100 Strangers : Round 2 : No. 157 : Adam

My second stranger from the weekend and my second stranger taking part in a campaign to make people aware of issues they feel strongly about. Meet Adam.

Whereas my previous strangers , Eleanor and Charlotte were supporting animal rights and veganism, Adam was part of a group making people aware of the situation in Venezuela.

Adam is a member of the Nottingham Revolutionary Communist Group - RCG and along with some of his comrades was demanding imperialist hands off Venezuela and was showing solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution!

I had a chat with Adam and he told me that you cannot believe what either the BBC and Guardian are reporting about Venezuela.

I must admit some of the conversation went over my head as I am not a scholar of international politics ! Adam spoke with enthusiasm and knowledge regarding Venezuela.

I did ask Adam why his stall was flying both a Venezuelan flag and Cuban flag. Adam stated Cuba was a real friend of Venezuela and the west was only interested in the country because it is rich in oil !

Having listened to Adam for a few minutes I told him about my 100 strangers project and told him he would make a great stranger with a good backstory. I told him my narrative on our meet would be respectful.

As you can see Adam agreed to be part of my project. The backdrop is busy but I think the depth of field is such that Adam and his smile fill the frame nicely

Edited in Rawtherapee and GIMP, with a Kodak Ektar 100 film emulation added in Rawtherapee.

I suppose I should have used one of my communist manufactured vintage lenses to take a picture of Adam.

Thank you for being strangers 157 Adam, good luck with your campaigning.

Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 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

[Loopy-Lou]

Another great stranger shot, must start this project one day, a few times I’ve nearly asked but then bottled it.

[Corinne]

I love what you said about your communist manufactured lenses 😂

[FBailey]

I didn't even notice the backdrop here, a great stranger shot Phil.

[Annie D]

Like Felicity I didn't notice the backdrop either - a great portrait of Adam and an interesting story.....sadly government interest in most things nowadays - at local, state, national and international levels - is motivated by greed.

[Beryl Lloyd]

A lovely smile from this fellow and a great focus . ! The busy but mute backdrop does not distract one bit ,in fact I didn't even notice it !

[Judith Johnson]

A great shot and story. I wish him luck!

[Richard Brown]

Great stranger shot. I also like that you took the time to write his story. Quite interesting :)

[Casablanca]

Ha, I did smile at the idea of the lens you should have chosen! Lovely smile on this man, though we differ politically by miles. I do enjoy people who are passionate about their subject.

[Dione Giorgio]

Looks almost like 3-D and Adam is just popping out of the frame. Love his beautiful smile but not sure about his believes. Thank you for an interesting story and for another gorgeous portrait shot.

[Ivan]

Great character...fav shot, Phil.

[Maggiemae]

There is so much around the world that needs support, its difficult to know who needs it most! Nice smile from this guy!

[Pat Knowles]

Great that people are so passionate about what they believe in! Good for him to have such a passion that he is willing to stand there & explain. Great portrait!

[Hazel]

Fav!

[David]

Ah Yes! The Curse of Oil. Conflict almost guaranteed. Poor countries that have it struggle to please the rich countries that want it and can get torn apart over it. Good man Adam! Nice to know that young people care about these matters and are prepared to campaign. I thought those days were over. Shame on you Phil for not using the Russian lens and thus showing some solidarity! :-)

[Alison Hewitt Bailey]

Whether or no I agree with their viewpoint, it's always good to see people who feel stongly about something actively attempting to effect change - providing the protest is peaceful and non-threatening, of course.
Great shot of Adam - there's just enough detail in the background to place him in his environment. I love the tilt of his glasses!

Phil, in case you weren't aware, there was a programme about the great documentary photographer, Don McCullin, on Sunday (I only found out about it yesterday). It's available on iPlayer. Called 'Don McCullin: finding England', it was originally broadcast on BBC4 on Sunday and follows him to various locations, shooting on the street. If you haven't already seen it, I thoroughly recommend it. It's an insightful and enjoyable watch.

[Phil Howcroft]

@dulciknit Alison , thanks for your lovely comment , the protest was peaceful :) Thanks for the heads up re Don McCullin , I will check it out :)

@yrhenwr thanks david :) when I'm on the street I just take a camera and one attached lens, I never change lenses in the field ...or street in this case !!! I have been know to take 2 cameras to a big event like Leicester Caribbean Carnival :)

[Alison Hewitt Bailey]

@phil_howcroft You're welcome - on both counts. :)
If you do watch the programme would you let me know what you thought of it? I'd be interested to hear your views.