I took my camera over the water meadows yesterday, hoping to meet a passer-by or a brother from the Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty for my 50th strangers' portrait. As it happened, I was lucky to meet Lesley, who works part time as a volunteer in the tea room in The Hundred Men's Hall.
She was happy to pose for a photo but said she felt a bit nervous so I took some shots straightaway before any customers arrived. This one was taken on f7.1 and, although I usually like a bokeh-type background for portraits, I think the teapots in focus add context.
Lesley has recently retired from 26 years working as a p.a. She told me that her passion is her family: grandchild number five is due in May and she and her husband visit her son and his family in America twice a year. She loves all crafts, cooking and entertaining.
I'm pleased to have found my halfway portrait at the almshouses which is a place I go to not only for photography but also for solitude and tranquility.
I started this project in Sept 2015 and could not have envisaged then being at the halfway point now. My feeling is that even when I reach 100, I'll find it impossible to stop...
No carry on Hazel, there aren't many of you doing lovely portrait photos like this. A beautiful shot of a lovely lady. Her scarf adds a nice touch of pattern.
I'm not an expert on portraits, but this looks pretty good to me. Good focus on the eyes, which is most important. Good pose, good detail and good natural connection with the camera. Lucky lady to be no. 50. Here's to the next 50. Fav
David, thank you. I couldn't do it 'for real' though (professionally) but I like people and hearing their stories and my 50mm portrait lens has opened up a whole new meaning to photography for me!!!
Nicely captured Hazel. It is such a nice way to make contact with complete strangers and hear their life story in a nutshell. I think we all could grow from that :)
I am just grateful that I was following you when you introduced strangers to 365 from Flickr because I'm enjoying it so very much. And I really probably won't stop at 100! I've learnt such a lot too.
April 24th, 2016
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David, thank you. I couldn't do it 'for real' though (professionally) but I like people and hearing their stories and my 50mm portrait lens has opened up a whole new meaning to photography for me!!!
The tea is also very nice! (And the cakes...)
I have some backlog photos to post your my strangers series . It is a great project to share alongside you haze ☺
I am just grateful that I was following you when you introduced strangers to 365 from Flickr because I'm enjoying it so very much. And I really probably won't stop at 100! I've learnt such a lot too.