told us a joke about a snail, a slug, a house and the Big Issue, which he sells In Winchester on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The rest of the week he sells in other towns.

I asked if he lives in Winchester and he said in the country nearby - in his car. He told us he'd lived in his car for 3 years since having 'everything taken away' after working for 20 years and that he has no respect for 'the system'. Hardly liking to ask about meals, I did so and he said he goes to his daughter's quite a lot.

I showed Kev, on the screen, the photos I had taken and he reminisced about the days of film photography when you had to put the film into the camera, thread it in and wind it on and afterwards had to wait for the film to be developed, which all brought back memories of my dad who was a keen photographer.

As we parted, I thanked Kev for the photo and he thanked me for the chat and told me I was the best lady in the world - apart from his mum.

We bought a copy of the Big Issue, of course.

Great shot and a lovely story to go with it. fav.
February 21st, 2016  
What a great story and photo!
February 21st, 2016  
Great story and photo.
February 21st, 2016  
nice
February 21st, 2016  
nice encounter and a great shot of Key, big on impact too for the big issuer seller :)
February 21st, 2016  
Great shot and story
February 21st, 2016  
Fav! Hazel, most people try to ignore homeless people but you saw him and respected his story and made him visible to all of us. Lovely and inspiring.
February 21st, 2016  
Love the story!great expression captured!Fav!
February 21st, 2016  
Well you are a nice lady and I'm sure it gave Kev a big kick to share a few moments with someone who saw him as an individual with views that count. Good portrait too, Hazel.
February 21st, 2016  
A great candid.
February 21st, 2016  
very nice portrait! like the non posed look!
February 21st, 2016  
A great candid shot , you certainly have captured his "selling pose " and he was ready to share his life story with you ! I do like Emilie's comment @teiko -- so true !
February 21st, 2016  
A really meaningful portrait. Fav.
February 21st, 2016  
Great portrait. How about you had to load your camera in the dark....LOL.... so the film wouldn't get light struck, and ruined.
February 21st, 2016  
Great portrait! Our local Big Issue seller loves having his photo taken too. I print them off for him. He's part of our local scene and people always stop to chat and give him coffee and sandwiches. Kev looks like a similar character. Fav as I love it so much
February 21st, 2016  
Bep
Love the story. Great portrait.
February 21st, 2016  
Great portrait. Kev sounds like quite a character they always seem to be very cheerful and polite even when out in the cold and rain.
February 21st, 2016  
Kev may live in his car but he has purpose in his life selling the Big Issue on the street. A very evocative portrait considering his life story. Thank you for sharing Hazel :)
February 21st, 2016  
Great shot and a lovely story. So glad you bought a copy of the Big Issue because they are sold by homeless or disadvantaged people and they get to keep half the cost of the magazine.
February 21st, 2016  
Great story here
February 21st, 2016  
Fantastic portrait. Congratulations on making the Trending Page and the PP. Well deserved.
February 22nd, 2016  
I really enjoy your portrait shots Hazel. Your subjects seem to so at ease.
February 22nd, 2016  
Everyone has a story & it was nice that you were able to talk to Kev & share his story.
February 22nd, 2016  
Great story and portrait, Hazel.
February 22nd, 2016  
Did you warn him he becomes famous ( at least on 365 ) ?
February 22nd, 2016  
Fab portrait Hazel and very informative commentary. Thank you for drawing my attention to it. Fav
February 23rd, 2016  
@pyrrhula

I didn't warn him, Ferry but it did fleetingly cross my mind that he might derive some benefit in his circumstances from being on here - but I doubt he will.
February 23rd, 2016  
@yrhenwr

David, thank you and I'm glad to have found a 'new face' to follow!
February 23rd, 2016  
A superb photo and story. Fav.
February 23rd, 2016  
Sounds like a very interesting man to bump into,gret b/w photo full of character ,just wonderful shot fav:)
February 23rd, 2016  
Great social reporting Hazel... well done!
February 25th, 2016  
@vignouse

Richard, thank you - I was lucky to be in Winchester just then!
February 25th, 2016  
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