Haze's strangers:  No.84:  Mike by quietpurplehaze

Haze's strangers: No.84: Mike

We met Mike along the south coastal path in Guernsey. He was having a brief pause during his 15 mile cycle ride; we were having a small stroll to look at the view.

It was natural to fall into conversation about the beautiful unseasonal sunny weather. And then I asked Mike if he would participate in my portrait project.

He was happy to do so and I took a few shots, this one being my favourite.

Mike told us he came to Guernsey 26 years ago from the Manchester area. His professional life was as an accountant and he is now semi-retired.

He is learning Spanish as he and his wife have a place in Spain but most of his retirement pursuits are very active ones.

He has a power boat and is also going to take up gliding. His normal cycle route takes in a circuit of the island, a distance of 25 miles.

We mentioned that we had trouble the previous day finding an eatery for lunch and Mike recommended a place at Le Gouffre which turned out to be good, making us a sandwich at nearly 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

To the left of the photo, just behind Mike, can be seen Herm, one of the smaller islands off Guernsey.

It was quite bright to take a portrait in the midday sun, but there was no shade to use and I think the photo turned out OK and it was good to have a scenic background.

Lovely shot, it always pays to ask a local where the best eating places are.
December 20th, 2016  
Cool one! It's a great project that one, asking "strangers" to pose for you :) Love it!
December 20th, 2016  
My accountant used to give me a look like that when I handed over my records. Nice shot and a great idea for placing your subject.
December 20th, 2016  
Bep
Another beautiful portrait. The background is lovely.
December 20th, 2016  
Super portrait shot :)
December 20th, 2016  
@laroque Haha! That's the look i got from my husband when i bought another horse.
December 20th, 2016  
A really good shot with a lovely background. Brave to go up to strangers - one day I will try it!
December 20th, 2016  
Very nice - your commentary is great too.
December 20th, 2016  
Lots of lovely tones and textures with this rugged individual its a great capture with nice composition and detail Hazel:)
December 20th, 2016  
Great portrait
December 20th, 2016  
Nice colorful candid.
December 20th, 2016  
Fabulous candid
December 20th, 2016  
the lighting was indeed tricky Haze.

You are getting near to the finish line , which is quite scary !!!
December 20th, 2016  
So it's Mike and his bike !! great candid ,as he squints in the sun while looking at you !
December 20th, 2016  
Terrific capture with a great background Mike keeps fit on his little island.
December 21st, 2016  
@phil_howcroft

Except I'm going to move that finishing line - hope you are too, Phil!
December 21st, 2016  
@quietpurplehaze 100 is my endpoint ... but then it will be 100 strangers No. 101 (round 2) . Although when I get to 100 is hard to tell. I anticipate late autumn 2017. I am doing a 100 strangers talk at camera club in November 2017 so I hope I have finished by then 😀
December 21st, 2016  
@phil_howcroft

Surely you will have finished, I think by Nov 2017, before the talk. I'll definitely carry on but not sure what form. It's useful to to be able to tell folk you are doing a project rather than just asking for a photo.

I was away with just the iPad when I posted this so couldn't do much to edit re the light on this portrait. When I got home I had a try with software on my laptop and found that I still couldn't do much to edit re the light!!
December 21st, 2016  
@quietpurplehaze I Am also doing A talk to an external camera club i.e. not mine, but that is 2018 😀. I started September 2015 and I am on 61, so November will be a tight finish if I extrapolate the time line.

With regards to the light you could get some reflector and get your husband to hold it lol .... seriously some ppl in 100 strangers flickr do that 😀
December 21st, 2016  
@phil_howcroft

It just seems that you are producing many portraits right now! You've reminded me that we had a talk on portraiture and using foil was mentioned. But I think there are already enough things to remember to pack in the holiday luggage!
December 21st, 2016  
I think semi-retired is much the best way to be later in life - keeping the brain and body in shape, as he clearly does!
December 21st, 2016  
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