Hopefully it's a good sign that on New Year's Day, 2022, I met a gentleman called John, happy to let me take his portrait.
We were walking beside the River Itchen when I noticed him setting up his fishing gear. I said 'Hello' and passed the time of day and then I asked for a portrait, going on to explain my strangers' project. John was quite amenable and stood with his back to the river so that the sun was behind me. I took a few shots.
John told us that he is 81 years old and would like to live to be 90 thus he looks after himself. He is one of many many members of the Zoe Covid Study -
https://covid.joinzoe.com/ - working against the virus through their contributions to the site.
His trade was as a self-employed toolmaker and now retired, he devotes time to his special interests.
With regard to his hobby of fishing, he planned to spend a couple of hours on the river bank, not fishing to eat: although there are trout in the river, he had beome a bit bored with them.
John is also a keen photographer and his passion is travelling the world - Africa, America, Canada, India - photographing birds. He has also enjoyed sailing with a friend, and motorcycling.
I had not expected to find a portrait so had no card to give but Ray put John's email in his phone so I could send photos.
Rather than the Sony A6000 + portrait lens, I just had my Lumix LX100 with me, which, I think, has done a good job. And I was pleased to find we had walked a mile, part of which I did with only my purple walking stick for balance.
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