100 Strangers : Round 4 : No. 369 : Eli by phil_howcroft

100 Strangers : Round 4 : No. 369 : Eli

This is Eli, who I met immediately after I’d photographed Jack and Yaz (who were giving away free cans of Red Bull).

Eli and a colleague had seen Jack and Yaz, giving away the Red Bull’s from their offices at Nottingham Trent University and had walked down to the Red Bull car to get a can.

Unfortunately Yaz had given away the last can so like myself, Eli was unsuccessful in getting a can. I told Eli the last can had gone as I approached the car.

Eli had some fabulous make up, glasses and clothes and I just had to ask for a stranger photo.

I introduced myself and asked if I could take a photograph for my project, as you can see Eli said “Yes”

Eli told me the car could be seen from their office. I asked what work they did at the Uni and Eli told me they worked in EDI : Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

“Ahh Right” I replied “I used to work in IT and EDI was Electronic Data Interchange. Your role is important in today’s society”

Eli told me that many people still think the role is in IT .

“Are you from Nottingham?” I asked

Eli told me Derby. “Derby housing is a lot cheaper than Nottingham” said Eli.

“That’s a hard commute” I said (it’s a busy route) “Do you drive?”

“I use public transport and Yes it’s a hard commute, even more so as I’m disabled” (Eli had a walking stick)

I did a few quick shots of Eli and showed them on the camera screen. We exchanged Instagram handles and we shook hands / bumped fists.

I wished Eli luck in the EDI role and thanked Eli for letting me take some photographs.

I hope you like the photos when you see them Eli
I like the narrative and the reflection on how how our language changes. Great photo.
May 25th, 2023  
A lovely narrative, Phil. I’m so impressed that you find so many interesting people willing to have their photos taken by a stranger.
May 25th, 2023  
@tinley23 thanks Lesley , I surprise myself too that I meet so many fabulous people

@ankers70 thanks Suzanne that's a lovely comment
May 25th, 2023  
I like it
May 25th, 2023  
Another great stranger photo. Interesting narrative too. Nottingham is obviously very diverse, much more so than Lincoln I think.
May 25th, 2023  
You are such a conversationalist! I love reading about the people you meet.
May 25th, 2023  
Great portrait of Eli! Interesting choice of makeup and outfit!
May 26th, 2023  
Eli has beautiful eyes and this is what I immediately noticed on this portrait despite her heavy eye make-up.
This is another great encounter and we're lucky you share it with us.
May 26th, 2023  
Quite an intriguing look. Nice portrait with a glimpse into her personality.
May 26th, 2023  
Another fabulous shot and narrative
May 26th, 2023  
Excellent makeup.
May 26th, 2023  
Great portrait of Eli. To be honest, I don't like the tattoo on her eyes, she was beautiful enough before she did that. Very sorry to learn that she has a disablilty. My heart goes out when I see somebody still young having an extra hurdle like that to surmount.
May 26th, 2023  
She certainly has an interesting look
May 26th, 2023  
Another interesting story and lovely portrait of Eli.
May 26th, 2023  
Another great stranger shot and story too
May 26th, 2023  
Great portrait
May 26th, 2023  
Great shot Phil……very striking young woman.
May 26th, 2023  
She looks very creative. Another wonderful stranger portrait!
May 26th, 2023  
@ljmanning @happypat @bkbinthecity @bizziebeeme @jamibann @kjarn @sangwann @boxplayer @christinav @amyk @corinnec @marlboromaam @2022julieg @carole_sandford @pdulis @tinley23 @ankers70

Hi everyone thanks for you positive comments and support on my strangers project . Eli really likes the photos I took and the accompanying narrative too. Eli did tell me that as a side issue "I use they/them pronouns :)" . I have changed the narrative to reflect Eli's gender neutral preferences
May 26th, 2023  
Great shot. Love the eyes.
May 27th, 2023  
Interesting, nicely captured!
May 27th, 2023  
interesting photo and story about Eli
May 28th, 2023  
what a great exchange - you learn so much from your stranger project. And we do too! Another great stranger portrait.
June 3rd, 2023  
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