100 Strangers : Round 2 : No. 184 : Mark by phil_howcroft

100 Strangers : Round 2 : No. 184 : Mark

Yesterday evening, we went to Nottingham’s Goose Fair and I took my wide angle lens to take some street / ride shots and also scout for some potential stranger / portrait shots.

Today I took my nifty fifty lens and visited the fair in the early afternoon, just after it had opened as I knew the stall holders , ride supervisors would not be too busy and therefore amenable to a photo request. I’d seen Mark yesterday, he was an attendant on the white knuckle “Ice” ride (see my previous picture) and I thought he would make a great stranger.

When I approached Mark this afternoon for a photo, I told him I really liked his tattoos and would he let me take his picture.

Mark said yes without hesitation and struck up a pose straight away. I set my camera to a wide aperture to ensure I got some nice bokeh against the lights of his ride.

Mark is 57 years old and has been working the fairs all his life. He told me he loved the life. I asked him where he his next trip was after Nottingham and he told me they were off to Milton Keynes,

It was really loud and noisy outside the ride, so it was quite difficult to hold a long conversation and I also didn’t want to distract Mark too much from his job. I was going to ask him about his face / head tattoo, but a google search told me the tattoo reads “Undertaker” and is in homage to the WWF wrestler “The ‘Undertaker”

Thank you for letting me take you picture Mark, I hope you have a great Goose Fair and enjoy your visit to Milton Keynes.


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
Glad to know this guy was friendly! Most people with tattoos just love to have you remark on them. They wouldn't want to hear what my hubby would say, though!
October 4th, 2019  
Wonderful pic!! Interesting guy!
October 4th, 2019  
You are doing so well with the photos.
October 4th, 2019  
Fav for a brilliant portrait, Phil! No more to say, just brilliant! (I went to St Cross yesterday, one of my haunts for portraits but nobody about in the garden and by the time I finished flower shots, the tea room had closed but at least I am on the trail again!)
October 4th, 2019  
Powerful image.
October 4th, 2019  
Another of your great portrait captures, Phil. And another fabulous subject to capture. Fav.
October 4th, 2019  
He looks quite tame without his shades! Nice portrait.
October 4th, 2019  
A good professional job. Good thinking beforehand. Fav
October 4th, 2019  
Great background on this; really good getting him framed in all those lines. and your portraits are always so good....
October 4th, 2019  
@granagringa thanks for such a wonderful comment :)

@lostphojo thanks David, the Sony 50mm lens never disappoints

@caddick cheers mike , he was a gentleman :)

@sangwann thanks dione, your support is always very much appreciated :)


@casablanca thanks Casa' , I agree

@quietpurplehaze thanks Haze for your lovely comment :) I knew it was a good pic as soon as I looked in the viewfinder. Good to know you ae stranger hunting again :)

@sdutoit thanks Sylvia , much appreciated

@photographycrazy thanks , pleased you like this shot


@maggiemae thanks maggie, i think you are right about people with Tats
October 5th, 2019  
You are much braver than I am - tatts intimidate me!
October 5th, 2019  
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.