Haze's strangers: No. 8: John by quietpurplehaze

Haze's strangers: No. 8: John

Yesterday we popped into London Camera Exchange to take in my macro lens as the hood had fallen to pieces.

John was at the counter collecting colour prints which he showed us, just lovely: a dormouse sitting on his friend's shoulder. He told us that dormice are a protected species so it's forbidden to handle them. But it's OK to let them run up your friend's arm, sit on his shoulder and 'shoot' them - apparently.

John has 3 or 4 film cameras, including an Olympus and had just bought himself a little Canon Ixus p&s. He took me to the display cabinet to show me, and also pointed out a Lumix compact systems camera which he said he'll buy if he wants a more sophisticated digital camera.

He was totally relaxed about me taking a portrait shot. I've kept the background - quite like the neon blue advert for a camera/lens manufacturer!

I guess I've been unlucky in having 2 problems with my a6000 in 9 months, both requiring a return to Sony. But I still really love it.
Lovely portrait and story. It is kind of nice to meet these strangers and hear a little bit about them. Like ve this series!
September 26th, 2015  
A lovely portrait Hazel -- he looks very relaxed
September 26th, 2015  
Great portrait shot and story
September 26th, 2015  
Very nice portrait Hazel..I'm beginning to think I should start this challenge too, you get to talk about lots of interesting things! I bet you have learnt more about odds & sods since you started doing the portraits. I like the neon too, show off your DOF nicely!
September 26th, 2015  
@happypat

Pat, I think it would be right up your street! It's supposed to be a learning exercise about people as well as portrait photography but I find I learn a whole lot more too!
September 26th, 2015  
Lol Hazel. The learning about ppl can be a bit surprising, too. Nice portrait.
September 26th, 2015  
Very nice portrait and a lovely story. You are doing very well with your stranger portraits
September 26th, 2015  
Such a relaxed portrait of a "stranger" Great story to go with it too :) I find it quite amazing the conversations you engage in when wandering around with a camera in hand!
September 26th, 2015  
Lovely capture and great place to find him and be able to chat about photography . He does look very pleased to have met you.
September 27th, 2015  
super narrative and shot too haze, john's choice of a potential lumix compact system is a good one too
September 27th, 2015  
Super shot and story. Give it a go Pat @happypat I chat to so many interesting people when I take 'people' photos. Very often blokes with beards, as you know.
September 27th, 2015  
@onewing

Beards seem to be proliferating in this area now, Babs!!!
September 27th, 2015  
@phil_howcroft

The problems I'm having with this a6000 I'm beginning to think I should have bought one too, Phil!
September 27th, 2015  
beautiful portrait
September 27th, 2015  
@onewing @quietpurplehaze @phil_howcroft the trouble with me doing portraits is the initial asking....I am fine once I have got last that & can chat for Britain but it's plucking up the courage!!
September 27th, 2015  
Awesome portrait.
September 28th, 2015  
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