tiabunna's photos with the keyword: street portrait

This picture is 25 in my "100 Strangers" project. Shortly after I arrived at the park where the People's Climate Picnic and march was to gather, a friendly lady also arrived and we began chatting about climate change and the many associated issues. Sue (for that was her name) is a former teacher and is concerned about minimising her own domestic greenhouse emissions. We continued our conversation on the march to the church where the bell was rung for the event. Sue was able to make a loud statement about climate by ringing the church bell herself (see image in note). Back at the park, I asked her if she would participate in the 'Strangers' project. She agreed, and I took a series of images, both of us having a good chuckle over most before settling on this one as the 'most acceptable'.

This picture is 26 in my "100 Strangers" project. It was taken at the conclusion of the local 'People's Climate Picnic' and march. As is often the way at large gatherings I met some people I knew and they introduced me to others. Eventually I found myself chatting to Chris about the local environment and the relevance of proper consideration of climate change and, most particularly, of sea level rise in regional planning. Chris proved to have quite a fascinating knowledge of the issues, as he was a former Councillor in the local Shire Council and was involved when they initiated policies to minimise future risks. Chris readily agreed to participate in the '100 Strangers' project, removed his sunglasses, and this was the result. Thanks so much for your cooperation, Chris. Explored.

This picture is 24 in my "100 Strangers" project. I saw Martin and Jock walking around the Michelago May Fair and thought they would make great subjects for a portrait. When I approached Martin, he very kindly agreed on their behalf. Martin told me that he is a Councillor on the Cooma-Monaro Shire Council and that he lives in Michelago. He is very enthusiastic about the area, which he moved into from overseas, after retiring from the RAF. Clearly though, flying is in his blood and he now runs a flying school when not involved in Council activities. I forgot to ask Jock about his background, but he certainly looked very impressive through the lens. Many thanks for your cooperation, Martin, I hope you like your image.

This picture is 23 in my "100 Strangers" project. It's far too long since my previous posting for this! I really enjoy visiting the Michelago May Fair though, so that seemed a great venue to seek some suitable subjects. Pam was very busy running the curry stand in the food area, so when she took a well-earned break for lunch I interrupted her meal with a dopey request for a photo for my project. Although she would have been justified in tipping lukewarm curry over my lens, Pam kindly spared the time to tell me a little about herself. She moved to the area some years ago, believing that a rural lifestyle is the best for raising her boys. She considers the community important and appreciates the greater feeling of community spirit in the country. Thank you very much for your willing cooperation, Pam. I hope you like the image - and I do apologise for making your lunch go cold. :)

It must be said that, in Australia at least, there are few job vacancies for Town Criers. But about two years ago, Alan found himself cast in that role. And I'd say it's one he thoroughly relishes. After seeing the position advertised he went for auditions and was an instant hit. So he was appointed by the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory as the official ACT Town Crier. He is a member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Australian Town Criers and also of the Australian Society for Creative Anachronism. Being probably the only Town Crier in the region, Alan told me that he is in demand most weekends for community events, not only in the ACT but also in neighbouring towns and villages such as Braidwood and Michelago, where I found him at the May Fair. For a fee, he also provides his services at weddings. It was great seeing you and work and meeting you Alan, thank you for your time and I hope you like the photos. This picture is 15 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

While I'm away, I'll add another of the earlier images from my "100 Strangers" series, originally loaded to the 'other site'. The following are my original comments there: I took the little red 1958 Renault 4CV to the Canberra "Wheels" heritage vehicle display. As usual, it created quite a bit of interest. Sally was one of the many viewers and happily agreed to participate in my 100 Strangers photo project. She smiled even more broadly when I suggested she have her photo taken in the little car. Best viewed on black (just click on the photo). Apart from being a photo of Sally, this shows well how the "suicide" (front opening) doors give great access - even if their safety is questionable. I took a set of photos of Sally, who is a graphic designer in Canberra and who happily waited while I changed lenses for a wider angle. I gather that, in the course of her work, she is accustomed to working with photographers. My first photos (see shot below) were taken with a Pentax A 35-105 lens and gave great close-up portrait results, but I wanted the wider shot - so changed to the the Sigma 17-70. When it came to putting the photos on here I was uncertain which to make the main shot, but finally decided to go with the 'environmental portrait' : your thoughts would be welcome. And Sally, thank you so much for your cooperation. This picture is 05 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

I've realised I should upload the previous images from my "100 Strangers" series, originally loaded to the 'other site'. What follows are my original comments: I wandered down the foreshore at the Bay as the sunset faded and eventually found myself on one of the jetties, where I met Vicki. She was visiting from Victoria and was fishing with a friend and his teenage son Steven. After some yarning about photography and fishing, Vicki kindly allowed me to interrupt her fishing, even though the flathead were biting ... Thank you Vicki, and I hope you pulled out several more. This also was my first chance to test the new fold-up mini softbox I'd fitted to my flash. Although I was fairly happy with the result, I feel I need more practice using it. I also photographed Steven, but then found he still is a minor. When I mentioned this, his Dad gave his approval to take Steven's photo: only after returning home have I found that for Steven to be included in the "100 Strangers" group, the rule is that his Dad would also need to have been in the shot. So the photo is uploaded, but just not in the F****r group pool: and I've made a mental note to 'get it right' next time. This picture is 04 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

I had uploaded this previously, I'm now moving it forward in my photo stream as it belongs with the "Stranger portrait 04:100" of Vicki which I have just uploaded. I wandered down the foreshore at the Bay and eventually I found myself on one of the jetties, where I met some people enjoying an evening's fishing. One of them was Steven who promptly caught a flathead. After chatting to him for a while, I asked about taking his portrait. I had proposed to add it to a F****r portrait group, but found on my return home that the photo failed to meet that group's rules (because he still is a minor, his Dad also needed to be in the shot - and although approval was obtained, that wasn't considered adequate ). I added the shot to my photo stream regardless and, in any case, we're now on a different site. Thanks anyway Steven, and I hope you caught more fish after I left.

(Suggest view on black - press 'L') As we set up the food stall, a band were setting themselves up nearby. Well, there are “bands” and “Bands”: I'm very pleased to report that this group was good. So I took some shots of them playing then later managed to catch up with their Co-Leader, “Just call me CC Hall”. CC told me that the band is called “The Bridge Between” and they specialise in “Blues roots”. They are based in Canberra where they are well known and also have done some touring, sometimes also as a supporting group for overseas entertainers. They also have released a recent album ”Hope Street” . I have since done a quick internet search and find they have a website www.thebridgebetween.com.au where you can read more about them and purchase their album. CC very obligingly posed for a portrait for me (second photo), though I think the “action” portrait of him with the microphone is more relevant. I also have included another shot of the band. Thank you for your time and cooperation CC, I hope that you and the group go on to international fame (and that you will make me your official photographer when you do :) ). The main technical consideration here was the extreme contrast of the band wearing dark clothing in the shade and the bright outside sunshine (see 3rd shot): working in RAW helped. This picture is 19 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

Jeremy was working on the Information Stall at the Michelago May Fair and, with his bright yellow Rural Fire Service outfit was an instant and obvious choice for a portrait shot. He told me he has been a member of the nearby Colinton Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade since 2002. He was very interested in the “100 Strangers” project and entirely willing to be a subject. And that was where the problem began, when I took the portrait shot you see here under the bright orange marquee, then tried for a wider shot of him in his “yellows”. Because my camera usually has very good auto white balance, I use that as my default setting. But the combination of orange/yellow clothing, an orange tent over the top and a purple tent in the background was obviously too extreme for the system and led to some very unlikely (over-blue) results. At that stage, Jeremy had several people waiting for his time and I was called away, so I agreed to chat with him again later. Several hours later we again caught up and I found that not only is he also a keen photographer himself but that he also is a self-employed graphic designer. Just my luck, when I demonstrate my errors in front of a subject, that they should turn out to be an expert! Anyway, we had another crack at the full length shot and again found a very blue cast: but I was shooting in RAW, so correcting the colour balance was not too difficult and gave the second shot. It was a useful lesson for me on unexpected colour casts. I greatly appreciate your patience with these shots Jeremy, and hope you approve of the results. This picture is 17 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

See note on main shot for second photo. It must be said that, in Australia at least, there are few job vacancies for Town Criers. But about two years ago, Alan found himself cast in that role. And I'd say it's one he thoroughly relishes. After seeing the position advertised he went for auditions and was an instant hit. So he was appointed by the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory as the official ACT Town Crier. He is a member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Australian Town Criers and also of the Australian Society for Creative Anachronism. Being probably the only Town Crier in the region, Alan told me that he is in demand most weekends for community events, not only in the ACT but also in neighbouring towns and villages such as Braidwood and Michelago, where I found him at the May Fair. For a fee, he also provides his services at weddings. It was great seeing you and work and meeting you Alan, thank you for your time and I hope you like the photos. This picture is 15 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

This picture is 16 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page Just spending the day wandering around the rural May Fair at Michelago was not to be possible: I soon found myself called in to assist my daughter with a food stall. There I met Ingrid who also was a volunteer worker for the day and who has lived in the nearby Tinderry Mountains for the past twelve months. Needless to say, between customers, I told Ingrid about my involvement in the “100 Strangers” project and, as she still was listening to the end, I proceeded to seek her involvement. Equally needless to say, she agreed and (between customers) I was able to grab the photos you see here. I was glad we did this fairly early in the day, as the stall became very busy later and it would have been much more difficult. I'm also pleased to say the many satisfied customers helped to raise much-needed funds for the local Community Association. I would suggest viewing on black (press Z).