Stranger number 53 is Andy. I met Andy outside the Macron Stadium before my team Bolton Wanderers played host to Port Vale.
I walked around the perimeter of the stadium with my mate Bill.
Bill is getting good at stranger spotting, having pointed out at least three pre match strangers for me.
Bill spotted Andy on our second circuit around the ground.
Andy is a Port Vale supporter and Bill spotted him outside the "away end" selling copies of a fanzine he produces.
Fanzines were a massive phenomenon back in the 1980's and 1990's and were a voice for the fans in an age when football was turning very corporate and ignoring the grass root supporters (that's my opinion btw. Some might say grass root supporters are still ignored, especially in the English Premier League, where admission prices are far too expensive). Fanzines have tended to be replaced by online fans forums, but some still exist in printed format, as is the case with Andy's "Derek I'm Gutted" which is currently on issue number 84. "Derek I'm Gutted" has been printed since August 2000; the name was inspired by a remark by then-manager Brian Horton to local journalist Derek Davis following a defeat to Tranmere Rovers
Andy has been supporting Port Vale for over 50 years and was pleased to be part of my strangers series. I don't think Andy would have been very happy at 5 o'clock as his team were well beaten 3-1 by the Wanderers, who sit in 2nd position in the league table.
I asked Andy to move away from the turnstile entrance area so I had an uncluttered background, The grey / blue stadium brick wall providing an excellent backdrop,
I did a few shot of Andy holding his fanzines aloft (a bit of "product placement" said Andy), but Andy looked uncomfortable doing this in the shots so I went for a head and shoulders front on landscape view.
Edited in Darktable with only a few minor adjustments to highlights, levels, contrast, de-noise, lens correction and sharpness to create what I think is quite a pleasing study. I thought of adding a little vignette to the borders but decided against this as I think the diagonal wall lines adds lead in lines to Andy.
Hope you all like the shot too
This picture is number 53 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
100 Strangers Flickr Group page
https://www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/
My own strangers can be seen here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/57144254@N08/albums/72157657822400168
@granagringa thank you fot your nice words especially regarding my strangers project :)
@denidouble deni thank you for your comments at a difficult time for you
@maggiemae thanks maggie , half way, but a long way to go yet !!!
@sdutoit thanks sylvia
@quietpurplehaze thanks haze, i always spot focus on the eyes :)
@sangwann cheers dione, enjoy the juve game, i am sure you will :)