We went to Winchester for a little retail therapy on Tuesday. After doing the shops, we walked in the cathedral grounds where we saw a camera man and one lady assistant filming a man in the avenue of trees leading to the main entrance.
Passing by, I made a comment about hoping we were not in the way and the man, seeing my camera, gave me a wave so I took a quick shot. Ray, meanwhile, was feeling puzzled as the chap's face seemed familiar to him but he could not put a name to it.
After coffee and cake in the cathedral refectory we were en route back to the car park when we saw the same trio in Market Street, which is pedestrianized and leads to the High Street. They were standing near Flat Whites, a café in a retro caravan with outside seating.
Then three things happened all at once: I made a comment about seeing them before, just to pass the time of day; Ray remembered that the man being filmed was Jon Cuthill, a presenter on local TV; the lady assistant took hold of Ray's arm and said we were just what they needed, a couple of extras.
We had to do about half a dozen takes for various reasons. Jon forgot his lines once or twice, a white van threatened to back down into view of the camera etc etc. The programme, funding of the NHS, will be on Inside Out, Monday 16th Jan on BBC1 in the south at 7.30 p.m.
I think there will be roughly 2 or 3 seconds of the back view of us ordering a coffee, paid for by the lady assistant. We just had to move behind John and forward to the counter of Flat Whites when she gave us a gentle push in the back.
Naturally I asked Jon for a portrait and he readily agreed and I managed to take the shots during breaks in the filming. I had just a short time to find out about him: first he said, jokingly, that he is forgetful; he then told me that outside work he likes kayaking, mountain biking and hanging out with his boy and his dog, a black labrador/lurcher cross.
I'd never met anyone 'off the telly' before and searching for words to describe Jon, I feel none are needed as his personality shines through his photo. Naturally he did not want this sent to him because, as he said, rather apologetically, he has loads of photos of himself.
I processed this photo in two different versions, on FastStone on my laptop, and using PSE presets on my iPad which is what you see here.
Another nice portrait turned into an interesting story by your ability to talk to people and elicite fascinating facts about them. I hope you continue this "strangers " series for a long time.
Peter, thank you. This was a time when I converted a shot to b&w because I thought it would look good in b&w, rather than to disguise some difficulty I had with it!
Kazzy, thanks. I have to admit that my aim in entering challenges on 365 is not to win and then have to host the next competition! But it's very nice to be in the 5 finalists.
January 17th, 2017
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It'll cost you!!! (I'm looking forward to meeting you!)
The remuneration is not very high!
Pat, I have to say I never imagined that happening to me!
Thsnk you, Joanne. I enjoy this too much to stop - might have to move house(!) to find pastures new!!!
David, that's valued feedback - thank you!
Peter, thank you. This was a time when I converted a shot to b&w because I thought it would look good in b&w, rather than to disguise some difficulty I had with it!
Thank you but I feel it will be unexciting!!!
Kazzy, thanks. I have to admit that my aim in entering challenges on 365 is not to win and then have to host the next competition! But it's very nice to be in the 5 finalists.