100 Strangers : Round 3 : No. 252 : Vince by phil_howcroft

100 Strangers : Round 3 : No. 252 : Vince

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. It was developed by enslaved Africans in Brazil at the beginning of the 16th century. It is known for its acrobatic and complex manoeuvrers, often involving hands on the ground and inverted kicks. It is not something you expect to see on a winter's afternoon in Nottingham.

I did however see it. I was pushing my grand daughters pram with my wife and daughter (we are the support bubble for my daughter) and saw three people doing acrobatic moves in "Eagle Square" Arnold. I had a Sony A6000 and 35mm manual focus prime lens on me (to take some landscape shots in the park) so decided to approach the people for some shots.

This is Vince who was coaching Chris and his daughter. Vince is a 21 year old from France he is studying Business at Nottingham Trent University. I asked him how he learnt Capoeira, he told me he was self taught. Vince is from Montpelier in the South of France. He asked me if I knew where it was and I told him we had been to Sete which was fairly close.

It was quite tricky to photograph acrobatics with a manual focus lens, but I think the results are pretty good (see previous photos). I tried to maintain social distancing while doing Vince’s portrait. Vince wearing his snood helped create a safe environment for the photo too. The result you see is a 50% crop of the original shot.

Vince was really interested in my Sony A6000, asking me if I likes the camera and the APS-C sensor. He said he was thinking of buying the upgraded versions of the A6xxx family. I said it was a great camera and Sony created awesome cameras. I told him many people at our camera club were buying Fuji cameras, but I though Sony were better. Vince asked me if I shot video, I said Sony had a great reputation for video, but I did not shoot video.

Vince then did some tumbles and acrobatics for me to photograph.

Sony A6000, with 35mm prime, edited in ART and GIMP

A marvelous shot for your strangers collection! I love the lean you put on it.
February 13th, 2021  
@marlboromaam gives it a bit of an edge maggie. It suits the sitter :)
February 13th, 2021  
A great portrait. Full of life.
February 13th, 2021  
definitely a sparkle in his eye in this portrait. don't you find that younger people are more comfortable in front of the camera? maybe that isn't your experience but it mine.
February 13th, 2021  
Fav. A wonderful portrait capture of Vince. Wish I could take portrait shots like this.
February 13th, 2021  
An interesting encounter Phil....you learn loads besides getting great portrait stranger photos. That looks a perfect mask for cold weather!
February 13th, 2021  
It’s all about the eyes in this! And Jane didn’t tell you off?
February 13th, 2021  
That's a stunning shot Phil. Great story too.
February 13th, 2021  
@busylady thanks judith it turned out OK :)

@judithg I got Jane's approval Judith :)

@happypat Pat, thank you them mask is a snood, perfect for winter ! Not that I have one

@sangwann dione , we can all take shots like this, focus on the nearest eye, job done !

@jackies365 jackie thanks for your comment and observation, I've never really thought about who is most relaxed about having their photo took . I think I have a "strangerdar" that allows me to identify people who will be relaxed :)

February 13th, 2021  
@ljmanning laura thank you for your kind comment :)
February 13th, 2021  
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