100 Strangers : No. 6 : John

John is a stranger to me, this was the first time I met him, but John is someone who I know a lot about.

This is John McGovern a former professional footballer. In a distinguished career , John played for Hartlepools United, Derby County, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Bolton Wanderers.

He captained Forest during their greatest hour when lifting the European Cup.

I bumped into John outside the Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery on Sunday morning. John was walking into the gallery as it was holding an exhibition about Nottingham Forests 'Miracle Men' (it was deemed quite a feat back in the day that a provincial city team could win the European Cup two years in succession)

I approached John , shook his hand and asked him for a photo and he duly obliged. He stood in the forecourt with the sun streaming onto his back. I only took two shots as he was being ushered into the gallery by the manager.

We had a little chat about football. I told him I was a Bolton Wanderers supporter. John managed the Wanderers between June 1982 and January 1985, when the club had no money and were in serious decline. We still have no money 30+ years later.

John's managerial career was not a glittering as his playing career

"That one was for the Wanderers" John said after I had took his photo and raised his hands in a footballers kind of celebration way

The back light created difficult conditions and I recovered some highlights in the hair by the highlight recover slider in Rawtherapee. I also sent the photo to the GIMP editor as sometimes a few little GIMP adjustments can help boost the shot too. Shot with my Canon 450D with the 50mm f1.8 lens

I think , I've just written an essay. If you got this far reading my narrative, "Well Done"

This picture is number 6 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

[Allison Williams]

He looks very approachable. It is interesting how the warmth of color adds warmth to the individual. Great picture.

[Phil Howcroft]

@allie912 thank you allison, i see what you mean about colours and warmth, the shot was a bit bland wi with the backlight, so i needed to push the contrast up a bit

[Maggiemae]

A nice fellow and your photo does him proud! No light on the face yet all the features are clear!

[Pat Knowles]

I think John should go to the top of your list of 'strangers' Phil. Must have been quite a thrill meeting him plus if you hadn't been doing your 365 project you wouldn't have had any excuse to stop him & talk. The light works really well here as it highlights his head beautifully....his ears too! He seems a nice guy! Well done for having the courage to ask him.

[Hazel]

I've read your 'essay' twice, Phil as I'm always gleaning hints and tips. Apart from the difficult conditions re lighting I think you were under time constraints and this is a great portrait, once more, and as ever, showing the character of your subject.

[Judith Johnson]

I've just read to the bottom too! A fascinating story. I love how the sunlight catches his hair and yet his face is bright and well-lit too. Terrific - and a fav!

[Myrna O'Hara]

great shot of this interesting person

[Constance Brinkley]

Your portraits are really good.

[Annie D]

he has a gorgeous face - beautiful eyes and that lovely hint of a smile that still manages to reach his eyes and dimples

[Gena Pegg]

I like the lighting and glow on his hair. Your commentary was very interesting as well. You've captured a happy expression and a very warm smile and twinkle in his eyes. Well done. You are so brave and good at approaching strangers and then being able to capture such great shots of them.

[Phil Howcroft]

@eyesmile thanks for reading the commentary too gena :) glad you like john :)

@annied yes the eyes are fab aren't they annie :)

@seattle thank you constance, you should do some streetie style portraits, they are good fun

@sailingmusic many thanks myrna :)

@quietpurplehaze thanks hazel, i am often a bit wary of taking up too much time of a stranger. If i get a little more time i might try the three stitch style montage

[Phil Howcroft]

@busylady many thanks for your fave judith and managing to finish my "essay" :) :)

@happypat thanks Pat, it was quite an easy "ask", John was very approachable and I knew he would help a Wanderers supporter too :)

@maggiemae i think because his face fills a lot of the frame , the camera metering did a decent job maggie :)

[Nick]

I should imagine this was difficult at the sun was strong behind him so well done. I probably would have just ended up with a silhouette, lol! He has a very kind face but looks a bit cheeky too.